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Zao Onsen
蔵王温泉Yamagata · Tohoku
Open year-round: the sulphur onsen village and its ropeway run in every season, but the famous juhyo 'snow monsters' only exist from roughly late December to early March, peaking late January to mid-February. Zao Onsen pairs a 1,900-year-old hot-spring village with Yamagata's largest ski area, and in winter the ropeway floats over frost-encased fir trees, lit up nightly in season (2025-26 light-up: 27 Dec – 22 Feb, 17:00–21:00). In summer the same ropeway serves the Jizosan trailheads, an alpine botanical garden and summit panoramas, with strong autumn foliage in October.
- Crowd level
- Moderate
- Opening hours
- Daily Open 24 hours
- Admission
- Village and public footbaths are free to walk; ropeway round-trip ~¥3,800 and baths vary ¥400-600 per facility (not a single site fee).
- Nearest station
- Yamagata Station (JR)
Usual hours — confirm with the official site for holidays + seasonal closures.
Today
Open 24 hoursAdmission
- Village and public footbaths are free to walk; ropeway round-trip ~¥3,800 and baths vary ¥400-600 per facility (not a single site fee).
Stored weekly hours
Daily Open 24 hours
How to get there
~40 min by Yamako bus from Yamagata Station bus stop 1 (Route Z90), ¥1,000 one-way; Zao Ropeway is a further ~10 min walk from the bus terminal.
Tags
onsenmountain
Location
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