2025 Zao Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in March)

One of the famous attractions in Tohoku is Zao Okama in Yamagata, a volcanic lake also known as the Five-Colored Lake. The lake water boils repeatedly due to volcanic activity. The water of Lake Okama is green. You can take the cable car up the mountain and then walk to Okama. We drove to the mountain by ourselves. There is a parking lot and a sales department at the tourist center so it is very convenient. It takes about 10 minutes to walk from the parking lot to Okama. Okama is beautiful from every angle. In addition to seeing the beautiful volcanic lake - Okama, I also accidentally climbed two of Japan's 100 Most Famous Mountains - Kumanodake (Zao Mountain) at an altitude of 1,841m and Karitadake at an altitude of 1,758m. It took 1 hour and 50 minutes to go from the visitor center to the top of the mountain through Mikama and back, taking photos and enjoying the scenery. This itinerary is very suitable for families to travel together. The children were having fun walking, playing and picking up stones. Stones from volcanic eruptions could be seen everywhere around them. Soon the weather on the mountain began to change and fog appeared. It was only 9 degrees on the mountain at that time, which was very cool. Zao Okama 〒989-0916 Miyagi Prefecture, Karata County, Kurao Town, Togatta Onsen, Kuraishidake National Forest, Kurao no Mikama #Zao #Okama #Kumano-dake #Zao Mountain #Katada-dake #Volcanic Lake #Zao Mountain Range #Goshikinuma #Miyagi #Japan's 100 Famous Mountains #Good Places for Families #familytravel #Self-driving

🤔Tohoku is so low-key that even the Japanese are unfamiliar with it, but here you can find the Kamikakushi Ginzan Onsen in Spirited Away, the spectacular tree ice wonders of Mount Zao, and the world heritage city of Nikko... It always brings surprises to your warm winter trip - 【Highlights】 🐮Yonezawa Wagyu｜Marbled meat that melts in your mouth, one of the top three Wagyu beef in Japan ♨Ginzan Onsen｜The wooden hot spring town is like the hidden world in "Spirited Away" 🗻The beauty of nature｜Magical ice on the mountains and trees, spectacular ice waterfalls on the streams 🌈Winter Limited｜Ashikaga Fantasy Illumination Blooms, One of the Three Major Illuminations in Japan ♨️Hot ​​spring tour｜A visit to Ginzan Onsen, Zao Onsen and Nikko Onsen - 【Meet on the road】 ✅Yamagata｜Ginzan Onsen, Zao Onsen, Yamagata Zao Ice Trees ✅Miyagi｜Zao Okama, Katamage Shrine, Miyagi Zao Juhyo, Togatta Onsen, Kokeshi making, Zao Fox Village ✅Tochigi｜Tamozawa Imperial Residence Memorial Park, Lake Chuzenji, Kegon Falls, strawberry picking and tasting, Ashikaga Flower Park Light-up - 【Stay】 🏡Kosekiya Annex｜Like the hot spring house in Spirited Away, the top floor has a romantic guest room, hot springs gush directly from the source, and Japanese beef food is top-notch 🏡Miyazanso Takamiya｜A 300-year-old wooden building with interesting guest rooms. Enjoy your bathing time with 9 types of bathtubs formed by its own source of hot springs 🏡Hot Spring Villa Daigenzhihua｜There are only 18 rooms in the 10,000-ping forest. You can enjoy the 400-year-old tea-brown warm soup at any time. The food ingredients are mainly home-grown vegetables, which are very fresh and tender. 🏡Nikko Ritz-Carlton｜The first Ritz-Carlton to offer Japanese-style hot springs, with natural sulfur hot springs as the main feature. The private balcony and semi-outdoor lounge area introduce the beauty of the four seasons of Oku-Nikko - 【Exquisite delicacies】 🍓Strawberries｜Tochigi has the largest strawberry production in Japan, and Tochiotome is the most delicious. Picking strawberries yourself is a special kind of fun 🔥Grilled Beef Tongue｜A specialty of Sendai, beef tongue is cooked, seasoned and grilled. The meat is tender, marinated and full of oil. 🐮Yonezawa Wagyu｜One of the three major Wagyu beefs in Japan, along with Matsusaka beef and Kobe beef, its characteristics are its melting taste and sweetness. - 【Itinerary Overview】 ❄D1 Fairy Tale Street ♨️ Arrive in Yamagata and stroll along Ginzan Onsen Street ❄D2 Ice and Snow Exotic 🗻Yamagata: Watching the frost trees at Zao Mountain and relaxing at Zao Hot Springs 🎎Miyagi: Watching the frost trees on Mount Zao, Okama, Kataming Shrine, and relaxing at Togatta Onsen ❄D3 Animal Habitat 🦊Visit Zao Fox Village and head to Nikko ❄D4 Natural Vitality 🌊Walk along Lake Chuzenji, visit Kegon Falls, pick and taste strawberries at the farm ❄D5 World Heritage 🍱Visit Tamozawa Imperial Residence Memorial Park and have lunch, Ashikaga Flower Park Light Up, and head to Tokyo ❄D6 Farewell to Japan ✈️Return/Continue traveling to other cities in Japan

Near the parking lot of Mt. Kanda in Zao is the Zao Summit Rest House, which serves as a base for sightseeing and mountain climbing. There are toilets, rest areas, and a restaurant, so you can relax here. The surrounding scenery is also spectacular. #AutumnTravel #AutumnFoliageSpots #AutumnFoliageViewing

Address: 88-11 Kaminohara, Toogatta Onsen, Zao-machi, Katta-gun, Miyagi Prefecture, 989-0916 Content: I think the hot springs are the charm of Takesenso! The sounds of nature are soothing and it was a great space to soak in the hot springs~🥹 At night, you can see the starry sky from the Unkai Lounge🌌 We had a wonderful time in a really wonderful space! I want to come again next year~♡ #HotSpring #SummerWeekendTrip

Address: 88-11 Kaminohara, Toogatta Onsen, Zao-machi, Katta-gun, Miyagi Prefecture, 989-0916 Content: At Zao Onsen, you can enjoy the green trees, the river, and the sounds of insects while bathing in the hot springs. It was really luxurious and relaxing to spend a relaxing time. 🌿♡ Please visit "Takesenso" 🤭 #Hotsprings #SummerWeekendTrip

Address: 88-11 Kaminohara, Toogatta Onsen, Zao-machi, Katta-gun, Miyagi Prefecture, 989-0916 Content: Summer trip to Zao Onsen, rich in nature ♨️ We were able to spend a luxurious time at an inn surrounded by greenery!! The ryokan was very satisfying both in terms of the grounds and the food, so I highly recommend it! Japanese food in a Japanese atmosphere. Japanese food was truly exceptional☺️ #onsen #summerweekendtrip

Address: 128 Kaminohara, Toogatta Onsen, Zao-machi, Katta-gun, Miyagi Prefecture, 989-0916 Atmosphere/Facilities: If you go to Zao, this is a place you should definitely stay at! I tried morning yoga as an activity! It was refreshing with the morning sun! lol I took a morning walk and the autumn leaves lit up by the morning sun were wonderful ~ it was soothing! If you want to enjoy nature, please come!!! 🐿🍁 #Autumn leaves #Buffet #Morning yoga

#2月好地方2025 A must-go to "Snow Country" Japan during the snow season🇯🇵! This time we came to the winter-only Zao Ice Tree in Japan🌲❄️ 📒Travel tips: Seven days before departure, we bought the "priority clearance" ticket online and booked the cable car at 12:00🚠 We took the cable car up the mountain smoothly at around 12 o'clock that day. The frost trees really depended on the weather and luck of the day! When we first went up the mountain, visibility was poor and everything was white🌫️. We have been waiting for a while finally! The clouds have dispersed, and the cute frost trees are greeting us. 💞Recommendation reason: Winter only, the strange-shaped frost on the top of the mountain is really cute😍 #Japan #Zao Juhyo #Yamagata Zao

People say to go to Tibet to see the blue sky + tree ice It depends on character 🙂↔️ Because it is often foggy or melted snow 🙂↕️ We have really done a lot in our last and this life There is such good weather In my place by car, the road at the Upper Zango Cable Car Station has some many bends, about 1.5hour from Sendai. It was a sunny day and it didn't snow, so it was safe Because too many people suspend ticket sales at 8:30 my place just arrived at 8:00 We also packed the whole cable car 🥹 before leaving I promise that I will continue to do more good Help many elderly people cross the road Continue to be so good to patients and respond to requests😂 📍Tibetan King Tree Ice #globaltravel

I had planned to visit Tohoku to see the Zao Snow Monsters a year ago. I saw some spectacular photos online and was very excited before the trip. Unfortunately, we didn't get to ride the Zao Ropeway, only the Central Ropeway. We still saw the snow monsters, but they weren't as impressive. Luckily, the weather was great that day and there weren't too many people, so we could take lots of photos!

You can enjoy it all-inclusively. It's great that you can order what you like for breakfast and lunch and order as much as you like. #SendaiTrip #Tohoku

#0yentripJanuary2025 A happy trip to Miyagi filled with delicious food Mori no Mebuki Tamagoya Zao Main Store 📍Address: 10-8, Enda Benten, Zao-machi, Karita-gun, Miyagi 989-0821 Abe Kamaboko Store Main Store I tried gourd fried food! 📍Address: Abe Kamaboko Store Head Office Building, 2-3-18 Chuo, Aoba-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi 980-0021 FLATWHITE COFFEE FACTORY 📍Address: 1F, tekute Nagamachi 2, 1-5-5 Asutonagamachi, Taihaku-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi 982-0007

Compared to the nostalgia of #银山温泉, #扎王树冰 is a more worthwhile view. During the two-stage cable car ride, we gradually saw the trees covered with snow, and finally turned into #アイスモンスター ice monsters. The weather on the mountain changes very quickly. The visibility was good when we climbed the mountain that day, but when we reached the top it started snowing and the visibility dropped. I heard from tourists who went there the next day that visibility was poor and they could only take photos at the top of the mountain. Are you also tempted by this journey that completely relies on your luck? 📍Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/hbc9Lf31EXqQCZNX6 #Good Places to Go in January 2025

As soon as the winter vacation started, I rushed to Japan. The whole Sendai street was filled with long coats in the style of Winter Sonata. Then, early this morning, before dawn, my brother Geng and I were fully equipped with mountaineering equipment, ready to face the extreme cold of the Zao frost trees. The magical thing is that I didn’t seem to feel cold, but it seemed a little cold. I felt the coldness inside the frost trees was very comfortable. Although I waited in line for more than two hours, I really thought it was worth it. Legend has it that these frost trees are also called tree monsters. There are men, women, and children. Then, the higher we go, the more frost trees there are. The whole process of taking the cable car was not dull at all. I also saw many skiers trying to dodge the frost trees (too strong). I really think it is worth coming... Then there is a Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva on top. The snow is so heavy that only his head and a little bit of his body are left. Today is really fun... I realized what I always wanted to see, the Zao frost trees... And I always felt that the touch of the snow is very similar to the feeling of Chaozhou hot and cold ice.

📍Mountain Field Miyagi Zao Sumikawa Togatta Onsen, Zao-cho, Karita-gun, Miyagi Prefecture Slope House in Kuraishi-dake National Forest Operating period: December 21, 2024 - March 23, 2025 ✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲ I had booked a snowmobile tour in advance to go see the frost-covered trees. Ice-covered trees tour Morning session: Departs at 11:00 (approx. 2 hours) Afternoon session: Departs at 13:30 (approx. 2 hours) (Each tour takes 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours) Approx. 45 minutes one way to the ice-covered trees field ⇨ Approx. 10 minutes to the ice-covered trees walking point ⇨ Approx. 45 minutes to Sumikawa The Wild Monster is a passenger snowmobile with a custom-made cabin that is comfortably heated There are two types of snowmobiles. Standard class with sideways bench seats Deluxe class with forward-facing independent seats A (12/21-1/3) B (1/4-31, 3/10-23) C (2/1-3/9) Varies depending on the period Standard class A 5,500 yen B 6,500 yen C 8,500 yen Deluxe class A 8,500 yen B 9,500 yen C 11,500 yen It was a pretty heavy snowstorm that day, but the tour went ahead. It was quite a lot of snow, but I thought it was amazing how we kept moving forward. I'd like to try again on a sunny day. #Miyagi #Zao #Frost-covered trees at Zao #Ice Monster #Snowmobile #Wild Monster #Snow #0 yen trip January 2025

📍 Miyagi Zao Ice Tree Tour Togatta Onsen, Zao-cho, Karita-gun, Miyagi Prefecture Kuraishi-dake National Forest Ski Slope House 🅿️ Yes ✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲ ▶️ Zao's world-famous "Ice Trees" They are also called ice monsters because the snow on the trees looks like living things. A majestic work of art of nature created by the unique weather conditions of the Zao mountain range😍 ▶️ I wanted to see it with my own eyes, so I joined a snowmobile tour However, unfortunately, there was a heavy snowstorm that day. Even on a day like this, the tour went ahead. ▶️We got off at a few places along the way to take photos, but we couldn't do it because of the snowstorm. We took about 10 minutes to take photos at a place where we could get off. We could only see it up close, but it was nice to see the impressive frost-covered trees. ▶️I'd like to go see them again on a nice day. ●The frost-covered trees are... ①A place where Aomori Todomatsu (Japanese larches) grow naturally ②A place where snow falls moderately ③It must be on the western slope of a mountain ④A winter-type atmospheric pressure arrangement with strong western winds When these four conditions are met, the world's rare natural beauty, "frost-covered trees," is born. #Miyagi #Zao #frost-covered trees #frost-covered trees at Zao #Ice Monster #0 yen trip January 2025

📍Takimidai Observation Deck Inside Kuraishidake National Forest, Togatta Onsen, Zao-cho, Karita-gun, Miyagi Prefecture 《Access》 About 35 minutes by car from "Murata IC" or "Shiroishi IC" on the Tohoku Expressway 🅿️Yes ✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲ ▶️Discovered on the way back from Zao Echo Line after joining the frost-covered trees tour Sankai Falls, one of Japan's 100 best waterfalls The way it falls in three tiers is majestic From the viewing platform, you can see the three waterfalls, Sankai Falls, Fudo Falls, and Jizo Falls. From the Fudo Falls Observation Deck, where the Myo-o statue of Zao Fudoson stands, you can get a close-up look at Fudo Falls. A frozen waterfall in a landscape covered in pure white snow. I would like to see the waterfall in autumn someday. #wintertrip #MiyagiZao #Miyagi #waterfall #0yentripJanuary2025

📍 Miyagi Zao Kokeshi Museum 135, 36 Nishiurayama, Shinchi, Togatta Onsen, Zao-cho, Katta-gun, Miyagi Prefecture 《Access》 Bus stop: Togatta Onsen / 9 minutes on foot from Miyagi Kotsu Bus stop: Elementary School (Shiraishi) / 11 minutes on foot from Miyagi Kotsu Bus stop: Togatta Community Center / 14 minutes on foot from Miyagi Kotsu Opening hours: 9:00-16:00 Admission fee: Adults 350 yen Kokeshi painting experience (reservation required) 1000 yen ✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲ ▶️Togatta, the birthplace of kokeshi In the permanent exhibition corner, 5,500 traditional kokeshi and wooden toys from all over Japan are displayed by category, including traditional Togatta kokeshi. ▶️You can watch a demonstration of "turning" by an active kokeshi craftsman, or try painting a kokeshi doll on a plain wooden base with your own hands. ▶️It was just around the time of Hinamatsuri, so various kokeshi dolls were on display. #Miyagi #Miyagi Zao #Winter trip #Kokeshi dolls #Birthplace #0 yen trip January 2025 #Miyagi tourism #Miyagi trip

#GlobalTravel If you come to Japan in winter, it is highly recommended to transfer from Tokyo to Yamagata Station in Tohoku, Japan, or Sendai Station, which is famous for its beef tongue, to see the magnificent scenery of nature. Juhyo refers to the strange sight of trees on the mountain covered with thick snow, turning them into giant snow monsters. It really depends on luck to see the Zao ice trees under the blue sky and white clouds. After all, the weather on the snow-capped mountains is unpredictable, and you can only enjoy the scenery when visibility is high. In terms of transportation, there are direct buses from Yamagata Station or Sendai Station to Zao Onsen Station, and then take the cable car to the top of the mountain to see the legendary ice trees up close. You must pay attention to safety when visiting, especially in bad weather, as you can easily slip on the snow if you are not careful. 📍Address: Zangwang

#AccommodationTravelRecord For 400 years since its opening, Togatta Onsen has been known as the "hot spring of the gods" for its abundant water and excellent health benefits. "Chikusenso" has two hot springs at this famous hot spring, and all of the hot spring facilities are free-flowing from the source. The bamboo forest seen from the large window in the library lounge was very beautiful and impressive. The symbolic hanging bell has a heavy and imposing presence. I stayed in the Junior Premier Suite. It was a suite consisting of a Japanese-style room and a bedroom, and I enjoyed the hot spring in a cypress bath. For dinner, we had the Japanese restaurant "Kamagami", named after the god who resides in the hearth. The food we were served was Sendai beef, and the vegetables and seafood were carefully selected from Miyagi Prefecture and around the country, giving it a seasonal feel. For breakfast, we enjoyed freshly cooked Hitomebore rice directly from the farmer in a clay pot. ✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧✧⋄⋆⋅⋆ ⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧ Spot information 📍There are two private open-air baths Both are free for guests to use Reservations are required 📍A shuttle bus runs between Sendai Station and Takesenso Reservations are required Check the website for details #Miyagi #Tohgatta Onsen #Hot springs #Domestic travel #Girls trip #Gourmet

Zao Dairy Center Rose Garden A rose garden next to the cheese house I don't know much about flowers, but I stopped by this rose garden on my way back from the cheese house I was surprised to discover that there are so many different kinds of roses! It's free to enter, and it's spacious, so it wasn't crowded and I was able to enjoy it at my own pace! It's probably a good idea to check the season before visiting. 💰Price per person: Free 📍Address: 251-4 Nanakahara, Toogatta Onsen, Zao-cho, Katta-gun, Miyagi Prefecture 989-0916 🅿️Parking available #FuriTabi

Zao Town, Miyagi Prefecture ① Zao Daigongen Otorii There is a large torii on the way from the Togatta shopping district to the Okama area⛩️ Tourists from overseas were also taking photos! It was overwhelmingly large and impressive! 📍Location: Togatta Onsen, Zao Town, Karita District, Miyagi Prefecture 989-0916 ② Takimidai (Takimidai Observatory) 📍Location: Kuraishidake National Land, Togatta Onsen, Zao Town, Karita District, Miyagi Prefecture 989-0916 Takimidai Observatory, Sankai Falls and Fudo Falls It's not very close, but you can see the waterfall. #Furitabi

#Interacting with animals/Zoo 📍Location: Zao Heartland 201 Nanakahara, Toogatta Onsen, Zao-machi, Katta-gun, Miyagi 989-0916 💰Price per person: Free 💞Reasons why we recommend it: The kids were so excited to see the sheep and goats up close! You can't get close to the adult goats and sheep, but you can get up close and personal with the baby animals! It's free to try, so we recommend it! 🏖️Atmosphere/Facilities: At the Zao Heartland Experience Center right next door, you can try making ice cream and have a light meal!

Nestled in the breathtaking natural surroundings of Tohoku, Japan 🇯🇵, the Miyagi Zao Mercure Onsen Resort offers an ideal setting for a perfect hot spring vacation♨️. The hotel rooms are spacious and comfortable, with an area exceeding 36 square meters. Through the windows, guests can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Miyagi Zao. The elegant decor and refined atmosphere of the rooms provide a relaxing experience🥰. The hotel's restaurant serves a buffet featuring local ingredients from Miyagi Zao🍽️. The elegant and comfortable ambiance of the restaurant showcases a variety of seasonal dishes, from fresh seafood to local farm produce, allowing guests to savor the bounty of nature with every bite. As a high-end hot spring hotel, the resort boasts Japanese-style open-air hot springs, baths, and a swimming pool♨️. Soaking in the warm hot springs surrounded by the beauty of nature offers a complete relaxation experience. The hotel lobby also features a complimentary bar in the evening🍷, perfect for unwinding after a soak in the hot springs. 🏨 Hotel: Miyagi Zao Mercure Onsen Resort 📍 Address: Togatta-onsen Oni-ishihara 1-1, 989-0916, Zao Town, Katta District, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan

Zao Town, Miyagi Prefecture Togatta Onsen Kami no Yu There is a free foot bath right in front of you, and there is also a hot spring that costs 400 yen for adults and 150 yen for children! I think 400 yen is a reasonable price☺️ It seems to be divided into hot and warm water, but both are too hot for children (and adults)! It seems to be empty around noon, but it seems to get crowded after the evening! This time I only used the foot bath. 🅿️Free parking available nearby 📍32 Nakamachi, Togatta Onsen, Zao Town, Katta District, Miyagi Prefecture 989-0912 #0 Yen Trip

Zao Town, Miyagi Prefecture Hasegawaya Tofu Specialty A tofu shop located at the back from the parking lot The soy milk soft serve ice cream is lightly sweet and refreshing and delicious! The soft serve ice cream comes in a variety of flavors, from simple to strawberry sauce, black sesame and soybean flour flavors! They also sell fried tofu, which looked delicious! Of course, they also sell tofu! 🅿️Free parking available nearby 📍23 Togatta Onsen Honmachi, Zao Town, Katta District, Miyagi Prefecture 989-0913 #0 yen trip

Located in the Tohoku region in northern Japan, home to unique species such as the Japanese macaque and the Japanese serow, Zao's ice trees are not as intimidating as these animals. In fact, Zao's ice trees are not living entities but rather a magnificent spectacle of snow and ice forming on trees in the Zao mountain range in northern Tohoku. Standing like mysterious guardians in the snowy landscape, these pure white giants transform the winter slopes into a surreal dreamscape. The snow-covered and frozen tree branches create an otherworldly magical scene, full of alluring charm, attracting pioneers who dare to explore the ever-changing realm of nature. Embark on a journey to see the 'Zao Ice Trees' (also known as snow monsters) and discover one of nature's many enchanting sights.

Zao Dairy Center Cheese Cabin You can buy many kinds of dairy products! The milk drink Molk is rich but not too sweet, so it's easy to drink! It's not in the photo, but I recommend the cream cheese. They have cream cheeses with a sweet taste and a savory taste, and the garlic cream cheese and blueberry cream cheese were delicious😆 There is a place where you can eat, so I'd like to use it next time! 📍251-4 Nanakahara, Toogatta Onsen, Zao-cho, Katta-gun, Miyagi Prefecture 989-0916 #0 yen trip