For visitors on a JR East Pass wanting to visit a great onsen town, look no further than Zao Onsen town in Yamagata Prefecture. A 2.5 hour ride on the Tsubasa shinkansen (bullet train) to JR Yamagata Station, one can purchase a bus ticket that takes visitors to the Onsen town in 40 minutes. The onsen town is popular during winter, as Mount Zao is right above it and attracts many skiers/snowboarders during then, and there is no better way to relax after a snowboarding session than to soak up at the onsen in the cold. The pictures here show the various onsens, lodging and views at this quiet little town.
- 1 min read
Walking around Zao Onsen Town
Enjoy onsen in one of the oldest hotsprings in Yamagata
![Jerome Lee Jerome Lee](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/3099/240x240!/565e87e667ba810c868b7056.jpg)
By Jerome Lee
Community writer
![The biggest open-air onsen in Zao Onsen Town](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/13185-76443/1000/yamagata-walking-around-zao-onsen-town-76443.jpg)
The biggest open-air onsen in Zao Onsen Town
![JR Yamagata Station, where visitors can take a bus from, to Zao Onsen Town](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/13185-76445/1000/yamagata-walking-around-zao-onsen-town-76445.jpg)
JR Yamagata Station, where visitors can take a bus from, to Zao Onsen Town
![On the way up to Zao Onsen town](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/13185-76446/1000/yamagata-walking-around-zao-onsen-town-76446.jpg)
On the way up to Zao Onsen town
![Along the main street in Zao Onsen Town](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/13185-76438/1000/yamagata-walking-around-zao-onsen-town-76438.jpg)
Along the main street in Zao Onsen Town
![A kitschy-looking inn at Zao Onsen Town](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/13185-76444/1000/yamagata-walking-around-zao-onsen-town-76444.jpg)
A kitschy-looking inn at Zao Onsen Town
![A public bath with a running water wheel ](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/13185-76439/1000/yamagata-walking-around-zao-onsen-town-76439.jpg)
A public bath with a running water wheel
![The Zao Sanroku Station which takes visitors from Zao Onsen Town to Juhyo Kogen Station](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/13185-76440/1000/yamagata-walking-around-zao-onsen-town-76440.jpg)
The Zao Sanroku Station which takes visitors from Zao Onsen Town to Juhyo Kogen Station
![A foot onsen at Zao Onsen Town for visitors to relax their tired feet](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/13185-76442/1000/yamagata-walking-around-zao-onsen-town-76442.jpg)
A foot onsen at Zao Onsen Town for visitors to relax their tired feet
![Sunset view of Zao Onsen Town](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/13185-76441/1000/yamagata-walking-around-zao-onsen-town-76441.jpg)
Sunset view of Zao Onsen Town
Join the discussion
Victoria Vlisides
8 years ago
First photo is lovely!
Sleiman Azizi
2 years ago
Can't deny that!
2 comments in total
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