Zao, Japan

Zao refers the south area of the Ou Mountains located between Yamagata and Miyagi prefectures. Mt. Kumano, a 1,841 meter high dominant peak of the Ou Mountains, is also located on the Yamagata side. Zao is a mecca for skiing and other winter sports. It is also famous for silver frost called Ice Monster, created by snow and ice covering coniferous trees; you can observe them from the Zao Ropeway. The Zao Hot Springs, opened 1,900 years ago, is one of the three great hot springs of the northeastern Tohoku region. It also attracts people as the Fountain of Beauty since its water has an effect to heal skin diseases and make skin clearer and smoother. Local specialties include: Igamochi, a bite-sized mochi rice dough made from mochi rice and nonglutinous rice, served on a natural striped bamboo leaf; Tama Konnyaku, balls of potato gelatin simmered in a soy-based sauce which provides a unique firm texture; and Soba, with its texture and flavor of handmade buckwheat noodles whetting people's appetite.