Zao Juhyo (Snow Monsters)
蔵王の樹氷
Snow monsters formed when fir trees on Mount Zao are wrapped layer after layer in wind-driven snow and rime. Take the ropeway to the Jizō-dake summit station to stand right among them.
Zao Juhyo is a rare natural phenomenon. In winter, the northwest monsoon from the Sea of Japan carries supercooled water droplets onto the Maries fir forests at about 1,300–1,700 m on Mount Zao. The droplets freeze and build up layer upon layer, and snow then covers them, wrapping whole trees in strangely shaped giant columns known as “Snow Monsters.” The best viewing spot is Zao Onsen on the Yamagata side. Take the Zao Ropeway from the base station to the Juhyo Plateau station, then transfer on the summit line to the Jizō-dake Summit Station at 1,661 m. Once outside, you will see an endless field of snow-laden trees and a snow-covered Jizō statue. The trees are at their fullest from late January to late February. On some winter evenings, Juhyo is illuminated, and the snow monsters under the lights look even more dreamlike. Round-trip ropeway tickets cost about ¥4,000–5,000 (check current prices). The summit often drops below −10°C with wind and snow, so wear ski-level cold-weather clothing and goggles. Getting there: from Sendai Station, take a highway bus to Yamagata (about 1 hour), then a bus to Zao Onsen (about 40 minutes). In winter there are also direct buses from Sendai to Zao Onsen. Zao Onsen is a strongly acidic sulfur hot spring, and a soak after viewing Juhyo is very relaxing.
Opening hours
Cable car about 08:30–17:00 (extended into the night on lantern-lighting days)
Nearby sights
- Zao Onsen
- Nanokamachi Gotenzeki
- Bunshokan
- Kajo Park (Yamagata Castle Ruins)
- Kaminoyama Onsen & Castle
- Yamadera (Risshaku-ji)
- Tendo Onsen & Shogi Town
- Kumano Taisha, Nanyo