Zao Onsen
is one of the most famous and traditional skiing & snowboarding resorts
in Japan as well as a popular all year traditional onsen hot spring
resort village. Located in Yamagata Prefecture, about 30-40
minutes from Yamagata City by car, the Zao Onsen snow resort is known
for excellent powder conditions, a wide range of courses covering a
large area and the famous Juhyo "Ice Monsters" (see below).
The resort has
15 different slopes and 12 courses, and offers a wide variety for most
levels of riders - from beginners to experts, children to seniors.
The slopes are serviced by network of including 3 Rope Ways, 1 gondola
and 35 other lifts with the longest course offering 10km of downhill
riding.
Zao Onsen also offers other
resort attractions including a fun Family Snow Park, snowboard park and
tube riding.
The resort also has easy to understand signs
in English, Korean and Chinese as well as Japanese
and the friendly people in the small village are always very welcoming
to guests from overseas.
Ski & Snowboard School
If you are interested in improving your skiing
and snowboarding techniques, there are seven ski schools and one
snowboard school at the resort, allowing you to choose according to suit
your individual needs. English speaking instructors can be
pre-booked for private lessons. Private Lessons are available from
12,000 yen for a half day and from 20,000 yen One Day.
Lift Tickets
All lift tickets are valid on all of the lifts
at Yamagata Zao Onsen resort.
|
09/10 Season |
Adult |
Child |
Senior |
| 4 hour ticket |
4,200 yen
(3,400 yen)* |
2,000 yen
(1700 yen)* |
|
| 5 hour ticket |
4,400 yen
(3,600 yen)* |
2,200 yen
(1,900 yen)* |
|
| Season 10 hour
ticket |
11,500 yen |
|
|
| Season 18 hour
ticket |
20,000 yen |
|
|
| 1 day ticket |
4,800 yen
(4,000 yen)* |
2,500 yen
(2,200 yen)* |
4,300 yen
(3,700 yen)* |
| Long 1 day |
5,500 yen |
|
|
| 2 day ticket |
8,900 yen
(7,300 yen)* |
4,600 yen
(4,000 yen)* |
7,900 yen
(6,800 yen)* |
| 3 day ticket |
12,500 yen
(10,200 yen)* |
6,500 yen
(5,600 yen)* |
11,100 yen
(9,600 yen) |
| 4 day ticket |
15,400 yen
(12,600 yen)* |
8,000 yen
(6,900 yen)* |
13,800 yen
(11,900 yen)* |
| 7 day ticket |
20,000 yen |
10,000 yen |
|
| ZAO Exciting
10 |
36,000 yen |
|
|
| Season |
65,000 yen |
35,000 yen |
60,000 yen |
| Nighta |
2,000 yen |
1,000 yen |
|
| Childrens Day
1 day |
1,000 yen |
-- |
|
* Numbers in brackets are the charges for Early Ski (from opening until
19th December 09) and Spring Ski (from 23rd March until closing)
periods.
|
|
A returnable 500 yen deposit is required when buying tickets; |
|
|
4 hour ticket, 5 hour ticket, Season 18 hour ticket, Long 1 day
ticket and Season tickets are all valid for nighta; |
|
|
2 Day - 4 Day tickets are valid for consecutive days; |
|
|
"Adult" rates are for those Junior High School age and over; |
|
|
"Senior" ticket is for people of age 55 and over; |
|
|
ZAO Exciting 10 ticket is valid on any 10 days in the season
(they do not need to be consecutive); |
|
|
Basic opening times:
Lifts. 8:30am - 5:00pm
Ropeways 8:15am - 5:00pm
Nighta 5:00pm - 9:00pm |
|
|
Childrens Day tickets:
1st + 3rd Saturdays/Sundays during Dec-Feb
1st and 4th Saturdays/Sundays during March |
The famous
Zao Onsen "Ice Monsters" (Juhyo)
Climate Condition for the Creation of the
Juhyo
Zao Onsen is rightfully well-known for it's
spectacular "Ice Monsters". One of the natural wonders of
Zao Onsen, these can be found at the top of the mountain during the
coldest months, usually from late December to the middle of March. These Ice
Monsters ("Juhyo") make for some truly spectacular and unique scenery
which combined with the wide panoramic scenery make Zao Onsen one of the
best resorts in Japan for scenery. The Ice Monsters can be also
fully appreciated during the night illuminations at the top of the
mountain during the peak season (see
this page for for
dates).
Juhyo can be found on a limited number of
mountains in the northeastern areas of Japan. There are a few
climatic conditions necessary for them to appear - evergreen conifer,
fixed strong winds and super cool water droplets and snow depth of
between two and three meters. The super cool water gradually
adheres to the trees and develops the Juhyo unique shapes. The locals
call this shape "Shrimp Tails". Whatever they are called, it
makes for spectacular scenes and is one of the reasons why people visit
Zao Onsen each season.
December (Early Stage):
The trees begin to be coated by super cool water forming ice.
January - Growth Stage:
The "Shrimp Tail" shapes begin to develop.
February - Golden Stage:
The ice monsters grow to large-scale statues. This is the
peak season for Juhyo.
March - Declining Stage:
The ice monsters begin to fade....
Light up - New Year, Weekends in January,
February, early March
 
Hot Springs
|
Zao Onsen is one of the most famous
sulfurous hot springs in Japan. The hot natural volcanic waters
will relax and refresh your body and mind. There are three
public bathhouses in the village, three open-air hot springs ("onsen")
facilities. Onsen can also be found at hotels in the
village.
"Dai Roten Buro" is one of the
Open-Air Baths built into a beautiful mountain ravine (please
note that this bath is only open from sprint to fall due to
snow). |
|
 |
Green Season
Zao is a popular resort throughout the year. From
spring to fall, trekking and sightseeing is popular with countless
paths and routes suitable for all generations to enjoy. There are
various short and long trekking courses. Mountain guides are
available to guide you to vantage points and areas of interest.
Getting to Zao Onsen
Zao Onsen village is nestled in the mountains
of Yamagata but is easy to get to. It is about 17km from the Yamagata Zao IC of
the Yamagata Expressway (which in turn is just 35.5km from the Murata
Junction on the Tohoku Expressway).
Using the train, once you arrive at Yamagata
Station (about 2 and a half hours from Tokyo), Zao Onsen is about 40
minutes by bus.
 
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