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July 22, 2025 update
From Yamagata Airport, shared taxies, from Sendai, and Sendai Airport, highway buses, and from Tokyo, JR Shinkansen connect to the Zao areas. And from Kaminoyama Onsen (Zao), Tendo Onsen, and Ginzan Onsen, JR conventional lines connect to the areas.
Check out this access guide to find the easiest and best route to Zao hot springs! You’re sure to find a convenient route — whether you prefer fewer transfers, shorter travel time, or lower costs.
We also introduce airport buses and highway buses that can be reserved in advance!
Travel Time 1h Fare 4500 yen
Boarding Bus Stop
Yamagata Airport
▼
Arrival Bus Stop
Zao Onsen Bus Terminal
4500 yen
・Shared taxi (Operates in coordination with flight arrivals and departures – Tokyo [Haneda], Osaka [Itami], Nagoya [Komaki], Sapporo)
・Main Shared taxi Stops within Zao Onsen:
Zao Onsen Bus Terminal, Zao Chuo Ropeway
Onsen Station, Zao Ropeway Zao Sanroku Station
・Shared taxis must be reserved at least two days
in advance
Travel Time 1h10m Fare 2700 yen
Boarding Bus Stop
Yamagata Airport
▼
Transfer Point 1
Yamagata Station
1500 yen
▼
Arrival Bus Stop
Zao Onsen Bus Terminal
1200 yen
・Airport bus (Operates in coordination with flight arrivals and departures – Tokyo [Haneda], Osaka [Itami], Nagoya [Komaki], Sapporo)
・Local bus (1 an hour)
・Buses do not require reservations (cash payment
upon arrival)
Travel Time 1h25m Fare 2000 yen
Boarding Bus Stop
Sendai Station East Exit
Expressway Bus Stop #76
▼
Arrival Bus Stop
Zao Onsen Bus Terminal
2000 yen
・Highway bus (1 to 2 a day) *Operation period: Late December – mid-March
Travel Time 1h45m Fare 2300 yen
Boarding Bus Stop
Sendai Station West Exit
▼
Transfer Point 1
Yamagata Station
1100 yen
▼
Arrival Bus Stop
Zao Onsen Bus Terminal
1200 yen
・Highway bus (2 to 5 an hour)
・Local bus (1 an hour)
・Buses do not require reservations (cash payment
upon arrival)
Travel Time 2h5m Fare 2370 yen
Boarding Station
JR Sendai Station
▼
Transfer Point 1
JR Yamagata Station
1170 yen
▼
Arrival Bus Stop
Zao Onsen Bus Terminal
1200 yen
・JR Senzan Line (1 an hour)
・Local bus (1 an hour)
・Buses do not require reservations (cash payment
upon arrival)
Travel Time 1h45m Fare 2500 yen
Boarding Bus Stop
Sendai Airport
▼
Arrival Bus Stop
Zao Onsen Bus Terminal
2500 yen
・Highway bus (3 a day) *Operation period: Mid-December – late March
Travel Time 1h55m Fare 3200 yen
Boarding Bus Stop
Sendai Airport
▼
Transfer Point 1
Yamagata Station
2000 yen
▼
Arrival Bus Stop
Zao Onsen Bus Terminal
1200 yen
・Airport bus (2 a day)
・Local bus (1 an hour)
・Buses do not require reservations (cash payment
upon arrival)
Travel Time 2h30m Fare 2960 yen
Boarding Station
Sendai Airport
▼
Transfer Point 1
JR Sendai Station
▼
Transfer Point 2
JR Yamagata Station
1760 yen
▼
Arrival Bus Stop
Zao Onsen Bus Terminal
1200 yen
・Sendai Airport Line (2 an hour)
・JR Senzan Line (1 an hour)
・Local bus (1 an hour)
・Buses do not require reservations (cash payment
upon arrival)
Travel Time 3h20m Fare 12650 yen
Boarding Station
JR Tokyo Station
▼
Transfer Point 1
JR Yamagata Station
11450 yen
▼
Arrival Bus Stop
Zao Onsen Bus Terminal
1200 yen
・JR Shinkansen Tsubasa (1 an hour)
・Local bus (1 an hour)
・Buses do not require reservations (cash payment
upon arrival)
Travel Time 50m Fare 1440 yen
Boarding Station
JR Kaminoyama-Onsen Station
▼
Transfer Point 1
JR Yamagata Station
240 yen
▼
Arrival Bus Stop
Zao Onsen Bus Terminal
1200 yen
・JR Ou Main Line (1 an hour)
・Local bus (1 an hour)
・Kaminoyama Onsen (Zao)
・Buses do not require reservations (cash payment
upon arrival)
Travel Time 55m Fare 1440 yen
Boarding Station
JR Tendo Station
▼
Transfer Point 1
JR Yamagata Station
240 yen
▼
Arrival Bus Stop
Zao Onsen Bus Terminal
1200 yen
・JR Ou Main Line (1 an hour)
・Local bus (1 an hour)
・Tendo Onsen
・Buses do not require reservations (cash payment
upon arrival)
Travel Time 1h35m~2h Fare 2880~4170 yen
Boarding Bus Stop
Ginzan Onsen
▼
Transfer Point 1
JR Oishida Station
1000 yen
▼
Transfer Point 2
JR Yamagata Station
680 yen~
▼
Arrival Bus Stop
Zao Onsen Bus Terminal
1200 yen
・Local bus [Ginzan Onsen – Oishida Stn.] (5 to 10 a day)
・JR Shinkansen Tsubasa (1 in every two hours), or JR Ou Main Line (1 an hour)
・Local bus [Yamagata Stn. – Zao Onsen] (1 an hour)
・Ginzan Onsen
・Buses do not require reservations (cash payment
upon arrival)
The rates are those as of July 2025.
Fares and service frequencies are subject to change.
August 06, 2025 update
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