Zao Onsen Town, Japan

Zao Onsen

蔵王温泉

Zaō Onsen is a famous hot spring area on Mount Zaō in the northern part of Honshū, the main island of Japan.

Zao Onsen features abundant sulphuric hot spring water with strong acidity.

The town’s streets are lined with a number of hot spring inns and hotels amid atmospheric spring steams.

Zaoonsen, Yamagata, 990-2301, Japan

Records of the Onsen date back as far as 110 AD when a wounded warrior is said to have drawn an arrow out of his body and cleaned the wound at a spring only to find that the injury healed miraculously quickly and well. It is known locally as “Springs of Beauty.” The Hot Spring town of Zaō Onsen lies at an altitude of 880 meters above sea level on the slopes of the volcanic Mount Zao in Japan.

The hot mineral water has a really high acid and sulfur content, giving it the characteristic smell of rotten eggs from the Sulphur. and other minerals include iron, aluminum, sulfate and chloride. The water temperature at the open air public bathhouse is 113 °F/45 °C. The hot springs are accessible via the Tōhoku Expressway. Zaō Onsen is located in the Mount Zaō stratovolcano range. Although Mount Zaō stretches between Yamagata and Miyagi Prefectures, the town where Zaō Onsen is located was recently merged into Yamagata City.

The hot springs are known by the nicknames of Hime-no-Yu (princesses’ bath) and “Kodomo-no-Yu” (children’s bath) for their beauty and health benefits. Most Ryokan and many Hotels and pensions in Zao Onsen offer their staying guests hot spring baths. A few of them also open their baths to non-staying guests during daytime for a small admission fee.

Zao Dai-Rotemburo

Large Outdoor Bath

蔵王温泉 大露天風呂

Sizeable, open-air thermal pool fed by a natural Sulphur spring & set amid peaceful forest.

Hours: 9:30 to 17:00
Closed: late November to mid April
Admission: 700 yen

853-3 Zaoonsen, Yamagata, 990-2301, Japan

Attractively situated in a forested valley right alongside a mountain river, these large, gender-separated outdoor baths are among Japan’s most attractive.
Zao Mountain Range lies the famous Okama Crater, a mystic crater-lake with beautiful green hues of water, an iconic view of Zao during summer.

今シーズンの営業は11月23日をもちまして終了いたしました。 来シーズン4月20日頃再開予定です。 今シーズンのご利用誠にありがとうございました”

Directions: 40 minutes by bus from Yamagata Station (take a bus bound for Zao Onsen and get off at the final stop)
35 minutes by car from Yamagata-Zao IC on Yamagata Expressway.

Website: jupeer-zao.com/roten

Free Foot Bath

源泉足湯 寛ぎの湯

990-2301 Yamagata, Zaoonsen, 川原42-5

Genshichi Roten no yu Zao Onsen

蔵王温泉 源七露天の湯

862-1 Zaoonsen, Yamagata, 990-2301, Japan

 A rustic onsen hot springs featuring outdoor thermal pools, an indoor tub & basic amenities.

Website: zao-gen7.com

Shinzaemon no Yu

湯の花茶屋 新左衛門の湯

Hours: 10:00 to 18:00 (entry until 17:30)
Closed: Wednesdays
Admission: 1000 yen

Shinzaemon no Yu is an attractive public bath house with multiple, gender-separated indoor and outdoor pools. The modern facility also includes a restaurant.

Google Maps: 990-2301 Yamagata, Zaoonsen, 川前905

Website: zaospa.co.jp

The town offers three public baths, Kami-yu, Shimo-yu and Kawara-yu, each of which is reasonably priced (200 yen each). These three baths are located very close to each other and are suitable for Onsen hopping.

Kawaraya Public Bath

すのこの湯 かわらや

Hours: 6:00 to 22:00 No closing days
Admission: 200 Yen – Deposit into box

43番地 Zaoonsen, Yamagata, 990-2301

The Kawaraya is the most unique of Zao’s three traditional public bath houses. The unmanned building stands right on top of a hot spring source with water gushing up directly into the pools. A wall separates the men’s from the women’s bath rooms, but the two genders’ pools are connected with each other under the water surface.

Shitayu Public Bath

蔵王温泉 下湯共同浴場

Hours: 6:00 to 22:00 No closing days
Admission: 200 Yen – Deposit into box

30-2 Zaoonsen, Yamagata, 990-2301

The Shitayu (“lower bath house”) is one of three traditional, small public bath houses in the old town center. The unmanned facility offers two simple, gender-separated pools.

Kamiyu Public Bath

蔵王温泉 上湯共同浴場

Hours: 6:00 to 22:00 No closing days
Admission: 200 Yen – Deposit into box

30-2 Zaoonsen, Yamagata, 990-2301

The Kamiyu, upper bath house, is another of Zao’s traditional bath houses. Like Shimoyu the facility is small and simple and has gender-separated pools.

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/

• Dosan Musume Zao no Ie

• Pension Bokuuchi

• Pension candle

• Mountain hut

• Toshihisa of accommodation and food

• Zao fishing pond

• Yukigura main store

• Echo house

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

sangoro.co.jp/restaurant.html

instagram.com/sangoro.zao

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/

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zao-sake.com

ZaoMountainResort.com

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

990-0017 Yamagata, 蔵王温泉 ドッコ沼畔

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

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Sangoro.co.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

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

Zao Onsen Bus Terminal

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

Zao Onsen Bus Terminal

Zaoonsen, Yamagata, 990-2301, Japan

Sendai – Zao Line (Reservation only）travel.yamakobus.jp/en/timetable

Make a Reservation

https://secure.j-bus.co.jp

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

Zao Videos Live

Mount Zao & Snow Monsters Videos