zao onsen Archives - The Hidden Japan

Experience the Culture of Yamagata Alongside the Locals

This 3-day cultural immersion tour invites guests to discover Yamagata through its people, food, craftsmanship, and spiritual heritage. From hands-on culinary workshops and artisan encounters to guided visits to historic temples and relaxing stays in traditional hot spring inns, this program offers meaningful experiences that can easily be added to a broader Japan itinerary.

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Highlights of Yamagata City

This 4-day tour is designed as an easy addition to any Japan itinerary for travelers seeking to venture beyond the typical tourist route and discover a more authentic side of Japan. Experience the spiritual beauty of Yamadera Temple, relax in the famous milky-white hot springs of Mt. Zao, and explore the charming streets and local culture of Yamagata City.

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Yamagata: Sake and Sightseeing 3-Day Private Tour

Experiences, Private Multi-Day Package Tour / Brittani Ivan

Experience Yamagata to the fullest, from dawn to dusk. This specially crafted 3-day tour includes bar-hopping, sake tastings, hands-on cultural activities, a visit to a mysterious mountain temple, and a stay in a hot springs village near Mt. Zao. The perfect short romantic getaway.

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Yamagata: From City Scenes to Mountain Springs Private Tour

Experiences, Private Multi-Day Package Tour / Brittani Ivan

Yamagata is the perfect place to experience traditional crafts, culinary and cultural activities, rich history, and plenty of sightseeing within very easy driving distances of each other. On this specially crafted four-day, three-night tour, take in the sightseeing highlights, from hands-on culinary and crafting experiences and a visit to the mysterious mountain temple Yamadera, to a stay in a hot springs village near the beloved Mt. Zao and sake tastings at local breweries.

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Journey Through Miyagi Private Tour

Experiences, Private Multi-Day Package Tour / Derek Yamashita

Combining artisan workshops, local culinary delights, and charming local lodgings, the Miyagi Region offers a wonderful dive into traditional Japan for the open minded and curious traveler.

This tour is a customizable plan with a variety of options and length that can fit into existing travel itineraries thanks to the excellent access direct from Tokyo via the Tohoku Bullet Train. We recommend this for guests looking to break away from the main tourist sites of Japan for parts of their trip which mixes well with a visit to Tokyo and Kyoto.

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Discovering Yamagata: Private Tour

Experiences, Private Multi-Day Package Tour / Nicole Pehrson

Surrounded by the misty green mountains of northeastern Japan, hit the sightseeing highlights of Yamagata City and nearby areas on either the 3-day or 4-day versions of this specially crafted tour. Includes hands-on cultural experiences, a visit to a mysterious mountain temple, and a stay in a hot springs village near Mt. Zao.

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