Čo robiť v Yamagata Prefecture

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.

Vodič, ktorý nám slúžil aj ako sprievodca, bol veľmi pozorný. Kontaktoval nás večer predtým, aby potvrdil miesto vyzdvihnutia. Deväťmiestne vozidlo bolo pohodlné a nebolo preplnené. Mali sme šťastie vidieť Ginzan pokrytý hustým snehom – skutočne krásny a hodnotný zážitok.

Náš sprievodca bol Tony a počas týchto dvoch dní sa o nás veľmi starostlivo staral, dokonca nám dal aj malé darčeky. Keď sme išli do Ginzan Onsen, bolo veľmi chladno, a tak nám dal ohrievače rúk. Na druhý deň sme tiež dostali ohrievače rúk a čokoládu. Keď sme sa nemohli dostať do Líščej dediny, našiel spôsob, ako nás vziať niekam inam. Išli sme na hrad Shiroishi, ktorý bol veľmi krásny a stál za prechádzku a fotenie. Vodič bol tiež veľmi milý, jazdil bezpečne a vždy nás pri nastupovaní a vystupovaní z auta srdečne pozdravil. Počas tejto cesty do Ginzan Onsen sme zažili silné sneženie, čo bolo nádherné. Na druhý deň sme išli pozrieť Zao Juhyo (ľadové stromy) a mali sme obrovské šťastie na počasie – bolo veľmi slnečno. Hoci sme sa kvôli príliš veľkému počtu individuálnych turistov nemohli dostať lanovkou až na samý vrchol, aj tak to bolo veľmi krásne a stálo to za to! Počuli sme, že deň predtým, ako sme tam išli, bola v Zao silná snehová búrka a viditeľnosť bola veľmi zlá, ale my sme mali dnes úplne jasnú oblohu! Veľké šťastie! Ubytovali sme sa v hoteli Kameya. Hotel vyzeral historicky, ale bol celkom čistý a izby boli tiež priestranné. Raňajky boli bohaté a chutné, s tradičnými japonskými aj západnými možnosťami. Veľká vďaka sprievodcovi a vodičovi za ich tvrdú prácu počas týchto dvoch dní! 👍

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!

Excellent and competent! The tour guide/driver led a very good and experienced small group, and reminded the group members the day before departure. At each location, there were clear instructions and introductions to the attractions, as well as maps and walking guides. This time we went to Yamadera Temple and there was snow, the scenery was very beautiful. The tour guide/driver also suggested that we go to Ginzan early to see the snow scene and specially adjusted the itinerary, and finally we went to Tendo to buy souvenirs and local products. The journey was very pleasant!

Osobne si myslím, že celkový zážitok bol skvelý, avšak čas vyhradený na obedňajšiu prestávku na diaľničnej zastávke je trochu krátky a myslím si, že by sa na to malo pozrieť. Okrem toho, dobrá práca sprievodcovi za organizáciu a pohostinnosť.

The one-day shared tour was very convenient, and with a small group, we moved quickly. The driver was very kind and polite, and simple English communication was sufficient. The timing and pace of travel between attractions and free time were managed perfectly!

Today, I had a wonderful time on a day trip to Zao Fox Village in Sendai and Ginzan Onsen. The weather was beautiful and sunny, which made the entire journey even more enjoyable. At the fox village, I got to observe many adorable foxes up close; they roamed freely, truly allowing me to experience the charm of nature. Furthermore, the scenery at Ginzan Onsen was picturesque, with babbling brooks and magnificent surrounding mountains that uplifted my spirits. Soaking my ankles in the outdoor hot spring and enjoying the comfortable warmth helped me forget the stresses of daily life. Overall, this trip not only allowed me to get up close with foxes but also immersed me in the beautiful natural scenery, making it a truly unforgettable experience.

This itinerary is highly recommended, especially the moment when the bus emerges from the tunnel and suddenly enters a world of ice and snow, it's truly magical. You can see plenty of snow at both Ginzan Onsen and Zao Snow Monsters.