Japan Tohoku Day Tour | Ginzan Onsen, Zao Okama, & Fox Village | Departing from Sendai (Shared Group / Private Charter)
- Fully Licensed "Green-Plate" Vehicles with experienced professional drivers.
- Depart from Sendai: More convenient, saving you time and effort.
- Multiple packages available with flexible options to suit your needs.
Package Options
Sightseeing Tours
| Tour Type | Shared tour |
| Transportation method | Transfer from meeting point |
| Minimum participant requirement | 4 travelers |
| Tour types | None |
| Meal arrangement | Arrange yourself |
| Sightseeing type | Natural sights |
| Transport | Charter car |
Product Info
The content of this product is provided by machine translation and may not reflect the actual information, please take this into consideration before booking.
- Attraction Introduction -
- Ginzan Onsen
Ginzan Onsen, located in Yamagata Prefecture, is named after the discovery of silver mines over 500 years ago. Wooden inns line the streets, with streams flowing gently by. At night, gaslights illuminate the entire street, creating a nostalgic and romantic atmosphere. This location was a filming location for the classic Japanese drama "Oshin" and is rumored to be the inspiration for the bathhouse in the anime "Spirited Away." Every winter, the snow-covered scenery and retro architecture create a dreamlike scene, attracting countless travelers.
* For the Ginzan Onsen shuttle bus, it is recommended that travelers purchase tickets in advance on the official website .
- Zao Tree in Yamagata (It is recommended that visitors purchase cable car tickets in advance on the official website to shorten the waiting time on site.)
Zao Snow Trees are one of the most spectacular natural wonders in the Tohoku region during winter. Due to the terrain and climate, cold water droplets adhere to the coniferous trees, which are then covered with thick snow, forming snow-like ice formations. As you ascend by cable car, a silvery-white world unfolds before your eyes, a magnificent spectacle that is truly breathtaking. This is a winter-only natural wonder that you shouldn't miss.
- Zao Fox Village
Zao Fox Village, located in Miyagi Prefecture, is the only fox-themed amusement park in Japan. Home to over a hundred foxes, each with their own lively and adorable personality, some lazily sunbathing, others nimbly running around, their antics are incredibly soothing. Visitors can also observe, feed, and take photos with the foxes in designated areas. In winter, the park is covered in snow, adding to its fairytale-like atmosphere, making it one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Tohoku region.
- Okama
Located at the summit of the Zao Mountain Range, Okama is a crater lake formed by volcanic activity. Its waters shift through a kaleidoscope of colors—from emerald green to deep sapphire—depending on the light and season, earning it the name "The Eye of Zao." It is named "Okama" (Kettle) for its distinctive cauldron-like shape and is renowned for its mysterious, ethereal beauty.
※ Regarding vehicle selection for private charter car services (licensed green-plated vehicles):
- JPN TAXI (4-seater)
- ALPHARD (5-seater)
- HIACE (9-seater)
※ Luggage quantity limit
4-seater: Maximum of 2 standard-sized suitcases
5-seater: Maximum of 4 standard-sized suitcases
9-seater: Maximum of 7 to 8 standard-sized suitcases
- Special Notes -
- Depending on the type of vehicle, large luggage may not be allowed. Passengers are advised to bring light luggage.
- The carpooling plan will arrange a suitable vehicle type based on the actual number of passengers, and we regret that we cannot specify which vehicle type is available.
- Passengers are counted from age 0 onwards.
- If you are traveling with an infant under 3 years old, please inform us when booking.
- It is not recommended for people over 80 years of age with mobility issues or those with serious illnesses to participate.
- Please note that return travel time may vary depending on road conditions on the day.
4-seater car illustration
5-seater vehicle illustration
Schematic diagram of a 9-seater car
Purchase Notice
【Travel Conditions】
Travel origin and destination: Miyagi and Yamagata
Travel days: Round trip
Transportation: Chartered vehicle
Bus company name: Sendai Chuo Travel Co., Ltd. Yabuki Travel Co., Ltd.
Meals: Breakfast 0 times, Lunch 0 times, Dinner 0 times
Accommodation facilities: None
Minimum group size: 4
Team leader: 0
【Travel Planning/Implementation】
Name of the operating company: J&R Tokyo Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Address: 〒163-1309 6-5-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
License Number: Osaka Prefecture Governor's Travel Business Registration No. 2-2181
Travel Association Name: Regular member of the National Association of Travel Agents (Osaka Prefecture Branch), Regular member of the Osaka Prefecture Travel Agents Association, JATA Cooperating 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 4 day(s) before the departure date
In the event of inclement weather such as typhoons or snowstorms, a decision on whether to cancel the tour will be made 1 day(s) before departure (local time 12:00). Notifications will then be sent via email
Travelers with the following conditions or other health issues that could be worsened by excessive stimulation should not participate in this activity: Pregnant women, High blood pressure, Heart disease, Acrophobia, Asthma, Epilepsy
Please arrive at the designated location 10 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
Please provide a contactable phone number, as well as WhatsApp or WeChat, when placing your order for emergency contact. Due to regional restrictions on LINE in Japan, please provide other valid contact methods. Thank you for your cooperation.
This is a shared ride tour where you will be traveling with other passengers. The type of vehicle will be arranged according to the actual number of passengers and cannot be specified. Please be aware of this.
No one may leave the group without permission during the trip. If you leave the group midway, it will be considered a voluntary abandonment, and no refund will be given for the uncompleted portion. You will also be responsible for any related risks.
During peak tourist seasons or other special circumstances, departure times may be earlier or slightly later than scheduled. Please prepare accordingly.
The transportation, sightseeing, and stopover times involved in the itinerary are subject to change based on the actual situation on the day. If the Zao Cable Car is closed, the Central Cable Car will be used instead. Thank you for your understanding.
In the event of inclement weather or other force majeure, the driver will adjust the itinerary attractions or the order of the tours, or cancel part of the itinerary based on the actual situation and with the guest's consent. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
To ensure a smooth trip, please arrive at the meeting point on time. Latecomers will not be waited for. If you are late or do not arrive due to personal reasons, it will be considered as a no-attendance, and no refund will be given.
Children aged 0 and above are counted as passengers. Please note that child safety seats are not provided in this vehicle.
Private charter car service: Due to the limited travel time of the private charter car trip, if the trip is delayed due to the passenger's personal factors, an overtime fee of 2,500 yen per 30 minutes will be charged. Thank you for your understanding.
Please note that this tour does not include a tour guide; instead, it is led by a Japanese or Chinese-speaking driver. Drivers are assigned randomly, and requests for a specific language or other languages cannot be accommodated. If necessary, simple communication can be facilitated using translation software. We appreciate your understanding.
As this is a small-group tour, the vehicle may have limited space for large luggage depending on the car type. We recommend bringing only light carry-on items on the day of the trip.
This tour is not recommended for infants, seniors over 70 with limited mobility, pregnant women, or individuals with serious medical conditions.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellations 5 day(s) (inclusive) before the selected date are allowed. Unused orders can be canceled for free
- For cancellations made 3 to 4 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 30% will apply
- For cancellations made 2 to 2 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 40% will apply
- For cancellations made 1 to 1 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 50% will apply
- Cancellation is not allowed between 0–0 days from the selected date. Orders cannot be canceled or modified, and refunds will not be granted.
- Due to time zone differences, the confirmed cancellation date is based on the supplier’s local time. Please allow 2–5 business days to process your cancellation request, after which the cancellation fee will be charged according to the product’s cancellation policy. Once the cancellation is confirmed, you will receive your refund within 14 working days.
FAQ
The most classic snowy scenery at Ginzan Onsen typically appears in winter, especially from December to February. During this period, the old wooden buildings are covered in white snow, creating a picturesque and dreamlike atmosphere, which is even more stunning when illuminated at night. Besides winter, the fresh greenery of spring and the autumn foliage also offer their own unique charms, suitable for visitors with different preferences.
The biggest feature of Miyagi Zao Fox Village is the opportunity to observe six different species of foxes up close, including Arctic foxes and silver foxes. You can experience feeding the foxes in open areas (subject to park regulations) and witness their adorable behavior in their natural environment. The park also offers experiences like holding baby foxes or taking photos with them, as well as a shop selling fox-themed souvenirs.
For visiting Miyagi Zao Fox Village, a general recommendation for the duration is about 1.5 to 2 hours. This time is sufficient to explore the main areas of the park, observe different types of foxes, and participate in experiences like feeding or photo opportunities. If you wish to take more leisurely photos or browse for souvenirs, you can allocate more time.
Miyagi Zao Fox Village usually does not require advance booking for admission. However, due to its relatively inconvenient transportation, most visitors opt for tours that include transportation, such as bus services or private charters departing from Sendai. Booking such tours through KKday not only ensures convenient transportation but also eliminates the hassle of planning your own route, allowing you to reach the village with ease.
The main convenience of joining a tour from Sendai city to Ginzan Onsen is that you don't need to plan complex transportation routes yourself. The tours typically provide dedicated shuttle services; you only need to gather at a designated meeting point to be comfortably taken directly to Ginzan Onsen. This not only saves time and effort from transferring between trains and buses but, especially in winter, avoids the difficulties of driving in snow or waiting for public transport, making the journey more relaxed and convenient.
Besides driving from Sendai city to Miyagi Zao Fox Village, public transportation is relatively inconvenient and has infrequent services. You can take a bus departing from JR Shiroishi Station, but the bus schedule is limited. Therefore, many travelers choose to join local day tours that include round-trip transportation. These tours provide dedicated shuttle services, significantly saving travel time, and are a recommended way to reach the Fox Village.
The best viewing season for Zao's snow monsters (Juhyo) is typically during the deep winter, from late December to early March. During this period, the temperature is low enough and there is sufficient snowfall to form these spectacular 'ice-covered trees.' The period from late January to late February is when the snow monsters are at their largest and most uniquely shaped. You can take a ropeway to overlook this unique white forest from above.
Tours that include destinations like Ginzan Onsen and the Fox Village typically use legitimate green-license commercial vehicles, ensuring legality and safety. These vehicles are accompanied by experienced professional drivers who are familiar with local road conditions, especially crucial for ensuring passenger safety and comfort when driving on snowy roads in winter. This service allows you to avoid the fatigue of self-driving and focus on enjoying the beautiful scenery during your trip.
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