Zao Juhyo Festival
蔵王樹氷まつり38°10′ N 140°24′ EFestivalDec 27, 2025
The Zao Juhyo Festival suits families and skiers in Zao Onsen between late December and late February, when the village lights its baths and holds a torch run down the slopes; most events are small and local, so treat it as a bonus to a ski trip.
Dates and hours
- December 27, 2025 to February 23, 2026Confirmedsourcechecked Oct 11, 2026
Date rule: Late December to late February; the festival committee sets the dates each winter
The Zao Juhyo Festival fills the heart of the snow-monster season. In 2026 it ran from 27 December 2025 to 23 February. Every evening the Yukemuri Akari lit the steam rising from the Donbiki channel and the three public baths from sunset until 21:00.
The big night is the torch run on the Uenodai slope. In 2026 up to 350 skiers carried LED lights down the hill in one long line at 20:00 on 7 February, and a few minutes of fireworks followed. Children get a snow park, and on two days working snow vehicles lined up for them while junior-high students and younger skied on ¥1,000 day passes.
Worth knowing
- Sign up early for the torch run, which takes the first 350 skiers.
- Walk the village after dark during the festival, when the public baths and the Donbiki channel are lit.
Quick answers about Zao Juhyo Festivalよくある質問
When is the Zao Juhyo Festival?
The 2026 festival ran from 27 December 2025 to 23 February 2026. The 2027 dates hadn't been announced by 11 October 2026.
What are the opening hours of Zao Juhyo Festival?
Zao Juhyo Festival is open in 2026 the torch run started at 20:00 on 7 February at the Uenodai slope after sign-up from 17:00, with about five minutes of fireworks after it. The Yukemuri Akari lights the Donbiki channel and the three public baths from sunset to 21:00 every night of the festival.
In the journal
