Enjoy a special winter in Zao! Skiing, hot springs, and frost-covered trees all revealed | A comprehensive guide to the charms of winter travel
Enjoy a spectacular winter trip to Zao, its frost-covered trees, and hot springs! Relax in the fantastic illuminated frost-covered trees and hot springs fed directly from the source. We propose a luxurious sightseeing plan that includes tasting the local specialty, Jingisukan.
1. Learn about Zao’s iconic “frost-covered trees”
The natural phenomenon that creates frost-covered trees
reference：https://thegate12.com/jp/article/457
Zao’s frost-covered trees are known worldwide as “snow art,” a unique natural phenomenon created during the harsh winter months.
Frost-covered trees are a type of frost, formed when supercooled water droplets suspended in the chilled air adhere to and freeze on trees. This phenomenon occurs when moist seasonal winds from the Sea of Japan combine with the topographical conditions of the Zao mountain range.
In Zao, the base of frost-covered trees is the coniferous Aomoritodomatsu (Maries’ Fir). This tree is adapted to cold climates, and its unique shape makes it easy to capture water droplets, supporting the formation of frost-covered trees. The area around Zao Ropeway Jizo Sancho Station is known as the best spot to observe these frost-covered trees.
Zao’s frost-covered trees are a miraculous sight, created by the power of nature, the topography, and specific tree species. Visiting once will leave you awestruck by their grandeur.
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The best viewing season and spots
reference：https://www.orion-tour.co.jp/air/fair/tohoku/ski/gelande/zao/
The most beautiful season to view Zao’s frost-covered trees is from late January to mid-February.
During this time, the moist winds from the Sea of Japan are cooled by Zao’s cold climate, allowing the frost-covered trees to grow into their perfect shape. The impressiveness of the frost-covered trees can be enjoyed even more on sunny days and at night when they are lit up.
One of the best spots to see them is near Jizo Sancho Station on the Zao Ropeway. In this area, the frost-covered trees spread out, and you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view from the observation deck. The frost-covered trees illumination tour, which allows you to see the fantastically illuminated trees, is also popular with many tourists.
If you want to fully enjoy Zao’s frost-covered trees, it’s best to plan your visit by carefully considering the best season and best spots.
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2. Enjoy the spectacular view of frost-covered trees and Zao while skiing
Spectacular views of frost-covered trees and Zao
reference：https://bus-tabi.net/pref/yamagata/yamagata-zaoonsenskiresort/
At Zao’s ski resorts, you can enjoy the special experience of enjoying the frost-covered trees and spectacular views of Mount Zao while skiing.
Zao’s slopes are characterized by layouts such as the “Frost-covered Trees Course,” which allow you to enjoy the frost-covered trees and spectacular views of the surrounding area while skiing. You can also admire Zao’s magnificent natural scenery while traveling by ropeway or lift.
The “Frost-covered Trees Course” is a thrilling course for intermediate and advanced skiers, allowing you to get close to the frost-covered trees while skiing. Additionally, on courses starting from Jizo Sancho Station, you can fully enjoy the scenery of the frost-covered trees and spectacular views against the backdrop of Mount Zao.
The experience of being surrounded by frost-covered trees and spectacular views of Zao while skiing is a precious moment you can’t experience anywhere else.
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Introducing slopes that can be enjoyed by beginners and advanced skiers alike
reference：http://www.kankou.yamagata.yamagata.jp/zao/jyuhyo/
Zao Onsen Ski Resort offers a wide variety of slopes that can be enjoyed by beginners to advanced skiers.
This is because the course design across the vast grounds and extensive facilities cater to a wide range of skiers. Another attractive feature is the good, stable snow quality.
・For beginners: The “Uenomiya Slope” has a gentle slope, making it ideal for first-time skiers.
・For intermediate skiers: The “Nakamori Slope” has a moderate undulation and distance, making it a challenging course.
・For advanced skiers: The “Kurohime Slope” offers steep slopes and powder snow.
Zao’s slopes are designed to be enjoyable for skiers of all levels, which is why many repeat visitors come again and again.
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Recommended rental facilities and ski lessons
reference：https://www.skinet.co.jp/zaoheim/
Zao Onsen Ski Resort offers comprehensive rental facilities and ski lessons so that even beginners can enjoy the resort with peace of mind.
To meet the needs of beginners and tourists who don’t bring their own ski equipment, the resort offers high-quality rental services and professional ski lessons.
Rental Facilities: Zao Ski Center stocks the latest models of skis, boots, and ski wear, including a wide selection of children’s sizes.
Ski Lessons: Zao Ski Academy offers friendly, professional instruction from instructors, catering to beginners and intermediate skiers looking to improve their technique.
With rental facilities and ski lessons, you can enjoy skiing in Zao with peace of mind, even if you come empty-handed.できます。
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3. Zao is famous for its “soap-free hot springs.”
reference：https://onsen.community2.fmworld.net/articles/11515/
The benefits of one of Japan’s leading sulfur springs
Zao Onsen, known for its “soap-free water,” is one of Japan’s leading sulfur springs, known for its excellent skin-beautifying and fatigue-relieving properties.
Sulfur springs are hot springs rich in sulfur, known for their antibacterial and skin-softening properties. Zao Onsen’s waters are highly acidic, with a pH of 1.5 to 2.0, which naturally washes away sebum and dirt, earning it the nickname “soap-free water.”
At the Zao Onsen Large Open-Air Bath, you can enjoy the fresh sulfur spring water flowing directly from the well. At Kawarayu Public Bath, you can also enjoy the water beloved by local residents, soothing fatigue and leaving skin feeling moisturized. These facilities allow visitors to experience the power of nature.
The combination of Zao and hot springs, especially the “soap-free water,” symbolizes the special characteristics of Zao Onsen. A visit here offers an exceptional experience that will heal both your skin and your soul.
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Ranking of day-trip hot spring facilities and accommodations
reference：https://www.zao-shikinohotel.jp/stay/ski.php
Zao Onsen offers a variety of facilities to meet a variety of needs, from day trips to overnight stays.
Zao’s hot spring town has long been popular with locals and tourists, offering a wide variety of options, from public baths to luxury inns and resort hotels. Each facility is unique, fully utilizing the abundant hot springs of Zao Onsen.
Day-Trip Hot Spring Facilities
Zao Onsen Large Open-Air Bath: This open-air bath lets you enjoy bathing in nature. Located along the river, it offers stunning views of snow in winter and greenery in summer.
Kamiyu Public Bath: This retro-style facility is also popular with local residents, allowing you to easily experience Zao Onsen.
Zao Center Plaza “Yu-yu”: A popular facility for families, featuring clean baths and spacious rest areas.
Accommodation Ranking
Zao Onsen Hotel: Enjoying excellent access to the ski resort, the hotel is renowned for its cuisine made with local ingredients.
Gokan no Yu Tsuruya: In addition to the hot springs, the hotel offers soothing service.
Hotel Juhyo: Featuring a large open-air bath and stunning views, this accommodation attracts many repeat visitors.
Whether you’re staying for the day or overnight, you can fully enjoy the charms of Zao Onsen. A variety of facilities offer hot spring experiences to suit everyone’s tastes.
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4. Enjoy Zao’s gourmet food and local specialties
Local specialties Jingisukan and Yamagata soba
reference：https://yamagata.chokuso-keikaku.jp/s0057/0057-003/
If you visit Zao, you should definitely try the locally beloved “jingisukan” (grilled mutton barbecue) and “Yamagata soba” (soba noodles). Both are specialty products that symbolize the Zao area’s food culture.
Zao’s jingisukan (grilled mutton barbecue) is characterized by its fresh, locally raised lamb and its unique miso and soy sauce sauces. Meanwhile, Yamagata soba (soba noodles) are characterized by their chewy noodles made with locally grown buckwheat flour and their rich, flavorful broth.
Zao Jingisukan, a Zao specialty restaurant, is located in the heart of Zao Onsen Town and is extremely popular with tourists returning from skiing. Zao Soba Dokoro Kobayashi also offers the authentic aroma and smooth texture of buckwheat flour. In winter, we recommend the warm “Kamo Nanban Soba.”
Jingisukan and Yamagata soba are specialty dishes that will further enrich your Zao dining experience. Zao and gourmet food are a perfect match, so be sure to try them during your visit.
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Enjoy local sweets in the hot spring town
reference：https://togatta-zaodo.jp/
In Zao Onsen town, you can enjoy local sweets made with local ingredients. They’re a delicious way to refresh between sightseeing and soaking in the hot springs.
The Zao area offers many sweet treats made with Yamagata’s specialty fruits, La France and cherries. These fruits are grown in the region’s bountiful natural environment and are characterized by their fresh, rich flavor.
“Zao Pudding”: This smooth pudding is made with fresh Zao milk and is served at cafes in the hot spring town. The “Zao Steam Pudding” in particular offers a unique flavor, made with hot spring eggs.
“La France Gelato”: This gelato captures the juiciness of the fruit, making it a popular choice. Zao Onsen town’s Orchard Cafe also offers seasonal flavors.
“Cherry Daifuku”: This daifuku (sweet rice cake) is filled with sweet and sour cherries in a chewy crust, making it the perfect souvenir.
These exquisite sweets, combining Zao and local cuisine, will create special memories for visitors. The variety of sweets you can enjoy in the hot spring town will further enhance your enjoyment of sightseeing in Zao.。
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5. Recommended sightseeing plans for Zao
Half-day plan: Viewing frost-covered trees and relaxing in the hot springs
reference：https://www.walkerplus.com/article/1002125/
To fully enjoy sightseeing in Zao in half a day, we recommend viewing the frost-covered trees and relaxing in a hot spring.
Zao is a rare spot where you can see frost-covered trees, and you can experience their charm in a short amount of time. After viewing them, you can also soothe your body in Zao hot springs, which will help you recover from your travel fatigue.
Morning: Take the Zao Ropeway to the summit. Stroll through the “frost-covered trees” and enjoy the natural beauty that can be described as winter art.
Afternoon: Return by ropeway and take a break in the “Zao Onsen Large Open-Air Bath” in the hot spring town. The beneficial effects of the sulfur springs will warm your chilled body and refresh both mind and body.
To easily enjoy Zao and sightseeing
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One-day plan: Enjoy skiing, hot springs, and frost-covered trees氷ライトアップを満喫
To fully enjoy Zao in one day, a plan combining skiing, hot springs, and illuminated frost-covered trees is ideal.
Zao is also famous as a ski resort, and its appeal lies in the fact that you can enjoy both viewing frost-covered trees and hot springs. What’s more, the nighttime illumination events allow you to enjoy a different, more mystical view of the frost-covered trees than during the day.
Morning: Enjoy skiing and snowboarding at Zao Onsen Ski Resort. There are slopes suitable for beginners and advanced skiers alike.
Afternoon: After a day of skiing, soothe your tired body at Kawarayu Public Bath. Experience the local hot spring culture in a retro atmosphere.
Evening: Take the night-time ropeway to see the illuminated frost-covered trees. The illuminated trees offer a completely different, mystical beauty than during the day.
The Attractions of Zao and Tourism力を1日で余すことなく体験するには、スキー、温泉、そして樹氷ライトアップの組み合わせが最適です。
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6. Basic information and access to Zao
Zao Area Overview
reference：https://tohoku365.com/zao-jp/8966
Zao is one of Japan’s leading tourist destinations, offering a diverse range of attractions throughout the year. Its combination of hot springs, frost-covered trees, and skiing makes it a popular destination for both domestic and international visitors.
Zao, centered around a mountain range spanning Yamagata and Miyagi prefectures, harmonizes its natural environment with its tourist infrastructure. Known for its unique “frost-covered trees” (juhyo), a rare sight in winter, the area offers trekking and other outdoor activities from spring to autumn.
Juhyo: A natural phenomenon seen only in winter, this work of art is created by the bitterly cold environment and unique winds. Take the Zao Ropeway to enjoy the magnificent frost-covered trees up close from the mountaintop.
Hot Springs: Zao Onsen, a highly acidic sulfur spring known since ancient times as “soap-free water,” is said to have skin-beautifying and fatigue-relieving properties.
Skiing: Zao Onsen Ski Resort offers a variety of courses suitable for beginners to advanced skiers, and is a rare ski resort where you can enjoy frost-covered trees from the slopes.
The Zao area is a place where nature and tourism are in harmony, and it is especially popular in winter.ーと樹氷の組み合わせで訪問者を魅了します。一年を通じて異なる楽しみを提供してくれるスポットです。
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Access and transportation from Yamagata city
reference：https://zaosbs.com/zao/yokokura-200125/
Access to Zao from Yamagata City is convenient, with both public transportation and car options available.
Yamagata City serves as a base for Zao tourism, offering quick and easy access. In winter, special buses are available for viewing frost-covered trees, and the city boasts a tourist-friendly transportation infrastructure.
Public Transportation
From JR Yamagata Station, take the bus bound for Zao Onsen. The journey takes approximately 40 minutes, and takes you directly to Zao Onsen. You can also enjoy a viewing tour on the “Frost-covered Tree Liner,” which operates only in winter.
… Zao’s easy accessibility is a major attraction for tourists, and it can be easily accessed by either public transport or car.。
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7. Zao Accommodation Guide
How to choose a hotel or hot spring inn directly connected to a ski resort
reference：https://www.tohokukanko.jp/itineraries/detail_83.html
When choosing accommodation in Zao, we recommend prioritizing the convenience of direct access to the ski resort and the comfort of a hot spring inn. The proximity of accommodation to Zao is particularly important for increasing tourist satisfaction.
Accommodation in the Zao area is conveniently located for access from the ski resort and hot spring town. Hotels directly connected to the slopes are popular with tourists who enjoy skiing, while inns in Zao Hot Springs town are popular with those who want to enjoy hot springs. What’s more, all of these accommodations are attractive for their locations from which you can enjoy the snowy scenery and their cuisine made with local ingredients.
- Zao International Hotel offers immediate access to the slopes and offers ski lockers and rental services. Guests can enjoy hot meals made with local ingredients with breakfast included.
- Zao Shiki no Hotel is a hot spring inn renowned for the spectacular views from its open-air baths. After relaxing in the sulfur spring water, guests can enjoy a Japanese-Western fusion course meal.
When choosing accommodation in Zao, it is important to choose a facility that suits your purpose. To enjoy both skiing and hot springs, it is best to compare the location and services of the accommodation.
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Highly rated recommended accommodations
High-quality Zao accommodations are known for their excellent service, convenient location, and quality cuisine.
Review sites particularly praise the cleanliness of the facilities, the friendly staff, and the quality of the cuisine. The high rate of repeat guests, who say they want to return, is also a testament to their reliability.
Zao Sanso
Surrounded by lush nature, Zao Sanso offers a relaxing Japanese atmosphere and homely service. The natural hot springs, perfect for soaking after skiing or hiking, are known for their rejuvenating properties.
Lucent Takamiya
Popular with families, Lucent Takamiya also offers a kids’ room and ski school. Dinner menus featuring local Yamagata beef offer travelers a luxurious experience.
By choosing accommodations with high reviews, you can make the most of Zao and your accommodations for a fulfilling sightseeing experience.。
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8. Enjoy winter in Zao with events
Details of the Ice Illumination Festival
reference：https://gururi-tohoku.jp/spot/spot_1313/
As a signature winter event in Zao, the Juhyo Light-Up Festival is a must-see. This event offers a fantastic view and a special experience at Zao at night.
Among Zao’s events, the Juhyo Light-Up is the only one where you can view the unique natural phenomenon of Juhyo at night. The sight of the Juhyo trees illuminated in a variety of colors captivates visitors. During the event, hot drinks and traditional local performing arts are also offered, adding a touch of color to your winter sightseeing.
Light-Up Event Information
The event runs from late January to early March each year, with the trees lit from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. You can also take the Zao Ropeway night cruise to look down on the Juhyo trees from the summit. The illuminations come in a variety of colors, including blue, green, and purple, creating a unique atmosphere depending on your vantage point.
How to Participate
No advance reservations are required; anyone can participate with the purchase of a ropeway ticket. However, as temperatures drop below freezing at night, warm clothing is essential.
What visitors say
“The illuminated frost-covered trees were fantastical, and it felt like I was in another world. I was grateful for the hot soup they provided.” (Traveler review)
The Ice Illumination Festival is a special event not to be missed when experiencing Zao, providing visitors with unforgettable winter memories.
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Local traditional events and experiences
In addition to the frost-covered trees, Zao hosts many winter events where you can experience local culture and traditional events. These provide tourists with an opportunity to learn more about the history and lifestyle of the region.
Among the events in Zao, the traditional events and experience programs involving local residents are particularly noteworthy. These events are closely tied to the local community and are easy for tourists to enjoy.
- Zao Winter Festival: This festival, held every February, features fireworks displays and a snow sculpture contest. The illuminations that adorn Zao Onsen Town are also a highlight. There are also stalls selling local specialties, allowing you to savor the flavors of Yamagata.
- Snow sledding experience: Led by a local guide, this snow sledding experience is an activity that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. With the rime-covered fields as a backdrop, you can enjoy the spectacular scenery as you glide through the snow on a sled.
- Traditional Mochi-pounding Experience: Tourists are also welcome to participate in the mochi-pounding experience held at inns and plazas in Zao Onsen town. You can enjoy freshly pounded mochi with locally produced soybean flour and red bean paste.
Zao and its events offer a special experience that goes beyond mere sightseeing. Enjoy winter in Zao more deeply while interacting with the locals.
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9.Summary: How to fully enjoy winter in Yamagata through Zao
reference：https://tohoku365.com/landmark-jp/9202
蔵王を訪れることで、山形の冬を存分に満喫できます。蔵王はスキーや樹氷観賞、温泉といった多彩な体験を提供し、訪れる人々に特別な冬の思い出をもたらします。
蔵王と山形の魅力はその多様性にあります。冬の樹氷は蔵王ならではの自然の芸術であり、スキー場や温泉地は日本国内外から観光客を引き寄せています。また、温泉街のグルメや伝統行事は、地域文化を体験する絶好の機会です。これらの要素が相まって、蔵王は山形を代表する冬の観光地となっています。
- Viewing frost-covered trees: Zao is synonymous with its frost-covered trees. The illuminated trees, in particular, boast a mystical beauty, adding a new charm to Zao at night. You can enjoy the magnificent view from the summit by taking the Zao Ropeway.
- Zao, known as one of Japan’s leading ski resorts, offers a variety of slopes that can be enjoyed by beginners and advanced skiers alike. After skiing, you can also refresh in the hot springs, so you can soothe both your body and mind.
- Zao Onsen, known for its soap-free bathing, is rich in sulfur and has excellent skin-beautifying properties and fatigue relief. There are also many day-trip bathing facilities in the hot spring town, so even those not staying overnight can easily enjoy the baths.
- Local delicacies like Genghis Khan (grilled mutton), a local specialty, and sweets served in the hot spring town will add to the enjoyment of your visit to Zao. Zao cheese and hot spring eggs are especially popular souvenirs.
Zao is the perfect tourist destination for enjoying Yamagata’s winter. It’s packed with all sorts of attractions, from natural beauty and activities like skiing and hot springs to events where you can experience the local culture. Be sure to visit Zao next winter and enjoy Yamagata’s winter.
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