Zao Guide
Short, practical guides to Zao Onsen for visitors from overseas. One new guide a day at most, each one built from public sources (village and city offices, the prefecture, national agencies, transport operators) that we list at the end with the date we read them. If we could not check something, we say so and leave it out.
Latest guides
How Do You Stay Safe in Zao? Volcano, Snow, Bears and 110/119
Mount Zao's current volcanic alert level, the closed crater area, winter mountain and avalanche advice, bear reports in Zao Onsen, and calling 110 and 119.
What Are Zao's Snow Monsters, and When Can You See Them?
How Zao's juhyo form, seeing them from the Zao Ropeway, why official season dates differ, night light-ups, and the insect damage that threatens the trees.
How Do You Get to Zao Onsen from Tokyo?
Tsubasa trains from Tokyo to Yamagata, the Zao Onsen bus from stop No. 1, fares and tickets, Yamagata Airport links and the winter Kaminoyama shuttle.