Zao Shiroishi Collaboration ProjectSpecial page for ZAO tourist route
ZAO 3 cities & 3 towns Tourist route
ZAO 3 cities & 3 towns
"ZAO" consists of 3 cities and 3 towns（Shiroishi City, Zao Town, Kawasaki Town, Shichikashuku Town, Yamagata City, Kaminoyama City）next to the famous Zao Mountain Range, which is located along the border between Yamagata and Miyagi prefectures.
Zao Mountain Range
Zao Mountain Range is located along the southern border between Miyagi Prefecture and Yamagata Prefecture. The main mountain is Mt. Kumanodake on the Yamagata Prefecture side, which is 1841m tall. The north of Umanosei which connects Mt. Kumanodake and Mt. Kattadake is called Northern Zao. The south is called Southern Zao, which is where Sugigamine, Byobudake and Fubosan are located.
ZAO 3 cities & 3 towns
It refers to 6 cities / towns next to the famous Zao Mountain Range which is located along the border between Yamagata and Miyagi prefectures.
Shiroishi City is the entrance to Miyagi Zao for the 2-hour Shinkansen trip from Tokyo to Tohoku. It used to be the castle town of Katakura clan, who were hereditary retainers of the Date clan of Sendai Domain. There are some historical onsens, including Kamasaki Onsen, Obara Onsen etc. as well as other historic sites. The sound of the flowing water would bring you the unique atmosphere of a castle town while taking a walk. Shiroishi Castle was rebuilt in 1995 to restore its appearance in the Edo period. It is also the symbol of Shiroishi.
Being located at the Eastern part of Zao Mount Range and the Southwestern part of Miyagi Prefecture, Zao Town is a town of tourism and agriculture. You can appreciate its abundant nature by visiting frost-covered trees, Okama and Zao Echo Line. You can also enjoy the famous historical onsens including Togatta Onsen and participate in various events there. There are also leisure facilities such as ski resorts and the golf resort, which allows you to have fun throughout the year. At the same time, you can taste many different kinds of fruits like peaches and pears since they are produced in Miyagi Prefecture.
Kawasaki is located at the foot of Mt. Zao. Thanks to its abundant nature, Kawasaki is rich in high quality resources and agriculture products. The national park in Kawsaki, Michinoku Park, is one of the biggest parks in Tohoku. There are various events and sceneries throughout the year. You can also enjoy the famous historical onsens, including Aone Onsen where Date Masamune recovered from his injury, as well as Gaga Onsen.
Being embraced by abundant nature, Shichikashuku Town is considered to be the town of water resource after the Shichikashuku Dam was built in October, 1991, benefiting 1.83 million local people. The name originated from the history that there used to be 7 shukubas(post station) on the way between Oshu and Ushu. Many people participate in the summer event(held at the end of August) "Warazidearukou" where people will walk with straw sandals. While in winter, people can enjoy some exciting winter sports.
Yamagata City is located in the middle east of Yamagata Prefecture with a population of 253,000. It's also the capital city of Yamagata Prefecture. The city area belongs to Murayama and has the highest population in Yamagata Prefecture, under the jurisdiction of Murayama Sogoshicho. Yamagata Metropolitan Area has the third highest population(about 520,000) in Tohoku area.
Kaminoyama City is located in the Southeastern part of Yamagata Prefecture. It became prosperous as a shukuba during the Edo period. Now it's known because of Kaminoyama Onsen. It's a rare place in Japan that is not only a castle town, but also Shukuba and Onsen streets.
↓↓ For more tourist information, check out the link below! ↓↓
Recommended for winter (late December - early March)!
Enjoy Zao's Beautiful Winter Greedy Excursion Course (3-days, 2-nights)
This is a 3-day, 2-night course where you can enjoy yourself to the fullest seeing the best winter spots in Shiroshi and Zao in Miyagi Prefecture, and Yamagata and Kaminoyama in Yamagata Prefecture, which surround the Zao Mountain Range. On the first day, play with cute foxes sporting their winter coats in winter landscapes, and then ride a snowmobile to view frost-covered trees. At night, relax comfortably and warm yourself in the town of Zao's proud Togatta Hot Springs. The next day, take the ropeway on the Yamagata side of the mountains to see the "juhyo" frost-covered trees, take delicious wine as a souvenir, and stay the night at Kaminoyama Hot Springs.
Shiroishi-Zao Station
We will rent a car at the station.
30min
Miyagi Zao Fox Village
In the Fox Village, dozens of foxes roam freely in a big natural forest. You have the opportunity to pet them and feed them.
40min
Sumikawa Snow Park
You can take a tour with an exclusive guide giving cheerful explanations as you ride in the heated cabin of the "Wild Monster" passenger snowmobile to go see the extremely rare natural phenomenon, "juhyo" frost-covered trees, which look like works of art. You also choose to just rent ski or snowboard equipment.
25min
Togatta Hot Springs Stay
The first Chinese character in the name "Togatta" used to be the character meaning "hot water" instead of the current character which means "distant." Located on a plateau 330 meters above sea level, Togatta Hot Springs is a hot-spring village with traditions stretching back to its opening 400 years ago. It has been known as a base for religious mountain climbing and as a hot-spring health resort.
70min
Juhyo Ropeway
In the newest revolving-style 18-seater gondola, you can sit comfortably as you look through a large window at the field of "juhyo" frost-covered trees.
35min
Woody Farm & Winery
Woody Farm & Winery produces cherries, La France pears, fruit products such as dried fruit, and wine made from their own wine grapes and Western pears. Come by to look for souvenirs!
20min
Kaminoyama Hot Springs
Kaminoyama Hot Springs boasts of a more than 560-year history since its opening. This hot spring spot, which in the early days was the castle town for Kaminoyama Castle, and then prospered as a post station town on the Ushu Kaido road, still breathes with the charm of a castle town even now.
The recommended season is spring (late April to mid-May)!
Enjoy cherry blossoms at Shiroishi Castle and Zao's Snow Wall in the Culture & Nature Course (2-days, 1-night)
This is a 2-day, 1-night course where you can enjoy the special moments that you can only see in spring when you're sightseeing in Shiroishi and Zao in Miyagi Prefecture. After trying on armor at Shiroishi Castle among the falling cherry blossoms, you will eat Shiroishi "umen" noodles and then travel to Zao Echo Line's Snow Corridor. On the way to Kamasaki Hot Springs, you can get some delicious cheese as a souvenir at the Zao Dairy Farm Center.
Shiroishi-Zao Station
We will rent a car at the station.
5min
Shiroishi Castle Armor Workshop
At Shiroishi Castle, you can try on the real armor worn in the Onikojuro Festival during the Armor Workshop. Wouldn't you like to try on the armor of a Sengoku Period military commander, walk around Shiroishi Castle, and take commemorative photos?
5min
Shiroishi "Umen" Noodle Lunch
Representative of Shiroishi's local taste, "Shiroishi Umen" noodles without using oil, just using wheat flour and salt water. This makes it soft and pleasant to the tongue and easy to digest. It is highly praised as a food with high nutritional value that is easy on the stomach. There are several Umen restaurants in the central part of Shiroishi.
60min
Zao Echo Line Road's Snow Corridor
When the huge amount of snow that falls in April in winter is removed from the road, a steep snow wall appears on both sides that reaches several meters high. Driving between the walls and observing this extraordinary spectable that is limited to spring is a precious experience.
30min
Zao Dairy Farm Center
At Zao Dairy Farm Center, products such Zao original natural cheese are made using fresh milk from cows raised at Nanokahara at the foot of the Zao mountains. They are sold at the attached Cheese Cabin, feel free to buy them as souvenirs!
20min
Kamasaki Hot Springs
Kamasaki Hot Springs, one of the hot springs in Shiroishi, boasting a history of over 600 years, has long been like for its medicinal Ouu waters. It is a historic hot spring town where it is said that even famous historical figures such as Date Masamune and Katakura Kagetsuna.
Walking through Okama and the Fresh Greenery of Kaminoyama Health Course (2-day, 1-night)
Head towards Okama while looking at the fresh greenery of Zao Echo Line Road, eat curry at the Sky Observatory Café on the summit, and then pick cherries in Yamagata. Stay the night in Kaminoyama Hot Springs, and participate the next day in Kurort health walking, an experience only offered in Kaminoyama.
Shiroishi-Zao Station
We will rent a car at the station.
60min
Zao Echo Line Road
Zao Echo Line Road is a mountain road that connects Miyagi and Yamagata Prefectures, crossing the Zao Mountain Range from east to west. From early November to the following late April, it is closed for the winter. Summer's beautiful new growth excites the eyes of many cyclists and travelers.
5min
Okama
Okama is a circular crater lake surrounded by the three peaks Kattadake, Kumanodake, and Goshikidake. Because it is shaped like a "kama" iron pot, it was named "Okama." The contrast between the lake brimming with emerald green water and the rough crater walls makes it a place with a mystical atmosphere.
15min
Kumowaku Terrace
At Sumikawa Snow Park from spring to fall in the green season, you can camp or do BBQ. Since Sky Café/lunch spot "Kumowaku Terrace" opened, you can look at Zao's majestic scenery from the observation deck while eating lunch.
70min
Cherry Picking
The cherries in Yamagata Prefecture, which make up approximately 70% of the country's production, develop into lovely ruby-red fruits with the coming of early summer. When you bite into one, the sweet, sour fruit juices fill your mouth.
30min
Kaminoyama Hot Springs
This historic hot springs area, first opened over 560 years ago, prospered in the past as a castle town and as a post town. The town is made up of 6 districts: Yumachi, Tokamachi, Shinyu, Takamatsu, Hayama, Kawasaki, Kanakame. In addition to having the charm of a castle town and an outlook with an sweeping view of the Zao Mountain Range, the atmosphere of each district differs, so we recommend visiting multiple hot springs.
Kaminoyama Kurort Early Morning Walking
Hayama Early Morning Walking is recommended for people staying in Hayama Hot Springs District. You will walk the Kurort-certified Hayama Course.
Time: Every day 6:50am-8:00am
Meeting Location: Across from Sanpomichi
~Pick Fruit and Work with Your Hands~ Fall Food & Culture Course (2-day, 1-night)
After you leave Yamagata Station, you will head towards Zao Hot Springs Open-Air Bath. Along the way, there are multiple spots where you can look out over Zao's townscape. At the Zao Hot Springs Open-Air Bath, which is so big that 200 people can fit in it at once, you can feel the season directly. When you arrive at Takamidai after passing through Zao Echo Line Road in its splendid fall colors, you will be overwhelmed by the majesty of the natural landscape. In the afternoon you will get to pick seasonal pears, procure some local sake from Zao Brewery, and then stay the night at Obara Hot Springs. This is a course full of the Tohoku region's beautiful autumn attractions.
Yamagata Station
We will rent a car at the station.
40min
Zao Hot Springs Open-Air Bath
Said to have opened over 110 years ago, before 1900, Zao Hot Springs is Japan's preeminent ancient hot spring. Characterized by strongly acid sulphuric springs, it is said to be effective at rejuvenating, sterilizing, and beautifying skin and blood vessels. The feeling of being on a trip will be amplified by the smell of sulphur wafting through the hot springs district, generated by the plentiful water naturally welling up from the spring. How about coming on a day-trip to soak in the hot spring and relieve yourself of your daily fatigue?
60min
Takimidai (Waterfall Observation Deck)
From Takimidai, you can view Fudou Falls, Jizou Falls above it, and Sankai Falls which forms a three-tiered cascading waterfall that flows into the Sumi River, falling from a height 700 meters above sea level. In the fall, the autumn colors make this a superbly picturesque sight you can't miss.
20min
Pear Picking
Not only is it the biggest producer of pears in Miyagi Prefecture, but you can also come to pick apples in the fall. You can choose to peel and eat them right then and there, or you can take them home (for an extra charge).
Pear-picking season (estimated): Early September - November
Apple-picking season (estimated): September - Early December
20min
Zao Brewery
Built in Meiji Era year 6, it is the only brewery remaining in the city of Shiroishi amongst historical landmarks such as samurai residences and Shiroishi Castle. They make sake using rice specially cultivated in contract with local farmers, and also use groundwater from the Zao Mountain Range that is pumped from 50 meters underground at a well within the residence grounds. In one section of the brewery is the "Zao Exhibition Hall," which displays equipment from the olden days that were used in making sake. Here you can sample and buy Japanese sake.
15min
Obara Hot Springs
Obara Hot Springs is a hot spring that has a remarkable 800-year history of providing comfort to people. It is a simple thermal hot spring with smooth, colorless, transparent hot water that soothes the skin. What makes you enjoy it all year round is the beauty of the valley surrounding the Obara Hot Springs village. You will have a feast for the eyes with the green budding leaves in spring and sumer, the fall colors in autumn, and the snow-covered valley in winter.
