Meet the Snow Monsters in Mt. Zao
Duration: 5 days
Highlights: Get out of the city and up into the mountains of Yamagata Prefecture to enjoy a truly “winter wonderland” experience, the Snow Monster of Zao Mountain near the Zao Onsen Ski Resort.
This evening illumination of the top peaks, blanketed by massive snowfalls, highlights the stunning winter scenery of northern Honshu. Add to this exhilarating skiing, soothing hot springs and a timeless ambiance and you have the recipe for a memorable Japanese winter experience.
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Itinerary
Day 1 - Tokyo - Ginzan Onsen
This morning meet your assistant and transfer to Tokyo Station where you board your Shinkansen to Ooishida Station, Yamagata Prefecture (northern Honshu) (approximately three hours and 15 minutes). On arrival and after disembarking from the train you will transfer to your ryokan to check-in.
Ginzan Onsen is a secluded hot spring town nestled in the mountains of Yamagata Prefecture – the village is famous for its rustic wooden architecture that lends an air of nostalgia for a long-lost era.
Overnight: Takimikan
Meal Plan: D
Day 2 - Ginzan Onsen - Zao Onsen
This morning, following breakfast, meet your guide and commence a full-day tour of Sagae and Yamanobe two charming towns in Yamagata Prefecture.
You will first visit the Furusawa Sake Brewery Museum which is located in Sagae (travel time is approximately one and a half hours) first established in 1836 and has produced outstanding sakes for more than 170 years. The Sake Brewery Museum, originally part of the wine cellar built in 1917, was opened to the public in 1986. Visitors can enjoy both a tour of the museum and also sample a variety of different sakes produced in the brewery.
You will then transfer to Yamanobe to visit a traditional carpet workshop factory, “Yamagata Dantsu”. This is the only Japanese carpet maker that continues to produce carpets using the complete process from twine and threads to dyeing and to final weaving. This carpet workshop is a preservation project spearheaded by two important experts: the architect, Kengo Kuma and Ken Okuyama, designer for Ferrari.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. After a full-day of sightseeing, you will be transferred to your ryokan to check-in
Overnight: Takamiya Ryokan Miyamaso
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Day 3 - Zao Onsen
Today you will be at leisure to enjoy skiing as you please or take a professional skiing lesson with an English-speaking ski instructor at Zao Onsen Ski Resort.
This evening experience the marvel and wonder of the “snow monsters” that form around the peak of Zao Ski Resort – access to the spectacle is via a ropeway and gondola car. This stunning natural phenomenon is most spectacular around the middle of February.
Overnight: Takamiya Ryokan Miyamaso
Meal Plan: B,D
Day 4 - Zao Onsen
Today you will be at leisure to enjoy skiing as you please or take a professional skiing lesson with an English-speaking ski instructor at Zao Onsen Ski Resort
Overnight: Takamiya Ryokan Miyamaso
Meal Plan: B,D
Day 5 - Zao Onsen - Tokyo
This morning, following breakfast, meet your assistant and transfer to Yamagata Station where you board your Shinkansen to Tokyo Station (approximately two hours and 40 minutes). On arrival into Tokyo Station you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Tokyo.
Overnight:
Meal Plan: B
