Zao Onsen is a large-scale ski and snowboard resort located about 16km to the south east of central Yamagata city in Yamagata Prefecture. In terms of area for an individual ski resort, it is the largest in Japan. Zao Onsen is actually both the name of the traditional onsen hot spring village nestled high up above the city and also the ski and snowboard resort. Many of the base ski lifts and courses are within walking distance from the main village with a lot of ski-in ski-out accommodation available. Zao Onsen has a long history, first opening in 1925 with the first ski lift being installed in 1951.
Zao Onsen is one of the most well-known ski and onsen resorts in Japan and famous for the juhyo ‘snow monster’ (or ‘ice monster’) formations that can be found on the trees on the mountain during the peak winter season. Juhyo can only be found on a limited number of mountains in Japan. This beautiful natural phenomenon makes for spectacular scenery and is one of the reasons why many people visit Zao Onsen each season. The Juhyo near the top of the Zao Ropeway are lit up in the evening during the peak season, with that Ropeway operating for sightseeing purposes (dates shown below).
The FIS Ladies' Ski Jump World Cup has been held annually at Zao Onsen in mid-January.
Yamagata Prefecture is located in the south-west part of Tohoku with the west coast facing the Sea of Japan. The boundaries of Yamagata Prefecture are all mountainous with Niigata Prefecture and Fukushima Prefecture to the south, Akita Prefecture to the north and Miyagi Prefecture to the east. The ski and snowboard ski hills in Yamagata range from very small one-lift local hills to the biggest individual ski resort in Japan (Zao Onsen) and are spread across the Prefecture.
Ski and snowboard lessons are available at Zao Onsen.
Equipment Rental
Ski Rental:
Available
Snowboard Rental:
Available
Ski and snowboard equipment rental is available. Ski and snowboard wear rental is also available.
Children's facilities
There are a number of places in base areas for sledging and general playing in the snow.
Park information
There are snowboard park areas on the Nakamori and Chuo areas of Zao Onsen.
Zao Onsen Season & Opening Times
Typical season is from Early December until Early May
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
Daytime
Weekends and holidays
Normally open from 8:30am until 5:00pm
Weekdays
Normally open from 8:30am until 5:00pm
'Nighta' (night skiing)
Weekends and holidays
Yes
Weekdays
Yes
Opening information
The lifts at Zao Onsen are normally open from 8:30am until 5:00pm during the daytime. Nighta, when available, is from 5:00pm until 9:00pm.
Nighta in the Uwanodai area is scheduled daily from 26th December 2020 until 6th March 2021 and then 13th, 19th and 20th March 2021.
Nighta in the Yokokura area is scheduled for New Year (26th December 2020 until 3rd January 2021); and also on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between 8th January and 6th March 2021.
The Zao Ropeway opens in the evenings on the below dates for 'Light Up' sightseeing purposes - to go and see the Juhyo monsters (note: not for skiing or boarding). There is an extra charge for this night time operation - 3,000 yen for adults and 1,500 yen for children (return):
December 2020: 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st January 2021: 1st-3rd, 8th-10th, 15th-17th, 22nd-24th, 27th-31st February 2021: all days apart from Tuesdays
Zao Onsen Lift Ticket Charges
Adults
Child
Elementary School age & under
Older Child
High School age
Senior
60 years & over
1 Day
5,000 yen
2,500 yen
4,400 yen
4,400 yen
2 Days
9,600 yen
4,800 yen
8,500 yen
8,500 yen
3 Days
14,100 yen
7,100 yen
12,600 yen
12,600 yen
4 Days
18,400 yen
9,200 yen
16,400 yen
16,400 yen
2 Hours
3,200 yen
1,600 yen
4 Hours
4,000 yen
2,000 yen
Season 10 Hours
13,000 yen
Season 10 Days
39,000 yen
Nighta (5pm-9pm)
2,400 yen
1,200 yen
Season Ticket
65,000 yen
31,000 yen
37,000 yen
60,000 yen
2020-2021 Season lift tickets
The hourly tickets are valid from the time of purchase and can also be used for nighta.
The Season 10 Hour ticket can be used in units of 1 hour over the season and can be used for nighta.
A 500 yen returnable deposit is required for lift tickets.
Early and late season ticket discounts are available (before 18th December 2020 and after 22nd March 2021).
Ski-kodomo-no-hi (Children's Day) is 23rd, 24th, 30th, 31st January 2021; 11th, 23rd, 28th February 2021; 6th, 7th, 20th, 21st March 2021. On those days, a 1 day ticket is 1,000 yen for children.
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The Zao Ropeway opens in the evenings on the below dates for 'Light Up' sightseeing purposes - to go and see the Juhyo monsters (* not for skiing or boarding). There is an extra charge for this night time operation - 3,000 yen for adults and 1,500 yen for children (return):
December 2020: 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st January 2021: 1st-3rd, 8th-10th, 15th-17th, 22nd-24th, 27th-31st February 2021: all days apart from Tuesdays
'Nightcruising' is where you are taken up in a cat and that costs 4,500 yen per adult and 3,800 yen for children. On the following dates:
December 2019: 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st January 2020: 1st-3rd, 8th-10th, 15th-17th, 22nd-24th, 27th-31st February 2020: all days apart from Tuesdays
Getting to Zao Onsen
By public transport
Train
16.4km from Yamagata Station on the Yamagata Shinkansen line
13.6km from Zao Station on the Ou Honsen Line
16.4km from Yamagata Station on the Ou Honsen Line
Information
The main Yamagata Station, a stop on the Yamagata Shinkansen line, is about 18km from the resort and a 40-45 minute or so bus journey. Bus shuttle services are available from Yamagata Station and Sendai Station.
There is a bus service to Zao Onsen from Yamagata Station.
By Car
11.4km from the Yamagata Kaminoyama IC on the Tohoku Chuo Expressway
17.1km from the Yamagata Zao IC on the Yamagata Expressway
Nearest national route: Route 13 (11km away)
Nearest prefecture road: Prefecture Road 21
Direction
Zao Onsen resort is located to the south east of Yamagata City. Those travelling by car from the Sendai or Tokyo regions will likely arrive via the Tohoku Expressway and then onto the Yamagata Expressway, coming off at the Yamagata Zao IC which is just over 11km from the resort. There are a few roads going up from Yamagata to the ski resort - if you use the most direct from Yamagata Zao IC, a part of the road (Nishi Zao Kogen line) is a toll road. From Route 13 to the west the two roads going up the mountain are Prefecture Roads 21 and 14.
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Ropeways
Gondolas
Quad lifts
Triple lifts
Pair lifts
Single lifts
Other
