Zao Onsen is a gorgeous traditional Japanese village located in the north of Honshu, the main island of Japan. Zao is an onsen resort, meaning there are natural hot springs running through the village, including public bathhouses and in-house onsens. The ski resort is large, with a selection of runs for all abilities however the on-piste terrain is predominately for beginners to intermediate skiers and snowboarders. One of the unique attractions of Zao is the famous “Snow Monsters” that form on the trees during the winter, they’re a must see! Zao can be easily accessed on the Shinkansen from Tokyo and then a bus to the resort. The town also features a variety of restaurants to settle your appetite after a day on the slopes, however nightlife is limited like a lot of traditional resorts. For more information on Zao Onsen click here.
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Zao Onsen Accommodation
Zao Onsen offers beautiful and traditional Japanese accommodation options. Check out our top recommendations here. -
Zao Onsen
things to do
If you want to take a rest day while in Zao Onsen here are some ideas to keep you busy. -
How to get to
Zao Onsen
You have a few different options for getting to Zao Onsen from Tokyo and other cities. Check out which option is best for you. -
Zao Onsen Trail Maps
Find out what the resort of Zao Onsen has to offer with our resort guide and trail map.
Featured Zao Onsen Articles
Japan Hits 7 Metres (23 Feet) of Snow—One of the Deepest Bases in Years!
With over 7 metres of snow, Japan sets a new milestone, claiming the world’s deepest snow base in recent years and double the global average for the year! The 2024/2025 ski season in Japan has been nothing short of epic, with se [...]
The First 2025/26 Early Bird Deals Have Arrived!
Less stress, more fresh tracks! If you’re dreaming of deep pow in Japan, Canada or the USA next season, now is the best time to lock it in. Read on! Here’s everything you need to know about our Early Bird releases, inc [...]
Record-breaking Snowfall Covers Northern Japan
Yet another snowfall record to add to this season! A few inches of snow can bring cities to a standstill, imagine what happens when more than 4 feet of snow falls in just 12 hours! That’s exactly what hit Obihiro, a city on the [...]
Grasshopper’s Japan 2024-2025 Snow Season Outlook, Mid-Season Update
Mountainwatch | The Grasshopper After a record-breaking December with some spots breaking 68-year-old records and some very deep days in Japan we now find ourselves at the end of January. The past 10 days have been relatively dr [...]
Once-in-20-Years Snowfall Sets the Stage for Niseko’s 2025 Season
Niseko’s Just Getting Started! As we gear up to welcome 2025, Niseko is already celebrating with one of its best early-season snow starts in years! By December 17th, the area had recorded an incredible 142cm of snow—its [...]
Hakuba Snowfall at a 10-Year High, Christmas Storm to Bring Even More Snow!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year… …for shredders across Japan, as ski resorts nationwide are off to an absolute flyer! While Niseko continues to make headlines with their heaviest snowfall in decades, Honshuâ [...]
