SK00113 days
US$4,000 ~ US$6,200
Appi & Zao
Ski Resort Hopping: Standard Room Plan
13-day Japan ski adventure：Stay in Tokyo Appi Zao Tokyo all hotels and Shinkansen included
Ski Resorts
Tohoku
Zao
7 tours available
Why Visit Zao
Zao is famous for its “snow monsters” — juhyo, the extraordinary ice-encrusted trees that form on the mountain slopes when Siberian winds freeze moisture onto the Aomori fir trees. These otherworldly formations, some reaching over five metres tall, create a landscape unlike anything else in Japan and draw photographers and skiers from around the world each winter.
Beyond the frozen spectacle, Zao is a well-rounded mountain destination. The Zao Onsen village at the base has been a hot-spring retreat for over 1,900 years, with milky-white, strongly acidic waters prized for their skin benefits. Okama Crater Lake — a vivid emerald volcanic lake near the summit — is a star attraction from spring through autumn. Zao combines raw natural beauty, rewarding skiing, and deep onsen culture in one compact area.
Best Time to Visit
Winter (January – February) — Peak snow-monster season. The juhyo are fully formed, night-time illuminations run on select evenings, and ski conditions are at their best.
Late Spring – Summer (May – August) — The Zao Echo Line road opens, revealing Okama Crater Lake in its vivid emerald glory. Hiking trails across the volcanic plateau offer spectacular views.
Autumn (September – October) — Fiery red and gold foliage blankets the mountain slopes, and the Zao Ropeway provides an aerial front-row seat to the colour show.
Insider Tips
- Take the Zao Ropeway to the summit plateau for the best snow-monster viewing — dress for extreme cold, as temperatures can drop below –15°C with wind chill.
- Soak in Zao Onsen's public Dai-rotenburo (large outdoor bath) — the milky, sulphurous water surrounded by forest is one of Tohoku's finest bathing experiences.
- If visiting for juhyo, check conditions before going — warm winters can delay or weaken formation. Late January to mid-February is the safest window.
- Zao's local speciality is jingisukan (grilled lamb) — named after Genghis Khan and served sizzling on a dome-shaped grill at restaurants in the onsen village.
Tours Visiting Zao
SK00214 days
US$4,800 ~ US$6,000
Hakuba Tsugaike & Zao with Snow Monkeys
Ski Resort Hopping: Standard Room Plan
14-day ski tour at Hakuba Tsugakie and Zao with Snow Monkey Park. Intermediate-friendly slopes, hot spring stays, and Shinkansen transfers.
Ski Resorts
SK10214 days
US$5,400 ~ US$6,600
Hakuba Misorano & Zao with Snow Monkeys
Ski Resort Hopping: Premium Room Plan
14-day ski tour at Hakuba Misorano and Zao: upgraded resort rooms, Snow Monkey Park, and onsen stays. Shinkansen and luggage delivery included.
Ski Resorts
SK00414 days
US$5,200 ~ US$6,500
Shiga Kogen & Zao with Snow Monkeys
Ski Resort Hopping: Shiga Kogen Prince Hotel ＆Takamiya Ryokan Miyamaso
Ski Shiga Kogen and Zao, visit Snow Monkey Park, see famous snow monsters, and explore Tokyo on this 14-day self-guided Japan ski tour.
Ski Resorts
SK00811 days
US$3,800 ~ US$5,100
Zao Snow Monsters – Two beds Resort Plan
Ski Resort Hopping: Suite Room Plan
11-day ski tour to Zao with twin-room stays in Tokyo Ueno and Takamiya Rurikura Resort. Snow monsters, hot springs, and Tokyo time included.
Ski Resorts
SK10811 days
US$4,600 ~ US$6,000
Zao Snow Monsters – Premium Ryokan Plan
Ski Resort Hopping: Premium Room Plan
11-day Zao ski tour with upgraded stays at Mitsui Garden Hotel Ueno and Miyamaso Takamiya. Snow monsters, onsen, and Tokyo included.
Ski Resorts
SK20811 days
US$4,400 ~ US$5,700
Zao Snow Monsters – Suite Resort Plan
Ski Resort Hopping: Suite Room Plan
11-day Zao ski tour with upgraded suite stays at Takamiya Rurikura Resort and Tokyo Ueno. Snow monsters, hot springs, and city time included.
Ski Resorts
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Travel Information
Region
Tohoku
Location
Available Tours
7 tours