2-Day Tohoku Tour of Japan | Ginzan Onsen, Yamadera Temple, Mogami River Cruise, Zao Ropeway, Fox Village, Okama Crater, Akibo Falls (Departing from Sendai)
- Strolling through the old streets of Ginzan Onsen, steeped in Taisho-style architecture, gaslights illuminate the wooden inns, and the winter night snowscape is dreamlike and enchanting—like stepping into the bathhouse world of Spirited Away, a fantastical scene straight out of a Miyazaki Hayao animation.
- Explore ancient temples and monasteries, climb stone steps to overlook layered mountains and red leaves, a tranquil paradise described by Matsuo Bashō.
- Get up close to the "Witch's Eye"—the emerald-green crater lake of Zao Ogama, a limited-time natural wonder.
- Take a sightseeing cruise on the Mogami River, listen to the boatman sing traditional boat songs live, and enjoy a local lunch of Ayu Shio-yaki (a type of grilled seafood).
- Visit the Tibetan King Fox Village, where hundreds of red foxes, silver foxes, and Arctic foxes roam freely, allowing you to observe hundreds of different species of foxes up close.
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The content of this product is provided by machine translation and may not reflect the actual information, please take this into consideration before booking.
- Two-Day Tour of Ginzan | A classic in-depth Tohoku journey departing from Sendai, exploring the most representative natural and cultural routes in Tohoku, including ancient temples, magnificent canyons, dreamlike hot spring towns, and stunning volcanic lakes. Starting from Sendai, enjoy a convenient bus ride with no transfers, led by a professional guide throughout, allowing you to deeply experience the pure charm of Tohoku.
- This is not just a sightseeing tour, but a "condensed classic Northeast China tour"—from ancient temples in the mountains to spectacular volcanic lakes, from poetic rivers to dreamy hot spring towns, a complete experience of the most representative scenery and culture of Northeast China. Suitable for: couples, families, friends, independent travelers; first-time visitors to Northeast China who want to experience the highlights in one go; and those who want to take travel photos with a "Japanese anime movie feel."
- The peak tourist seasons in Tohoku are April (cherry blossom season), August (Obon festival), November (autumn foliage season), and winter (Zaoju ice season). Places are very limited and fill up quickly, so it is recommended to book in advance to secure your spot.
Mogami River Sightseeing Boat (Furuguchi Port): Embark on a Mogami River sightseeing boat journey along the Mogami River, praised in Matsuo Bashō's "Oku no Hosomichi," and admire the natural beauty of the canyon banks throughout the four seasons. The journey takes approximately 50 minutes (12:50–13:40). The boatman will perform traditional Mogami River boat songs, immersing you in Japanese water transport culture and poetic scenery. The itinerary includes a Yamagata-style sweet potato soup and a set meal of grilled salted amberjack. Normally, you will disembark at Kusanagi Port and return to the bus. In case of strong winds, dense fog, or other weather conditions, the route may be adjusted to a round trip to Furuguchi Port, with the sailing time and price remaining unchanged. A complimentary Mogami River "Doll Release Activity" experience will also be provided for your blessings and good fortune.
Ginzan Onsen: Upon arrival, you will transfer to a shuttle bus to the entrance of Ginzan Onsen. From there, it's about a 2-3 minute walk to enter the onsen town. Ginzan Onsen is famous for its Taisho-era romantic atmosphere, lined with century-old wooden inns. The most representative of these, the Notoya Ryokan, is considered a classic landmark reminiscent of an anime scene. Stroll along the onsen waterways, across the bridges, and pastoral streetlights, immersing yourself in the rich nostalgic ambiance. This is why many travelers consider it one of the closest onsen towns to the world of Spirited Away. During your free time, you can take photos of the beautiful scenery, sample local desserts and coffee, enjoy a foot bath, or purchase Yamagata-style souvenirs, savoring a leisurely time in the onsen town.
Risshaku-ji Temple: Founded in 860 AD, Risshaku-ji is a famous ancient temple in the Tohoku region, boasting a history of over a thousand years. Wander along approximately 1,015 stone steps among ancient trees and rocks, experiencing a tranquil Zen atmosphere. The haiku master Matsuo Bashō left his famous lines from "Oku no Hosomichi" (The Narrow Road to the Deepest Parts) here. Climbing to the top of the Godaido (Great Hall), one can overlook the Yamagata Basin and magnificent mountain scenery.
Miyagi-Zao Fox Village: A popular attraction in the Tohoku region, Miyagi-Zao Fox Village houses over 100 foxes, including red foxes, silver foxes, and Arctic foxes. In traditional Japanese culture, foxes are considered messengers of Inari, the god of rice, symbolizing a bountiful harvest and good fortune. Visitors can observe the foxes roaming freely, playing, and resting in their natural environment, a truly enchanting sight, especially in winter when the snow-covered landscape and the foxes create a dreamlike scene. The park features photo areas and a souvenir shop, making it a popular spot for experiencing Japanese animal culture and taking unique photographs.
Zao Cable Car & Zao Onsen Town: Take the two-section Zao Cable Car to the higher Jizo summit station, enjoying the magnificent mountain scenery of the Zao mountain range along the way. At the summit, you can get up close to the Zao Jizo statue and overlook the plateau landscape. In winter, you can see the world-famous Zao ice trees, while in spring, summer, and autumn, you can admire the beautiful greenery and red leaves. After descending the mountain, enjoy a leisurely stroll through Zao Onsen Town, have lunch (at your own expense), and experience the complimentary local foot bath, immersing yourself in the centuries-old hot spring culture and relaxed atmosphere.
Lake Okama: Located atop the Zao Mountain Range, Lake Okama is a crater lake formed by a volcanic eruption. Because its waters display different colors depending on the weather and light, it is also known as "Five-Colored Lake" or "Witch's Eye." Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the magnificent volcanic landscape from the observation deck and visit the Karita-rei Shrine. It is open from approximately late April to early November each year. Spring offers views of the famous snow corridor, summer is ideal for escaping the heat and enjoying the scenery, and autumn provides stunning views of the autumn foliage. If Lake Okama is inaccessible due to winter closures or road restrictions, the itinerary will be changed to a ride on the Zao Ropeway to admire the world-famous Zao Ice Tree phenomenon.
Akiu Falls: One of Japan's 100 Best Falls for Autumn Foliage, best viewing period: late October to early November. (Limited time: November 5th - November 30th, 2026) Located on the outskirts of Sendai City, Akiu Falls is approximately 55 meters high and 6 meters wide. It is one of Japan's most famous waterfalls, ranking alongside Nachi Falls and Kegon Falls as one of Japan's three great waterfalls, and is also listed among Japan's "100 Famous Waterfalls".
Purchase Notice
[Tourism Conditions]
Travel departure point/destination: Miyagi/Yamagata
Trip duration: Two-day trip
Transportation: Chartered bus
Bus company name: Asahi/ドリーム観光
Meals: Breakfast once, lunch once, dinner none
Minimum group size: 4
Tour leader: 1 or driver/guide (for groups of 10 or fewer)
[Travel Planning/Implementation]
Operating Company Name: LION TRAVEL JAPAN Co., Ltd.
Address: 7th Floor, Toranomon Central Building, 1-7-1 Nishi-Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
License Number: Tourism Authority Registered Travel Agent No. 1892
Name of travel agency: Japan Travel Agents Association (General Incorporated Company), Regular Member
Reminders
A minimum of 4 traveler(s) are required for the tour to depart. If the number of participants does not reach the minimum requirement, the tour will be canceled. An email regarding tour cancellation will be sent 14 day(s) before the departure date
In case of delays caused by traffic, weather, or other force majeure factors resulting in the cancellation of some itinerary attractions, please contact customer service. We will arrange a partial refund for you
Please arrive at the designated location 10 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
Meals are not included for children under the age of 2
The itinerary's order, arrival times, and stopover times are for reference only. The itinerary will be flexibly adjusted according to the weather and on-site conditions. The actual route and content will be subject to on-site announcements. In the event of inclement weather or traffic conditions preventing visits to attractions, the tour leader reserves the right to change or cancel parts of the itinerary at any time for the safety of all participants. Participants will not be entitled to refunds or fee reductions for such reasons. On the day of the trip, due to road conditions, the stopover time at attractions may be adjusted or some attractions may be cancelled. Return arrival times may also be significantly delayed; please avoid scheduling activities on the evening of the trip. If the trip is terminated due to weather conditions or natural disasters after departure, refunds will be issued for the unfulfilled portion of the itinerary based on actual costs incurred. However, additional expenses such as return transportation costs or local accommodation costs must be borne by the traveler.
Images are for reference only; some photos containing people are AI-generated illustrations. Actual scenery, facilities, and activities may vary depending on factors such as season, weather, natural environment, shooting time, and on-site conditions. Please refer to the actual situation on the day of your visit. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Each passenger is limited to one suitcase. The maximum size of luggage that can be stored in the bus's luggage compartment is 120 cm in total length on three sides. If customers have special-sized luggage (such as golf clubs/strollers/skis/surfboards/wheelchairs/non-suitcase luggage, etc.), please indicate the type, quantity, and size of the items in the remarks when making the reservation. The bus company reserves the right to determine whether the luggage can be carried.
If you need to leave the group during the trip, please inform us in advance when registering and sign a departure consent form with the tour leader/guide on the day of the activity. Travelers who leave the group midway through the trip or do not complete the entire itinerary will be considered to have automatically forfeited the remaining itinerary and related rights, and no refunds will be given. Travelers are solely responsible for their own transportation arrangements, personal safety, and the safekeeping of their belongings after leaving the group. The organizer will not be liable for any losses or expenses incurred as a result. During free time, please pay attention to your personal safety and belongings. If you ignore warnings and an accident or loss occurs, you will be solely responsible.
The cable car ride may be subject to reservations and on-site conditions, using either the Zao Cable Car or the Zao Central Cable Car. If the cable car service is suspended due to unforeseen circumstances such as traffic or weather, the itinerary will be changed to a foot bath experience at Zao Onsen Town, and a refund of 3000 yen will be issued subsequently. Please be aware of this. Fox Village: One adult can only bring one child or infant into the park, and the adult must hold the child's hand at all times. Please be sure to indicate the number of people when making a reservation.
Pick-up and drop-off service: Pick-up and drop-off service from the meeting point or hotels in Sendai city.
Tour leader configuration: For groups of 10 or fewer, the driver will also act as the tour guide; for groups of 10 or more, a professional tour leader will be assigned.
When three guests are sharing a room, please select the "2 people per room" option and fill in the number of participants as 3. We will arrange a 3-person room according to the number of guests in the order. If you have special requests such as smoking/non-smoking rooms or allergy requirements, please make a note in advance. The hotel will make the final arrangements, and we apologize that we cannot make specific requests.
Infants under 2 years old who do not occupy a seat or bed can participate for free on the day of the event. Each adult can bring one eligible infant. If you are bringing an infant, please fill in the relevant information in the order remarks column. Children aged 2-5 years old who do not occupy a bed can purchase a child price; if a bed is required, please purchase a child price. When placing the order, please set the child's birth year to the year that qualifies for the child's eligibility and indicate the actual date of birth in the remarks column for processing purposes. Passengers aged 12 years and above are charged at the adult price. Passengers under 18 years of age cannot participate alone and must be accompanied by a passenger aged 18 years or older.
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