Zao Onsen
Open by month
Open in January — at its best. Snow monsters (juhyo) by ropeway in winter, with evening light-ups; autumn leaves in early October. New Year (Dec 29 – Jan 3): open.
Open in February — at its best. Snow monsters (juhyo) by ropeway in winter, with evening light-ups; autumn leaves in early October.
Partly closed in March: Zao Onsen Dai-rotenburo (big outdoor bath) is closed late Nov to mid-April; public baths stay open.
Partly closed in April: Zao Onsen Dai-rotenburo (big outdoor bath) is closed late Nov to mid-April; public baths stay open.
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 — at its best. Snow monsters (juhyo) by ropeway in winter, with evening light-ups; autumn leaves in early October.
Partly closed in November: Zao Onsen Dai-rotenburo (big outdoor bath) is closed late Nov to mid-April; public baths stay open.
Partly closed in December: Zao Onsen Dai-rotenburo (big outdoor bath) is closed late Nov to mid-April; public baths stay open. New Year (Dec 29 – Jan 3): open.
Checked against the official site on 2026-10-12.
A mountain spa and ski town with strongly acidic sulfur water, three small public bathhouses and a big riverside outdoor bath.
Nearby
- Zao Snow Monsters ≈ 10 min by car
- Zao Okama Crater Lake ≈ 20 min by car
- Kaminoyama Onsen ≈ 30 min by car
- Bunshokan (Former Yamagata Prefectural Office) ≈ 30 min by car
- Kajo Park (Yamagata Castle Ruins) ≈ 30 min by car
Travel times are rough estimates by car.
- Best time
- January, February, October — Snow monsters (juhyo) by ropeway in winter, with evening light-ups; autumn leaves in early October
- Closed or limited
- Zao Onsen Dai-rotenburo (big outdoor bath) is closed late Nov to mid-April; public baths stay open
- Getting there
- About 40 min by Yamako bus from Yamagata Sta.
- Fee
- Public baths ¥300 (pay at the box)
- Good to know
- Public baths open 6:00–22:00 all year; ropeway to the snow monsters starts in town
- Time needed
- 4 h
Checked against the official Japanese website on 2026-10-12. Report outdated info