Zao Ropeway Zao Sanroku Station — Attraction in Yamagata

Here is my objective review of the Zao Ropeway Juhyo experience, 4/5, for obvious reason - the freaking queue time!

We took the 7am plus bus from Yamagata station (be sure to queue early from there to make sure you get a seat on the bus!). You need to buy a ticket from the bus ticket counter, 2,400 yen for round-trip. It takes 40 minutes to reach here.

Once reached, it'll be an easy 10 mins walk to reach there at 8:30am. This is a weekday, so we were genuinely surprised that the queue is at least 100 metres long. There was first a queue to purchase tickets, then another queue to the ropeway.

The first part of the ropeway was particularly slow. There is only one small carriage up and down, ONE carriage! No wonder it takes forever to get everyone up. It took us probably 1.5 hours for our turn, bear in mind we reach at opening time. A lot of the tour group were lucky enough to secure priority lane (we tried to get the online ticket, but it was sold out very quickly every day). When we got in, we got squeeze packed like sardines, and the worker in charge will be sure to fill the carriage to the brim. So I must say the ingress experience was extremely poor, which is not what I'd expect from Japanese operators.

Once we're up to the midway station, the experience gets better, and the second section of the ropeway is defined more enjoyable. Take us almost no queue to get up this time.

The view from there onwards is magical. To know that Juhyo is a rare natural occurrence that happens only in certain areas in Tohoku makes it extra special. Also, I felt lucky to experience the dry snow at the top of the mountain.

Saw a lot of skiers there. If I were to back here, I'd love to ski here.

I think the view at the top compensated the terrible experience at first, but there is surely way to make it better. The ticket was very pricey, and the wait is just unjustifiable. It's time for an upgrade on the first section ropeway, for sure.

For the view and Johyu experience, I'd recommend it, but you just have to come early and manage your expectations at the start.

It took us 4 hours in total for this experience, and we made it in time to leave at 12 and head to...

Seeing the Zao monsters feels as difficult as chasing northern lights. Coming during the right period is important, but having good weather is equally important. I came on 22 Dec and there wasn’t much snow on the trees yet. Visibility was also terrible, I could barely see 20k infront of me.

Getting there was difficult. From Yamagata station, take an express bus (1000Y one way, 40mins ride) to Zao Onsen bus terminal and walk roughly 10 mins to the starting ropeway. The bus comes only every hour so make sure to time it well. The walk can be quite slippery as the is a lot of snow. There are 3 ropeway stations, the one you start at, the middle one and the top one. Return ticket costs 3500Y.

At the starting ropeway I could already tell visibility was bad and could hardly see much but I still went ahead as it was already 2pm. The first leg takes 7mins whereas the second leg takes 10mins to get to the highest station. There are some tall trees on the way to the second station. From the middle to the top station is where you ought to see the Zao Monsters. Unfortunately, visibility got very bad and it did not get any better. Moreover, the Zao monsters were still pretty naked so it wasn’t very impressive.

At the top, there is a small area to walk but the pathway isn’t very clear so it can be quite easy to walk into deep snow. There is an area demarcated to ward off people from venturing too far. I waited till it was almost dark but visibility was still bad so I went back down. Do note that the gondolas are also not frequent as there wasn’t many people using it so they will wait for a group of people to be in the cabin before departing. Do also account time for that if you do not want to miss the bus back to Yamagata station.

All in all, it was a disappointing...

It is a huge tourist will come in the winter.

The parking area is a pain in the ass. If you come after 11 am, there will be no parking. It is also fine to check the weather before you go there. If the snow is a storm, or there is snow on the top of the mountain. You cannot see anything, everything is white.

The ticket is around 4200¥ for Round trip for adults. So it is better to check the weather before you go there. The parking is 1000 yen per day per car.

The waiting line is also long, you will be waiting for more than 40 minutes outside freaking cold winter. So be prepared for that.

On your way back also not many proper heaters, so make sure your hands and feet do not freeze.

The toilet is also dirty. So prepare your wet tissue if you go there.

Have you a better...