Snow Monsters sightseeing at Zao Onsen Ski Resort ～Recommended routes～

What is Juhyo

Juhyo is a very rare phenomenon that can only be generated under certain weather conditions. Zao's Juhyo is formed when the coniferous Aomori Todomatsu (Aomori Todomatsu) is covered with snow and ice and grows upwind. The peak of Juhyo is usually from late January to late February. (Image provided by: Zao Onsen Tourism Association)

Recommended clothing for viewing "Juhyo"

The area where you can see Juhyo is cold, so warm clothes are recommended. There is a lot of snow, so it is easier to walk with waterproof and long shoes. Check the weather in Zao in advance and be well prepared.

Referral route

There are two ways to get to Zao's Juhyo: direct ropeway rides and lift transfers while enjoying the slopes. (From Yamagata City Tourism Association HP: http://www.kankou.yamagata.yamagata.jp/zao/jyuhyo )

This time, we will introduce the route from Zao Onsen Bus Terminal to Jizo Sancho Station, where Juhyo is located, using a "direct ropeway" pattern.

starting point

Exterior view of Zao Onsen Bus Terminal. You can take a bus from Yamagata Station to the bus terminal.

*To get on the bus bound for Zao Onsen Bus Terminal at Yamagata Station, board from bus stop 1 in front of Yamagata Station. However, buses bound for Tokyo and Sendai also stop at this bus stop, so be careful not to get on the wrong bus. Apparently, there are many tourists who mistake the bus for Zao Onsen and get on the bus bound for Sendai.

Zao Onsen Bus Terminal ⇒ Zao Ropeway (about 10 minutes on foot)

Exit Zao Onsen Bus Terminal and turn right.

If you go left at this forked road, you will reach Takayu-dori street, where the public baths and Sukawa Onsen Shrine are located. This time, go straight on the road on the right. This article introduces Takayu-dori Street.

Although it is snowing, the sidewalks are well maintained and easy to walk.

As you walk along the road, you will see the convenience store Lawson Yamagata Zao Onsen on your right hand side.

After a short walk from Lawson, you will see the Zao Chuo Ropeway on your left.

Zao Chuo Ropeway

940-1 Zao Onsen, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture 990-2301

The Zao Chuo Ropeway operates between Onsen Station and Torikabuto Station in Zao Onsen. The required time is 7 minutes and 30 seconds, and...

After passing the Zao Chuo Ropeway, continue straight ahead.

After going up a gentle slope, you will see Zao Meihinkan Notoya on your right. They sell souvenirs of Zao and rent ski and snowboard sets.

ZAO MEIHINKAN NOTOYA

934-24 Zao Onsen, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture 990-2301

In addition to Yamagata's local sake and wine, we have a wide selection of delicious items such as sweets, pickles, jams, and salami. In add...

Zao Ropeway Sanroku Station ⇒ Zao Ropeway Juhyo Kogen Station (approximately 7 minutes boarding time)

After passing the Zao Meihinkan Notoya, you will arrive at the Zao Ropeway Sanroku Station. This day was a weekday, but it was crowded with many people, and the parking lot was full.

Zao Ropeway

229-3 Zao Onsen, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture 990-2301

You can enjoy the magnificent nature of Zao throughout the four seasons.

Get on the ropeway from Zao Sanroku Station.

[Main facilities at Zao Sanroku Station]

・Coin lockers (charged)

・Service Counter

・Ticket machine

・Web lift ticket machine

・Restroom

At the entrance of the station, there is an information posted, and the weather conditions near each station on that day are also listed. After checking here, you can consider changing the itinerary depending on the situation.  

Purchase a round-trip ticket from Zao Sanroku Station to Jizo Sancho Station in order to head to Jizo Sancho Station, where Juhyo is located. Tickets will be issued at the service counter if payment is not made by cash, credit card, or QR code. On weekends and holidays, there are cases in which you have to wait in line.

[What can be purchased at the ticket vending machine at Zao Onsen Ski Resort Sanroku Station]

・Round-trip ticket to Jizo Sancho Station

・Round-trip ticket to Juhyo Kogen Station

・Each one-way ticket

[Available payment methods]

・Cash

・Credit card (VISA, JCB, MasterCard, American Express, etc.)

・Electronic money/QR payment (Suica, QUICPay, PayPay, etc.)

After getting a ticket, head to the platform. In addition to tourists, skiers and snowboarders who use the slopes ride the gondola together. It takes about 7 minutes to transfer to Juhyo-Kogen Station.

The inside of the gondola was crowded, but I could see the scenery from the window. In addition to Japanese, they make an English announcement in the gondola as well. The image is the view from the gondola.

Zao Ropeway Juhyo-Kogen Station ⇒ Zao Ropeway Jizo Sancho Station (about 10 minutes ride)

I arrived at Juhyo Kogen station. From here, transfer to the gondola and head to Jizo Sancho Station.

[Main facilities at Juhyo Kogen Station]

・Service Counter 

・Restroom

・Restaurant “Tomato no Mori” (only open during the winter ski season)

After getting off the gondola, there is a waiting room and a restroom.

This is a walkway. It wasn't snowing.

Take the gondola bound for Jizo Sancho Station.

After passing through the ticket gate, the staff will take a picture for you. You can purchase the photos you took when you get off the bus on the way back.

Get on the gondola following the instructions from the staff. There is also a cute and red gondola with a heart on  the window. It is said that this gondola is based on the motif of the "Sacred Place for Lovers". The color of the gondola you get to ride depends on your luck. It takes about 10 minutes to get to Jizo Sancho Station.

Jizo Sancho Station ⇒ Zao Jizoson and Juhyo viewing

I arrived at Jizo Sancho Station. It's much colder than up to Juhyo Kogen Station.

[Main facilities at Jizo Sancho Station]

・Service Counter

・Restroom

・Restaurant "Restaurant Sancho" (open all year round 8:30-16:00)

After getting off the gondola and exiting the ticket gate, you can go up the stairs to the terrace. There is also a restaurant and restrooms.

The entrance to the top of the restaurant. You can enjoy Yamagata specialty ball-shaped konjac there. 

Ongoing out of the station, you will see Juhyo spreading out!

The weather was bad that day, so I wasn't able to take clear pictures...

You can see such beautiful Juhyo on a sunny day! (Image provided by Zao Ropeway Co., Ltd.)

Zao Jizoson

At Jizo Sancho Station, there is "Zao Jizoson", one of the "Three Great Gods of Zao".

This article summarizes the three major gods of Zao.

Follow the signboards to reach Zao Jizoson. Walk about 30m. The Zngezaka Juhyogen course on the left allows you to ski or snowboard down the slopes, and you can experience Juhyo up close.

Arrived. Zao Jizoson is a Jizo statue that wards off disasters and fulfills various wishes.

In winter, the Jizo statue is buried up to the shoulders in the snow, but in the summer you can see the whole statue.

Zao Jizoson

Zao Onsen, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture 990-2301

Be sure to visit the Zao Jizoson, who watches over Zao for a miraculous miracle.

summary

I hope this article helps you. You can fully enjoy the winter scenery other than Juhyo, so if you come to Yamagata City for sightseeing, why not visit it?

Useful information for sightseeing such as daily weather and lift operation information is uploaded on Facebook of each ropeway. Please check them out!

Zao Ropeway

https://ja-jp.facebook.com/zaoropeway/

Zao Central Ropeway/Zao Sky Cable

https://www.facebook.com/zaoropeway/