Zao

Mount Zao (‘ ‰¤ŽR, Zaōsan) is a volcanic mountain range on the prefectural border between Yamagata and Miyagi Prefectures in the Tohoku Region. On the Yamagata side, the hot spring town of Zao Onsen offers some of the country's most acidic thermal waters.

In summer, the mountain attracts nature lovers with its spectacular Okama Crater, while in winter, Zao Onsen turns into a leading ski resort and one of only few places in Japan to see "snow monsters" (frozen trees).