Discover Zao: Travel ideas for your stay

Forests, a gorge landscape and hot spring culture shape Zaō Town’s travel appeal. The Matsukawa River runs through Zaō Town, forming a gorge landscape there. Around 60 percent of the town’s area is covered by forest and wasteland. Zaō Town lies in southwestern Miyagi Prefecture, at the eastern foot of the Zao Mountains.

Zaō Town: forests and the Matsukawa River; Zao region: mountain winters

The western part of Zaō Town lies within Zao Quasi-National Park. If its boundaries are important for your plans, check the latest official maps. The wider Zao region was officially recognized as a National Geopark in January 2025.

The seasons also bring different highlights. In spring, cherry trees line the Matsukawa Cycling Road, while snow still lies on the Zao Mountains. Zao’s snow monsters usually begin forming in December and reach their peak in February; visibility conditions can vary from year to year. In winter, Mountain Field Miyagi Zao Sumikawa Snow Park offers the “みやぎ蔵王の樹氷めぐりツアー” tour: a heated snow vehicle, the “ワイルドモンスター号,” takes visitors to the ice and snow formations on the trees, accompanied by a dedicated guide. Dates and reservations may change.

Zaō Town: Togatta Onsen and Kokeshi culture

Togatta Onsen is a major hot spring destination with a history spanning more than 400 years since its hot spring first opened. It attracts many tourists and visitors seeking hot spring treatments each year. A Zao/Togatta Onsen walking trail passes the shops on Zao-dori Shopping Street and leads to a viewpoint overlooking the Zao peaks and hot spring district. The Zao/Togatta Onsen Trail Course starts at the Zao Town Tourist Information Center in the center of Togatta Onsen. Check in advance whether the Trail Course is operating and what the signage is like.

Togatta Kokeshi is a traditional craft; Kokeshi developed in the Tōhoku region. The permanent exhibition at the Miyagi Zao Kokeshi Museum features 5,500 items, including traditional Togatta Kokeshi, other regional Kokeshi and wooden toys. Kokeshi-painting workshops are also offered there; confirm their current availability before your visit. The museum includes a gift shop selling souvenirs. If you would like to shop there, check current availability. Kokeshi no Sato is a historic settlement of woodworkers. Koretaka Shrine is dedicated to the ancestors of the woodworkers. Zao pottery is made from clay from Zao—another distinct craft tradition of the town.

Zaō Town: fruit, cheese and experiences throughout the year

From July to October, visitors can pick pears, apples, peaches and blueberries in Zaō Town. Individual farms and booking conditions may change; check the current options in advance. At Fukuda Orchard, growers sell fruit directly, including pears from Zaō Town. The Zao Dairy Center Cheese Cabin is a farm shop next to a dairy, where you can sample Zao Cheese. Check the latest operating details before your trip.

At the approximately 100-hectare Zao Heartland, visitors can meet animals such as goats and get hands-on experience making dairy products at the “Handicraft Experience Center.” Here, too, it is advisable to check current operating details. The town’s offerings range from seasonal nature experiences to crafts and local foods. When looking for a vacation rental, you can first decide which of these themes you would like your trip to focus on.

Discover more destinations: Shiogama, Minamisanriku, Ōsaki, Miya, Shichigahama, Shichikashuku, Miyagi District, Matsushima

For the overall travel overview: Miyagi Prefecture.