@godmountain.kaminoyama
A convenient way to explore the sights of Yamagata, this special bus service departs from Kaminoyama Onsen Station and is only available during the winter months. With Kaminoyama at the heart of your journey, immerse yourself in the beauty of winter in Yamagata.
One-way fare (Tax incl.)
Kaminoyama Onsen Tourist information Center - Zao Onsen Bus Terminal 2,000 yen
Kaminoyama Onsen Tourist information Center - Zao Onsen Bus Terminal 500 yen
Yamagata Zao Roadside Station - Zao Onsen Bus Terminal 1,500 yen
Advance reservations can be made through Japan Bus Online.
Zao Shuttle Bus
Inquiries: Kaminoyama City Tourism and Products Association
1-2-1 Yarai, Kaminoyama City, Yamagata Prefecture 023-672-0839
Operating Company: Yamako Bus Co., Ltd.
If you want to see the snow monsters, take the Zao Shuttle Bus.
Text & Photo：劉秝緁
Coordination：Tasuku Koji, 杉の下意匠室
Interpretation：Dayday
Article provided：初耳 / hatsumimi
Re-edit & Translation：Kaminoyama City Tourism & Local Products Association
Catch the shuttle bus to the snow monsters from the entrance of the Tourist Information Centre, right next to the train station. It costs 2,000 yen for a round trip ticket (or 500 yen if you want to go to the Yamagata Zao roadside station, which is on the way). Tickets must be reserved online in advance. The shuttle bus operates 3 round-trip services daily between Kaminoyama Onsen and Zao Onsen.
Take the bus from the onsen town to a land of frost covered giants.
After a 45 minute bus ride, and 610 meter rise in altitude, the scenery outside transforms into a forest covered in deep snow. Upon reaching the Zao Onsen Bus Terminal, a 10 minute walk will bring you to Zao Ropewayʼs Zao Sanroku Station. Thereʼs no way to know if youʼll be able to catch a glimpse of the snow monsters until you reach the top. Even on a fine day, the summit can remain shrouded in mist.
The frigid midwinter winds blow in from Siberia, turning the coniferous trees along the Zao mountain range into towering masses of snow. Known as the snow monsters, these awe-inspiring giants are an example of the Japanese tendency to deify natural beauty.
The frost-covered trees are visible from January to March, with late-January to mid-February being the peak season to view the largest of the monsters. If you climb from Zao Sanroku Station to Juhyo Kogen Station, ride the ropeway to an altitude of 1,661 meters until you reach Jizo Sancho Station, then youʼll finally be face-to-face with the snow monsters.
(*) As the sun sets quite early at this time of year, itʼs recommended that you make an early start when climbing the mountain to make the most of your time with the monsters.
Enjoy the delicacies of Yamagata.
After your snow monster encounter, jump on the shuttle bus back down the mountain, and make a stop at Yamagata Zao roadside station on the way. Here youʼll find an extensive line up of local specialities for you to explore. A brief perusal and then back on the bus is fine, but if youʼd prefer to take your time, you can always stay longer and catch the next bus. Many of Yamagataʼs culinary gems are traditional preserved foods, and make popular souvenirs.
100% straight fruit juice, made from carefully selected high-quality fruits grown in Yamagata.
Dressings and jams which highlight the natural flavours, aromas, and colours of their ingredients.
The seafood of Yamagata, easily enjoyed at home.
Jerky made from Yamagata raised Japanese Black (Kuroge) beef.
In addition to souvenirs, you can also enjoy sweets and other delicious treats from some of Yamagataʼs most popular cafes, and sweet shops.
A hidden gem where you can try a host of regional wines.
The shuttle bus returns to the Tourist Information Centre once more, where high windows flood the building with natural light. The centre is also home to the Yamagata Wine Cave, where you can enjoy local vintages from around the prefecture.
With soil perfect for cultivating high-quality grapes, Kaminoyama has become one of Japanʼs leading wine-producing regions. Local wines have won numerous awards at international competitions, earning the region nationwide recognition. In 2016, the Japanese government designated Kaminoyama as a special wine production district.
The Yamagata Wine Cave is a permanent fixture of the Tohoku Regional Wine Festival, which has taken place every May since 2014. You can find wines from participating wineries, and enjoy them by the glass at the bar counter. If youʼre unsure where to start from, the tasting set is highly recommended, allowing you to compare three different wines. Another highlight is the local snacks available to enjoy!
This naturally occurring work of art has to be seen at least once in a lifetime. Take the shuttle bus through the gorgeous midwinter scenery, buy some local delicacies, and try the regional wine. Itʼs the perfect way to enjoy the Snow Monsters of Zao.
[Info]
Zao Ropeway
zaoropeway.co.jp/winter/index.php
www.instagram.com/zao_ropeway/
Zao Shuttle Bus
www.instagram.com/godmountain.kaminoyama/
Yamagata Zao Roadside Station
79-1 Omote Zao, Yamagata City, Yamagata
Yamagata Wine Cave
1-2-1 Yarai, Kaminoyama City, Yamagata
@godmountain.kaminoyama
After enjoying the spectacular views, take a stroll around Kaminoyama.
Text & Photo：劉秝緁
Coordination：Tasuku Koji, 杉の下意匠室
Interpretation：Dayday
Article provided：初耳 / hatsumimi
Re-edit & Translation：Kaminoyama City Tourism & Local Products Association
Having spent a day enjoying the company of the snow monsters, take a break and unwind with a relaxing stay in Kaminoyama.
Walk around the town, enjoying the local delicacies and friendly faces, then head back to the lodge for a cycle of 'a dip in the hot spring, then bed.' Thatʼs the right way to spend your time in Kaminoyama. Do exactly as you please and feel the total comfort of a well-earned, relaxing adventure.
Good morning, little winery. Make a toast with a unique glass of wine.
Make a stop at Takeda Winery, a small winery with devoted fans across the country, steeped in over 100 years of tradition. Guided by a commitment to craftsmanship, the winery handles every step of the winemaking process on-site, from cultivating and harvesting the grapes to selecting the finest fruit, pressing, fermentation, blending, and bottling. This hands-on approach is a source of great pride for Takeda Winery and shines through in every bottle.
The winery is surrounded by organic vineyards spanning approximately 15 hectares. The neatly maintained branches and leaves make it clear that the vines are well cared for. Among them, the 80-year-old Muscat Berry A vine is particularly treasured. This exceptionally rare old vine produces a wonderfully smooth and mellow wine.
Noriko Kishidaira, the 5th generation president of the winery, is a pioneer among female winemakers in Japan. Having studied winemaking in France, she combines tradition with flexibility. An example of this is her Sans Soufre series, which omits the sulfites (antioxidants) commonly added to wine. She also makes white wine from red wine grapes. She is continuously exploring new and exciting possibilities in winemaking.
Noriko Kishidaira, in charge of both cultivation, and winemaking.
The Sans Soufre series features sparkling wines made by bottling wine in the midst of fermentation, allowing the gas produced by the yeast to dissolve back into the wine. Thereʼs a subtle yeast aroma, and a fresh effervescence that glides smoothly over the tongue.
A tour of the winery is an eye-opening experience. Imagine the winemaking process while tasting the finished product, and compare different varieties to discover your own preferences. Deepen your understanding of wine and find the bottle thatʼs just right for you.
Time for lunch at Naragejuku. In a traditional house with a thatched roof, enjoy the hospitality of the Baachans Club.
Naragejuku sits on the outskirts of Kaminoyama, and was once at bustling post town on the Ushu Kaido road connecting Yamagata to Aomori. Itʼs now a designated a tangible property of Yamagata.
Naragejuku is peppered with historic buildings from its days as a post town, with traditional wooden structures and thatched roofs preserved just as they were in the Edo period.
One of the old houses, Daikokuya, is home to the Baachans Club, a group of local ladies who serve up delicious traditional cuisine. The menu changes with the seasons, featuring locally sourced ingredients at their peak. One such specialty, Natto Aburi Mochi, is roasted over an open hearth and served piping hot—a perfect dish for a winterʼs day.
Sharing a meal while listening to stories from the Baachans Club adds a charming layer to the historic atmosphere.
The ladies hand-draw their own menus, each one featuring everyday local specialties—a true taste of home. Burdock root wrapped in chicken, deep-fried tofu from the local tofu maker, and bowls of natto soup and soba noodles. The dishes may seem simple, but each bite reflects the dedication and care of the Baachans Club.
Perhaps through food and hospitality, the ladies are keeping the history and memories of Naragejuku alive.
The Baachans Club, from the left, Reiko-san, Harumi-san, Emiko-san, Michiko-san, Takako-san, and Yuriko-san.
Itʼs so much fun!♪ A night at Emikoʼs Izakaya
This is Kotaro, a beloved local izakaya. Although the food and sake quietly prepared by the owner Kotaro are mouth-watering, the real soul of the shop is his mother, Shiono Emiko-san.
With her graceful makeup and petite figure, Emiko, nearly 80, has an ageless charm. She moves through the shop like a dancer, warmly greeting the customers.
Whilst carrying plates of food to the table, she sings and dances a traditional Japanese dance.
When Emiko was a child, Kaminoyama was famous throughout the Tohoku region as an entertainment district. Lovers of saké and geisha alike would gather in the town, and Emiko remembers admiring the maiko dancing atop the passing festival floats. When she was in her 40s, she began learning the traditional Nihonbuyo dances and was able to dance on the festival floats herself.
Kotaro, a bar tucked away in a quiet corner of town, bustles late into the night with regulars and tourists alike, all eager to meet Emiko.
Bask in the rising steam.
The waters of Kaminoyama are mildly alkaline, with a soft, silky feel and a gentle, soothing effect.
There are six hot spring districts in Kaminoyama, and one of them, the Shinyu area, is home to Arimakan, a traditional Japanese inn that offers a nostalgic atmosphere. In addition to the open-air bath with panoramic views of the city, guests can enjoy over 10 different types of baths. Just nearby is Nakajo Manju, a historic sweets shop that has been around for more than 150 years. The recipe for this popular confection has been passed down through generations.
Meanwhile, nestled in the natural beauty of the Hayama district, Hayamakan is a luxurious inn where guests can enjoy views of the Zao mountain range from their room windows, along with a natural indoor hot spring. While preserving tradition, Hayamakan actively embraces innovation to enhance the experience.
Wake up early and join the locals for a morning hike.
Shooting the breeze while taking a break on the snow-covered observation deck.
Spend a relaxing night in Kaminoyama, wake up to the warm winter sunshine spilling over the snow-covered mountains, and take a stroll around the town. Much like the wine of Takeda Winery, continuing to ferment in the bottle, the warmth of both the waters and the people of Kaminoyama will reignite the joy of the breathtaking frost-covered trees of Zao.
[Info]
Takeda Winery
2-6-1 Yotsuya, Kaminoyama City, Yamagata
kaminoyama-spa.com/story/273.html
Naragejuku Daikokuya
32 Narage, Kaminoyama City, Yamagata
kaminoyama-spa.com/story/297.html
Nakajo Manju
6-7 Sawacho, Kaminoyama City, Yamagata
www.instagram.com/nakajyoya1110/
kaminoyama-spa.com/story/5983.html
Izakaya Kotaro
7-10 Sawacho, Kaminoyama City, Yamagata
kaminoyama-spa.com/story/194.html
Arimakan
6-5 Shinyu, Kaminoyama City, Yamagata
www.instagram.com/arimakan_kaminoyama/
Hayamakan
5-10 Hayama, Kaminoyama City, Yamagata
www.instagram.com/hayamakan.kaminoyama/