The Complete Guide to Zao Tree Ice | Can I go on a day trip from Tokyo? Actual experience report!

*This article was created for travelers planning to visit Japan, but readers in Japan may also find it useful.

Rime ice is formed when supercooled water droplets, below 0°C, collide with trees and freeze into white ice formations. When snow accumulates on top of these, the rime ice grows even larger. Because it resembles a snow monster, it has been given the name "snow monster." The branches of coniferous trees, which were covered in green leaves during the summer, transform into the limbs of snow monsters in winter.

Rime ice formations are a rare natural phenomenon in the world, and can only be seen in limited locations in Japan. Zao perfectly meets the following conditions for their formation.

[Conditions necessary for the formation of frost-covered trees]
① Distribution of evergreen coniferous trees
Ice and snow easily accumulate on branches that still have leaves, forming large frost-covered trees.
② A strong wind blowing from a specific direction, containing many supercooled water droplets.
The ideal temperature for formation is -10°C to -15°C, with a wind speed of 10 to 20 meters per second. In winter, cold, humid air is carried to Zao from Siberia.
③ Moderate snowfall
While a certain amount of snowfall is necessary, rime ice will not form in areas where the snow accumulates to the point of burying the trees.

Tohoku Zao is full of the charm of the region. Not only snow monsters, but also a lot of fun that you should try at least once!

Tokyo From Zao Tree Ice can be visited on a day trip, but the travel time is long and the tour is realistic.
This time, I actually participated in Club Tourism 's "Zao Ju Ice Day Tour". The distance from Tokyo to Zao is about 380 km, which is a long distance for a day trip, but you can enjoy sightseeing in Zao even on a day trip by taking the round-trip bullet train.
Tokyo It takes about 4 and a half hours from departure to arrival in Zao, and the time spent on site is about 3 hours.

On the day of the event, we gathered at the Nihonbashi exit of Tokyo Station at 7:10 a.m. When you sign up for a tour, you will be sent a map of the meeting point and a detailed itinerary in advance. Tokyo I was worried about whether I would be able to reach the meeting point because the station is large, but thanks to the guide map, I was able to arrive smoothly. Even if you don't understand Japanese, the tour conductor will guide you to the meeting point and transportation, so international travelers can participate with confidence. At the meeting point, a tour conductor will be waiting with a flag that says "Club Tourism", just tell them your name and the name of the tour to complete the reception.

When it is time to gather, you will board the Shinkansen with the guidance of the tour conductor. If you are traveling alone, you will need to book Shinkansen tickets and travel to the home by yourself, but tours are characterized by the fact that there is no hassle in the procedure. I took the Shinkansen and arrived at Fukushima Station in about an hour and a half. Get off the bullet train here and change to a bus. The transfer guide was also smooth because there was a tour conductor guiding me.

The bus departed from Fukushima Prefecture towards Yamagata Prefecture. Along the way, we stopped at a "roadside station" for a rest. A "roadside station" is a commercial facility equipped as a rest stop for drivers, and it has souvenir shops, restaurants, and restrooms. The participants in this tour included solo travelers, couples, friends, families, and international travelers.

This time I stopped by "Roadside Station Yonezawa" in Yamagata Prefecture. The facility is spacious and has a break time, so you can choose souvenirs and buy Light meal. Minced meat cutlets made with Yonezawa beef, a brand beef from Yamagata, are also sold, and you can also buy and eat and drink on the bus.

As the bus travels along the mountain road, the amount of snow gradually increases. Along the way, a huge torii gate appears, spanning the road. This is the "Great Vermilion Torii Gate of Zao," said to be one of the iconic sights of Zao Onsen. After passing under the torii gate and continuing on, the snow-covered Zao mountains gradually come into view.

We arrived at the foot of Mount Zao around 11:30 AM. From here, we'll take the Zao Ropeway to the summit. There was a long line of tourists waiting to buy tickets at the Zao Sanroku Station, the ropeway station, and apparently, individual travelers can have to wait for over 90 minutes. If you're on a tour, you line up in a group-only lane, so you'll be served relatively quickly. This time, we were able to board the ropeway after waiting for about 60 minutes.

First, take the ropeway from "Zao Sanroku Station" to "Juhyo Kogen Station." The ropeway is often crowded on this section, making it difficult to see out the window. However, after transferring at "Juhyo Kogen Station," the section to "Jizo Sancho Station" is ridden in smaller groups, allowing you to enjoy the scenery from your seat. As you ascend in altitude, the number of trees covered in snow and ice increases. These trees are Zao's "snow monsters."
As we approached the summit, the frost-covered trees grew even larger. The vast expanse of frost-covered trees stretching across the area near the summit was truly breathtaking. The size of the frost-covered trees was even more striking when skiers descended. Finally, we arrived at the "Jizo-sancho Station" at the summit.

Snow continues to fall at the top of the mountain, and the surrounding area is covered with snow. On clear days, you can overlook a wide area of tree ice fields. Unfortunately, it was stormy this time, but the ice was also very powerful in the snow, and many tourists enjoyed taking pictures. In addition, from late Dec. to late Feb. every year, the "Tree Ice Illumination" is held, and you can enjoy a magical sight.

Walking around the summit area, you'll come across the Zao Jizo statue, a popular gathering spot. In winter, it's buried in snow, with only its head visible, but in summer, you can see its entire form, making it a place where you can truly appreciate the sheer volume of snowfall on Mount Zao.

After enjoying the view of the summit, you will descend the mountain by ropeway. The ascent is crowded, but the downhill tends to be relatively small because many people ski on the descent.

There is a hot spring town near Zao Ropeway Sanroku Station, and there are inns, souvenir shops, restaurants, cafes, etc. Some facilities allow you to take a day trip, so you can enjoy ice sightseeing and hot springs together. The restaurant attached to the ski resort serves curry, ramen, and other meals, and is used as a place for tourists to have lunch. There are also stalls selling Light meal in the hot spring town, and you can also see shops selling large meat buns. Some shops offer french fries and soft serve ice cream, and many tourists enjoy eating while strolling around.

The period when tree ice can be seen in Zao is usually late Dec. ~ early Mar.. If you want to see a particularly large snow monster, you should visit in late Jan. ~ late Feb..
Dec., snow falls and accumulates in Zao, and tree ice begins to form. However, it is still small and gradually grows over a period of several months. And when it reaches Feb., it will show you how it has transformed into a snow monster in earnest.

Although it was a very snowy day, as mentioned earlier, it wasn't a time when we couldn't see anything at all. However, visibility was sometimes completely obscured when changing ropeways or upon reaching the summit. Mountain weather is unpredictable, so we noticed that the snowfall, which wasn't that heavy when we arrived at the base, increased as we ascended to the summit via ropeway.
At the foot of the mountain, there are plenty of restaurants, souvenir shops, and hot spring facilities, and there are also restaurants and shops at the ropeway transfer station, so if you have plenty of time to spare, waiting for the snow to stop while sightseeing is one option.

[Tokyo Departure]
・Those who want to enjoy sightseeing in various parts of Japan
There are many places you want to visit during your limited stay in Japan! You can leave your luggage at the Tokyo inn and enjoy the charm of Zao easily and easily.

[Sendai Launch]
・Those who have set the purpose of their trip to Zao Ju Ice
If your goal is to focus on Zao tree ice, it is recommended to head directly to Zao without going through Tokyo. With international departures and arrivals, Sendai Airport serves as a hub for Tohoku travel. By reducing travel time in Japan, you can enjoy Zao even on a day trip.

[Tokyo and Sendai
・Those who want to enjoy hot springs as a set with ice trees
If you are going to Zao and want to heal your daily fatigue in a sulfur-scented hot spring, we recommend a Accommodation trip. You can stay at a hot spring inn, eat local specialties, and delve deeper into Tohoku.

[Sendai Departure]
・ Tohoku Those who want to visit various places
Sendai With the airport as a base, Tohoku travels to various accommodations and scenic spots.

There are a few things I'd like to warn those of you who are planning to drive yourselves around Zao.
Zao is a region with temperatures so low that frost-covered trees form. As a result, roads often freeze over in winter, leading to frequent accidents caused by tires slipping. Furthermore, driving in snowfall can result in poor visibility. I myself used to live in a snowy area and drove regularly, and I can say that driving on snow-covered roads while struggling to control the steering wheel is a life-threatening experience.
Prioritizing safety, it's best to use a bus driven by a professional.
Some people may choose to use taxis for sightseeing, but long-distance taxi rides can be quite expensive. Choosing a tour can ultimately help reduce costs.

There are many benefits to traveling with a tour! It is especially recommended for these people because it shortens waiting times, takes care of complicated procedures, and provides guidance to tourist spots and souvenir shops.

・"It's hard to prepare and do your homework by yourself!" People in their 30s ~ 70s who are busy every day
If you have a tour that has carefully selected recommended routes, such as transportation and stops, you can leave it all to us!

・"It's hard to enjoy a trip while paying attention to your child's condition..."
It takes effort to worry about the route and time while worrying about the child's condition. If you join the tour, you can take full care of your children while enjoying the fun of your trip.

・"I'm worried about whether I'll be able to enjoy my first place" Those who are visiting Tohoku for the first time
Can you move properly in an unknown land? Will I be able to go to my destination as planned? Is this okay for the itinerary in the first place? If you are a beginner in Tohoku who is worried, we recommend joining the tour! You can taste the highlights of the land carefully selected by travel professionals.

This is what I wore to the event!
The things I was particularly glad to have were a wool hat, sunglasses, hand warmers, and waterproof pants.
When it's snowing, your body temperature drops drastically if your head gets wet. Be sure to bring something to protect your head. You might also encounter the problem of the glare from the snow making it difficult to take good photos. Sunglasses are a good idea in such situations. In addition to sticking hand warmers to your body when you leave, I recommend bringing some unopened ones as spares. And finally, waterproof pants. These were the piece of equipment I was most glad to have. Since it's a snowy area, the place you sit may be wet. Once your clothes get wet, body heat will be lost from there, so take precautions to keep your body dry.

Conversely, there's something I regret not owning: snow boots!
You shouldn't attempt to climb snowy mountains in town-use boots. Just like with your pants, make sure your boots are waterproof.
Gloves are always a good idea, but be careful if you tend to lose things easily! They're an item that's easy to lose in fleeting moments, such as when taking photos or eating.

・For those who have concerns about their legs and hips
While waiting for the ropeway, you will have to wait in line. Also, the aisle may be wet and slippery, so if you are worried about your legs and hips, it is safe to bring a cane.

・Zao Ropeway Zao Sanroku Station ~ Juhyo Kogen Station will be crowded
It is safe to assume that small children will not be swept away by the waves of people, such as riding with small children.

・Estimate the time to ride the downhill ropeway as soon as possible.
If you are participating in the tour, you will be informed in advance, but the downhill ropeway may also be crowded depending on the date. It's a good idea to set a time in advance for the downhill ropeway ride in time for the meeting time and the next scheduled.

・How to enjoy waiting time
While waiting for the ropeway, some people may have too much free time. This time, I spent my time eating gummies while waiting in line and chatting with other participants. Especially if you are traveling with children or are not good at waiting in line, it is a good idea to prepare something that you would like to have at this time.

Q: Can children and the elderly go to see Zao Tree Ice?
A: You can go see it. On the day I headed there this time, there were people of all ages and genders riding on the ropeway.

Q: What happens if the weather is bad?
A: You may not see the blue sky and ice during snowfall. It was snowing on the tour I participated in this time, but I was able to see the ice itself.
Also, the aisle will get wet and slippery, so be careful not to fall.

Q: Which one is more recommended, day trip or Accommodation?
A: Both have different benefits, so please choose according to your purpose. For more information, please refer to the above "How is it different between Tokyo and Sendai?

How did you like our Zao Snow Monster Tour experience report?
Panoramic snowfields, countless towering frost-covered trees, snowflakes like cotton, delicious food, and charming streets. I wondered how much of Zao I could possibly enjoy in a single day trip... but those anxieties vanished the moment I arrived in Zao. Everything I saw in Zao was exciting and full of emotion. I was able to see the globally rare natural phenomenon of frost-covered trees with my own eyes, and I also experienced various other delights, making it a truly satisfying day.
If this article has piqued your interest in Zao, you might be feeling a little anxious about visiting a new place for the first time. However, if you keep in mind the information we've shared, your trip to Zao should be mostly worry-free. Zao gets especially cold in winter, so be sure to bring warm clothing. And most importantly, just have a love for travel and a desire to enjoy it! The Zao frost-covered trees, enveloped in the mysteries of nature, await you, opening the door to an extraordinary experience!