Zao Onsen area in Yamagata Prefecture, where the panorama of nature spreads. It is a Zao ropeway where you can see the winter wind poetry and the ice and sap in close proximity, but if you are a "million people terrace", you can enjoy the summer too! Lie down on a sofa or bench at the height of the clouds, feel refreshed♪It features the Zao Ropeway that you can enjoy in the spring, summer, autumn and winter.
About 40 minutes by bus from Yamagata Station, there is a "Zao Ropeway" in the Zao Onsen area, which is crowded with hiking and ski guests.
The highlight of this is a large panorama that overlooks the mountains of Zao! You can enjoy a 20-minute aerial walk from the Zao Sanfoot Station to the top of Jizo Station via the tree ice plateau station.
In addition, the scenic spot ''Million People Terrace'' at the tree ice plateau station is a hot topic on SNS because you can enjoy a photogenic and exhilarating view♪This time we will introduce the charm of "Zao Ropeway" to the whole!
Zao, famous for its winter style poetry and ice trees, is a leisure spot that can be enjoyed all year round in spring, summer, autumn and winter. You can enjoy such a landscape in autumn and winter.♪
The fresh green, the autumn leaves, and the deep snow... Zao showing a different face at every time. It's very beautiful. The time I covered it was just in the middle of autumn leaves. The mountain skin, which is colored like gradation, was touching!
First, warp at a stretch from the foot to Jizo summit station! The aim is to see the scenery from an altitude of 1661m.
As I was getting excited about the view from the gondola, Mr. Saito from Zao Ropeway, who was also present for the interview, told me, ``This ropeway has been very thoughtfully designed.''
Ropeways that weave through the mountains are often on a steep slope, but here the supports are intentionally made taller and the ride is designed to run slowly. Indeed, the scenery flows by like a bird's-eye view!
"The Zao Ropeway faces west, so I recommend riding it in the morning. This is a good direction to ride in both summer and winter, as the light hits it well. I also recommend riding it in the evening, when you can see the sun setting. To the left of Jizo Sancho Station you can see a maple tree, and directly below you you can also see a Japanese Mallow fir." (Saito)
The gondolas were spacious and comfortable (the base line can accommodate a maximum of 53 people, and the summit line can accommodate a maximum of 18 people), and I chatted with the other passengers every now and then, and before I knew it we had arrived at Jizo Summit Station.
A deck called "summit terrace" is provided at Jizo-summit Station, which allows people to step outside.
From an altitude of over 1,600m, you can get a panoramic view of Yamagata city and Miyagi prefecture, and the cool, refreshing air of the plateau is also very pleasant!
I heard that there was a "Zao Jizoson" outside the station building, and I came to visit.
As you go about 100m on the maintained cobblestones, it is a big Jizo over 2m high who appeared! Can you see how big it is?
This Jizo was built in 1775 after 37 years. It is said that the number of people in distress was reduced after the construction, and it is said that one day it came to be called "Sainan-yoke Jizo".
For this reason, it is said that “all wishes will come true and you can escape the unexpected calamity.” Every spring (May 24) and autumn (September 24), the “Zao Jizo-son festival” is held.
There were a lot of trekking visitors, and I enjoyed my carp while loving alpine plants. The air that touches the skin with just the coolness is also pleasant♪
During the winter period, I want to enjoy the peak of the mountain because of the “ice of the tree.” The “ice of the tree” is made of coniferous green pine, which is covered with snow and ice. It is also known as the “snow monster”.
The festival reaches its peak in December-February, and there are many events such as the night cruiser tour and light up. The night cruiser tour is on a heated special snowmobile, where you can usually see the view from the ropeway up close. It is recommended because you can enjoy the art created by nature at close proximity♪
There is also a restaurant, "Restaurant-top", at the summit station, where you can enjoy the Yamagata specialty Imoko soup (boiled Yamagata potato) and egg konjac, as well as set meals and drinks.
The local dish, Yamagata imoko soup, is made of soy sauce-based soup with beef and vegetables. There were plenty of mushrooms and vegetables at this restaurant, including Maitake mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, burdock, konjac, and taro. It seems to be even more hearty with buckwheat noodles and udon in the winter season. With a taste that permeated a little cold body, both body and heart were relaxed.
Next, return to the intermediate station, Ie-Kogen Station, and head to the newly emerging photogenic scenic spot "Million Terrace"♪
It's a lovely wrapping gondola that happened to take the ride to the juhyo-Kogen Station! This is because the Zao Ropeway is certified as a satellite of lovers. I'm lucky if you hit it because only 2 out of 16 cars are in service♪
The “million-person terrace” is a spot where you can relax and relax with beach beds and sofas on a plateau with a good perspective. It is a hot topic now because it is possible to take a refreshing and pleasant photogenic landscape.
Look! This feeling of exhilaration! Not to mention that the air is delicious, but the feeling is that the heart is opening up.
Next, take the lift (800 yen round trip) from the juhyo Kogen Station to another scenic spot.
Here you can enjoy a swing even higher than the clouds while looking below the million-person terrace that was just ahead♪
I feel like Heidi, a girl in the Alps. That light background music is playing in my head .... Instead of just looking at this nature, the expression "jumping into nature" is just perfect!
The expression "the clouds are melting" that Saito said was also very nice, and I felt the romance while looking at the blue sky.
We introduced the "Zao Ropeway" where you can experience the panorama of nature so far. New spots have also appeared, and the attention has increased more and more!
Now, everyone will work on the growth of the green forest pine, which is the source of the ice, and the future decades or hundreds of years later may have a view that has never been seen.
Please come to play by all means!
Address: 229-3 Zao Onsen, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture
TEL:023-694-9518
Opening times: Sanfoot Line: 8:30 first train, 17:00 last descent, 17:00 summit line: 8:45 first train, 16:45 last descent
Closed: No holidays (there are holidays due to weather and inspection)
Price: 4200 yen round trip to Jizo-summit Station, 2100 yen round trip to Ye-Kogen Station
Yamagata, which is blessed with a natural environment and has a thriving grape cultivation, is one of the four largest production areas of Japanese wine. In addition, there are more than 50 sake breweries as one of Japan's best rice spots, and you can enjoy sake fully.
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