Ride on the ropeway to see the spectacular winter scenery and the illuminated frost trees

Rimes, also known as ''snow monsters'' due to their appearance, are natural works of art made by growing clusters of Aomori fir trees covered in snow and ice under the special weather conditions of the Zao Mountain Range. The best time to see them is usually from late December to early March.

It takes about 20 minutes to reach the frost-covered field from Zao Ropeway Zao Sanroku Station in the hot spring town. As you pass Juhyō Kogen Station, the frosty fields spread out below you. When you get off at Jizo Sancho Station, which is at an altitude of 1,661m, you will find a field of frozen trees. If you look at the frost-covered trees up close, you will be overwhelmed by their power. From the open deck on the roof of the station, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the majestic snowy mountains.

The "Zao Juhyo Festival" is held from late December to late February, and includes events such as "Juhyo Light-up" and "1,000-person Torchlight Run & Winter HANABI." The lit-up frost-covered trees are mysterious and make you feel as if you have wandered into another dimension.

During the day, enjoy skiing and snowboarding at Zao Onsen Ski Resort, one of the largest snow resorts in Tohoku, and at night enjoy Zao Onsen and admiring the lit-up Juhyo trees. You can stroll around the hot spring town and sample hot spring specialties such as ''Igamochi'' and ''Zao Genghis Khan,'' or you can sample and compare Yamagata's famous sake at the ''Yamagata Sake Museum.'' Yamagata Zao in winter cannot be fully enjoyed in a day trip or one night, so we recommend visiting for consecutive nights.