Yamagata

With the itinerary arranged well, and having pre-booked group priority tickets for the Zao Ropeway upon arrival, we didn't waste time queuing and had more time to enjoy the beautiful snow-covered trees and take photos on the mountain. Lunch was also plentiful, featuring delicious local Yamagata cuisine. Our tour leader, Ms. Huang Lili, was very experienced, attentive, friendly, and provided excellent explanations. We were on a day trip on March 17th, and were very lucky to even see the snow-covered trees!

This visit to the Zao Fox Village in Miyagi Prefecture was a truly therapeutic experience. The park operates on a free-range system, allowing for close observation of the foxes' habits, making it perfect for ecology and photography enthusiasts. 1. Historical Origins: Founded in the 1990s, the Zao Fox Village was initially established for fox conservation and research, later evolving into a facility combining education and tourism. 2. Behavioral Observation: Foxes are among the few canids with feline characteristics (such as their pupils and climbing abilities), making it fascinating to observe their social behaviors (such as howling when fighting for territory). 3. Seasonal Requirement: The foxes shed their thick winter fur in winter, reaching their most fluffy and adorable peak appearance, making this the most recommended time to visit.

The other members of the tour group were very nice, and our tour guide, Xiao Zhang, explained everything clearly along the way. The fox village was more interesting than I expected. After we finished visiting, we were able to get some warmth on the tour bus when we returned early. It was a very friendly group, and I would definitely join a day tour again next time.

When we initially contacted them via text, the customer service responded quickly, was easy to communicate with, and understood our needs. Therefore, we chose the 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM service, which offered views of both daytime and evening scenery (0.5 hours round trip, plus 2 hours of free time at Ginzan Onsen, totaling 3 hours). The driver held up a sign at the designated location and time, which was very conspicuous at the Oishida Station exit. The service was friendly, making it a very pleasant trip.

Our tour guide, Tom, and driver, Mr. Wang, were incredibly friendly and provided excellent service. Although we couldn't see the snow-covered trees and the snowscape of Ginzan Onsen town due to the weather, it's all a matter of luck; the scenery was still beautiful and spectacular. We passed through the Tochigi Kogen rest stop along the way, where the tour guide recommended the local specialty strawberries, which were delicious and definitely worth buying. Dinner at the Naruko Onsen Kameya Hotel was excellent, and the public bath is a must-try. Although it's an older hotel, it's very well maintained, and the rooms are large, clean, and comfortable. Overall, the two-day experience was great, perfect for travelers who don't want to do much research or drive in the snow.

Despite the rain, the overall experience was good. The driver drove smoothly, and there was plenty of time. I would suggest stopping a little longer at the Tendo stop, as 50 minutes was too rushed for sushi, and the food service there is rather slow. We soaked our feet in the Ginzan Onsen foot bath, but since it was a weekday, many shops were closed. The place wasn't very big; it would have been better if we could have stayed until the lights came on.