Zaō Onsen

What it is

• A hot spring resort located in Yamagata City at 880 meters elevation
• Legendary discovery dates back to 110 AD by Kibi no Tagayu
• Designated as a National Health Resort by the Japanese government in 1958
• Part of the Zao Quasi-National Park established in 1963

What to see

• Three public bath houses named Kamiyu, Shimoyu, and Kawarayu
• The Sukawa Onsen Shrine located upstream along the Sukawa River
• Zao Onsen Ski Resort situated adjacent to the hot spring town
• Forty-seven different hot spring sources producing acidic sulfur water

Getting there

• Buses run from Yamagata Station to the Zao Onsen Bus Terminal

Notes written by Japan Gems from facts in Japanese Wikipedia.