Miyagi Zao Fox Village, Tsurigane-an, & Ginzan Onsen One day Tour
- Zao Fox Village - Explore Japan's largest free-range fox paradise, where hundreds of snow foxes, silver foxes, and platinum foxes roam freely.
- Yamagata specialty "Onmen" original store! Secret bonito broth + handmade, ultra-fine noodles.
- "Spirited Away" inspiration: Stroll along the canyon banks, admire the rows of wooden hot spring inns, and experience the rich Taisho era atmosphere.�
What to expect
- Stop 1: Miyagi Zao Fox Village Adorable Animal Kingdom - A Fantastic Paradise of Snowy Spirits: Japan’s only open-range fox sanctuary, where 6 types of foxes (Arctic fox, silver fox, platinum fox, etc.) roam freely in a 110,000 square meter mountain forest. In winter, you can see foxes curled up into snow-white balls, fast asleep. During feeding times, the little foxes will actively come closer and act cute.
- Stop 2: Shiroishi Uumen Tsuriganean 300 Years of Artisan Spirit - A Sacred Place for Uumen Noodles that Soothes Homesickness: Shiroishi Uumen is a traditional specialty that Shiroishi City in southern Miyagi Prefecture is proud of. Legend has it that in the early Edo period, a dutiful son painstakingly learned the oil-free noodle-making technique from a traveling monk so that his father, who was suffering from stomach problems, could eat light somen noodles. These noodles, infused with deep filial piety, are therefore called “Uumen” (warm noodles).
- Stop 3: Ginzan Onsen Street Taisho Romantic Time Capsule - Miyazaki’s Fairytale World: Wooden inns line both sides of the river, with dark brown wooden walls, verdigris roofs, and carved railings showcasing the Taisho and Showa eras. The local popular bathhouse “Notoya” is the model for Miyazaki’s “Spirited Away.” Ginzan Onsen is considered to be the location of the Swordsmith Village in the popular Japanese anime “Demon Slayer.”
Seize a dreamy day trip to Tohoku overflowing with healing sensations, and restart your body and mind amidst the foxes' whimpers, the warm fragrance of Uumen noodles, and the rising steam of the hot springs! Come and join us!
Reviews
The Travel Agent emailed the reminder invluding the driver’s details via email a day before the trip. Communicated with the driver, Mr Li, whom is pleasant and accommodating. He arrived on time, drive along the trip was smooth and safe. My family and I enjoyed the destinations along the trip. Recommended.
We took a day trip arranged by the travel agency to Fox Village, Shiroishi Umen Noodles, and Ginzan Onsen. The itinerary was packed but rewarding. Observing the foxes up close at Fox Village was a unique experience, the Shiroishi Umen noodles were refreshing and distinctly local, and the scenery at Ginzan Onsen was charmingly rustic. It was an unforgettable experience combining nature, culture, and delicious food.
April 23-28: Sendai Free and Easy Trip. I visited all the places I wanted to see, including Fox Village and Ginzan Onsen. It was so relaxing! The Klook day tour is highly recommended.
Today, I booked this tour program with Andy Shi as our guide. I felt very happy and had a great time. The guide was very kind, helpful, and attentive throughout the trip. Everything was really nice. Thank you so much for this wonderful experience!
This review is for a day trip booked at the end of June 2026 for early August. I will honestly describe some specific situations encountered. Pros: 1. The itinerary's destinations are not easily accessible for tourists without a car. Although the travel time is a bit long, it doesn't negatively impact the overall experience. 2. The driver and guide communicated in Chinese, so there were no language barriers. 3. The trip included luggage transport, which is convenient for tourists who have just arrived or need to change accommodations on the same day. 4. This relates to point 3 under 'Cons,' but the customer service was very attentive and accurately confirmed our issues and concerns, so they deserve commendation! Now, for the cons: 1. The rules at Fox Village are exceptionally strict (understandable, but I wish this had been communicated in advance to avoid disputes). If any passenger in the vehicle is spotted holding a cigarette, regardless of whether it's lit, visitors are not allowed to enter the park. Even if the cigarette is immediately put away unlit, entry is still denied. (I heard that in the past, the entire vehicle would be turned away.) 2. The itinerary included Shiroishi Umen noodles, but the supplier failed to book the restaurant in advance, causing us to arrive at the destination only to have to wait in line for a table (this doesn't seem like an issue that should arise on a well-organized day trip). 3. At the time of booking, it was not specified that an additional shuttle bus transfer was required to reach Ginzan Onsen, nor was the shuttle bus fee listed under 'Exclusions.' However, upon arriving at Ginzan Onsen, the guide informed us that we needed to transfer to a shuttle bus to reach the destination and that there would be an additional charge. Although customer service later assisted us, both I and the other passengers on the tour were quite taken aback at the time.
1. Zao Fox Village: Getting up close with the foxes was a wonderful experience, but it was a bit disappointing that photos were prohibited by signs on the walls inside the village. However, I saw many Japanese people taking photos with their phones. 2. Ginzan Onsen: This fulfilled my Spirited Away memories. The quaint, old-fashioned houses were charmingly arranged beside a green mountain, complemented by a waterfall. It was a shame I only had an hour and couldn't explore more deeply. 3. Shiroishi Umen: For lunch, we dined in a traditional Japanese house and enjoyed their signature cold noodles. The interior decor was elegant, and the cold noodles came with three different dipping sauces, making for a very interesting meal.
It was cold and raining heavily on April 2nd, our departure day, which was initially disappointing. However, when we arrived at Zao Fox Village, it started to snow, which was a wonderful surprise! It added a romantic touch to the trip. The itinerary wasn't rushed, and our driver, Mr. Lee, worked very hard. 👍
The tour guide had an excellent attitude, prioritized communication throughout the trip, and provided clear explanations. The itinerary was well-paced with plenty of time, so we never felt rushed. I would highly recommend them.
Fox Village is a bit too commercialized. Ginzan Onsen had very little open during the off-season, even the day-trip hot springs were closed, so there wasn't much to do. The tour guide was good, but unfortunately, the value for money was a bit low; it was too expensive.
Our tour guide was incredibly friendly. They contacted us the day before to confirm the meeting point for the vehicle and explain all the important details very clearly. They also managed our time perfectly. It was a truly memorable trip. Thank you! 👍
Good to know
- The supplier will send an email between 19:00-21:00 the day before departure to inform you of the guide and vehicle information. Please check it promptly. It may be in the spam folder. During peak season, the email sending time may be delayed, please understand. If you receive multiple emails due to special circumstances, please refer to the latest email! If you have WeChat, you can actively add the guide's account from the email.
- Japanese law stipulates that operating vehicles must not exceed 10 hours. If overtime occurs, a fee will be incurred (ranging from 5,000-10,000 JPY/hour), please be aware.
- In case of severe weather or other force majeure factors, the park may delay or change the operating hours of amusement facilities or show times, or even cancel some rides and performances without prior notice.
- This product may be adjusted based on factors such as weather. For your safety, staff have the right to ask guests to suspend outdoor activities and will communicate with you to make alternative arrangements, subject to the actual situation on the day.
- The transportation, sightseeing, and stopover times involved in the itinerary are subject to the actual situation on the day. In case of special circumstances (such as traffic jams, weather reasons, etc.), the guide may reasonably adjust the order of attractions or reduce attractions after assessing the actual situation and obtaining the guest's consent.
- Each person can carry one piece of luggage free of charge. Please note this in the "Special Requirements" section when placing your order! If not informed one day in advance and carried temporarily, the guide has the right to refuse guests to board the vehicle and no refund will be given, as it may lead to a crowded compartment and affect driving safety.
- The supplier will arrange different vehicle models based on the actual number of travelers. You cannot specify the vehicle model, please be aware.
- During a group tour, you cannot leave the group early or in the middle. If you choose to leave the group in the middle, the uncompleted portion will be considered as voluntarily forfeited by you, and no fees will be refunded. Any accidents that may occur after the tourist leaves or separates from the group will be at their own responsibility, please understand.
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