Yamagata travel
Zao Ropeway
Zao Ropeway · 蔵王ロープウェイ
Zao Ropeway offers mountain views from above. Travel from Zao Sanroku via Juhyo Kogen to Jizo Sancho.
You can also return after the intermediate station, Juhyo Kogen. Choose your return section according to how far you want to travel.
Zao Ropeway: destination stations, hours and return fares Official sources Official sources
Visitor information
Address
〒990-2301 山形市蔵王温泉229-3
229-3 Zao Onsen, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan
View on the mapAdmission
Return fares to Jizo Sancho are JPY 4,400 for visitors of junior high-school age and older, and JPY 2,200 for primary students. Return fares to Juhyo Kogen only are JPY 2,200 and JPY 1,100 respectively.
Opening hours
The Sanroku Line operates from 08:30 to 17:00 and the Sancho Line from 08:45 to 16:45. For a Jizo Sancho return, the last uphill departure from Sanroku is 16:00. Services may stop for weather.
What to see at Zao Ropeway
Mountain views across two ropeway sections
For Jizo Sancho, take both ropeway sections: Sanroku Line to Juhyo Kogen, then Sancho Line. For the intermediate station only, choose a Juhyo Kogen return ticket.
How to get to Zao Ropeway
Take the Z90 Zao Onsen bus from stop 1 outside Yamagata Station to Zao Onsen Bus Terminal. Walk about ten minutes to Zao Ropeway’s Sanroku Station and take the Sanroku Line. Change at Juhyo Kogen to the Sancho Line for Jizo Sancho. This differs from the five-minute walk to Central Ropeway’s Onsen Station. Walking times come from the tourism association’s November 2025 map. The JPY 6,600 adult B set ticket for 13 June–3 November 2026 includes return Yamagata–Zao Onsen buses and return ropeways to Jizo Sancho. Only the return bus ticket is valid on 4 November. Without the set ticket, the reference cost is two JPY 1,200 bus fares plus JPY 4,400 ropeways, totalling JPY 6,800. Recheck current fares and operation for winter visits.
Yamako Bus Z90: Yamagata–Zao Onsen weekday/holiday times Zao Tourism Association November 2025 map: approximately ten-minute Sanroku walk Zao Ropeway official access guide Yamako Bus: 2026 Zao B set ticket, JPY 6,600, validity and sales counters Yamagata Kotsu official foreign-language guide: Zao Onsen JPY 1,200 each way; newer winter notices separate
Before you visit
Find Zao Ropeway’s Sanroku Station
Walk about ten minutes from Zao Onsen Bus Terminal to Sanroku. This differs from the five-minute walk to Central Ropeway’s Onsen Station; check the station name. Walking times come from the tourism association’s November 2025 map.
Zao Tourism Association November 2025 map: approximately ten-minute Sanroku walk Zao Ropeway official access guide
Check descent times
For a Jizo Sancho return, check both the last uphill departure and descent times on the Sancho and Sanroku lines. Weather can stop services; check operation on the day first.
Questions about Zao Ropeway
Do I change ropeways for Jizo Sancho?
Yes. Take the Sanroku Line to Juhyo Kogen, then change to the Sancho Line. Tickets also exist for returning after Juhyo Kogen only; check the destination if you want Jizo Sancho.
Official sources
- Zao Ropeway: destination stations, hours and return fares ·
- Official sources ·
- Official sources ·
- Yamako Bus Z90: Yamagata–Zao Onsen weekday/holiday times ·
- Zao Tourism Association November 2025 map: approximately ten-minute Sanroku walk ·
- Zao Ropeway official access guide ·
- Yamako Bus: 2026 Zao B set ticket, JPY 6,600, validity and sales counters ·
- Yamagata Kotsu official foreign-language guide: Zao Onsen JPY 1,200 each way; newer winter notices separate ·
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