Verified in Japan

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".

Snow-covered rime-ice trees on Zao seen from the ropeway, with the cables above
Zao snow monsters from the ropewayPhoto: Yamagata Prefecture (yamagatakanko.com) · Terms of use · Source

Last official check

25 Sept 2026

Traveler reports

0

Reports open in Phase 2

Next scheduled check

24 Dec 2026

Decide before you go

A short summary made from the official facts below. Check the rows for details.

Getting there
Train / Bus / Car

Before you go

Only facts we confirmed on official sources are shown. Anything else is listed under “Not yet confirmed”.

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 a tourism board site
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 a tourism board site
Not yet confirmed

Opening hours, Closed, Admission, Parking, Payment

we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.

Found wrong or outdated information?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.

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Nearby spots

Distances are straight-line distances, not travel distances.

Crowds

Busiest season

The snow monsters are usually at their best from late December to late February.

Checked 25 Sept 2026 on a tourism board site
Not yet confirmed

Crowd level, Best time to visit, Peak time, Busiest days

no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.

Latest traveler report
None yet

Traveler crowd data by time of day appears after 5 traveler reports (0 so far).

You can check typical busy hours in Google Maps ("Popular times" on the place's page). Open this spot in Google Maps

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 a tourism board site

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