Travel in Yamagata
Zao Ropeway
Zao Ropeway · 蔵王ロープウェイ
Ride the Zao Ropeway for mountain views. The route runs from Zao Sanroku Station via Juhyo Kogen to Jizo Sancho.
You can also turn back at the intermediate station, Juhyo Kogen. Choose a return ticket for the station you want to reach.
Zao Ropeway: destinations, operating 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
Location on the mapAdmission
Return fares to Jizo Sancho are ¥4,400 for junior high school students and older and ¥2,200 for elementary school children. Return fares only to Juhyo Kogen are ¥2,200 and ¥1,100 respectively.
Opening hours
The Sanroku Line runs from 08:30 to 17:00 and the Sancho Line from 08:45 to 16:45. For a return trip to Jizo Sancho, the last uphill departure from Sanroku Station is 16:00. Weather may suspend services.
What to see at Zao Ropeway
Mountain views across two ropeway lines
For views at Jizo Sancho, ride both ropeway lines. Take the Sanroku Line to Juhyo Kogen, then change to the Sancho Line. If you only want to visit the intermediate station, choose a Juhyo Kogen return ticket.
How to get to Zao Ropeway
Take the Z90 bus to Zao Onsen from stand 1 in front of Yamagata Station and get off at Zao Onsen Bus Terminal. Walk about 10 minutes to Zao Ropeway’s Sanroku Station and board the Sanroku Line. Change at Juhyo Kogen to the Sancho Line for Jizo Sancho. This differs from the roughly five-minute walk to Onsen Station on the Zao Chuo Ropeway. Walking times come from the tourism association’s November 2025 map. From June 13 to November 3, 2026, the adult B Set Ticket costs ¥6,600 and includes return bus travel between Yamagata Station and Zao Onsen and return ropeway travel to Jizo Sancho. On November 4, only the return bus ticket remains valid. Without the set ticket, the reference cost is ¥1,200 for each bus journey plus ¥4,400 for the ropeway, totaling ¥6,800. For a winter visit, check updated fare and service information again.
Yamako Bus Z90: Yamagata to Zao Onsen weekday and holiday times Zao Tourism Association November 2025 map: about 10 minutes on foot to Sanroku Station Zao Ropeway official access guide Yamako Bus: 2026 Zao B Set Ticket, ¥6,600, validity dates and sales office Yamagata Kotsu official foreign-language guide: Zao Onsen one-way bus fare ¥1,200; updated winter notices must be checked separately
Before you visit
Head to Zao Ropeway’s Sanroku Station
Walk about 10 minutes from Zao Onsen Bus Terminal to Sanroku Station. This differs from the roughly five-minute walk to Onsen Station on the Zao Chuo Ropeway, so check the station name. Walking times come from the tourism association’s November 2025 map.
Zao Tourism Association November 2025 map: about 10 minutes on foot to Sanroku Station Zao Ropeway official access guide
Allow time to come down from the mountain
For a return trip to Jizo Sancho, check both the last uphill service and the times for descending on the Sancho and Sanroku lines. Weather can suspend services, so check operation on the day first.
Questions about Zao Ropeway
Do I need to change ropeways to reach Jizo Sancho?
Yes. Take the Sanroku Line to Juhyo Kogen, then change to the Sancho Line. There are also return tickets only to Juhyo Kogen, so check the destination when choosing a ticket for Jizo Sancho.
Official sources
- Zao Ropeway: destinations, operating hours and return fares ·
- Official sources ·
- Official sources ·
- Yamako Bus Z90: Yamagata to Zao Onsen weekday and holiday times ·
- Zao Tourism Association November 2025 map: about 10 minutes on foot to Sanroku Station ·
- Zao Ropeway official access guide ·
- Yamako Bus: 2026 Zao B Set Ticket, ¥6,600, validity dates and sales office ·
- Yamagata Kotsu official foreign-language guide: Zao Onsen one-way bus fare ¥1,200; updated winter notices must be checked separately ·
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