Finally visited the place that I wish to visit very long time - the Mount Zao during the end of this winter season. For winter season, Mount Zao in Yamagata is one of the most famous place where you can view Zao Monsters, other than Mount Hakkoda in Aomori and Mount Moriyoshi in Akita.
What are Zao Monsters?
Zao Monsters are not real monsters but are actually the spectacular snow-covered trees up on Mount Zao. All the trees look like monsters when the heavy snow season (around Feb) hits Mount Zao. The view was magnificent! The Zao snow monsters were really spectacular all over the whole Mount Zao. It was so gorgeously beautiful but at the same time, super cold and strong wind up the Mountain. Remember to wear appropriate layering, shoes and outer jackets so that you can explore outdoor longer.
We activated our 6 Days JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass (35000yen) at Ueno station early in the morning to Yamagata station by Yamagata Shinkansen line. For this Yamagata shinkansen line strictly need to reserve seats at JR ticket counter as all the seats are reserved seats. The seats can be reserved the day before (if you have already planned which shinkansen time to depart) or earlier on the day itself before the trains depart or even right after you have purchased your Rail pass and have decided the date & time to board the train.
After arriving at Yamagata station, we quickly drop our luggage at the hotel and walked to the Yamagata Center bldg-mae bus stop or Yamagata station bus stop to board the local bus (1000yen/person) to Zao Bus Terminal bus station. Then walk about 10mins to Zao Ropeway Zao Sanroku station. Enjoyed along the walk to the Zao Ropeway, everything were covered in white cotton snow - soo beautiful.
By looking at the advertisement board, we will need to board and change to 2 different kinds of cable car and ropeway.
Bought our tickets at the automatic ticket machine as the counter has very long queue. The return ticket for Zao ropeway was 3800yen/person.
We boarded at Zao Sanroku station (855m).
The view was surreal.
Then changed to another cable car at Juhyokogen station (1331m).
And finally we had arrived at the Top station - Jizo Sancho Station (1661m).
At the Top station, we went to explore the balcony, a view full of Zao snow monsters up here at Mount Zao. So spectacular!
Some Zao snow monsters were relatively skinny due to the rainy days before we arrived. I guess the best time to visit for a more plump snow monsters might be in between mid Feb to late Feb. Nowadays the weathers are so unpredictable.
There is a lover place at the balcony area too.
The Zaojizoson 蔵王地蔵尊 was located at the outdoor area. The heavy snow covered half of the Zaojizoson body.
We went for a higher climb to get fatty plump snow monsters.
Yes I brought my blacky & whitey with me too this round !
No worries if you wore the wrong shoes for snow bed walk, you can borrow the snow boots and return it back on the rack after used. It is a FREE service. The Japanese are so considerate, even snow boots are provided for the visitors who do not have appropriate shoes with them.
There is a restaurant at the Top station - Jizo Sancho station. The restaurant name is 蔵王ロープウェイレストラン山頂. We had our lunch here before we went on for the outdoor exploration.
We had the corn cream soup, pumpkin soup, beef umani donburi, dan dan noodles and beef curry and rice.
Beef Curry and Rice Set (1100yen)
Corn cream soup (500yen)
Pumpkin soup (500yen)
Dan Dan Noodles Set (1100yen)
Beef Umani Donburi Set (1200yen)
We enjoyed the meal very much! It keeps our stomach warm after a long exposure at the cold and super windy balcony.
Zao Ropeway Zao Sanroku Station 蔵王ロープウェイ蔵王山麓駅
Opening Hours: Daily, 0830 to 1700
Contact: +81 236 949 518
Website: zaoropeway.co.jp
*Tips: A Tsumami Yamagata Sake Museum & Bar is located nearby the Zao Ropeway, a little bar cafe where you can hang around and have some sips of their local Yamagata sake.
Visited on 5th March 2024
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