1. Home
  2. Tohoku
  3. Yamagata Prefecture
  4. Yamagata City
  5. Places
  6. Yamagata Zao Onsen Ski Resort
Activity & Sport · Yamagata · Tohoku

Yamagata Zao Onsen Ski Resort

山形蔵王温泉スキー場

Yamagata Zao Onsen Ski Resort offers slopes for all levels and a long winter season, famous for its rare snow-covered 'juhyo' formations and access to hot springs.

Zao Onsen Ski Resort
Zao Onsen Ski Resort © Koda6029, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Links
Official websiteEnglish · Japanese
Access
Zaoonsen, Yamagata City, Yamagata
〒 990-2301
How to get there
Nearest stationMokichi Kinenkan-mae Station
茂吉記念館前
Ou Main Line139 min walk from the station
Nearest bus stop中央ロープウエイ前1 min walk from the bus stop

Zao Onsen Ski Resort is a popular ski and snowboard destination located in the city of Yamagata, Japan. The resort offers a wide variety of slopes for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels, including beginner, intermediate and advanced runs. The resort is known for its long ski season, typically running from late November to early May. It is also famous for its "snow monsters" or "juhyo" which are created by the heavy snowfall in the area and the strong winds that freeze the snow on the trees.

The resort also offers a variety of other winter activities, such as snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and hot springs. The onsen in Zao Onsen area is one of the most famous hot spring in Japan. Visitors can also enjoy the local traditional Japanese culture and food. The resort provides a complete winter vacation experience for visitors, with a variety of accommodation options, including traditional Japanese inns and modern hotels, and a range of dining and shopping options.

  • Long ski season, typically running from late November to early May.

  • Variety of slopes for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels, including beginner, intermediate and advanced runs.

  • Famous for its "snow monsters" or "juhyo" created by heavy snowfall and strong winds that freeze the snow on the trees.

  • Offers a variety of other winter activities such as snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and hot springs.

  • Zao Onsen area is famous for its hot spring, visitors can enjoy the local traditional Japanese culture and food.

  • Provides a complete winter vacation experience with a variety of accommodation options, including traditional Japanese inns and modern hotels, and a range of dining and shopping options.

Getting There

Map: Getting to Yamagata Zao Onsen Ski Resort. Legend: Ou Main Line; Bus from Yamagata. Labelled stations: Fukushima, Sendai, Mokichi Kinenkan-Mae, Yamagata, Kita-Yamagata.

Planning a trip? Fit this into a trip and Oni plans the rest around it.

At Hey Japan!, we strive to keep the places listed on our website as current as possible. However, location owners or management may alter opening times or modify admission requirements without prior notice. Check official websites before visiting.

Keep exploring

You might also like

Onsen & Wellness

Kinosaki Onsen

A hot spring resort with documented origins dating to 720, Kinosaki Onsen draws visitors for its mineral-rich thermal waters and mountainside views.

Toyoka · Hyogo
Onsen & Wellness

Kusatsu Onsen

Hot spring resort nestled in volcanic mountains, featuring 13 public baths and traditional ryokan alongside outdoor rotenburo and foot-bath experiences.

Kusatsu · Gunma
Onsen & Wellness

Tamatsukuri Onsen

Tamatsukuri Onsen has served visitors since the eighth century with mineral-rich sulfate waters said to heal rheumatism and improve skin health.

Matsue · Shimane
Festival

Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival

A two-day winter festival in snowy Yonezawa transforming Matsugasaki Park into a landscape of 300 snow lanterns and 3,000 snow lamps lit by candlelight.

14–15 Feb 2027Exact date not confirmed yetYonezawa · Yamagata
Festival

The Yonezawa Uesugi Matsuri

The Yonezawa Uesugi Matsuri features a multi-day celebration culminating in a reenactment of the 1561 Battle of Kawanakajima between Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen.

29 Apr – 3 May 2027Yonezawa · Yamagata
Festival

Yamagata Hanagasa Festival

The Yamagata Hanagasa Festival is a major August event where over 10,000 dancers parade nightly with flower-decorated hanagasa hats to taiko drums and folk song.

5–7 Aug 2027Exact date not confirmed yetYamagata