Sendai

The price was high, but the convenience was undeniable. They picked me up from the hotel, and while the driver was a bit reserved and didn't say much, it was still acceptable – at least he didn't try to strike up a conversation, which could have been awkward. Highway tolls and parking fees were added, so the actual price was a bit higher. It was a great travel experience, saving me the hassle of queuing, transferring, and parking; I could just get out and start exploring.

January 11, 2026. My mom and I participated in this one-day tour. The itinerary was excellent, with both a Japanese-speaking and a Chinese-speaking tour leader. This was a local travel agency specializing in these types of tours, and it had several advantages: 1. Reduced the fatigue of driving and traveling independently. 2. No worries about transportation transfers in bad weather. 3. No need to queue for cable car tickets; the travel agency had already purchased them for us, guaranteeing a spot at the summit. 4. We could use the fast-track immigration process. Although there were long queues, it was much faster than usual. Ginzan Onsen was also very crowded, and the ground was incredibly slippery (remember to wear non-slip shoes!). My balance is terrible, so my mom had to support me. Our Chinese-speaking tour leader, Lulu, was very kind; she helped my mom to prevent her from falling and helped translate when we stopped for food. Although we couldn't communicate with the Japanese-speaking tour leader, she stayed by our side and even helped take photos. The driver worked very hard; driving in this weather requires excellent skills, and I felt very safe riding in his car. Thank you for taking care of me all day, you worked so hard! 🙏🏻 Although there was a blizzard at the summit, so we had to turn back after less than 500 meters 🤣, it gives me a reason to come back again. My mom said this was her favorite day of the trip. Although the weather wasn't good and we didn't see any tree ice, we did see snow. She said you can't see snow on good weather days, so she was very satisfied overall. Highly recommend it to everyone! ❤️❤️❤️

Although it was a shared tour without a guide, the driver was very friendly, the ride was smooth, and the time was well managed. The Fox Village and Zao Snow Tree cable car trip was interesting and the scenery was beautiful and spectacular; however, in winter, you need to wear enough warm clothing and hats to visit Zao Snow Tree.

It's convenient, fast, and the process isn't too complicated. You can pre-select a later train to reserve a seat and ensure you have a designated seat. You can also tell the station staff in advance that you can change to an earlier train to get a non-reserved seat!

Matsushima is beautiful; if you go in the afternoon, you can see the sunset, making for a wonderful travel experience.