Zao Holidays

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Your Zao Holiday

With a holiday package to Zao, say goodbye to endless planning and hello to hassle-free adventure. Every detail of your getaway has been taken care of before you go, so you can get on with experiencing this exciting city. Zao Fox Village, Togatta Onsen and Kamasaki Onsen are just a few of the attractions worth checking out during your trip to Zao. Stop dreaming and start adventuring. Explore the multitude of options on Expedia today and put your Zao holiday plans in motion!

Zao Ski Holiday Packages

If you hear the mountains calling, land a pile of savings with one of our Zao ski holiday packages. Slice through the snow during the day, check out the après-ski scene after hours and do things your way with Expedia. Zao is one of Japan's leading skiing destinations. Around 14 ski runs of varying levels operate between December and February each year. Head to a beginners' area and work on your skills before going downhill skiing. If you need some gear, you can rent it at the ski village. When you're ready to hang up your skis, head over to the day spa here. It's an ideal spot to soothe tired muscles after a busy day of downhill action. The whole gang will be kept busy on your family ski holiday in Zao, with fun activities such as tobogganing, snowboarding and night skiing also on offer.

How To Get Around

Many visitors who book one of our Zao holiday packages jet into Yamagata. From there, it's 45 minutes before you're crisscrossing your way down the slopes of Zao's favourite runs. From the middle of Zao, the ski runs are around 15 minutes away by car and free parking is available. In winter, we recommend carrying snow chains. With season-pass, weekend-pass and full-day ticket types, planning your ski holiday is as easy as working out the option that suits you. One more thing that's easy? Building the escape you've been dreaming about with Expedia. With one of our Zao ski package deals, you can combine your flights, hotel, car rental and more.

Zao Resort Ski Info

Average yearly snowfall
39 ft
Elevation of lowest ski lift
2,559 ft
Cost of 1-day lift pass
Under £45
Easy runs
14
Moderate runs
14
Advanced runs
7
Longest run
6.2 mi

Zao Essential Information

Language
Japanese
Currency
Japanese yens
Local Welcome
Konnichiwa
Local Goodbye
Sayōnara
Closest Airport
Sendai Airport (SDJ)
Max Temp Winter
2ºC
Max Temp Summer
27ºC
Top Sights
Zao Fox Village, Togatta Onsen and Akiu Otaki Falls

Our pick of the best Zao Hotel Deals

Mercure Miyagi Zao Resort & Spa
Mercure Miyagi Zao Resort & Spa
4 out of 5
1-1 Aza-oni-ishihara, Togatta-onsen, Katta-gun, Zao, Miyagi-ken
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Zao. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Togatta Onsen and Miyagi Zao Kokeshi Doll Hall ...
7.8/10 Good! (320 reviews)
"The spa is quite far out but has accessable buses from Sendai Station. The onzen was wonderful and clean. Staff was very friendly and spoke english. Only word of caution is unless you eat at the hotel, dinner options are limited and youd have to walk into town. Still a wondeful experience and would ..."

Reviewed on 3 Mar 2025

Mercure Miyagi Zao Resort & Spa
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Sendai
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Sendai
3 out of 5
1-2-37 Tsutsujigaoka Miyagino-ku, Sendai, Miyagi-ken
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Sendai. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 4 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the property condition in their reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,015 reviews)
"I loved that your hotel was close to a shopping mall and a 7-ELEVEN close so that we have something to eat . I would recommend that your hotel have more cleaning options. My husband likes your massage chairs. This hotel was great!"

Reviewed on 21 Jun 2025

Daiwa Roynet Hotel Sendai
The OneFive Sendai
The OneFive Sendai
3 out of 5
4-6-28 Tsutsujigaoka, Miyagino-ku, Sendai, Miyagi
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Sendai. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the clean rooms in their reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (417 reviews)
"Walkable from train station, rooms very nice - enjoyed it so much that we extended our stay. Laundry an added bonus!"

Reviewed on 20 Jun 2025

The OneFive Sendai
See all 355 properties in Zao
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

All Inclusive Holidays

All Inclusive Holidays

Beach Holidays

Beach Holidays

Family Friendly Holidays

Family Friendly Holidays

Frequently asked questions

Why should I book my Zao holiday with Expedia?
Expedia has you covered for all aspects of your next Zao holiday. You'll always land the best prices around, but when you bundle your accommodation, airfares and/or car hire into a holiday package, you'll score even more savings. Looking to truly make the most of your break? Add some awesome tours and activities to your package. Expedia offers flexible cancellation policies on almost all bookings, so there's no need to worry if your plans change. Head over to our Customer Service Portal link to discover more.
When is the best time of year to holiday in Zao?
If you want to experience the vibe of Zao during the high season, book your escape for May, July and October. April, August and December are typically the quietest months of the year. With daytime average temperatures of 0ºC, January is the coolest month in Zao. The warmest time of year is August, when you can experience average temperatures of 24ºC throughout the day. Whatever the temperature, you'll find plenty to keep you busy here.
What is the top hotel for my holiday in Zao?
Mitsui Garden Hotel Sendai is an ideal base for a wonderful holiday in Zao, offering all the conveniences you need.
How do I get a cheap holiday to Zao?
One of the easiest ways to save cash (and time) is to bundle your bookings with Expedia. Flights, hotels, hire cars and activities --- we've got it all. Pick and choose a combination that suits you and see your savings pile up. Of course, holidays are never a one-size-fits-all. That's why we offer over 400 partner airlines and 321,000 properties globally, which lets you customise your Zao holiday your way. Learn more about how you can save money on your next holiday when you book a flight and hotel together with Expedia.
What should I do on my Zao holiday?
Make sure your next holiday in Zao is a memorable one by checking out its most popular attractions. Zao Fox Village, Mt. Zao, Okama Crater and Togatta Onsen are just a few of the things we recommend seeing while you're in the city.
What is the best area to stay in when on holiday in Zao?
An escape to Zao isn't complete without checking out Mt. Zao. Why not book a stay near this fantastic attraction?
Do I need a visa for my Zao holiday?
Research the most up-to-date information on official government websites. Your nationality and whether you're travelling for study, leisure or business will determine if you'll need a visa for Zao. Make yourself familiar with the application process, including any required documentation, fees and turnaround times. Submit your application well in advance to allow sufficient processing time. Some visas can take several weeks or even months to obtain, depending on the country.
What should I wear on my Zao holiday?
Though everyone's fashion style is different, it can be useful to have some guidelines for what kind of clothes to wear during your holiday in Zao. We recommend looking up style blogs before you head off so you can blend in like a local. Daytime temperatures during January, Zao's coolest month, average around 0ºC. August marks this city's warmest month when the average reaches 24ºC. Our suggestion? Take the guesswork out of what to pack and check the local weather forecast.
What does an Expedia Zao holiday include?
Flights, car hires and hotels, or any combination of them --- it's totally up to you. Whether you're headed to Zao with the entire family or travelling solo, there's a bundle to suit your budget and style. Once you've made your booking, why not add on some tours or activities? Expedia features different types of properties, with the most popular in Zao including hotels and private holiday homes. With Expedia, you'll always enjoy the flexibility and freedom to personalise your holiday any way you like.
Does Expedia offer Book Now, Pay Later Zao holidays?
Expedia has joined forces with online lender Klarna to make booking your next getaway easier on the purse strings. Paying in instalments means you can spread the costs of your next big adventure, leaving you with more cash to splash while you're travelling. Klarna has several payment plans to pick from, so you're sure to find one that fits into your budget. Consider these flexible payment options:

  • Pay monthly holidays: If paying small amounts each month sounds right for you, Klarna offers just that! Paying in several transactions will make your holiday dreams possible.
  • No-deposit holidays: If no upfront fee for your trip makes pressing that "book now" button more stress-free, opt for a no-deposit holiday plan with Klarna so you can Book Now, Pay Later!

Can I choose my airline with a Zao Expedia holiday?
Yes --- that's the beauty of an Expedia holiday package. You get to decide. We have access to more than 400 partner airlines around the world, so you have lots of choice when creating your Zao adventure.

Discover the most popular places to visit in Zao

Miyagi Zao Kokeshi Doll Hall

You can spend an afternoon browsing the exhibits at Miyagi Zao Kokeshi Doll Hall in Zao. Discover the area's mountain views and hot springs.

Miyagi Zao Kokeshi Doll Hall

* Savings based on package bookings compared to the price of the same components booked separately. Savings not available on all packages. Flight-inclusive packages are ATOL protected.