Zao Onsen

It might look far on a map, but Zao Onsen is a straightforward trip from Tokyo.

The easiest and most common way to get here is via the Yamagata Shinkansen, also called the Tsubasa. From Tokyo Station, it’s a 2.5 hour trip that is quite scenic. Note that all of the seats on this train are assigned, so you will need to purchase a reserved seat ticket. If you’re lucky, you might even get to ride on the newly launched train series, the E8 (pictured below)

Shinkansen

The speed of the Yamagata Shinkansen is actually slower compared to most shinkansen you might ride. It travels on the same tracks as the regular trains and cannot go as fast as other bullet trains. I don’t mind at all, as it allows you to truly take in and enjoy the scenery.

Much of the trip is through mountains and countryside, without a big city or skyscraper in sight. Each trip I take, I still end up snapping a few pictures and videos through the window, and every season seems equally photogenic. 

By Bus

Once you reach Yamagata Station, follow signs for the East Exit.

At the end of the corridor past the S-PAL department store, take the stairs to the left and you’ll find yourself outside the front of the station.

The bus stops are to the left. Buy your ticket inside at the counter- pictured below. It’s 1,200 yen one way.

When you’ve got your ticket, head to stand 1 that says Zao Onsen. The bus generally runs once an hour in both directions and the ride is around 45 minutes.

Once you’re on the bus, it will take you straight up the mountain and into the village of Zao Onsen, with the route ending at the Zao Onsen bus terminal. From there, most accommodations offer a shuttle service to bring you and your luggage to your hotel. 

Via Taxi

If you’d rather take a private car, the taxi stand is to the right of the station when you exit. Usually there will be a row of cars waiting for passengers. The taxi can cost 6,000- 7,000 yen but will be faster than the bus.

Via Sendai

While that’s the quickest and cheapest way, there are a few other ways to get to Zao Onsen depending on where you’re starting from. You can also take the Hayabusa Shinkansen from Tokyo to Sendai, another Tohoku city that is worth a visit.

From Sendai Station to Yamagata Station, the bus ride is around 1 hour and 10 minutes, or you can take the local train for around the same time. Once at Yamagata Station,  follow the above bus route to Zao Onsen. In the winter, Sendai also offers a direct bus to Zao Onsen. The bus trip in winter is a little over 1.5 hours depending on the weather.  

By Plane

Another option is by plane. There’s an hour long flight that leaves twice a day from Haneda Airport to Yamagata Airport. However, from there, the trip to Yamagata Station is about 30 minutes by bus and does not run as frequently. The taxi fare will go over 10,000 yen so it’s also not the cheapest option. That being said, aside from Tokyo, Yamagata Airport offers flights to and from Osaka, Nagoya, and Hokkaido as well.

If you time it well, you can be in Zao Onsen just 3-3.5 hours after leaving Tokyo! Now that you know how easy it is to get here, subscribe to keep updated on all the good things that Zao Onsen has to offer.