Zaō Onsen

Zaō Onsen (蔵王温泉) is a famous hot spring area on Mount Zaō in the northern part of Honshū, the main island of Japan.[2]

Zaō Onsen
Mount Zao Hot Springs
Entrance to large open air hot springs bath
LocationMount Zaō, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan
Elevation880 meters above sea level[1]
Typevolcanic
Temperature113° F / 45° C
"Snow monsters" on Mount Zaō

History

Records of the onsen date back as far as 110 AD.[3] A wounded warrior is said to have drawn an arrow out of his body and cleaned the wound at a spring only to find that the injury healed miraculously quickly and well.[4] It is known locally as "Springs of Beauty."[4]

Location

Zaō Onsen is located in the Mount Zaō stratovolcanic range.[4] Although Mount Zaō stretches between Yamagata and Miyagi Prefectures, the town where Zaō Onsen is located was recently merged into Yamagata City. The hot spring is accessible via the Tōhoku Expressway.

Water profile

The hot mineral water has a high acid and sulfur content,[1] giving it the characteristic smell of rotten eggs from the sulphur. Other minerals include iron, aluminum, sulfate and chloride.[3] The water temperature at the open air public bathhouse is 113° F/45° C.[5]

Snow monster phenomenon

The Zao Mountain is known for its conifer trees which become encrusted and solidified by January due to the 'hard lime' phenomenon which is caused by heavy snow and winds of freezing temperatures.[2] These formations are known as "snow monsters" or juhyo in Japanese.[6] They are caused by the frigid storm winds of the Siberian jet stream.[6]

References
  1. "Zao Onsen• Hot spring resort with highly acidic water". Japan Guide. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  2. Naho_B_M. "Zao Onsen : Meet the Snow Monsters at Zao Onsen Ski Resort!". Japan Travel Guide -JW Web Magazine.
  3. "One of Japan's favorite places to ski, soak and encounter snow monsters". Japan Travel. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  4. "Night cruising in the domain of the snow monsters". G'Day Japan. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  5. "One of the oldest hot springs in Japan is in Yamagata "Zao Onsen"". Japan Ski Guide. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  6. Cripps, Karla. "Exploring Japan's spectacular 'snow monsters'". CNN Travel. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  • Kamiyu public bath 38°10′07″N 140°23′51″E
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