Snow Monsters at Zao, Japan
The Zao Mountain is known for its conifer trees which become encrusted and solidified by January due to the hard rime phenomenon, which is caused by heavy snow and winds of freezing temperatures. These formations are known as “Snow Monsters” hoar frosts or Juhyo in Japanese. They are caused by the frigid storm winds of the Siberian jet stream. Visitors can take a cable car to enjoy views of the Juhyo from the top of the ski area in February. The area is illuminated at night when the view of sparkling Snow Monsters is beautiful. Enjoy a relaxing hot spring bath at Zao Onsen!
The Zaō Ropeway. Sancho Line, 蔵王ロープウェイ, Zaō Rōpuwei is the name of Japanese aerial lift system. The route, consisting of two lines, climbs Mount Zaō at Zaō Onsen, Yamagata, Japan. The lines transport skiers of Yamagata Zao Onsen Ski Resort and rime spectators in winter, tourists and mountain climbers in summer. The Zao Ropeway is a 1.8km finite system in Yamagata, Japan. This cable car is a popular attraction for skiers, sightseers and hikers travelling from Juhyō-Kōgen to Zaō-Jizō-Sanchō. The route, consisting of two lines, climbs Mount Zaō at Zaō Onsen, Yamagata. The lines transport skiers of Yamagata Zao Onsen Ski Resort and rime spectators in winter, tourists and mountain climbers in summer.
Sanroku Line, 山麓線, Sanroku-sen, Submontane Line, is an aerial tramway between Zaō-Sanroku ( 蔵王山麓, “The Foot of Mount Zaō”) and Juhyō-Kōgen ( 樹氷高原, “Rime Highland”), the cable length 1,734 metres (5,689 ft). Sanchō Line (山頂線, Sanchō-sen, “Summit Line”) is a funitel gondola lift between Juhyō-Kōgen and Zaō-Jizō-Sanchō (蔵王地蔵山頂, “Mount Zaō Jizō Summit”), the length 1,872 m (6,142 ft). Refurbished in 2003, Sanchō Line is the third funitel line to be introduced in Japan, or the first for Japanese ski resorts. The two lines are fairy crowded in winter, but skiers tend to use other chairlifts to reach Juhyō-Kōgen. From Juhyō-Kōgen, only Sanchō Line can reach the summit. Any trip to Mt. Zao is incomplete without a visit to Zao Okama. You can scale most of the mountain by car, bus, ropeway, or chairlift .
王温泉スキー場 〒990-2301 山形市蔵王温泉土合709-1
Phone: +81 023-694-9617 Website: zaomountainresort.com
Mount Zao Snow Resort Map
View Larger Map. Zao Ski Website: www.zao-ski.or.jp/map
Food and Drink in Zao Onsen Town, Japan
Yamagata Sake Museum
Find Sake from over 49 breweries in Yamagata prefecture, the Yukemuri Bar Tsunami offers a great selection of the local Yamagata food.
Google Maps:
51 Zao Onsen, Yamagata 990-2301
Phone: +81 23-694-9052
Website: zao-sake.com
Chamonix
シャモニー
$$ – Cafe & Bar
Google Maps: Uenodai Zao Onsen, Yamagata 990-2301
Phone: +81 23-694-9781
Website: concierge-zao.info/chamonix/
Dosanko Zaonoie
どさん娘 蔵王のいえ
$$$ – Restaurant / Hotel
Capacity: 25 people / 6 guest rooms
1.8 miles from Yamagata Zao Onsen Ski Resort
Google Maps: 904-4 Zao Onsen, Yamagata 990-2301 Yamagata Prefecture
Phone: +81 23-694-9093
Website: zao-minsyuku.com/dosanko/
Genghis Khan Lodge
$$ – Restaurant / Hotel
1.9 miles from Yamagata Zao Onsen Ski Resort
Google Maps: 758-2 Zao Onsen Kaminodai, Yamagata
Phone: +81 23-694-9546
Website:
Jupeer
ジュピア
$$ – Food Court
1.8 miles from Yamagata Zao Onsen Ski Resort
Google Maps: 18 Zao Onsen, Yamagata 990-2301
Phone: +81 23-694-9417
Website: www.jupeer-zao.com/
Sushi Kiraku 喜らく寿司
$$ – $$$ Japanese Seafood Sushi
1.7 miles from Yamagata Zao Onsen Ski Resort
Google Maps: 954-7 Zao Onsen, Yamagata
Phone: +81 23-694-9879
Website:
Lodge Scole
（株）ロッジスコーレ
$$ – Restaurant / Hotel
1.9 miles from Yamagata Zao Onsen Ski Resort
Google Maps: 746 Zao Onsen Woodpecker, Yamagata 990-2301
Phone: +81 23-694-9320
Website: lodgescole.com
Okumura Sobaya
中華そば 奥村
$$- Ramin
1.8 miles from Yamagata Zao Onsen Ski Resort
Google Maps: 953 Zao Onsen, Yamagata Yamagata Prefecture
Phone: +81 23-694-9307
Website:
Oto Chaya
音茶屋 (オトチャヤ)
$$ – Cafe
1.8 miles from Yamagata Zao Onsen Ski Resort
Google Maps: 935-24 Zao Onsen, Yamagata 990-2301
Phone: +81 23-694-9081
Website: instagram.com/otochaya/
Sangoro
三五郎小屋
$$ – $$$ Restaurant / Hotel
.5 miles from Yamagata Zao Onsen Ski Resort
Google Maps: 28 Kamihozawa Zao Onsen Ski Area, Yamagata 990-0017
Phone: +81 23-694-9330
Website: sangoro.co.jp
Shiba Mama No Omise
しばママのお店
$$ – Japanese Restaurant
1.7 miles from Yamagata Zao Onsen Ski Resort
Google Maps: 939-3 Zao Onsen, Yamagata 990-2301
Phone: +81 23-694-9697
Website: concierge-zao.info/shibaski
Shokujidokoro Tomitaya
食事処 とみたや
$$- Syokudo and Teishoku Restaurant
1.8 miles from Yamagata Zao Onsen Ski Resort
Google Maps: 903-4 Zao Onsen, Yamagata 990-2301
Phone: +81 23-694-9436
Website:
Tsumami : Yamagata Sake Museum
$$ – Bar & Restaurant
1.7 miles from Yamagata Zao Onsen Ski Resort
Google Maps:
951 Kawara Zao Onsen, Yamagata 990-2301
Phone: +81 23-694-9052
Website: zao-sake.com
Unite Cafe Zao
ユニテカフェ
2 miles from Yamagata Zao Onsen Ski Resort
FrenchCafe
Google Maps: 752-2 Zao Onsen Jonida Unite Zao Jonida Resort, Yamagata 990-2301
Phone: +81 23-665-1101
Website: instagram.com/unitecafe
Yunohana Chaya
湯の花茶屋 新左衛門の湯
1.8 miles from Yamagata Zao Onsen Ski Resort
Google Maps: 905 Zao Onsen, Yamagata 990-2301
Phone: +81 23-693-1212
Website: zaospa.co.jp/
Zao Summit Rest House
1.9 miles from Yamagata Zao Onsen Ski Resort
Google Maps: Kuraishidake Kokuyurinchi-Nai, Shichikashuku-machi, Katta-gun 989-0500
Phone: +81 224-34-4001
Website: zaospa.co.jp/
Hotels & Motels in Zao Onsen Town, Japan
Swiss Lodge
ペンション スイス
Omori-1968-59 Ogura, Kaminoyama, Yamagata 999-3112
Phone: +81236792129
Website: pension-swiss.com
Zao Kokusai Hotel Yamagata
蔵王国際ホテル
933 Zaoonsen, Yamagata, 990-2301, Japan
Phone: +81236942111
Website: zao-kokusaihotel.jp
Ｇ－ＳＱＵＡＲＥ
990-2301 Yamagata, Zaoonsen, 上ノ台758-21
Phone: +81236765126
Website: gsquare.community
Hotel Oak hill
ホテルオークヒル
756 Zaoonsen, Yamagata, 990-2301, Japan
Website: hoteloakhill.com
Phone: +81236942110
Petit Resort Hotel Der Barte
プチリゾートホテル デァヴェルテ
808-5 Zaoonsen, Yamagata, 990-2301, Japan
Website: zao-derbarte.com
Phone: +81236942225
Dokkonuma
ロッジZAOドッコ沼
Phone: +81236949301
Website: dokkonuma.com
Forest Inn Sangoro
990-0017 Yamagata, Kamihozawa, 不動上国有林28 蔵王温泉スキー場中央ゲレンデ 冬季
（１２月〜５月10日）道路閉鎖
Phone: +81236949330
Website: sangoro.co.jp
Gokan-no-yu Tsuruya
五感の湯つるや
710 Zaoonsen, Yamagata, 990-2301, Japan
Phone: +81236949112
Website: tsuruyahotel.co.jp
Hotel Zao Shiki
蔵王 四季のホテル
1272 Zaoonsen, Yamagata, 990-2301, Japan
Phone: +81236931211
Website: zao-shikinohotel.jp
Lodge Christmas Rose
ロッジ クリスマスローズ
We will give you free hot spring tickets!
一人旅 ご夫婦 ご家族の旅をサポートします
826 Zaoonsen, Yamagata, 990-2301, Japan
Phone: +81236949533
Website: christmasrosezao.net
Oohira Hotel
蔵王温泉 善七乃湯
825番地 Zaoonsen, Yamagata, 990-2301, Japan
Phone: +81236949422
Website: oohira.co.jp
Hotel Matsukaneya Anex
ホテル松金屋アネックス
1267-16 Zaoonsen, Yamagata, 990-2301, Japan
Phone: +81236949706
Website: matukaneya.jp
WE BRING THE GOOD FUN TO LIFE
Inside Forest Inn Sangoro Live: www.youtube.com/watch
Outside Forest Inn Sangoro Live: www.youtube.com/watch
Travel to Zao Onsen Town, Japan
Zao from Tokyo
by Train & Bus via Yamagata
Take the JR Yamagata Shinkansen from Tokyo to Yamagata (2.5 hours, around 11,500 yen, one train per hour) and transfer to a bus to Zao Onsen (40 minutes, 1000 yen, one bus per hour). The train ride is covered by the Japan Rail Pass, JR East Tohoku Area Pass and JR East South Hokkaido Pass, but the bus ride is not.
By Train and Bus via Sendai (Winter only)
Take the JR Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Sendai (100-130 minutes, around 11,000 yen, frequent departures) and transfer to a bus to Zao Onsen (100 minutes, 1800 yen, one round trip per day, seat reservations required, operates in winter only). The train ride is covered by the Japan Rail Pass, JR East Tohoku Area Pass and JR East South Hokkaido Pass, but the bus ride is not.
By Direct Bus (Winter only)
During the winter months, there is are direct overnight bus between Tokyo (Busta Shinjuku) and Zao Onsen. The one way journey takes about eight hours and costs 4500 to 8000 yen depending on the travel date. Seat reservations are mandatory.
How to access Zao Onsen from Sendai
By Train and Bus
Take the JR Senzan Line from Sendai to Yamagata (70-90 minutes, 1170 yen, one train per hour) and transfer to a bus to Zao Onsen (40 minutes, 1000 yen, one bus per hour). The train ride is covered by the Japan Rail Pass, JR East Tohoku Area Pass and JR East South Hokkaido Pass, but the bus ride is not.
By Direct Bus (Winter only)
During the winter months, there is one round trip per day between Sendai and Zao Onsen. The one way journey takes 100 minutes, costs 1800 yen and is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass. Seat reservations are mandatory.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.
Zao from Sendai
Yamako Bus operates a bus from Sendai Station East exit to Zao Onsen Bus Terminal once a week. Tickets cost ¥1100 – ¥1800 and the journey takes 1h 25m
Sendai-airport-yamagata-zao-bus-tokyo
Zaoonsen, Yamagata, 990-2301, Japan
Sendai – Zao Line (Reservation only）travel.yamakobus.jp/en/timetable
Make a Reservation
Bound for Zao
Sendai – Zao Line runs from December 23rd to March 17th.
| Bus stop name | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sendai Station East Exit No.76 | 8:00 | |
| Zao Onsen | 9:25 |
Bound for Sendai Station East Exit
| Bus stop name | ||
|---|---|---|
| Zao Onsen | 16:30 | |
| Sendai Station East Exit | 17:55 |
Bus fares 2024
| Section | One-way (adult) | One-way (child) |
|---|---|---|
| Sendai Station East Exit ~ Zao Onsen | 2,000 yen | 1,000 yen |