Zao's 'snow monsters' (Juhyo) are amazing!
I've visited Zao about five times with tour groups, and this was the luckiest trip—clear blue skies and the mountains full of snow monsters welcoming us. It was so unique and fun.
I'd love to visit during the nighttime illumination and see the mysterious snow monsters at night. Highly recommend checking out the night view if you can!
To enjoy these beautiful snow monsters, you need to take two ropeways:
First: The Sanroku Line (Juhyo Kogen Station)
This is a large ropeway that takes about 7 minutes (fits 53 people).
Second: The Summit Line (Jizo Sancho Station)
Then, transfer to a round ropeway (like the ones in Maokong), which takes about 10 minutes (fits 18 people).
There's a ski area at the bottom, and lots of visitors take the ropeway up and ski down from Juhyo Kogen Station!
※ The temperature at the top ranges from 0°C to -10°C. Be sure to bring hand warmers, gloves, scarves, earmuffs, a warm hat, and a thick down jacket.
There's a café next to the summit station—perfect for a warm drink and a quick break.
Juhyo (Rime) in Zao (Yamagata Prefecture) | Review by Claire Chang
Other Reviews by Claire Chang
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Fukuchizan Shuzenji Temple
This temple is located in the Shuzenji Onsen Town, where the scenery is beautiful from season to season. The temple is called Fukuchizan Shuzenji, short for "Fukuchizan Shuzen Bannan Zenji." The temple is also known as the setting of "Shuzenji Monogatari" written by Okamoto Kido, a writer active in the Meiji era.
A peaceful and historic temple.
You can really feel the simple charm of the small alleys here.
Walking around, you get a sense of the dramatic history that took place here...
Try the Dokko-no-yu hot spring—it's legendary!
The Hojo era was full of drama (with Minamoto no Yoritomo and Hojo Masako's son).
The Five Bridges of Love are romantic and long-lasting.
There's Togetsu Bridge (Love at First Sight),
Kokei Bridge (Admiration),
Katsura Bridge (Connection),
Maple Bridge (Closeness),
and Takishita Bridge (Peace).
It's really worth taking a stroll here and even staying overnight at a hot spring.
On a midsummer night, check out the nearby Red Frog Park—you can see tons of natural LED lights (fireflies)!
On the right side of the temple, there's a pudding shop. I recommend grabbing a pudding and giving it a try! -
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Amanohashidate
Amanohashidate is one of Japan’s Top 3 Scenic Spots, along with the bay of Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture and Miyajima in Aki, Hiroshima Prefecture. Across the length of this 3.6km landbridge you’ll find 5000 pine trees planted across its 20m-170m wide shores.
Amanohashidate means 'Bridge to Heaven.' When you look down from the mountains on either side of the sandbar, it really does look like a pathway connecting heaven and earth.
Highly recommend these spots:
☆ Kasamatsu Park:
Take the cable car from Fuchu Station (about 4 minutes) to Kasamatsu Park for a great view of the sandbar. Don't just ride the cable car—be sure to stroll along the pine forest path too!
☆ Looking through your legs:
For over a thousand years, locals have bent over and looked at the bay between their legs to enjoy the most beautiful view. This pose is called 'Matanozoki.' When you're here, try this fun local tradition!
☆ Rotating Bridge:
This bright red bridge rotates 90 degrees to connect Amanohashidate Park. Whenever a boat needs to pass, the bridge turns, lets the boats through, and then rotates back so people can cross again. The whole process takes about 5 minutes—it's really interesting and worth seeing in person! -
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Thatch Roof Fuki-kae Experience
The thatch roofs of Miyama are characterized by soft rounded curves and a beautiful and even configuration that extends to the edge. It is necessary to do a "fuki-kae" to replace the "kaya" of the roof once every 20 years. Experience the Satoyama lifestyle through the "fuki-kae" process that is filled with the wisdom and sense of beauty of people's lives.
A peaceful mountain village.
Every visit here leaves me feeling refreshed and relaxed.
You can get here from Kyoto by train!
The unique architecture features wooden houses with thatched roofs. The walls, doors, and windows are all made from wooden planks—no nails or metal, just thick straw ropes holding everything together.
The sloped roofs help snow slide off easily, and the rooftops even use special shrine-style features to prevent snow from piling up.
Miyama's thatched village houses are of the Kitayama style, blending different traditional Japanese designs. They're built to withstand heavy winter snow and still show off Kyoto's delicate architectural beauty.
The countryside here is super simple and pure, with no commercial activity at all. These are real homes, so you really get a sense of the quiet, rustic lifestyle people used to have, living deep in the mountains, cut off from the world.
It's a different vibe compared to Shirakawa-go or Ouchi-juku.
☆ Scenery in all four seasons:
Spring: gentle breezes and fresh greenery
Summer: lush green mountains and sprouting rice
Autumn: cool winds and golden rice fields
Winter: snowflakes falling, peaceful and white
☆ There are a few cafés and small restaurants in the village:
Cafe Miran
Cafe & Gallery Saika
Sakaya Pizza Cafe
Kichinojo (sells bread)
Soba Restaurant Kitamura (next to the parking lot) -
