Yamagata City

The planning was excellent; the fox was molting at the time, and at first glance, I thought it was a dog. The weather was perfect – the Okama was absolutely gorgeous, and the cool, refreshing Ginzan Onsen weather made it a great place to visit in winter. I'm giving myself another chance to go!

We met early at Sendai Station on December 25, 2025, and drove to Ginzan Onsen (with a short rest stop along the way where everyone could use the restroom). Although it was raining quite heavily and there was only a patch of snow on the roadside, the beautiful scenery and the hot spring steamed buns (you must buy the fried steamed buns, they're super delicious!) made for a very enjoyable experience. Lunch was a set meal, the portions weren't large, but you could buy some extra food yourself. In the afternoon, we arrived at Zao Ropeway Station. Luckily, there were no queues, and the subsequent heavy snowfall added to the Christmas atmosphere. The tour guide was very enthusiastic and attentive, making us feel very comfortable. She even distributed Christmas candies before the trip, creating a festive atmosphere!

The itinerary was comprehensive, the lunch was delicious, and the tour guide was responsible, providing information about the itinerary and other attractions in Sendai. The time management was excellent, and we returned to Sendai Station promptly at 7:00 PM. However, having an extra half hour to spend at Ginzan Onsen would have been more beneficial.