Take the Zao Ropeway to search for the Snow Monster and witness the endless white of the world

Reported by Jiayun Yu in Japan, photographed by Xiangru Jisi

In Yamagata Prefecture, Japan, Zao is a well-known and iconic destination that attracts many skiers every winter, and when it comes to Zao, the rare winter spectacle"juhyo"is an absolute must-see. After seeing the stunning "Snow Monsters" (large juhyo) captured by seniors at the summit of Zao, I was secretly thrilled to learn that this trip was all about seeing the Zao juhyo. My mind kept fantasizing about the various quirky photos I could take with these snow creatures. I thought, at the very least, I had to snap one really cool shot to boast to my friends. Little did I know, due to bad weather and the juhyo not yet fully formed, our two attempts to reach the mountain failed to reveal any clear, plump snow monsters. We could only endure the stinging snowflakes hitting our faces in the blizzard, catching fleeting glimpses of underdeveloped, somewhat small juhyo.

▲%The best time to see the big Snow Monsters is in [specific month]. (Photo by reporter Chen Ruizhong, stock photo)

▲%When the weather isn’t ideal and the heavy snow hasn’t fully formed yet, the atmosphere is still somewhat mysterious and intriguing.

Although it was a bit disappointing not to see the Snow Monsters, sometimes the most beautiful parts of a trip aren't the destinations but the unexpected moments you don’t anticipate. On the way up to the summit via the ropeway, the snow scenery before my eyes made me keep exclaiming inwardly at this otherworldly beauty—it felt like seeing all the white in the world.

In Zao, the only way to get to the summit to see the Snow Monsters is by taking the Zao Ropeway, as it’s the only cable car that goes all the way up. The ropeway has two sections: the first takes you from the Zao Mountain Base Station (starting point at lower ground) to the Mid-Mountain Plateau Station. The large gondola can accommodate multiple passengers, and its four walls are made of transparent glass—if you want to enjoy the snow scenery, it’s highly recommended to get on early and grab a good seat.

▲First station of the Zao Ropeway.

The ride from the Zao Mountain Base Station to the Mid-Mountain Plateau Station takes about seven minutes. Since the weather near the ground is relatively mild, visibility is also clearer. Looking out, you can see endless stretches of pine forests, with each tree covered in snow, resembling Christmas trees from fairy tales—adorable and hard not to imagine putting one in your living room for decoration.

▲Pine forests that look like Christmas trees.

As the gondola nears its final stop, the slender, leafy green pines gradually give way to trees with rounder silhouettes and only branches left—a unique shift in tree variety and a distinct boundary between the two, also signaling that the gondola is entering higher and colder altitudes.

▲Amidst the sea of white, the gondola feels like a mystical train to heaven.

After reaching the final station, regular ski tourists can take a double chairlift to nearby ski slopes. But if you’re heading to the top, the Jizo Mountain Peak Station to see the juhyo, you’ll need to take a 10-minute ride on the Summit Line.

▲Boarding the second section of the gondola at the Juhyo Plateau Station.

From the start of the Summit Line, what greets your eyes is an endless expanse of white. Even though thick fog limits visibility, the boundless sea of rime-covered trees below, with no clear border in sight, still amazes everyone inside the cabin. During those 10 minutes, all you can see are tree after tree, patch after patch, all wrapped in snow, as if in a painting where every branch is coated in silver. And you can't tell where the edge of the painting lies.

▲%A natural artwork in endless white.

Because of the heavy snowstorm on the first day, the ropeway couldn’t operate smoothly. Our group switched to another mode of transport—one you might only take once in a lifetime—the "snowplow vehicle" for the descent. These snowplows are usually used for snow removal and staff patrols, but they also offer visitors a closer view of the juhyo. Unlike the gondola’s top-down perspective, the snowplow allows you to see the majestic juhyo at eye level and even closer. Plus, if you're lucky enough to go at night, you can catch the limited-time colorful lights that add a fantastical touch to the already mysterious juhyo night scene.

▲Regular visitors can also make advance reservations to ride the snowplow.

▲The colorful lights make the juhyo appear almost alive.

Zao Ropeway Operating Information

Operating Hours: Winter (December 11 to March 31)  Zao Ropeway Base Line 8:15 - 16:45, Zao Ropeway Summit Line 8:30 - 16:30

Summer (April 1 to December 10)  8:30 - 17:00 (Times are subject to change.)

Address: 229-3 Zaōonsen, Yamagata-shi, Yamagata-ken 990-2301, Japan

Transportation: Take a Sendai Bus from Sendai Station to Zao (approx. 80 minutes)

▲Pine trees in the snow at Zao.