1. SORAMADO cafe 1387

SORAMADO cafe 1387 is located inside the Torikabuto Station at the top of the Zao Chuo Ropeway line.

As its name suggests, it is located at an altitude of 1,387 meters, and the original rest house has been renovated into a café that can be enjoyed all year round.

As it was ski season, the shop was bustling with people enjoying winter sports!

The biggest attraction of SORAMADO cafe 1387 is the large windows inside the café!

In the warm season, all the windows are removed so you can enjoy your coffee time while feeling the refreshing breeze of the plateau.

There is also a power outlet on each table, so you don’t have to worry about charging your devices.

You can take photos without any worries.

There are other great spaces inside the café too.

When I looked into the washroom…

(The restroom logo is super cute!)

Hair dryers provided!

Even if your hair gets wet during winter sports, it can dry quickly.

This is very much appreciated.

When you visit the café, be sure to also make use of the adjacent Rime Terrace.

During the interview, many people were taking photos and enjoying the view.

A spectacular spot where you can see the Zao mountains.

The weather was just right and the contrast between the blue sky and the snowy scenery was amazing!

Enjoy this view while enjoying a delicious meal!

I can’t get enough of it!

2. Access

For those of you wondering “how to get to SORA MADO cafe 1387,” we will tell you how to get there.

It’s a special café that can only be reached by ropeway, especially in winter.

The starting point is the Onsen Station at the bottom of the  Zao Chuo Ropeway line.

Take the ropeway up to the Torikabuto Station.

I had been there before during the autumn foliage season, and was deeply impressed by the different scenery!

The white trees you can see below are covered with rime.

Hoarfrost is a beautiful phenomenon that occurs when supercooled mist particles are blown by the wind onto trees and other objects, turning into rime and adhering to the trees. It looks like white flowers are blooming on the trees.

Later we will introduce some recommended activities that will allow you to fully enjoy this rime-covered scenery.

We could even see the famous Snow Monsters in the distance.

After an exciting seven-minute flight through the sky and the magnificent views, we arrive at Torikabuto Station!

This time we enjoyed the snowy scenery, but you can experience a variety of scenery throughout the seasons, such as the lush greenery of spring and the colorful leaves of autumn.

3. SORAMADO cafe 1387 menu

SORAMADO cafe 1387 offers around 50 different light meal options using local ingredients.

The charms of Yamagata are all gathered together, including sandwiches made with the famous croissants, Tsuyahime rice potage, and La France tart!

Ordering and payment are done using touch panels inside the store.

When it’s ready, a staff member will call you and you can collect your order at the counter.

4. What is the recommended menu item at SORAMADO cafe 1387?

This time I had the recommended Yamagata beef sandwich, Chuo Kogen area pudding, and cappuccino.

What’s most surprising is the size of the croissants used in the sandwiches!

It’s bigger than the palm of your hand!

I had heard rumors that it was big, but it was much bigger than I had imagined.

The sweet and spicy meat and lettuce go perfectly with the crispy croissant!

And my stomach was full!

Mr. Ikeda from CKD Corporation, who we spoke to, told us, “You’ll be full until the evening,” and he was absolutely right.

This is the best ski meal, or rather a ski sandwich.

No matter how full I am, there’s always room for dessert (lol)

This Zao Kogen Pudding is a special pudding that is only sold at this café and the accommodation facility Forest Inn SANGORO.

A smooth pudding with rich salted caramel sauce.

It’s so delicious that I want to eat it forever…

It’s also delicious when heated, so please give it a try.

5. Experience the fun activities at SORA MADO cafe 1387!

At Zao Onsen Ski Resort you can experience snowshoe hiking in the rime-covered forest.

The rime that we saw from the ropeway earlier was also very beautiful, but I also recommend seeing it while taking a walk as part of an activity.

I actually had the chance to try on snowshoes.

Just put on the snowshoes while still wearing the boots you were originally wearing!

Adjusting the size was also very easy, just by turning the dial.

This is definitely an activity that I would recommend to snow mountain beginners like me.

When I tried walking in it, I found it was very easy to walk in as my feet didn’t sink too deeply into the snow!!

You can also see such a beautiful view.

Snowshoe hiking in the rime is a great value plan that includes a round-trip ropeway/Sky Cable ticket, snowshoe rental, and lunch and drink voucher set.

Please wear warm clothes such as ski wear, cold-proof and waterproof shoes, gloves, goggles and sunglasses.

Since this plan does not include a guide, a nice feature is that if there are places you want to go or things you want to see, you can ask the staff for advice.

Please come and enjoy a stroll through the snowy scenery and a delicious lunch.

Lunch drinks can be enjoyed at SORAMADO cafe 1387 or Forest inn SANGORO.

6. Message

Finally, Mr. Ikeda from CKD Corporation gave a message to everyone watching VISIT YAMAGATA.

“We reopened with the hope of creating a resort that can be enjoyed throughout all four seasons.

Zao is a spot that can be enjoyed throughout the year, with fresh greenery, deep greenery, autumn leaves, snow monsters and rime.

Please enjoy it.”

7. Basic information about SORAMADO cafe 1387