Travel in Yamagata
Zao Ropeway
Zao Ropeway · 蔵王ロープウェイ
Zao Ropeway offers mountain views from high above. Travel from Zao Sanroku via Juhyo Kogen to Jizo Sancho.
You can also return from the middle station, Juhyo Kogen. Choose the return section for the mountain scenery you want to see.
Zao Ropeway: destinations, hours and return fares Sources and dates checked Sources and dates checked
Visitor information at a glance
Address
〒990-2301 山形市蔵王温泉229-3
229-3 Zao Onsen, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan
View location on the map →Admission
Return tickets to Jizo Sancho cost JPY 4,400 for visitors of junior high school age and above, and JPY 2,200 for primary school pupils. For a return trip only as far as Juhyo Kogen, these groups pay JPY 2,200 and JPY 1,100 respectively.
Opening hours and closed days
The Sanroku Line operates 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 is at 16:00. Weather may suspend operation.
What can I see at Zao Ropeway?
Mountain views across two ropeway sections
Ride two connecting sections for Jizo Sancho’s mountain scenery: Sanroku Line to Juhyo Kogen, then Sancho Line. For only the middle station, choose a Juhyo Kogen return ticket.
How to get to Zao Ropeway
Take Z90 towards Zao Onsen from Yamagata Station stop 1 to the bus terminal. Walk about ten minutes to Zao Ropeway Sanroku and ride to Juhyo Kogen. Change to Sancho for Jizo Sancho. Distinguish this from the five-minute Chuo Ropeway Onsen Station walk. Walking guidance uses the tourism association’s November 2025 map. The adult JPY 6,600 B set ticket for 13 June–3 November 2026 includes return buses from Yamagata and ropeways to Jizo Sancho. On 4 November only the return bus is valid. Without the set, reference costs are two JPY 1,200 buses + JPY 4,400 ropeways = JPY 6,800. For winter, recheck current fares and operation.
Yamako Z90: weekday/holiday Yamagata–Zao Onsen times Zao Tourism Association November 2025 map: ten-minute Sanroku walk Official Zao Ropeway access guidance Yamako Bus: 2026 Zao B set ticket JPY 6,600, period and sales counter Official Yamako foreign-language guidance: Zao Onsen JPY 1,200 one-way; current winter announcement separate
Before you visit
Find Zao Ropeway Sanroku Station
Walk about ten minutes from Zao Onsen Bus Terminal to Sanroku. This differs from the roughly five-minute Chuo Ropeway Onsen Station walk; check the station name. Walking times use the tourism association’s November 2025 map.
Zao Tourism Association November 2025 map: ten-minute Sanroku walk Official Zao Ropeway access guidance
Check return ropeway times
For a return trip to Jizo Sancho, check descent times on both the Sancho and Sanroku lines as well as the last uphill service. Weather can suspend operation, so check that day’s service first.
Questions about Zao Ropeway
Must I change ropeways for Jizo Sancho?
Yes. Ride the Sanroku Line to Juhyo Kogen, then change to Sancho. Juhyo Kogen-only return tickets also exist; check your destination when choosing a summit ticket.
Sources and dates checked
- Zao Ropeway: destinations, hours and return fares ·
- Sources and dates checked ·
- Sources and dates checked ·
- Yamako Z90: weekday/holiday Yamagata–Zao Onsen times ·
- Zao Tourism Association November 2025 map: ten-minute Sanroku walk ·
- Official Zao Ropeway access guidance ·
- Yamako Bus: 2026 Zao B set ticket JPY 6,600, period and sales counter ·
- Official Yamako foreign-language guidance: Zao Onsen JPY 1,200 one-way; current winter announcement separate ·
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