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Onsen · Tohoku

Zao Onsen

Yamagata, Yamagata♨ Strongly acidic sulfur spring (pH 1.25–1.6)
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Overview

Overview

One of Tohoku’s most celebrated old hot springs, said to have opened 1,900 years ago. Strongly acidic sulfur springs flow in abundance, and there are three public baths within walking distance. You can also enjoy mountain scenery through the seasons, from frost-covered trees (juhyo) in winter to the Okama crater lake in summer.

Known for its cloudy white, strongly acidic sulfur springs. The public baths Kamiyu, Shimoyu and Kawarayu are all within a 5-minute walk of each other, and you can easily drop in for ¥300. From spring to autumn, the Zao Onsen Dairotenburo in the mountains is also open, where you can enjoy free-flowing source water in large open-air baths along a mountain stream.

Location
Yamagata, Yamagata
Best time to visit
Frost-covered trees (January–February) and their night illumination in winter, Okama crater lake in summer, and autumn leaves in autumn
Official website
https://zaomountainresort.com/
Day-Use Baths

Baths you can visit without staying

Public baths, day-use spas and foot baths open to non-staying visitors.

Public bath

Kamiyu Public Bath

Price
Adults ¥300, children ¥100 (as of October 2026)
Hours
6:00–22:00
Closed
Open all year round
Note
Within a 5-minute walk of Shimoyu and Kawarayu
Official site
https://zaomountainresort.com/about/
Public bath

Kawarayu Public Bath

Price
Adults ¥300, children ¥100 (as of October 2026)
Hours
6:00–22:00
Closed
Open all year round
Official site
https://zaomountainresort.com/about/
Day-use spa

Zao Onsen Dairotenburo

Price
Adults ¥850, children (ages 1–11) ¥400 (as of October 2026)
Hours
Weekdays 9:30–17:00, weekends and holidays 9:30–18:00 (last admission 30 minutes before closing)
Closed
Closed in winter (around late November to late April); also closed on some maintenance days
Note
Because the source water flows freely, showers and soap cannot be used
Official site
https://www.jupeer-zao.com/roten/
Foot bath

Shimoyu Footbath

Price
Free (as of October 2026)
Hours
6:00–22:00
Closed
Open all year round
Note
In front of the Shimoyu Public Bath
Official site
https://zaomountainresort.com/about/

Prices and hours are as of the date shown and may change, with occasional closures. Check each facility’s official website before you go.

🖋 If you have tattoos

Varies by facility, so please check with each one. Some facilities allow bathing if tattoos are covered with cover stickers

Spring

Spring type and features

♨ Strongly acidic sulfur spring (pH 1.25–1.6)

The Zao Onsen official website lists benefits for cuts, burns, chronic skin conditions, muscle pain, joint pain, poor circulation, recovery from fatigue and more. It is said to have long been loved as a ‘bath that makes you beautiful’

Etiquette

Bathing etiquette

  • ✓Rinse yourself with hot water (kakeyu) and wash your body before getting into the bath
  • ✓Do not put your towel in the bath water
  • ✓Tie up long hair so it does not touch the water
  • ✓Do not take photos in the bathing area
Sights

Nearby sights

Zao Okama

A crater lake on the border with Miyagi Prefecture. A signature summer view

Frost-covered trees (juhyo)

A winter specialty of Zao. Best in January and February, with illumination at night

Tips

Good to know

  • !At the public baths you pay cash into a fee box, so have small change ready
  • !The day-use hot spring ticket (¥2,650, cash only) covering four facilities, including the Dairotenburo, is valid until October 31, 2026
  • !The Dairotenburo is closed in winter
Access

Access

Nearest station / bus stop
  • Zao Onsen Bus Terminal (bus from Yamagata Station)About 40 minutes from Yamagata Station
From major cities and airports
  • Sendai: JR Senzan Line rapid to Yamagata Station, then transfer to a bus (About 1 hour 5 minutes + about 40 minutes)
  • Sendai: Highway bus to Yamagata, then transfer to a bus (About 1 hour 10 minutes + about 40 minutes)
Open in Google Maps ↗
Getting There

Getting there from major cities

Tokyo → Sendai

Fastest: Approx. 1 hr 30 min (example timetable: Hayabusa 5)

🚄 Shinkansen🚌 Highway bus🌙 Overnight bus
Travel Passes

Travel passes for getting there

🚄 JR

Japan Rail Pass

Nationwide ・ Three types: 7, 14 or 21 days. The period of use cannot be extended or changed

From ¥50,000

🚄 JR

JR EAST PASS

Tohoku ・ 5 or 10 consecutive days from the first day of use

From ¥35,000

Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Zao OnsenPR

PRSee more places to stay near Zao Onsen on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Events

Events and festivals in Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera

December–February

Zao Snow Monsters Light-up

Tohoku ・ Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera

The light-up is usually held on selected days from late December to late February (36 days between December 27 and February 22 in the 2025–2026 season). The best season for the snow monsters is late January to late February

See all events →
Attractions

Attractions in Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera

Aquarium

Tsuruoka City Kamo Aquarium (Tohoku Epson Aquarium Kamosui)

Tohoku ・ Tsuruoka, Yamagata

An aquarium in Tsuruoka facing the Sea of Japan, known for its jellyfish exhibits. After a five-month closure, it reopened after renovation on April 1, 2026 under the nickname Tohoku Epson Aquarium Kamosui. It displays about 100 species of jellyfish.

☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendly
Zoo

Miyagi Zao Fox Village

Tohoku ・ Shiroishi, Miyagi

A facility in Shiroishi, Miyagi Prefecture, where you can see foxes. The foxes roam freely inside, and you walk among them. Admission is free for elementary school students and younger.

See all attractions →
Onsen

Onsen towns in Tohoku

♨ Onsen

Ginzan Onsen

Tohoku ・ Obanazawa, Yamagata

♨ Day use Adults ¥500, elementary school students and younger ¥200 (as of October 2026)

♨ Onsen

Nyuto Onsenkyo

Tohoku ・ Semboku, Akita

♨ Day use Adults ¥700, children ¥300 (as of October 2026)

Private baths
♨ Onsen

Naruko Onsen

Tohoku ・ Osaki, Miyagi

♨ Day use Adults ¥300, children ¥100 (as of October 2026)

♨ Onsen

Aizu Higashiyama Onsen

Tohoku ・ Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima

♨ Day use Adults: weekdays ¥1,000, weekends and holidays ¥1,100, peak days ¥1,650; elementary school students ¥500–¥700 (as of October 2026)

Private baths
See all onsen towns →

Prices, hours, tattoo policies and spring types are based on official facility, municipal and tourism association information. They can change, so check the official websites before you go.

Last checked: 2026-10-08

PRKlookZao Ropeway and Ginzan Onsen Day Tour (from Sendai)Departs from and returns to Sendai Station. Visits the base station of the Zao Ropeway and Ginzan Onsen. The ropeway fare is paid on siteView