How to get there
Where is Zao Onsen?
Zao Onsen ski resort and the associated onsen town are located in northeast Tohoku, about 400km north of Tokyo.
Zao Onsen is 18km southeast of Yamagata City in the Yamagata Prefecture, and 78km southwest of Sendai in the Miyagi Prefecture. The trip time from Tokyo to Zao Onsen via train and bus is under 3.5 hours depending on connection times.
Flights
Many travellers chose to fly into Tokyo Narita Airport, but another gateway into Japan is Sendai Airport which is only 88km from Zao Onsen. Flights to Sendai originate from Shanghai with China Eastern Airlines or Air China, or via Seoul with Asiana Airlines. Yamagata Airport is even closer, with JAL domestic flights originating from Haneda or Shin-Chitose in Hokkaido.
To search for flights and compare lots of different airlines and routes, use one of our
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Getting from Tokyo to Yamagata
If coming from Narita Airport you’ll first need to catch the Narita Express train (NEX) into Tokyo. The train ride takes about one hour and there are frequent departures from the airport terminals.
From Tokyo Station, take the Shinkansen Tsubasa to Yamagata Station. Departures are reasonably regular but you can check departure times on
Hyperdia. The trip takes about 2:40 hours and the fare is ¥11,370 one-way for a reserved seat. A more economical way to cover the fare for the bullet train as well as the Narita Express is to purchase a
Japan rail pass voucher. The voucher can be exchanged for a flexible 4 day JR East Pass at Narita airport train station.
Travel from Yamagata to Zao
Buses for Zao Onsen leave from the Yamagata train station approximately every hour from the east exit bus stop number 1. The fare is ¥980 (2011 rate) and you pay in cash when you get off the bus. The bus is not express so it takes about 40 minutes to get to the Zao Onsen bus terminal. Return bus trips operate every hour from approximately 7am to 7:40pm.
From the bus stop you can walk to your accommodation or get a taxi, or many hotels and ryokans will pick you up by arrangement.
The other option is to catch a taxi from Yamagata Station directly to your accommodation.
Getting from Sendai to Zao
There are two direct buses per day in winter between the city of Sendai and Zao Onsen. The trip takes 1:40 hours and costs ¥1,500. Seats reservations are required (022-267-1777 Japanese only).
From Sendai Airport there are 2-3 shuttle services per day to Zao in the afternoon. Reservations are required (022-323-4737 Japanese only). A more complicated way to get there is to catch a train from Sendai Airport to Sendai and then to Yamagata.
Getting Around Zao
Pop into the Zao Information Centre which is a few doors up from the bus terminal. Here you can pick up town maps and other useful information.
Even though Zao village is somewhat spread out, it’s small enough to navigate on foot. The town is rather hilly and whilst the main tourist street is heated with onsen water, the other roads may be snow covered so wear sensible shoes. There is also the occasional open drain that drops off from the road, so take care when walking.