こんにちは！山形県庁でインターンシップに参加しています、さきです。今回は、夏の蔵王について紹介します。皆さんは「蔵王」というと何を思い浮かべますか？多くの人は樹氷やスキー、温泉といった“冬の蔵王”を思い浮かべるかもしれません。でも実は、“夏の蔵王”にもたくさんの魅力があるのです。

　今回私は、蔵王温泉バスターミナルを降りてすぐの温泉街「高湯通り」と、冬はスキー客で賑わう「蔵王ロープウェイ」を巡ってきました。ロープウェイに乗って訪れた樹氷高原駅は、夏でも気温が20℃前後。半袖では少し肌寒いくらい涼しいです。駅を出てすぐの「百万人テラス」やゲレンデには、ベンチやビーチベッド、ハンモックまで用意されていて、美しい景色を眺めながらくつろぐことができます。さらに、ロープウェイを乗り継いで辿り着く地蔵山頂駅では、冬は雪に埋もれているお地蔵さまの全体像を見ることができます。雪に覆われた姿も神秘的ですが、全体像が見られるのは夏ならではです。ふもとの高湯通りでは、レトロな街並みを歩きながらゆったりできます。通りのお店を訪れたり、足湯でひと休みしたりするのもおすすめです。

　アクセスは山形駅からバスで約40分と便利。ちょっと足を伸ばすだけで、ひんやり快適な夏の休日を過ごせます。暑さを忘れてリフレッシュしたい方、ぜひ“夏の蔵王”に出かけてみてください！

（English below）

　Hello! I am Saki, a university student participating in an internship at the Yamagata Prefectural Office. This time, I would like to introduce you to summer in Zao. When you hear “Zao,” what comes to mind? Many people may think of snow covered trees, skiing, and hot springs, which are associated with “winter in Zao.” However, “summer in Zao” also has many attractions.

　This time, I visited Takayu-dori, located right next to the bus Terminal, and the Zao Ropeway, which is usually full of many people viewing the snow covered trees and skiing in winter. 

　Juhyo Kogen Station, which I visited by ropeway, has a temperature of around 20 degrees Celsius even in summer. It’s cool enough to feel a bit cold in a short-sleeved shirt. Just outside the station, at the “Hyakumannin Terrace” and the ski slopes, you’ll find benches, beach beds, and even hammocks, allowing you to relax while enjoying the beautiful scenery. 

　Furthermore, at the Jizo-sancho Station, which you reach by transferring to another ropeway, you can see the entire figure of the Jizo statue, which is buried in snow during winter. Of course, its snow-covered form looks very good, but it is a unique feature of summer that we can see the lower half of its body.  

　In Takayu-dori, at the base of the mountain, you can stroll through the retro streets at your leisure. I also recommend peeking into the shops along the street or taking a break at the foot bath. 

　Access is convenient, with a bus ride of about 40 minutes from Yamagata Station. Just a short trip away, you can enjoy a cool and comfortable summer vacation. 

　If you want to forget the heat and refresh yourself, why not visit “Summer in Zao”?