Zao Snow Monsters (Juhyo) Light-Up
Wind, snow and ice encase the alpine firs into surreal white 'snow monsters'; ride the ropeway up and see them glow under colored floodlights at night.
When · Where
- When
- 2026/12/26 08:00 – 2027/02/28
- Where
- Zao Onsen Ski Resort / Zao Ropeway summit（Zao Onsen, Yamagata, Yamagata Prefecture）
- City
- Across Japan
- Getting there
- Bus from JR Yamagata Station to Zao Onsen (~40 min), then the Zao Ropeway to the summit.
- Price
- Free outdoors; Zao Ropeway round-trip fare (several thousand yen) to reach the summit juhyo.
- Organizer
- Zao Ropeway / Zao Onsen Tourism Association
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- Bus from JR Yamagata Station to Zao Onsen (~40 min), then the Zao Ropeway to the summit. Open directions in Google Maps ↗
- Booking & entry
- Check tickets and details on the official page (button above).
- Paying
- Free outdoors; Zao Ropeway round-trip fare (several thousand yen) to reach the summit juhyo.. Smaller venues in Japan are often cash-first — carry some yen (cards/IC not guaranteed).
- Language
- Mostly in Japanese — a translation app on your phone helps.
- Good for
- families, date night
Highlights
- Surreal white 'snow monster' frost-covered trees
- Evening ropeway runs and colored light-ups
- Summit views over the juhyo plateau
Background & story
Juhyo form when supercooled droplets and snow freeze onto Maries' fir trees in Zao's harsh winds — a rare phenomenon seen at only a few northern spots.
Good to know
Light-ups run on select nights (mainly Jan–Feb weekends); dress for extreme summit cold and wind.