Zao Snow Monsters
Open by month
Open in January — at its best. Snow monsters, late December to February. New Year (Dec 29 – Jan 3): open.
Open in February — at its best. Snow monsters, late December to February.
Open in March. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in April. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in May. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in June. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in July. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in August. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in September. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in October. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in November. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in December. No seasonal closure recorded. New Year (Dec 29 – Jan 3): open.
Checked against the official site on 2026-10-11.
Trees covered in thick ice and snow stand like monsters on the slopes. Ride the ropeway to see them.
Nearby
- Zao Onsen ≈ 10 min by car
- Zao Okama Crater Lake ≈ 20 min by car
- Kaminoyama Onsen ≈ 30 min by car
- Bunshokan (Former Yamagata Prefectural Office) ≈ 35 min by car
- Kajo Park (Yamagata Castle Ruins) ≈ 35 min by car
Travel times are rough estimates by car.
- Best time
- January, February — Snow monsters, late December to February
- Getting there
- 40 min by bus from Yamagata Station to Zao Onsen, then the ropeway
- Fee
- Ropeway ¥4,400 round trip (to the top)
- Time needed
- 2 h
Checked against the official Japanese website on 2026-10-11. Report outdated info