Things to do in Zaō Fox Village

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.

our driver, Wei, is very enthusiastic and friendly. overall, this day trip is of low value, the fox village was small and boring. the noodle place was closed. it was crowded on the ginzan onsen shuttle bus and the place was small. the driving roads was not smooth and most of the time were spent on driving.

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!

Our tour guide also served as the driver and was very responsible, ensuring everything was well-arranged. The tickets he purchased were for the first row, which was an excellent spot and great value for money. The hotel arranged in the middle of the trip was an old Japanese inn, providing a wonderful experience. The other two attractions were also fantastic; the hot springs would have been perfect if visited in winter. The itinerary design was very good. If I had to point out a flaw, it would be that the hotel we returned to after the Nebuta Festival was quite far. While the tourists weren't too tired, sleeping through the journey, the driver worked incredibly hard, driving for several hours late into the night. I suggest optimizing this part of the route.