Zao Snow Monsters Illumination & Ginzan Onsen 2-Day Tour from Tokyo by Bullet Train
- A special winter-only tour visiting both Zao’s Snow Monsters and Ginzan Onsen—two breathtaking spots that are hard to reach on your own!
- Ride the Zao Ropeway into a magical world and enjoy the dynamic illumination of the “Snow Monsters.”
- Take a two-hour stroll through the snow-covered Ginzan Onsen, a nostalgic townscape that feels like stepping back to the Taisho era.
- Stay at Senkeien Tsukioka Hotel in Kaminoyama Onsen, one of Yamagata’s famous hot springs, and unwind in its skin-beautifying waters.
- Visit Kumano Taisha, known as the “Ise Shrine of Tohoku,” to pray for good relationships, and enjoy shopping for Yamagata’s local specialties.
- Travel comfortably by Shinkansen—departing to Fukushima Station and returning from Sendai Station.
Product Info
Purchase Notice
This tour is a Japanese tour with an English-speaking assistant.
The tour conditions and prices are based on transportation fares, charges, and schedules as of October 1, 2025. Train names, numbers, and departure/arrival times are subject to change due to schedule revisions by the railway company.
If the train name is not yet confirmed at the time of booking, we will notify you by email of the confirmed train name and departure time no later than 14 days before departure. Please make sure to check it.
Bookings for this tour are accepted until 5:00 p.m., 7 days before departure.
Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for walking.
Meal contents may change depending on ingredient availability.
For children aged 1–2 years, a facility fee of 2,000 yen (tax excluded) will be charged on-site at Senkeien Tsukioka Hotel.
The stay time at Ginzan Onsen may be shortened due to weather conditions or shuttle bus congestion.
During winter, snow and icy roads are possible, so please wear shoes that are easy to walk in and have good traction.
Due to unavoidable reasons such as road closures caused by heavy snow, the itinerary or visiting time at certain locations may change.
Snow scenery may not be visible depending on weather conditions.
Regarding Zao Snow Monster Light-up Viewing
The temperature near the mountaintop where the Snow Monsters can be seen usually ranges from -8°C to -15°C, with strong winds both day and night. In addition to regular winter wear, thorough cold-weather protection is essential. Please prepare warm items such as knit hats, scarves, gloves, waterproof and insulated outerwear, thick socks, sunglasses or goggles to protect your eyes from wind and snow.
The Zao Ropeway may be suspended due to bad weather. In that case, you will go directly to the hotel, and the ropeway fare will be refunded.
The appearance of the Snow Monsters varies depending on weather and snow conditions, and there may be times when they cannot be seen.
For passengers wishing to board or disembark en route
You may board or disembark at Ueno Station or Omiya Station on both outbound and return trips (the boarding and disembarking station must be the same). Please inform us at the time of booking.
For en route boarding, please purchase a platform admission ticket at your boarding station and proceed to the departure platform. The admission ticket cost is at your own expense.
The tour conductor will contact the group representative by phone no later than the day before departure, to explain the boarding procedure.
No refunds or discounts will be provided for en route boarding or disembarking.
Please select the same departure and return station for all members of your group. If you wish to have different stations within your group, please indicate this in the remarks column when booking.
Changes to the departure or return station cannot be made within 20 days before the start of the trip. If you wish to change it after booking, please cancel your current reservation and rebook. (A cancellation fee will apply if within the cancellation fee period.)
Some trains may not stop at Ueno Station. In that case, passengers booked for Ueno Station departure or arrival may be asked to board or disembark at Tokyo Station instead.
Reminders
Train tickets and limited express tickets will be handed to you by the tour conductor on the day of departure. Transportation costs from your home to and from the designated boarding or arrival station are at your own expense.
For customers who are not boarding en route, no pre-departure confirmation call will be made to the group representative.
The tour will depart at the scheduled time based on staff judgment. Please be punctual for the meeting time.
In case of late arrival for any reason, alternative transportation costs will be at your own expense, and no refunds will be provided. Please also arrange any alternative transport yourself.
The itinerary and schedule may change due to transportation delays, road conditions, or weather. Depending on conditions, the route or sightseeing order may change, or certain stops may be omitted.
Unless otherwise stated, regular reserved seats will be used on trains.
The company will not be responsible for any additional costs, such as taxi fares or accommodation, in the event of delays.
Depending on the number of participants, a medium or small-sized bus may be used.
Buses are not equipped with restrooms.
Smoking is prohibited on both trains and buses. Reclining seats are generally not allowed (except on certain courses).
Seats on trains and buses will be assigned by the company. Due to group ticketing, requests such as window or aisle seats cannot be accepted. Even when booking for two or more people, seats may not always be adjacent.
Facility admission fees and similar charges included in the tour price may differ from publicly listed prices. No refunds or additional charges will be made based on later price changes.
Requests for specific seats, hotel smoking/non-smoking preferences, or food allergies may not be accommodated. In such cases, we may need to decline your participation after providing an explanation.
If the minimum number of participants is not met or if the operation becomes impossible due to disasters or other unavoidable circumstances, the tour may be altered or canceled up to 14 days before the start date.
Meal contents may change depending on ingredient availability at each facility.
Information regarding listed trains, hotels, and other details is subject to change without notice.
No refunds will be issued for any included benefits, options, or special offers that are unused.
Lost and found items will be held for two weeks after the end of the trip. Perishable or difficult-to-store items such as food will be disposed of immediately.
Pets are not allowed on the tour.
For bookings made online, all communications and documents will be sent by email only. No postal materials will be issued.
Participants with pre-existing medical conditions or pregnant individuals should consult their physician before joining the tour.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellations 21 day(s) (inclusive) before the selected date are allowed. Unused orders can be canceled for free
- For cancellations made 8 to 20 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 20% will apply
- For cancellations made 2 to 7 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 30% will apply
- For cancellations made 1 to 1 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 40% will apply
- For cancellations made 0 to 0 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 50% will apply
- Due to time zone differences, the confirmed cancellation date is based on the supplier’s local time. Please allow 2–5 business days to process your cancellation request, after which the cancellation fee will be charged according to the product’s cancellation policy. Once the cancellation is confirmed, you will receive your refund within 14 working days.
FAQ
The Zao Snow Monsters, or "Juhyo," are a unique natural phenomenon found in Japan's Zao mountains during winter. They are formed when supercooled water droplets carried by strong winds repeatedly collide and freeze onto Aomori white fir trees. This continuous freezing process causes layers of ice to build up, transforming the trees into large, distorted, and often fantastical shapes. Heavy snowfall then blankets these ice-covered trees, completing the iconic "snow monster" appearance.
The Zao Snow Monsters are typically at their most impressive and fully formed from late January to late February. This period offers the best conditions for viewing their unique shapes. The magical illumination event, which highlights these snow monsters with colorful lights, usually takes place during evening hours within this peak season, creating a spectacular and unforgettable winter landscape.
Visitors typically access the Zao Snow Monsters viewing area by riding the Zao Ropeway. The journey usually involves taking the Zao Chuo Ropeway from the base station to Juhyo-Kogen Station, then transferring to the Zao Sancho Ropeway to reach the summit station. The primary snow monster fields and the illumination viewing spots are located near the summit, providing breathtaking panoramic views.
A guided tour provides numerous benefits for visiting destinations like the Zao Snow Monsters and Ginzan Onsen, especially as they can be challenging to reach independently. Benefits often include comfortable and efficient transportation, frequently via Shinkansen and private coach, pre-arranged accommodation, and a carefully planned itinerary. An English-speaking assistant often accompanies the tour, ensuring a smooth, convenient, and enriching experience without the complexities of self-planning and navigating unfamiliar routes.
On a tour from Tokyo, the journey to the Tohoku region typically begins with high-speed Shinkansen (bullet train) for comfortable and efficient long-distance travel. Once within the Tohoku region, private coaches or buses are commonly used for transportation between specific attractions. These vehicles facilitate seamless transfers to locations such as the Zao Ropeway station for the Snow Monsters and the picturesque town of Ginzan Onsen, ensuring convenient access to various sites.
Travelers can expect a highly comfortable and efficient experience when journeying by Shinkansen to the Tohoku region. These bullet trains are renowned for their smooth, quiet ride, generous legroom, and comfortable seating arrangements. Common amenities include power outlets at seats, ample luggage storage, and clean onboard restrooms. Passengers can relax and enjoy the changing Japanese scenery, making the travel itself a pleasant part of the overall experience.
During a winter stroll through Ginzan Onsen, visitors are transported to a nostalgic Taisho-era townscape, beautifully blanketed in snow. The evening is particularly magical, as traditional gas lamps illuminate the charming wooden ryokan lining the Ginzan River, creating a warm, ethereal glow. Guests can enjoy taking picturesque photos, exploring small shops for local crafts, or simply soaking in the serene, historic atmosphere.
Near the Kaminoyama Onsen area, visitors can indulge in the relaxing benefits of one of Yamagata’s renowned hot springs, known for their skin-beautifying properties. The region also offers cultural experiences, such as visiting Kumano Taisha, a historical shrine often referred to as the “Ise Shrine of Tohoku,” known for prayers related to good relationships. Additionally, local shops provide excellent opportunities to purchase Yamagata’s regional specialties and unique souvenirs.
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