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Yamagata Zao Onsen is located at the foot of the Zao mountain range in Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture. This popular hot spring resort, beloved for its long history, is renowned as a " beauty hot spring ," and even today, tourists from all over the country flock to it in search of its high-quality waters. We'll introduce the history of Zao Onsen, the health benefits of its hot springs, and how to enjoy it on a day trip.
Yamagata Zao Onsen: A famous hot spring with over 1,900 years of history
Zao Onsen was first discovered in 110 AD . One theory is that it was discovered by Kibino Tagayu, who accompanied Yamato Takeru no Mikoto on his expedition to the east. Legend has it that when Kibino Tagayu was injured, he bathed in Zao Onsen and his wounds healed within a few days, making it one of Japan's oldest hot springs.
During the period of rapid economic growth in the Showa era, development as a ski resort progressed, and large hotels were built around Zao Onsen. In recent years, the number of tourists from overseas has increased, and the area is bustling as a comprehensive mountain resort where you can enjoy hot springs, activities, and nature
The benefits of Zao Onsen's ultra-strong acidic water!
Zao Onsen has five hot springs, with 47 more branching off from the source groups. The water is a highly acidic sulfur spring, characterized by its milky, viscous water. It is known as a "beauty spring" because of its unique properties of sulfur springs, such as promoting blood circulation, sterilizing the skin, and improving skin condition
Furthermore, by promoting blood circulation, it is expected to have a wide range of effects on arteriosclerosis, constipation, diabetes, etc., and will gently soothe your body
Enjoy a casual day trip to Yamagata Zao Onsen!
Of course, you can enjoy Yamagata Zao Onsen at your leisure by staying overnight at an inn or hotel, but there are also many things to enjoy on a day trip
Three public baths in the hot spring town
There are three public baths in the hot spring town of Yamagata Zao Onsen, and you can bathe for 200 yen per visit. The small public baths, with their warmth of wood, have a rustic atmosphere that can only be found in a hot spring town. You can enjoy a special time relaxing and soothing your fatigue while thinking about the history of Zao Onsen
<Kamiyu Public Bath> Opening hours: 6:00-22:00
Kamiyu Onsen is located in the center of Zao Onsen town, just a short walk from the Zao Onsen Bus Terminal, making it the most accessible bathhouse. The bathhouse is a charming wooden building with a relatively large bathtub. The water is a little hot
The water is a milky, highly acidic sulfur spring. You may feel a tingling sensation the moment you step in, but once you get used to it, it becomes addictive
<Shimoyu Public Bath> Opening hours: 6:00-22:00
Shimoyu Onsen is located a little below Kamiyu, in a quiet residential area. It is a small bathhouse that is often used by local residents and has a calm atmosphere
The spring water is slightly clearer than other springs, and is mildly acidic, making it relatively easy to bathe in
<Kawarayu Public Bath> Opening hours: 6:00-22:00
Kawarayu Onsen is a bathhouse located in the lowlands along the river, surrounded by steam and giving it a rustic feel, making it a perennial favorite among hot spring enthusiasts
The water quality is particularly acidic among Zao hot springs, and is characterized by a strong sulfur smell and hot water
It is said that if you bathe in the three public baths in the order of Shimoyu → Kamiyu → Kawarayu, you will gradually get used to the stronger spring waters and put less strain on your body. There are currently no hot spring passes available, but it is no exaggeration to say that conquered Zao's hot springs
However, none of the public baths provide amenities such as shampoo or body soap, and of course no towels either, so if you need them, don't forget to bring them with you
Google Map(Zao Onsen Public Bath)
Foot bath and hand bath
Foot bath and hand bath next to Shimoyu public bath
Zao Onsen Town has several spots where you can enjoy foot baths and hand baths, making them a great place to take a break from your stroll. Enjoy the smell of sulfur and the smooth water while taking in the scenery of the hot spring town
Enjoy the rustic charm and open feeling! Zao Onsen large open-air bath with a spectacular view
, is the prefecture's largest open-air bath, the Zao Onsen Dai Open-Air Bath
The most distinctive feature of this place is its location surrounded by nature, where you can enjoy forest bathing and hot spring bathing at the same time. Although it is an uphill climb from the center of Yamagata Zao Onsen town, it is about a 15-minute walk away and you can enjoy the best location and authentic hot spring water directly from the source
During the opening period, the spa will also be open at night on select days. You can expect even more benefits from the hot springs as you are enveloped in the starry sky and fantastic lights. For more details, please see the link below
After your bath, take a break with a local drink! "Yamagata Sake Museum"
After working up a good sweat in the hot springs, we recommend quenching your thirst with some delicious Yamagata sake. The Yamagata Sake Museum , has a selection of sake from 49 breweries in Yamagata Prefecture, allowing you to enjoy a casual tasting and comparison.
The store also has exhibits related to sake, and has a relaxing atmosphere where you can relax with a glass of sake in hand
Speaking of hot springs, "Kokeshi" is the first thing that comes to mind! Introducing the "Zao Takayu Kokeshi" that makes a perfect souvenir
There are many souvenirs available at Yamagata Zao Onsen, but the Zao Takayu Kokeshi doll is one we highly recommend buying when visiting Yamagata Zao Onsen
The reason is that a rare craft that conveys the traditional Tohoku kokeshi culture to the present day . Zao Takayu style kokeshi has developed independently while drawing on the traditions of the Tsuchiyu and Togatta styles, and is now a valuable souvenir that is only made by a limited number of craftsmen in Yamagata Prefecture.
The beauty of their shape and simple warmth are also appealing, with their rounded heads, thick, stable bodies, radial patterns and floral paintings making them visually appealing and making them great interior decorations. They are not just souvenirs, but also works of art that can be kept and enjoyed for a long time.
The wood used is high-quality wood such as locally grown maple and silver oak , and when you pick it up you'll be impressed by its comfortable weight and smoothness.
For more details, please see the link below, as we have previously introduced this in NEFT
We've introduced you to some of the best places to enjoy a day trip to Yamagata Zao Onsen. What do you think? We believe these are just a small part of the fun. There are sure to be 100 ways to enjoy Yamagata Zao Onsen, no matter how many people you meet
Finally, we would like to introduce a model day trip itinerary focusing on the places introduced this time, so please feel free to use it as a reference!
time
Content
10:00
Take the bus bound for Zao Onsen from Yamagata Station (approximately 40 minutes, approximately 1,000 yen one way)
11:00
Try "hot spring hopping" at the public baths (we recommend the order of ① Shimoyu, ② Kamiyu, and ③ Kawarayu. Each bath costs 200 yen.)
12:30
Lunch at the Yamagata Sake Museum and a Yamagata local sake experience (approximately 2,000 yen)
13:30
Purchase a Zao Takayu Kokeshi doll as a souvenir (around 3,500 yen, prices may vary depending on the item)
14:30
Zao Onsen Large Open-Air Bath: Forest Bathing + Free-flowing Spring Water Experience (Adults: 800 yen)
15:30
Stroll around the hot spring town (Tama Konnyaku, snacks, local sake tasting)
16:30
Return journey: Depart Zao Onsen → Yamagata Station (approximately 40 minutes, approximately 1,000 yen one way)
If you do a quick calculation and don't buy any souvenirs, it would cost roughly 6,000 yen for 7 hours. A luxurious hot spring experience, local sake, and souvenirs all for under 10,000 yen! Isn't that a great deal?
I'm a member of the Neft editorial team. I love alcohol, music, and traveling, so I indulge in some drinks after work on weekdays, and on weekends, if I have free time, I travel to nearby areas. I work hard every day with the goal of eventually traveling overseas to find connections to Tohoku through NEFT reporting.
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