Outdoors Zao Snow Monster Festival 2025-2026 Late Dec - Late Feb Every winter, Mount Zao in Yamagata Prefecture becomes overrun with hordes of “snow monsters.”
8 Outdoors Honzawa Onsen C. Rio Sitting at 2150m, Honzawa Onsen is the highest rotenburo (outdoor hot springs) in Japan.
Camping & Trekking Trekking on Mount Zao Alena Eckelmann Zao Mountain - Trekking across a volcanic landscape in summer and skiing in winter, plus winding down in hotspring waters.
Activities Yutagawa Onsen Alena Eckelmann Enjoy the cozy atmosphere, the local food and warm hospitality of the locals of Yutagawa, a small onsen village near Tsuruoka City in Yamagata
Activities O-yu Onsen in Nozawa Onsen Rufus Starbuck One of the famous soto-yu of this mountain onsen town and ski resort.
Sports & Fitness Zao Sumikawa Snow Park Andrew Kehoe Zao Sumikawa is a popular snow park for snowboarders and tourists who want to see the famous Zao snow monsters.
Sports & Fitness Zao Eboshi Ski Resort Andrew Kehoe Miyagi Zao Eboshi is one of four resorts on the East side of the Zao volcanoes in Miyagi.
9 Camping & Trekking Zao-san's Okama Crater Lake Brian Wood-Koiwa Zao-san is a volcano with a spectacular view at the summit; including a teal-hued crater lake, surrounding mountains and a simple but picturesque Shinto
