Zao Onsen: skiing and hot-spring stays

If you're planning a day skiing Zao, first decide where you'll enter the slopes, such as Yokokura or Uwanodai. Snow monsters The landing areas and equipment required are different for snow monsters viewing and skiing. On days when your companions will be spending time separately, share a place to meet for lunch or dinner.

01 / RESORT

Zao Onsen Ski Resort

Ride up towards the winter trees, then return to the hot-spring town for the evening.

Read the guide ↗

Zao Kokusai Hotel is a good choice due to its location towards Yokokura and the on-site hot springs and private baths. Astoria is the hotel where you want to check out how to get to the slopes and how to ski back. If you're staying with someone who's skiing for the first time, be sure to check not only how to get there, but also how to get back to the hotel.

Zao Onsen / Yokokura

Zao Kokusai Hotel

Cross to Yokokura in the morning, then come back for hot springs and dinner.

The free designated transfer from Yamagata Station requires advance booking: the official guidance says at least three days beforehand. Station meeting points differ by season. The hotel does not provide transfers to surrounding facilities, so plan restaurant outings and journeys from other ski entrances separately. Luggage and ski equipment can be left before check-in and after check-out.

Explore this stay ↗

Zao Onsen / Yokokura hillside

Zao Astraea Hotel

A forest hotel for a day planned around the slopes.

Call the hotel for pickup after reaching Zao Onsen Bus Terminal. Local transfers cover the terminal, ropeway boarding area and hot-spring town; there is no Yamagata Station transfer. Return drop-offs require reservations. Room views cannot be specified; confirm winter booking conditions on the official site.

Explore this stay ↗

If you want to spend an afternoon walking around the hot spring town, consider Shimoyu Public Bath. Separating your days with a day of relaxing in the bath at your inn will add variety to your winter stay. Shimoyu and the large open-air bath are separate facilities, and there is a notice that the large open-air bath is closed during the winter. Don't decide on your plans to take a bath during the snowy season based solely on photos of summer open-air baths.

01 / ONSEN

Shimoyu Public Bath

Take a short bath at the public bath on Takayu Street. Shimoyu is a place you can stop by even in Zao in winter.

Read the guide ↗

Another option is to take a break at Café Alpina on days when you are skiing at Uwanodai, and have a meal at the inn at night. If you're going out to see snow monsters at night, plan on a dinner time and a return trip. Please inquire separately about restaurant seat reservations and hotel accommodation reservations, and decide on your dining requirements before leaving.

01 / FOOD

Café Alpina

A meal break by the window on the day of skiing at Uwanodai. Sailer Hütte cafe/restaurant.

Read the guide ↗

• The reception desk for lessons and rentals and the entrance to the slopes from the inn.
• How to return home for beginners and the range covered by transportation to and from the hotel.
• Choose between a guest room bath, an in-house hot spring bath, and a public bath.
• Dinner and snow monster viewing times, public baths open on visiting days.