Zao Crater Access

HI,

I've been reading about Zao Crater access but am so overwhelmed and confused.
From the blogs and website that I read, it's not a direct route that goes up and down the same way. I'm ok with some hiking, but am concerned with the connection and going back to the correct station without missing the bus. I don't understand how the ropeway and onsen stop work.

Found this info -> https://www.yamakobus.jp/busroute1/z90/#02%20j

I'm thinking of spending a night at Yamagata the night before to catch the bus in the early morning to the mountain. First things first, do the buses operate daily in October as well?
Am i reading it correctly that Z91 bus at 9.30am goes to the crater, but Z90 goes to Zao Onsen Bus Terminal, and requires a transfer via the ropeway? I can't find the other direction, is that why others hike down?? But to where? How to return to Yamagata?

How's the difficulty level of the hike in the mountain? I would be travelling on my own, so safety is my utmost concern, apart from be sure that i wouldn't go off track.

Please, any points would be useful to enlighten my understanding.

Thank you very much!

Bus on the reverse route
https://www.yokohamabus.jp/busroute1/c2z/
By the way, here is the sunset time in Sendai in October. https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/japan/sendai?month=10&year=2024
Normally, after sunset, the mountains become dark.
If you are climbing or hiking, be sure to bring your own headlights.
The crater is 1670 meters high.
It is colder than flat land, so also wear a sweater or down jacket (such as one that can be folded), or a waterproof (such as Gore-Tex) jumper so that it is OK even in the rain.

The link of the bus was wrong, so I'll put it on again.
https://www.yamakobus.jp/busroute1/c2z/

According to these pages, an adult man can go to Jizo Sancho station from Mt. Katta in about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
https://zaoropeway.co.jp/summer/trekking.php
https://www.yamareco.com/modules/yamareco/detail-3768429.html
https://fuufutozan.main.jp/page/2017zaousan.html

You can get more details about hiking if you ask at the tourist information center in Yamagata.
https://tic.jnto.go.jp/eng/detail.php?id=3340
https://tic.jnto.go.jp/eng/detail.php?id=4415

Last year's autumn leaves information was written here.
https://koyo.walkerplus.com/detail/ar0206e13042/
http://toocotton.jp/zao_koyo.html

do the buses operate daily in October as well?
Last year, we visited the crater on October 26. We had to rent a car as the bus stopped running by then.

Thank you so much for the information, haro1210!
I'm still not confident about doing the hike on my own and not miss the connecting bus.
Would have to think hard once again!

Thank you for your input too, liem!
Self-drive in Tohoku would have solved many of my problems, but unfortunately it won't be happening...

Congratulations, you inspired me to go ve it a try. Just booked a hotel in Zao onsen for mid October ☺️