Departing from Sendai: Ginzan Onsen / Zao Monsters / Special Lunch Day Tour

The weather was poor all the way from Sendai, but upon reaching Mt. Zao, the area was wide open and a strong gust of wind blew the clouds away, revealing the "Zao Okama" crater lake! I was fortunate to witness this ever-changing crater lake with my own eyes. Driving further to the Zao Ropeway, although many autumn leaves had already fallen, the desolate yet magnificent scenery was still unforgettable! Lunch featured regional snacks from Yamagata Prefecture, and right across the restaurant was a large supermarket where we could quickly buy seasonal fruits—how wonderful! Arriving at Ginza Onsen required transferring to a shuttle bus, which certainly squeezed our staying time. As it was getting dark, some of the inns had already lit up their warm lights, making for quite lovely photographs! The tour guide, Ms. Yangliu, was always thoughtful in reminding everyone of the meeting times, explaining the features of the attractions in detail, and even reminding us where we could grab a bite before returning to Sendai. Her service attitude was extremely warm and professional!

My first visit to Ginzan Onsen two years ago was met with a breathtaking blizzard. I was stunned by the beauty but also frozen by the temperature. Although I enjoyed the purest essence of Taisho Romance, the heavy snowfall prevented me from taking many photos, leaving me with only one picture and a lingering regret. This time, I decided to revisit with my camera to recapture those memories. Without the overwhelming snow and bustling crowds, I could better appreciate the retro charm of the place. I finally got to see the waterfall I missed last time, explore the mine I hadn't visited, and browse the small shops I couldn't properly explore before. Ginzan without the snow offered a different kind of serene elegance. This dream-fulfilling trip finally allowed me to make up for that beautiful regret from years ago. A special shout-out to the incredibly generous and delicious set lunch; I even thought it was extravagant. The plating was truly a work of art, and I thank the travel agency for their thoughtfulness.

I participated in the 1/12 tour, and because there were a large number of group members, they thoughtfully assigned two guides (Xiao Hou and Lin-san) to lead the group. They shared interesting food, history, and travel experiences along the way! I was lucky to encounter snow ❄️ in Ginzan Onsen because the strongest cold wave in Japan in ten years had arrived the day before. It was an indescribably beautiful place! When we arrived at the Zao Ropeway, I originally thought we wouldn't have a chance to go up the mountain because of the strong winds, but thanks to Lin-san's communication, we were able to reach the summit as we wished. Although the wind and snow at the summit were intense, it was worth it to see the snow monsters even for a moment! It was a very satisfying and wonderful trip! I am very grateful to the two guides for their care (especially their friendliness towards children)! (Strongly recommend leaving a WeChat account)

I went on a tour with tour guide Wang today, and she was very kind and attentive! Today's tour was great, and the weather was good too. In the morning, we went to Ginzan Onsen and took lots of pictures. The photos turned out pretty well. Lunch was amazing, so beautiful that I almost didn't want to eat it, and the portion was super generous. In the afternoon, we went to Zao to see the snow monsters. When we went up, we experienced what "VIP treatment" really means. We didn't have to wait in line and went straight to the top to see the snow monsters. It was awesome. This was very thoughtful. I highly recommend this tour.

It was very convenient being bussed around to the three places that are very inaccessible by public transport. Okama crater was shrouded in mist when we arrived in the morning, but the weather cleared up long enough for us to take some amazing photos of the crater. The queue for the ropeway was fairly quick due to the off-peak season for a ski region. Although we couldn't see the 'snow monsters', it was a pleasant ride to the top. Ginzan onsen was a very small place with pretty wooden buildings, and being off-peak, it was easy to walk around without the crowds during winter. Even the shuttle bus ride was cheaper at ¥500. The lunch that came with the package was good, with many small dishes so we could try various regional specialties.

overall a lovely experience, ginzan onsen was beautiful and eventhough we were struck with a heavy snowstorm for the zao ropeway trip, we still had a fun time. Everything was timed well and although 1.5 hours seem short in Ginzan, we actually still have plenty of time to stroll the city and buy souvenirs or hot coffee. The lunch was surprisingly better than we expected, local Yamagata couisine, and we did not expect we would get private rooms to enjoy it! Worth to note that the guide explains everything in chinese, and later on communicate the important parts in japanese which would be ok if you understand basic japanese. But basically just prepare a live translating app (or chatgpt) to understand the explanations! And Lili laoshi(the guide) can take very good photos🫶 Thank you so much!

Our experience with Lions travel for the Ginzan Onsen and Zao Ropeway tour was excellent. The service was well-organized and smooth from start to finish. The itinerary was clear, the meeting point was easy to find, and everything ran on time, which made the trip stress-free and enjoyable. The transportation was comfortable, and the guide was helpful and professional, making sure everyone felt safe and informed throughout the tour. Visiting Ginzan Onsen was a beautiful and relaxing experience, while the Zao Ropeway offered breathtaking views and an unforgettable ride up the mountain. Overall, booking this tour through Klook was a great decision. It saved us time and effort, and we were able to fully enjoy both destinations without any hassle. I highly recommend Klook for anyone looking for a convenient and well-managed tour experience in Japan.Together, Ginzan Onsen and the Zao Ropeway create a perfect balance of relaxation and adventure.

The entire trip was well-timed, and I am very grateful for the attentive service provided by tour guides Xiao Hou & Ms. Hayashi. In particular, Xiao Hou provided almost non-stop English and Chinese guidance throughout the trip, including introductions to local attractions, as well as sharing Japanese culture & unique foods. At Ginzan Onsen and the summit of Mount Zao, they also diligently led the group to see attractions such as the waterfall & the Jizo Bodhisattva statue at the summit (even though there was a lot of snow on the mountain that day). They were also very patient in helping members take photos along the way, and I could feel Xiao Hou's dedication to their craft. Both tour guides worked hard to ensure that the travelers had a wonderful experience, and the itinerary itself was well-arranged. I believe everyone has created beautiful memories 🥰 01/12/2026 Ren✍️

I took a day trip to see the Zao Snow Monsters ❄️ and Ginzan Onsen ♨️. It was my first time seeing the spectacular snow monsters, and nature truly is amazing! Afterward, I visited Ginzan Onsen. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see the evening illuminations, but the hot spring town, covered in white snow, still had a charming, retro atmosphere. It was a truly unforgettable trip.

A very unique experience worth doing! Make sure to wrap up warm as it’s very cold on top of the mountain. The lunch was delicious and we were dat in private tables for your group. The onsen was picturesque.