Zao Onsen Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
building in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan
About Zao Onsen
Zao Onsen is a hot spring town nestled in the Zao Mountains (蔵王連峰Zaō-renpō) famous for its cloudy blue sulfuric water. It is also known for its own kokeshi, the Zao Takayu kokeshi (see "Buy" for vendors). In the summer and autumn, the area is popular for hiking and visitors can go to Zao Crater just over the prefectural border. In the winter it's a popular place for skiing and viewing "Snow Monsters" (樹氷juhyō, lit. "ice trees"), a name given to the snow-covered trees due to their strange creature-like appearance. Be careful, Zao Town (蔵王町) is on the other side of the mountains, inMiyagiprefecture. The local tourist association has aJapanese-only guide sitewith integrated Google Translate.
Top Attractions in Zao Onsen
Explore the best things to see and do in Zao Onsen:
- ★Genshichi Roten no Yu
- ★Warabe no Sato History and Culture Museum
- ★Zao Juhyo Festival
- ★Zao Onsen Dairotemburo
- ★Zao Onsen Ski Resort
Where to Eat in Zao Onsen
Must-try local food and restaurants:
- 🍴Genghis Khan Lodge
Where to Stay in Zao Onsen
- 🏨Meitoya-So
- 🏨Takamiya
- 🏨Zao Kokusai Hotel
Zao Onsen Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 11 sections including: