Zao Base Centre Jupia

The main base area of the Zao ski resort is the Zao Base Centre Jupia. The Zao Sky Cable heads up from this area and it features the Uwanodai slope, a beginner run that's a little steeper than your average green run. Here there are various ski-in ski-out lodges at the base as well as a few hotels dotted up the ski slopes.

This area of Zao Onsen could be a good location for families as it’s close to the English speaking ski schools, ski rental, various beginners’ slopes and night skiing.

There are a few cafes and bars in this area, and if you want to walk down to the main part of Zao Onsen, there are a few more restaurants and shops. It's about 400m walk from the Zao Base Centre Jupia down to the start of the main street.

Chuo Ropeway Area

There are several Zao hotels located near the Zao Chuo Ropeway, which provides very good access to the slopes. This location is also reasonably close to the main street of town.

Mid-Mountain

The Forest Inn Sangoro is a very unique property located mid-mountain and perfectly ski-in ski-out inside the Zao Onsen ski area. It’s not accessible via car and you have to get there via the Sky Cable or Chuo Ropeway (cable car), and the inn staff pick you up in their unique over-snow car.

Zao Onsen Accommodation

Zao Onsen accommodation caters well to mid range to deluxe budgets. Whilst there is one exquisite 4 star deluxe ryokan, there are no 5 star hotels and no backpacker digs. Zao Onsen was an onsen resort town long before it was a ski resort town, so rather than having towering hotels like some of the purpose built ski resorts in Japan, Zao Onsen is a charming traditional Japanese settlement with lots of ryokans, lodges and pensions, many with their own onsen. There are also a handful of Western style hotels in Zao, and more than half of the lodgings have some degree of English spoken.

The village of Zao Onsen is somewhat spread out and there are a number of different base areas with lift access points so choosing your Zao Onsen accommodation may be somewhat based on your priorities for access to certain slopes, ski school or the main street. A lot of the Zao accommodation is very Japanese in nature (it is in Japan after all!). See the Japanese ski resort accommodation page for a few tips regarding what to expect with Japanese lodging typically found at the ski resorts.

Pension Village

Zao Onsen has a pension village that is located a couple of kilometres from the main town and the ski resort (about 2 mins drive). These pensions are generally more budget oriented than the properties that are more conveniently located, however they represent exceptional value for the budget traveller. The pension owners may provide a transport service to and from the ski area.

Sanroku Ropeway

There are various Zao Onsen accommodation options near the Zao Ropeway Sanroku Station. This area is popular with pedestrian tourists who visit Zao Onsen to see the snow monsters, because the Zao Ropeway Sanrokusen provides access to this spectacle. The ropeway (cable car) also provides quick access to the southern end of the slopes of Zao Onsen Ski Resort.

From the Sanroku ropeway station, it's about 600 metres walk to the main part of the Zao Onsen town.

Takayu Dori Area

There are lots of Zao Onsen accommodation options on or near the main tourist street, Takayu dori. These are well located to access the shops, restaurants and izakayas, but most lodgings will require a 5-10 minute walk up to the nearest lift.