Zao Fox Village & Ginzan Hot Spring Bus One Day Tour
- Our itinerary includes meals and basic entrance fees.
- Popular hot spring resort - Ginzan Onsen
- Experience the street scenes of a hot spring town reminiscent of the movie "Spirited Away".
- Zao Fox Village lets you get up close and personal with adorable foxes.
- Lunch will include Shiraishi Zao's famous warm noodles.
On the following dates, guests of this tour can skip the long shuttle bus queues and easily enter the Ginzan Onsen town, which is full of nostalgic atmosphere.
(Please stay tuned for continuous updates!)
February: 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28
March: 2,3**
Package Options
Sightseeing Tours
| Tour Type | Shared tour |
| Transportation method | Transfer from meeting point |
| Minimum participant requirement | 15 travelers |
| Meal arrangement | Lunch included |
| Sightseeing type | Natural sights, Bus tour |
| Transport | Bus tour |
Product Info
Purchase Notice
【Important Notes Before Booking】
Participants must be 7 years of age or older to participate in this activity. Children aged 7-12 must be accompanied by a paying adult. If the minimum number of participants (15) is not reached within 10 days prior to the scheduled date, the tour may be cancelled.
Please note that large luggage is not allowed during the tour.
If there are fewer participants, smaller vehicles may be used instead of large buses.
[Important Notes for Ginzan Onsen]
Please note that closing times for shops in Ginzan Onsen vary by shop, with some shops closing in the evening.
Please note that there may be long wait times for shuttle buses to Ginzan Onsen town.
[Important Notes about Zao Fox Village]
Be careful, foxes are very interested in moving objects.
Please avoid wearing flowing skirts, sweatpants, or other clothing with drawstrings at the hem, as well as tank tops with belts, drawstrings, or other swaying items hanging from the back.
Please avoid wearing slippers, sandals, and high heels.
Once inside, please do not linger near the entrance. Do not touch the foxes in the area, as they may bite. No one is allowed to enter except through the passageways. Do not walk anywhere outside the pedestrian walkways.
In addition, the stone walls and benches are for foxes only. Please do not sit on them.
When feeding foxes, please use special food from dedicated feeding stations.
Please be careful not to drop anything.
Please bring only the minimum amount of personal belongings you may have when entering.
Foxes are very sensitive to the sound of plastic bags and the sound of something being taken out of a pocket. Be careful when you are behind or around a fox, as they may mistake it for food and jump on it.
Maintaining eye contact with foxes for extended periods is dangerous, as they may swarm and harass you. Do not sit on the ground.
Please avoid getting too close to the fox for photography or other reasons. The fox may bite you or pull your hair when you take a selfie with a selfie stick.
The use of drones is prohibited.
Please be sure to follow the instructions of the Fox Village staff, as photography is prohibited in some areas.
Cancellation Policy [Cancellation fees are based on Japan time, please note.]
Cancellation Fee: Full refund for cancellations made more than 11 days before the selected date; cancellations made 8-10 days before the selected date incur a 20% cancellation fee.
Cancellation between 2 and 7 days prior to the selected date will incur a 30% fee.
Cancellation one day prior to the selected date (on the same day) will incur a 40% cancellation fee.
Cancellation on the selected date will incur a 50% handling fee.
Reminders
**- Depart from Ginzan Hot Spring Ginzanso and return to Taisho Romancekan around 16:00-16:30.
(But please note that due to crowding, you may have to wait more than 1 hour to catch the shuttle bus.)
The journey ends when you arrive at the Sendai Station East Exit Sightseeing Bus Stop.
There are often delays when departing from Ginzan Onsen, so the scheduled time to arrive at Sendai Station will vary. **
Please arrive at the meeting point 10 minutes before the bus departure time on the day of the tour.
If you are late for the meeting point and time on the day of the tour, you may not be able to join the tour
According to Japanese law, please fasten your seat belt on the bus
There are no restrooms on the bus, but we will go to rest stops with restrooms along the way.
If there are few participants, other smaller vehicles may be used instead of the large bus.
The tour may be cancelled due to bad weather before departure. The tour fee will be refunded, but you will be responsible for the transportation to the meeting point
The tour may be cancelled or interrupted due to bad weather or unexpected events.
Please come wearing non-slip shoes and temperature-regulating clothing. The weather in the Northeast has great variations in temperature
Please follow the instructions of the assistant staff and Fox Village staff on the day of your tour.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellations 11 day(s) (inclusive) before the selected date are allowed. Unused orders can be canceled for free
- For cancellations made 8 to 10 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 20% will apply
- For cancellations made 2 to 7 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 30% will apply
- For cancellations made 1 to 1 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 40% will apply
- Cancellation is not allowed between 0–0 days from the selected date. Orders cannot be canceled or modified, and refunds will not be granted.
- Due to time zone differences, the confirmed cancellation date is based on the supplier’s local time. Please allow 2–5 business days to process your cancellation request, after which the cancellation fee will be charged according to the product’s cancellation policy. Once the cancellation is confirmed, you will receive your refund within 14 working days.
FAQ
Visitors typically spend about 60 to 90 minutes exploring Zao Fox Village. This allows ample time to observe the foxes in their natural habitat, visit the various enclosures, and browse the souvenir shop. The duration may vary based on your interest level and how much time you wish to spend watching the foxes and other small animals.
Tickets for Zao Fox Village can be purchased directly at the entrance gate upon arrival. Alternatively, for a more convenient and hassle-free experience that includes transportation and admission, you can book a full-day tour that covers entry to Zao Fox Village. Booking through KKday allows you to secure your tour arrangements in advance, ensuring a seamless journey with organized transfers.
To ensure both visitor and animal safety, it is crucial to follow the village's strict guidelines. Visitors should avoid touching or petting the foxes, as they are wild animals. Feeding is restricted to designated areas with special food purchased on-site. It's recommended to maintain a safe distance and walk slowly, observing from a respectful space. Supervise children closely at all times.
Reaching Zao Fox Village by public transportation can be challenging due to its somewhat remote location. The most convenient option is often to join a bus tour, which typically includes direct transportation from major cities or train stations. Self-driving or taking a taxi from Shiroishi-Zao Station are other possibilities, but tours provide a straightforward, guided experience without the need to navigate.
Ginzan Hot Spring offers a charming, nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of old Japan, especially captivating in the evening when the gas lamps illuminate the traditional ryokans along the river. Visitors can enjoy leisurely strolls along the Ginzan River, relax in public foot baths, and explore the quaint wooden architecture. It's a popular spot for photography and enjoying local culinary delights.
Tours visiting Zao Fox Village and Ginzan Hot Spring often include a local specialty for lunch, providing a taste of the region's cuisine. A common inclusion is Shiraishi Zao's famous warm noodles (Umen). This offers a delicious and hearty meal to fuel your day of exploration, ensuring a convenient dining experience as part of the tour.
Visitors can observe a large number of foxes roaming freely within the village, offering opportunities to see them up close in a semi-natural environment. While direct petting is generally not allowed for safety reasons, visitors can purchase special food and feed them in designated feeding areas, creating memorable photo opportunities and an engaging experience with these animals.
Both Zao Fox Village and Ginzan Hot Spring offer distinct charm throughout the year. Winter, with its snow-covered landscapes, provides a magical setting for Ginzan Hot Spring and adorable foxes playing in the snow. Autumn brings vibrant fall foliage. Spring and summer allow for comfortable outdoor exploration with lush scenery, making each season uniquely appealing for a visit.
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