Yamagata, Yamagata / 蔵王ロープウェイ（樹氷）
Zao Ropeway (snow monsters)
A ropeway from Zao Onsen up Mt Jizo; in winter it is the classic way to see the rime-ice "snow monsters".
Last official check
25 Sept 2026
Traveler reports
0
Reports open in Phase 2
Next scheduled check
24 Dec 2026
Before you go
Only facts we confirmed on official sources are shown. Anything else is marked “Not checked yet”.
- Opening hours
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- Closed
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- Admission
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- Getting there
About 45 min by bus from JR Yamagata Station, then 15 min on foot from Zao Onsen bus terminal. By car about 35 min from Yamagata-Zao IC or 25 min from Yamagata-Kaminoyama IC.
Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site- Parking
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- Payment
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- Accessibility
Staff can assist if you contact them in advance. The path near Jizo-sancho Station is wheelchair-accessible. Accessible toilet; written communication available.
Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site
Found wrong or outdated information? Let us know
Address: 229-3 Zao Onsen, Yamagata, Yamagata (base station)
Official site: https://zaoropeway.co.jp/
Location
Smaller pins are other spots nearby.
Nearby spots
- No photo yetZao Onsen Dai-rotenburo Open-air BathYamagataLess than 1 km away (straight line)
Photo: Σ64 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 (resized)Zao Okama Crater LakeMiyagi5 km away (straight line)- No photo yetBunshokan (former Yamagata Prefectural Office)Yamagata12 km away (straight line)
- No photo yetYamagata Castle Ruins, Kajo ParkYamagata12 km away (straight line)
- No photo yetKami-no-yu public bath, Togatta OnsenMiyagi16 km away (straight line)
Distances are straight-line distances, not travel distances.
Crowds
- Crowd level
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Best time to visit
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Peak time
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Busiest days
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Busiest season
The snow monsters are usually at their best from late December to late February.
Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site- Latest traveler report
- None yet
Traveler crowd data by time of day appears after 5 traveler reports (0 so far).
Visiting respectfully
- Local etiquetteThe ropeway has two sections: the Sanroku line (base station to Juhyo Kogen, about 7 min) and the Sancho line (Juhyo Kogen to Jizo-sancho, about 10 min).Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site
Verification log
- 25 Sept 2026First check · Tourism board · https://yamagatakanko.com/attractions/detail_7455.htmlAddress, access, accessibility and coordinates read from the Yamagata Prefecture tourism site. The ropeway's own fares and hours page (zaoropeway.co.jp/guide.php) returned 404 on 2026-09-25.
- 25 Sept 2026First check · Tourism board · https://yamagatakanko.com/attractions/detail_2721.htmlSnow-monster season read from the Yamagata Prefecture tourism site (Zao snow monsters).