Zao Onsen Ski Resort 蔵王温泉スキー場

The perfect winter playground, Zao Onsen Ski Resort is one of northern Japan's most popular ski resorts. With its longest run at over 10 kilometers, this is a wonderful winter playground.

Zao Onsen is accessible by train then bus.

Take the JR Yamagata Shinkansen from Tokyo to Yamagata City and transfer to a bus heading to Zao Onsen . The total journey time is around three hours. From there, the ski resort is a 15-minute walk.

Zao Onsen Ski Resort has 32 lifts, ropeways and a gondola that goes up to the 1,661-meter summit station. The resort has a variety of different courses for skiers and snowboarders, with routes running through forests and ski jumps for adrenaline junkies and experienced skiers.

Rental equipment is available at the resort, as well as private ski lessons in English.

When in Zao, head to the top lifts to see a relatively unique feature—the snow monsters of Zao. The trees become covered in snow, transforming into the juho (literally "frost-covered trees") the area is known for by the peak of winter in February. It's truly like skiing amongst giants.