Things to do in Ginzan Onsen

Hotel shuttle within 2km of Sendai JR Station makes getting around super convenient. There isn't much of a guided tour; everyone just shares a comfortable 9-passenger van. Be sure to check the email sent the evening before for the exact arrival time at the pick-up spot, and it is recommended to head downstairs a bit early to wait. The following costs are not included: Fox Village admission fee (Junior high school students and above = 1500 yen / younger = free); Hand-stretched Shiroishi Umumen noodles at Koan (meal cost). We arrived and waited for a table before the restaurant opened, with a total of about 15 people across two vans. It took 17 minutes just to be seated and place our orders after opening, leaving only 15 minutes until the meeting time after the food was served. Waiting so long for a meal and then having to rush through eating was quite stressful—while the van will wait for you, it is rather annoying.

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!

The 2-day trip to Ginzan Onsen was an absolute 10/10! I strongly recommend staying overnight; the night view is truly breathtaking, making you feel like you've stepped right into the fairytale world of Spirited Away. The pace of the itinerary was very comfortable, with no rushed sightseeing. Staying at a ryokan, we enjoyed authentic Japanese meals for breakfast and dinner, and the hot spring water was of excellent quality—soaking in it left our whole bodies wonderfully warm. Strolling through the historic hot spring street during the day, watching the antique lamps light up at dusk, and experiencing the quiet, crowd-free town in the early morning made for amazing photos. The entire arrangement was smooth, worry-free, and effortless. It was an unforgettable trip, and I'd love to visit again next time!

Although we didn't visit during the winter, it was still very beautiful. The overall environment is peaceful with quite a few tourists. For visitors who plan to soak in the hot springs, it is recommended to bring your own towel to dry your feet. Sitting by the river to enjoy the scenery and relax is a wonderful experience.

I'm not sure if it was an issue with Klook, but the itinerary visited Ginzan Onsen first and Naruko Gorge last, which is the reverse of what was written on Klook. The three attractions are quite far apart, so the drive is long, which we knew when booking. However, it is very suitable for first-time visitors to the Tohoku region, completing three sights in one day, and the stay at each attraction is quite sufficient. We stayed at Ginzan Onsen for 75 minutes, which differs from the 1.5 hours stated by Klook, but if you only do a footbath instead of a day-trip hot spring, the time is enough. As for the boat cruise, the bento box was quite good; if you can choose your seat, try to pick the right side of the vessel (with the engine at the stern). Naruko Gorge has beautiful scenery. The tour guide (Yang Liu) was responsible, providing sightseeing routes and information for each spot. When we arrived early for the boat ride, she negotiated with the boat operator for us to take an earlier departure. Additionally, today's tour participants were all very punctual, so the entire trip went very smoothly.