Hello, JAPAN RAIL CLUB! We are the station staff working in JR Yamagata Station in Yamagata Prefecture (山形県). Yamagata Prefecture is one of the six prefectures that make up the Tohoku Region (東北地方). In winter, Tohoku is famous for being a hotspot for hot springs, hearty cuisine, and ski resorts.
Are you visiting the Tohoku area in early February 2025? Good newsーwe would like to welcome you to join us for a special event that will be held at Yamagata Station! But before that, let us share with you some sightseeing information about one of Yamagata’s most popular getaways, Zao Onsen (蔵王温泉), especially in winter.
Introduction to Zao Onsen
If you have been to or have been planning to visit the Tohoku area, you might have heard of Zao Onsen. Zao Onsen is a hot spring town in Yamagata City, and it is home to one of Japan’s most ancient hot springs, with a history dating back to 1,900 years. The town offers various accommodations such as ryokan (traditional Japanese inns) and many day-use hot springs (日帰り温泉), perfect for a quick and relaxing visit.
Zao Onsen’s highly acidic waters, unique to Tohoku, are known for boosting blood circulation and enhancing beauty, earning the nickname “Springs of Beauty”. Enjoy a rejuvenating soak in these historic waters!
Meet Zao Snow Monsters
One of the unique attractions of Zao during winter is the famous “Snow Monsters” or “Ice Monsters”, known as 「樹氷」(juhyō) in Japanese. These frost-covered trees, created as a result of the special weather conditions and vegetation of the Zao Mountain Range, are known worldwide as a natural work of art.
Take the Zao Ropeway (蔵王ロープウェイ) to see these “monsters” in person along the way and at the end of the ropeway’s Jizo Sancho Station (地蔵山頂駅). During winter nights, you can enjoy illuminated views and night cruises to see these stunning formations!
Learn about sake at the Yamagata Sake Museum
Located within the town of Zao Onsen, the Yamagata Sake Museum (山形酒ミュージアム) offers the opportunity to enjoy sake from 49 breweries within Yamagata Prefecture. It’s a must-visit spot to learn about and taste the best of Yamagata’s sake.
You can savour rare sake that has received high praise at competitions. We are sure that you can find the perfect bottle that suits your taste!
Enjoy “Genghis Khan” cuisine
When it comes to food, one of the local specialties of Zao Onsen is the Genghis Khan! Known as “Jingisukan” (ジンギスカン) in Japanese, Genghis Khan is a dish where lamb is cooked in a special-shaped pot. Even today, there are many restaurants in the town that serve Genghis Khan, each with their own secret sauce.
You can also visit Zao Onsen in summer!
While Zao Onsen is known for its high-quality snow and winter sports, you can enjoy the lush green panorama of nature in July and August! When you hike Mount Zao, the views of the Zao Mountain Range are exceptionally breathtaking. One of the famous spots is the Zao Okama Crater Lake (蔵王の御釜). If you’re lucky, you might even witness the mystical sea of clouds (unkai).
Getting to Yamagata Station Zao Onsen
You can reach Yamagata Station from Tokyo Station in about 2 hours and 40 minutes on the Yamagata Shinkansen (山形新幹線) “Tsubasa” (つばさ). From Yamagata Station, it’s a 45-minute direct bus ride to Zao Onsen.
If you’re coming from Sendai Station, the gateway to Tohoku, it takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes by local train on the Senzan Line (仙山線) to reach Yamagata Station.
Join us at “Welcome YAMAGATA Station Festival ’25”!
We hope that the information we have shared about Zao Onsen will help you in your next trip!
If you would like to learn more about Zao Onsen or Yamagata in general, come and visit us at the “Welcome YAMAGATA Station Festival ’25” this 1–2 February 2025, atthe East-West Free Passage of Yamagata Station!
The festival will feature performances that are truly Yamagata, such as the Hanagasa dance (花笠), as well as ninja acts and competitive kendama demonstrations! There will also be social media campaigns where you can win souvenirs, and you can stand a chance to take photos with cute Yamagata local mascots!
Everyone is welcome, so please stop by Yamagata Station! See you in February~
