1. What is Zao Shuttle Bus?

The Zao Shuttle Bus is a shuttle bus that runs between Kaminoyama Onsen Station and Zao Onsen Bus Terminal.

The operation period is from January 11 (Sat.) to Friday, February 28 (Fri.), 2025.

This plan is recommended for those staying at Kaminoyama Onsen, as well as those who want to enjoy Zao without worrying about driving on snowy roads.

So let me introduce it to you right away.

① Sales period
Saturday, January 11, 2025 – Friday, February 28, 2025

② Time

③ Fees
<One-way fare (tax included)>
● Kaminoyama Onsen Tourist Information Center to Zao Onsen Bus Terminal: 2,000 yen ● Kaminoyama Onsen Tourist Information Center to Yamagata Zao Roadside Station: 500 yen ● Yamagata Zao Roadside Station to Zao Onsen Bus Terminal: 1,500 yen

Make a reservation here▼
Click here to make a reservation

2. Take the shuttle bus to Zao Onsen!

① Kaminoyama Onsen Tourist Information Center

The Kaminoyama Onsen Tourist Information Center is located right in front of Kaminoyama Onsen Station.

Not only can you get tourist information about Kaminoyama, but it’s also a great place to take a break or wait for the train.

There are also plenty of great shops where you can take a break before departure or after arrival, getting you excited even before you leave.

As soon as you enter, you will find the Kaminoyama Onsen Tourist Information Center.

Be sure to ask about tourist information for Kaminoyama Onsen, as well as the highlights of Zao Onsen.

There are other attractive shops within the Facility, which we will introduce later.

Now let’s get on the bus and depart.

② Yamagata Zao Roadside Station

The Zao shuttle bus also stops at “Yamagata Zao Roadside Station.”

We opened in December 2023 and celebrated our first anniversary.

It is one of the most popular tourist spots, with various events held every week, the Imoni Hiroba where you can enjoy an Imoni party without having to bring anything, and attractive sweets and meat available for purchase.

Additionally, the “Gutto Yamagata” next door is a tourist souvenir shop that boasts being one of the largest in the prefecture.

With a selection of around 4,000 items, this is a highly recommended spot if you’re looking for Yamagata souvenirs.

Roadside Station Yamagata and Gutto Yamagata are connected inside the building, so please come and enjoy both.

Please see below for more details about each facility.

3. 4 ways to enjoy Zao

Once you arrive at Zao Onsen Bus Terminal, enjoy Zao in your own way!

1. Enjoy Zao Onsen Ski Resort

The first one is Zao Onsen Ski Resort.

Zao Onsen Ski Resort is one of the largest single ski resorts in Japan, and the Snow Monsters area at the top is world famous.

Its greatest attraction is that you can enjoy the vast and varied slopes , the beautiful Snow Monsters area , and the highly acidic hot spring waters that are said to make you beautiful all at once.

The article below provides you with all the information you need to enjoy Zao in the winter to the fullest.

Please take a look.

② SORAMADO cafe 1387-ISAHANA & Frost Terrace

The second is the new and exciting spot “SORAMADO cafe 1387-ISAHANA and the Frost Terrace.”

The ride on the Zao Chuo Ropeway takes 7 minutes and 30 seconds, with an elevation difference of 524m.

This is a world of frost, completely different from the hot spring town. SORAMADO cafe 1387-ISAHANA and the frost terrace are located at Torikabuto Station, 1,387 meters above sea level.

This is a popular spot that just opened in December 2023.

You can see this magnificent view from the large frost terrace in front of the café.

Just looking at it will draw you in and you’ll be mesmerized by the beauty of the frost!

It’s a view that makes you want to lose track of time and just gaze at it for a while, but let’s go inside the store right away.

The interior is warm and relaxing, and the café menu is packed with great items.

The recommended item is the hearty “Croissant Sandwich.”

It’s a lot larger than it looks from the menu photo, so I’m sure skiers will be very satisfied with the portion.

In addition, we also have a menu of hot soups, drinks, and small sweets that can be used not only for lunch.

③ Stroll around Zao Onsen Town

The third thing to do is to stroll around Zao Onsen town.

Zao Onsen’s specialties include “Igamochi rice cake”, “jingisukan”, and “kokeshi doll”.

If you go to Zao, you can’t miss the Igamochi rice cake.

Igamochi rice cake filled with red bean paste is the perfect sweet treat to take a break from during your stroll!

Also, if you have time, it might be fun to try your hand at the kokeshi doll painting experience.

A unique kokeshi doll may be born!

④ Day-trip hot spring

The fourth recommendation is Day-trip hot spring.

There are three public baths in Zao Onsen Town: Kamiyu Public Bath, Shimoyu Public Bath, and Kawarayu Public Bath.

The bathing fee is an incredible 200 yen for adults.

The water at Zao Onsen is the most acidic in the Tohoku region, and is said to promote blood circulation and have antibacterial properties on the epidermis, leading to it being called “the water that makes you beautiful.”

Don’t worry if you don’t have towels, they are available for purchase at the souvenir shop.

Let’s warm up slowly before heading home.

4. Another Spot I'd Like to Recommend

There is a spot inside the Kaminoyama Onsen Tourist Information Center that we recommend you visit before you depart or after you arrive.

① Yamagata Wine Cave

Kaminoyama City is a grape-producing region with many farmers who cultivate high-quality wine grapes, and it also provides many grapes to wineries outside the prefecture.

It is also a great place for wine lovers, as you can sample unique wines from a variety of wineries, from historic ones to young, energetic ones.

Every year in early summer, many wineries from inside and outside the prefecture gather to hold the Yamagata Wine Bar, the largest wine festival in the Tohoku region, where over 200 types of wine are on display.

Yamagata Wine Cave opened in April 2023 as a shop where you can buy and drink wines from wineries that are participating in Yamagata Wine Bar.

There are many wines lined up in the wine cellar.

At Yamagata Wine Cave you can actually taste the recommended wines.

This time I chose the “Yamagata Wine Bar Tasting Set 1,100 yen.” (Prices as of December 2024)

You can choose three types of wine that you like, so it feels like a good deal.

① From the right: [Suntory] Japan Premium Chardonnay (dry)
② Chuo [Takeda Winery] Rouge Barrel Aged 2020 (Medium)
③ Left [Oura Winery] THE ORANGE Delaware 2022 (dry)

This time I chose these three items.

＜① [Suntory] Japan Premium Chardonnay (dry)＞
You may be wondering why Suntory? Isn’t it a local winery? However, the Suntory Japan Premium Series has a wine called “Kaminoyama.”
The wine, made from Chardonnay produced in Kaminoyama, had a refreshing aroma and acidity reminiscent of La France pears and was exquisite.

＜②[Takeda Winery] Rouge Barrel Aged 2020 (Medium)＞
Takeda Winery’s Rouge has a rich, berry-like flavor and seems to go well with food.

＜③[Oura Winery] THE ORANGE Delaware 2022 (Dry)＞
The last wine I tried was orange wine from Oura Winery in Nanyo City.
The aroma of Delaware and the moderate acidity are pleasant and addictive.

When you find a wine you like, you can buy a bottle and enjoy it at home.

We also have grape juice and La France juice available for those who don’t like alcohol or who are driving.

What caught my eye this time were the original snacks from Yamagata Wine Cave.

They all look delicious, but this time I tried the “Dried Persimmon Roll”.

Kaminoyama city is also famous for its dried persimmons, which are sandwiched between cream cheese and nuts and go perfectly with wine.

Yamagata Wine Cave also hosts a variety of events.

Be sure to check that out too.

② Right Stuff Coffee

Another recommendation is “Right Stuff Coffee”.

It was previously called “Zao no Mori Roasting Studio Kaminoyama Onsen Ekimae Store,” but the manager became independent and reopened as “Right Stuff Coffee” in August 2023.

The menu includes not only coffee, but also pasta and sweets, making it perfect for lunch or tea time.

This time I ordered the “Nostalgic Pudding & Blended Coffee Set.”

Today’s blended coffee is “Right Stuff Blend.”

The pudding was just the right amount of sweet, complementing the coffee perfectly.

They also sell coffee beans, and when I visited there were six types of blended coffee and eleven types of straight coffee available.

The blended coffees have wonderful names, such as “smile blend,” “Thank you blend,” “Always blend,” “Good Luck blend,” “Right stuff blend,” and “Challenge blend,” all of which have names that will lift your spirits.

For those who want to try different things at home, there are also drip pack sets available, so it might be fun to try out different ones to find one that suits your taste.

5. Make a reservation here

How was it?
The “Zao Shuttle Bus” allows you to spend your free time in your own fun way and enjoy winter Zao to the fullest.

This tour has the appeal that only a bus tour can offer, as you can take photos with the frost-covered trees and frost as a backdrop and enjoy delicious Yamagata sake.

Make a reservation here▼
Make a reservation here