Ginzan Onsen & Zao Ropeway 2-Day Tour | Including Hot Spring Accommodation, Breakfast & Dinner | Departs from Tokyo
- Directly from Tokyo to a manga-like snowy world, experience the unique charm of Tohoku!
- Ouchi-juku: Time-travel to the unrealistic streets of the Edo period (VIP Ginzanso plan only)
- Enter a romantic hot spring town with a nostalgic atmosphere: Ginzan Hot Springs
- Take the Zao Ropeway and admire the breathtaking spectacle of the snow monster
- Watch wild foxes, forest spirits
- Special scarce resources, stay in Silver Mountain Villa VIP exquisite small group optional
- More reasonable time, immersive experience of the ultimate romantic "Snow Country Scenery"
Sightseeing Tours
| Tour Type | Small Group |
| Transportation method | Transfer from meeting point |
| Luggage limit | 1 piece |
| Minimum participant requirement | 6 travelers |
| Tour types | None |
| Meal arrangement | Breakfast included, With dinner, Arrange yourself |
| Accommodation type | Hotel |
| Room type | Double room |
| Seasonal | Winter Snow Exclusive |
| Sightseeing type | Natural sights |
| Transport | Bus tour |
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.
This product contains multiple plans, and the unit price and itinerary are different for different plans.
Only guests who choose to stay at Silver Villa will stay at Silver Villa. Guests with other options will not stay at Silver Villa.
Plan A (up to 8 people)
DAY1:
7:00～ Depart from Tokyo Mode Gakuen
14:30 Ginzan Onsen Hot Spring Street
19:00 Mercure Miyagi Zao Resort & Spa or similar hotels nearby
DAY2:
7:30 Dinner at the hotel
8:30 Depart from hotel
10:00-12:00 Zao Central Cable Car (cable car ticket not included, please queue up to purchase)
13:30 Zao Fox Village
19:00 Shinjuku West Exit disbands
Plan B VIP Silver Villa Tour (up to 6 people)
DAY1:
7:00～ Depart from Tokyo Mode Gakuen
11:00-12:30 Stay at Ouchi (lunch not included, please eat at your own expense)
3:00 PM - Check in to Ginzan Hot Springs, Ginzanso (breakfast and dinner included)
17:00 - Free time at Ginzan Onsen Hot Springs
DAY2:
7:30 Dinner at the hotel
8:30 Depart from hotel
9:50-13:30 Zao Juhyo Cable Car (cable car ticket not included, please queue up to purchase)
19:00 Shinjuku West Exit disbands
Option B: Ouchi-juku is renowned for its well-preserved appearance as a post town from the Edo period. The streets are lined with approximately 30 thatched-roof houses, creating a unique landscape and earning it a designation as an Important Preservation Area for Traditional Buildings.
Ouchi-juku has no telephone poles or modern billboards, and it feels like stepping back in time to the Edo period.
Ginzan Onsen, located in Obanazawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, is a representative hot spring town in Japan, renowned for its cluster of nostalgic wooden inns. The traditional buildings, neatly arranged along the hot spring river, combined with the heavy winter snow, create a dreamlike scene reminiscent of something out of a manga or film.
Originally prosperous due to silver mining, it earned the name "Ginzan." From the Edo period through the Taisho and Showa periods, it gradually developed into a hot spring resort. Today, the cluster of wooden inns, still reminiscent of the Taisho era, are a popular tourist attraction.
Due to the narrow entrance to Ginzan Onsen, you'll need to transfer to a minibus at the Taisho Romankan near the entrance. Once you arrive, queue up for the bus. Please bring your own small change; the bus fee is 500 yen per person. Guests staying in the Ginzanso package do not need to transfer or pay for the shuttle bus; the driver will take you directly to the hotel entrance. You will be picked up at the hotel the following morning.
The Standard Package includes dinner and breakfast, all served buffet style. Guests are accommodated at Mercure Miyagi Zao Resort & Spa or a similar hotel. Guests are kindly requested to choose their own food.
Challenge the wonders of nature—Zao's frost-covered trees. Please note: The ride time is subject to change depending on cable car availability. If the Zao Cable Car is blocked, you'll be transferred to the Zao Chuo Cable Car. This tour does not include Zao Ropeway tickets (4,400 yen per person), so please purchase them separately!
Zao Central Cable Car: Enjoy the coffee terrace, forest view, and beautiful ice and snow books; Zao Summit Cable Car: Enjoy the snow monster (juhyo) view and the snow-covered mountain top. Each has its own unique scenery. These natural landscapes can only be seen in winter and are a must-see in your lifetime!
Plan A: Foxes are wild animals, so touching them is not recommended. The park and the tour operator are not responsible for bites. Please be mindful of safety! If the cable car line is too long, the cable car will be prioritized and the Fox Village visit will be cancelled. Plan B does not include the Fox Village visit.
Purchase Notice
[Travel Conditions]
Travel Departure Point & Destination: Tokyo, Yamagata/Miyagi
Trip duration: 1 night 2 days
Transportation: Chartered bus
Bus company name: スカイ観光バス Co., Ltd./Gunma セイワ観光 Co., Ltd./スターバス Co., Ltd./KEY Co., Ltd. JAPAN/ニューhengjong/Oshima Kanko Co., Ltd./Nisshin Kanko Co., Ltd./Yahagi Kanko Co., Ltd.
Meals included: Breakfast (1 serving), Lunch (0 servings), Dinner (1 serving)
Accommodation facilities: Miyagi Zao Mercure Onsen Resort Hotel or similar
Minimum group size: 6
Team Leader: 1
【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 Registered Travel Agent No. 2-2181
Travel industry association name: Full member of Japan Travel Industry Association (Osaka Prefecture branch)
Full member of the general corporate body Travel Industry Association (Osaka Prefecture Travel Industry Association)
JATA is an associate member
Reminders
A minimum of 6 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 14 day(s) before the departure date
In case of delays caused by traffic, weather, or other force majeure factors resulting in the cancellation of some itinerary attractions, please contact customer service. We will arrange a partial refund for you
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 18:00). 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: Acrophobia, Pregnant women, Heart disease, Asthma, Epilepsy, High blood pressure
Please arrive at the designated location 10 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
The following groups are not recommended to join this tour: elderly people over 70 years old with limited mobility, pregnant women, and people with serious health problems.
If you fail to arrive at the meeting point on time, it will be deemed that you have automatically given up the trip and the fee will not be refunded. Please understand.
The itinerary is subject to change based on traffic and weather conditions. If the Zao Ropeway is unavailable, the Chuo Ropeway will be used instead. You must depart Ginzan Onsen at 5:00 PM. If snow or traffic conditions prevent you from stopping, you may miss Ouchi-juku to ensure you have access to Ginzan Onsen.
Different types of vehicles will be arranged for the trip depending on the number of people traveling.
Passengers aged 0 and above are charged. If you are traveling with an infant under 3 years old who does not occupy a seat, please be sure to indicate this when booking.
Each passenger is allowed to carry one piece of luggage free of charge (recommended maximum size: 26 inches).
The hotel rooms are for 2 people per room and do not provide room sharing or family rooms.
This tour does not include a tour guide; you will be led by an English-speaking or Chinese-speaking driver. Driver language cannot be specified, and no other language services are provided. If needed, only basic communication via translation software will be possible.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellations 9 day(s) (inclusive) before the selected date are allowed. Unused orders can be canceled for free
- Cancellation is not allowed between 0–8 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
For a complete experience of Ginzan Onsen, especially to enjoy its unique gas-lit evening ambiance, an overnight stay is highly recommended. While a quick daytime visit is possible, spending at least 3-4 hours exploring during the day, followed by enjoying the illuminations and a traditional hot spring bath in the evening, allows for a truly immersive experience. This product includes overnight accommodation.
Ginzan Onsen is renowned for its enchanting, nostalgic atmosphere, reminiscent of Japan's Taisho era. Its beautifully preserved wooden ryokan (traditional inns) line the Ginzan River, illuminated by gas lamps in the evenings, creating a picturesque "Spirited Away" like scenery, especially magical when covered in snow. This unique setting makes it a highly sought-after destination for romantic getaways and photography.
Visitors to Ginzan Onsen are encouraged to respect the peaceful, traditional atmosphere. When using public footbaths or hot springs, always wash thoroughly beforehand. Be mindful of noise levels, especially in the evenings, to preserve the quiet ambiance. During winter, be prepared for heavy snow and follow any local advisories regarding walking paths.
At Ouchi-juku, visitors can step back in time to the Edo period. This remarkably preserved post town features a main street lined with traditional thatched-roof houses, offering a glimpse into historical Japanese life. You can explore local shops, sample regional delicacies like negi soba (buckwheat noodles eaten with a leek), and soak in the authentic, rustic charm of a bygone era.
To best view Zao's iconic Snow Monsters (Juhyo), take the Zao Ropeway, which consists of two main sections: the Zao Sanroku Line and the Zao Chojyo Line. The entire one-way journey, from Zao Sanroku Station to Juhyo Kogen Station, and then to Jizo Sancho Station, takes approximately 18 minutes (8 minutes for the first section, 10 minutes for the second), offering panoramic views of the monsters as you ascend.
Viewing Zao's Snow Monsters is an extraordinary winter experience, transforming the mountain into an otherworldly landscape of giant, ice-covered trees. Visitors can walk among these natural art forms, often illuminated at night for an even more magical sight. While self-exploration is possible, guided tours are available within the Zao Onsen area to enhance understanding and navigate the snowy terrain safely, providing insights into this natural phenomenon.
Traveling to Ginzan Onsen from Tokyo typically involves a combination of Shinkansen and local buses, which can be time-consuming and require multiple transfers. For a comprehensive and hassle-free experience, especially when combined with other destinations like Zao, participating in a multi-day guided tour departing from Tokyo is highly recommended. This ensures convenient transportation, accommodation, and a structured itinerary.
A multi-day tour to Ginzan Onsen and Zao typically includes accommodation at a comfortable hot spring hotel or ryokan, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the onsen experience. These tours often feature traditional Japanese meals, with both breakfast and dinner usually provided. This offers a convenient way to enjoy local cuisine and relax after a day of sightseeing.
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