Zao

Seeing snow for the first time was fantastic for me overall. Our guide, Oliver, was excellent; he was very kind, spoke three languages, and actively guided us throughout the trip. The itinerary was very well-planned, with ample time to explore, take photos, and enjoy the scenery at each stop. The hotel was comfortable, and the driver was a very skilled driver. Although the bus seats were a bit small, they were generally quite comfortable. I was lucky enough to see beautiful snowscapes. Although the heavy snowfall prevented me from seeing the Zao Snow Trees that day, and I only reached the first level of the cable car, it was still incredibly breathtaking. The foxes were also very cute.

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! ❤️❤️❤️

The tour guide was professional and friendly, and the itinerary was perfectly timed.

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.

Although the journey was long and the itinerary was fulfilling, I look forward to returning sometime to experience what was missing. I was very fortunate to have a warm and responsible tour guide (Tommy), which made our trip unforgettable. Thank you!

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