Things to do in Yamagata

• Age 10～Age 80
• 4～5 hours

[January to March] Snow trekking to the magnificent ice waterfall in Zao, Yamagata. Every winter, the entire huge waterfall freezes, creating an ice waterfall about 30 meters high and several tens of meters wide. Its power cannot be conveyed in a photo. A world of ice spreads out like a movie. On the route, you can also see large ice trees called monsters. This is a popular tour of YAMAGATA EXPERIENCE, where you can experience ice waterfalls, ice trees, and Zao's mountain worship. Step into the silvery world that spreads across Zao in search of unknown spectacular views! [Very popular with participants! Comprehensive support for this tour] ・Safety efforts The path to the ice waterfall includes steep descents and climbs, but experienced guides certified by the Zao Bodaira Tourism Council will guide you safely. We operate tours for more than 40 days in a season and have the most number of ice waterfalls in the area! To prevent slipping, we create stairs with shovels and carefully select routes, making the safety of participants our number one priority. ・Portable toilets availableEven in places where there are no toilets, our tour guides will carry a tent-type portable toilet! It can be used during the tour, so women can safely hydrate. ・Providing hot waterAt lunchtime, our guides will provide hot water. You can warm your body and fill your stomach with instant noodles without having to carry a heavy water bottle. ・Gift of drink ticketsAfter the tour, we will give you a ticket for the drink bar that you can use at the rest house! You can soothe your fatigue with a hot drink. ・Gift of memorable photos for freeWe will deliver the photo data taken by the guide during the tour to you on the same day! You can enjoy the photos of your smile and the beautiful scenery as irreplaceable memories even after the tour. [Tour route information]To get there, take two lifts at Zao Liza World Ski Resort to the top of the ski resort. From the middle of the second lift, you will see a frost-covered area with a series of large ice monsters. You can enjoy viewing the frost-covered trees. From the end of the lift, we will mainly wear crampons and head downhill to the ice waterfall. Once we arrive safely at Senninzawa Ice Garden, we will take photos and take a break in front of the ice waterfall. You can enjoy the mysterious world of ice. In the second half, we will climb back up the steep slope and change into snowshoes. We will walk on the fluffy new snow, slide on our butts, and on the way back, we will walk through the forest that only guided tours can enter without using the lift and descend to the ski resort. *Lunch will be on the snow during the tour. Don't worry if you can't reach the ice waterfall due to field conditions! In this tour, we will guide you on an extreme ice field route that you can't experience anywhere else with snowshoes. You can enjoy full-body activities in the spectacular world of ice trees that you can only enter with a guide. It is a valuable experience that allows you to feel the charm of DEEP ZAO in every corner!

• Age 1～Age 100
• 2～3 hours
• 11:00

Daichan Farm is a farm in Nishimurayama-gun, Yamagata Prefecture. Local cuisine cooking ♪ You can make the following local dishes. Sasamaki, squid soup, chilled soup, imoni, natto soup, ozoni, frozen rice cakes★Sasamaki rice soaked in urukashi overnight, drained, wrapped in bamboo leaves, boiled, preserved food (sprinkled with soybean flour containing sugar) ★Frozen rice cake A local dish made by mashing rice mixed with non-glutinous rice during the cold weather, freezing and drying it, cutting it into rice crackers, drying it for three months, then frying it and seasoning it with salty-sweet soy sauce. ★Yamagata beef, tofu, konnyaku, and plenty of vegetables are used to make this local soy sauce-flavored local dish. ★Natto soup In Yamagata in winter, natto soup is often served to warm the body. "Imogara" (dried taro stems) is an essential ingredient, and miso-flavored soup with taro, natto, tofu, boiled rice parsley (traditional vegetables), carrots, and more!

• In Door Activity
• For Groups

• Age 10～Age 70
• 3～4 hours
• 08:30

With the smooth guidance of the tour guide, you can enjoy Japan's largest Zao Onsen ski resort with peace of mind even for the first time! Especially recommended for those who want to enjoy powder snow. ★Tours that go from frost covered trees to powder snow according to your level and the conditions of the slopes on the day! ★★A must-see for those who want to improve their free runs and those who want to skate more cool! ★★We will also give advice on how to play easily on the walls, trees, and swamps on the slopes, and how to slide on uneven powder terrain! ■Experience contents ￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣ 1. Meet at the ski resort (Zao Ropeway Zao Sanroku Station rest area) 2. Explain the plan according to the weather and conditions of the day 3. Enjoy the superb view and powder snow of the Zao Onsen ski resort Seek and leave! ■Experience time〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜8:30～12:00 Required time About 3 hours 30 minutes to about 4 hours The required time may vary depending on the weather conditions. We will flexibly respond to requests for experience time. *Please note that the service may be canceled due to weather conditions.

• Age 4～Age 100
• Within 1 hour
• 10:00 / 15:00

Is it really made from tree bark?! Let's make beautiful tassels using Shinamokko, each one with a different expression! ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ The Japanese linden tree is an indispensable part of the lives of the people of the Sekigawa area of the Atsumi region. After stripping the bark from the tree, Uetsu Shina cloth is made entirely by hand, going through 22 processes over 365 days. The experience of using this precious Shina is unique to this area. Because each strand is a natural fiber with a different expression, it can be made into unique and attractive charms and earrings. It is also nice that the venue is the footbath cafe Chitto Moche, within walking distance of the inn at Atsumi Onsen. After making it, enjoy a relaxing tea time. Of course, the Shinamokko tassels make a great souvenir from your trip.

• For Rainy Days
• In Door Activity
• For Groups

• Age 10～Age 75
• 4～5 hours

Why not put on some snowshoes that are easy for beginners to walk on and go on an adventure into the white forest with a guide? At the Zao Bodaira Plateau, 1,000 meters above sea level, you can jump into the snow, enjoy the natural slides, and observe animal footprints, and immerse yourself in the snowy world. 《Itinerary》Kaminoyama Onsen Tourist Information Center 9:20 Departure ↓ (Free shuttle bus, White Echo, 30 minutes) Arrive Zao Liza World 9:51 Meet up with your guide in front of the ticket booth and receive your meal ticket. Put on your snowshoes, warm up, and then head out into the snowy forest of Zao. Snowshoe experience and snow play (about 2 hours) Arrive Zao Liza Restaurant around 12:00 Say goodbye to your guide here. Lunch (60 minutes) Choose your favorite menu from the menu, such as pizza or curry. Departs Zao Liza World at 13:20 (Free shuttle bus, White Echo, 30 minutes) Arrives at Kaminoyama Onsen Tourist Information Center at 13:51 *You can also use the bus stop near the inn. Please check the timetable for each bus stop and time. White Echo Timetable http://www.zaoliza.co.jp/wntr/43f9978d6bda04f3cd1767a66f5becd7b95899f0.pdf

• For Rainy Days
• For Groups

• Age 6～Age 85
• 1～2 hours

Entering another magical world of frost-covered trees illuminated by the setting sun and shrouded in silence. Speaking of winter in Zao, it's the frost-covered trees. The world of snow-covered trees towering in pure white during the day is a sight to behold, but in the evening, when the lifts stop, the sight of them dyed a madder red by the setting sun is a sight you don't usually get to see. The ultimate time to enjoy the fantastic natural beauty with a glass of wine in a private snow buggy.

• Age 6～Age 85
• 1～2 hours

Enjoy a casual trip to view the frost-covered trees on the lift and buggy cruise. When you think of winter in Zao, you think of frost-covered trees. If you take the lift, you can enjoy the sight of the frost-covered trees growing larger as the altitude increases, and after getting off the lift, you can enjoy the spectacular view of the frost-covered trees spreading out as far as the eye can see. On the way back, take the buggy cruise down the mountain. If you ride a large sled pulled by a large buggy, you can feel the refreshing breeze on the slopes while keeping an eye on the skiers as you go, and enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the Asahi mountain range. Before departing, enjoy your favorite lunch at the Liza Restaurant.

• For Groups

• Age 18～Age 50
• 1 Day or more

Scuba diving, open water license acquisition course, quick plan ideal for busy people. You can get it in a minimum of 2 days!・ You do not need to go to school for the course. You can take classes on the Internet and take them on your smartphone or computer ♪ ・ Experienced instructors will firmly support marine training!・ Marine training will be held on the Yura coast in Yamagata, where the water temperature is high and comfortable!・ Of course, equipment is rented ♪

• Age 0～Age 100
• 4～5 hours
• 10:00

This is a workshop where you can experience making snowboards using thinned cedar wood. This project contributes to the SDGs by using unneeded thinned wood without waste. Snowboarding is a sport that combines skateboarding without bindings or edges, surfing, and snowboarding. The surface of the board is non-slip, so you can enjoy it easily with boots or snow shoes. What is a snowboard? Snowboards and snowtoys are a unique Japanese culture that was born from the idea of sliding across the snow with a wooden board. This simple toy, which has no edges or soles and is coated with varnish or resin and has a non-slip surface where you place your feet, spread quickly throughout snowy countries, giving birth to creative shapers all over the country and is still spreading rapidly (from the BUDDHABLANK website). Enjoy the winter season with a one-of-a-kind snowboard that you made yourself! [Limited benefits only available when you make a reservation at Activity Japan] With each snowboard, you will receive a free Arcadia hand towel and Arcadia Snowboard WAX! ◆Workshop contents and itinerary◆1. Choose your favorite blanks Boards before finishing are called "blanks". Look at the shape, wood color and design of the blanks we have prepared in advance and choose one you like! 2. Varnish the sliding surface and attach the cloth Apply varnish to the sliding surface and attach the cloth you brought or purchased. Carefully attach the cloth, paying attention to the sliding direction and the front and back of the cloth. *If you bring your own cloth, wash it once and dry it thoroughly to make it stick more beautifully. [Wait until the varnish dries] (about 40 minutes) We have a workshop and experience menu that you can experience in between! 3. Apply multiple coats of varnish, then scrape and polish it when it dries Once the varnish dries, scrape and polish it with sandpaper, and apply more varnish. *Lunch will be served during the break. 4. Finish the front side where you put your feet Cut the excess cloth to fit the shape of the board and finish the front side nicely. 5. Attach the deck pad and it's done! Thank you for your hard work! Once the varnish has completely dried, go skiing right away♪☆ Applying more varnish and polishing it will make the board even stronger. ◆ Take a short break between workshops ◆ Try snowboarding at a nearby snowboarding spot?️ Master the skill so you can ride the snowboard you made right away! [For those who wish to try] Request: The experience is scheduled for 5 hours, but it may be extended depending on the process. ・ Please bring your own lunch or use a nearby restaurant. Eating and drinking is permitted inside the building. ・ We recommend pasting cloth to increase strength. You can bring a cloth of the same size as an Arcadia tenugui and paste it on. Size: Approx. 100 cm x 33 cm

• With Pets
• For Rainy Days
• In Door Activity
• For Family

• Age 6～Age 99
• 1 Day or more
• 18:00

This is a two-day, one-night program to gain invisible spiritual richness and a healthy body at Jion, the foremost prayer temple in Tohoku. Hayama, once counted as one of the three mountains of Dewa with three temples and 48 monks, and Jionji, the foremost prayer temple in Tohoku, a nationally designated historic site with a history of about 1,300 years, is a two-day, one-night program to gain invisible spiritual richness and a healthy body by experiencing spiritual culture with your body and mind. The program for experiencing spiritual culture includes a conversation with the head priest of Jionji, a viewing of the prayer dance and Jionji Bugaku, a nationally designated important intangible folk cultural property, and trekking in Hayama, which was once a Shugendo path. The meals served during the program are modern health foods based on the recipes of shojin ryori (traditional Japanese vegetarian cuisine) that have been handed down at Jionji since ancient times. When you finish this special program, which is not usually offered at the historic Jionji Temple in Hayama, which stands in the midst of majestic nature, you will feel spiritual richness and health that you cannot get anywhere else. (Day 1) 11:00 Meet at Yamagata Station 11:00 12:00 Travel from Yamagata to Fukuyoshi Ryokan by minibus 12:00 12:20 Arrive at Fukuyoshi, check-in, explanation of the facilities 12:20 12:40 Change into training clothes 12:40 12:50 Explanation of shojin ryori (traditional Buddhist cuisine) 12:50 13:40 Shojin ryori (traditional Buddhist cuisine) lunch 13:40 14:00 Travel from Fukuyoshi to Jionji Temple by minibus 14:00 Arrive at Jionji Temple (meet at the first parking lot) 14:05 14:15 Explanation of Jionji Temple from the head priest at the temple gate (focusing on the unique feature of Jionji Temple as a temple of prayer) 14:15 15:00 Tour and stroll around the Jionji Temple grounds (with guide) 15:00 16:00 Jogyo-Zanmai (training experience) at Amida-do Hall 16:00 17:00 "Bugaku experience at Jion-ji Temple Office *Participants will be instructed on the touching part of the dance, including the experience of wearing armor" 17:10 17:30 Travel from Jion-ji Temple to Fukuyoshi by special minibus 17:30 Arrive at Fukuyoshi, change into secular clothes (plain clothes), take a break 18:00 20:10 "Bar hopping tour ① Akahoppe (90 minutes) ② Sagae Snack (40 minutes) 20:30 Arrive at Fukuyoshi, take a bath, go to sleep (Day 2) 5:30 Wake up (Please come to the dining venue dressed in training clothes and ready to go) 6:00 6:50 Vegetarian breakfast at Fukuyoshi 6:55 Depart from Fukuyoshi 6:55 7:15 Travel from Fukuyoshi to Jionji Temple by special minibus 7:15 8:00 Experience copying sutras at Kazo-in Temple 8:00 8:20 Explanation of today's Shugendo path and prayer 8:20 8:30 Travel from Jionji Temple to the trailhead by special minibus 8:30 11:30 Trekking on the Shugendo path with a mountain ascetic

• Age 6～Age 80
• 2～3 hours

Winter has come to Yamagata again this year! Let's go on a snowshoe hike and snowboard ride to fully enjoy the abundant snow! ! A snow play tour where you put on snowshoes and snow hike through the snowfields with a guide, and when you arrive at the best spot, enjoy a snowboard ride. A nature guide who conveys the joy of nature will accompany you and give a lecture on how to walk on snowshoes and ride on a snowboard, as well as the unique fun of winter. What is a snowboard? Snowboards and snowtoys are a unique Japanese culture that was born from the idea of sliding through the snow with a wooden board. These simple toys, which have no edges or soles and are coated with varnish or resin and have a non-slip surface where you place your feet, spread quickly throughout snowy countries, giving birth to creative shapers all over the country and are still spreading rapidly (from the BUDDHABLANK website). It is an easy-to-enjoy activity that does not have bindings or edges, and you just place your feet on the non-slip surface of the board and slide. It is similar to skateboarding and surfing, and one of its features is that it can be enjoyed easily with boots or snow boots! During the tour, we will also hold "Nature Games" using natural items. You'll have to wait until the day to find out what kind of games will be held! For a short break, we will also offer Nagai's original blend coffee and sweets. In addition to coffee, we will also provide sweet drinks such as cocoa. You can also bring your own sweets! *Please take your trash home with you. As a tour perk, we will include a bathing ticket for "Ayame Onsen New Sakurayu," so please make use of it. The location of Ayame Onsen New Sakurayu is here. *Google Maps https://maps.app.goo.gl/g3QQvua7zykacXbb6

• With Pets
• For Groups