Plans
A First Pilgrimage into Dewa Sanzan, Journeying to Mount Haguro from Tendo Onsen
This journey begins in Tendo Onsen, traveling by private vehicle to Mount Haguro, one of the sacred peaks of Dewa Sanzan. You will ascend the 2,446 stone steps through an ancient cedar forest, take part in a formal Shinto prayer at the Sanjin Gosaiden, and experience shojin ryori, a traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine, at Saikan. This is not a sightseeing tour, but an introduction to pilgrimage as a living cultural and spiritual practice. Rather than consuming the place as a destination, you are invited to enter it with awareness, moving step by step into a space that has been shaped by centuries of devotion. Designed for first-time visitors, the experience offers a gentle yet meaningful way to align body and mind through walking, nature, and ritual. A pilgrimage to Mount Haguro is not simply a walk. The act of walking itself holds meaning. Each step is part of the experience, and the time spent on the path is essential to what this journey becomes. As you move beneath towering cedar trees, many several hundred years old, you may begin to feel a quiet shift. The boundary between everyday life and sacred space gradually softens. For those with limited mobility or specific circumstances, it is possible to travel by vehicle to the summit. However, we encourage all participants to understand that the essence of this experience lies in walking the path. Please note the following: The walk from the parking area to the Five-Story Pagoda and back takes approximately 40 to 50 minutes and includes stairs. If traveling to the summit by vehicle, there may be waiting time for those who are walking to arrive.
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
May 18, 2026 to November 30, 2026
JPY 32,000
Beginner-Friendly Zao Snow Monster Hiking from Tendo Onsen – Guided & Gear Included –
Giant snow monsters rising beyond a vast white landscape. Why not step into this extraordinary world on your own two feet? Put on snowshoes and follow your guide through the spectacular Snow Monster Field and into the peaceful beech forest. Feel the crunch of snow beneath your feet, the crisp winter air, and the towering snow monsters right before your eyes. This is a winter experience in Zao that you simply cannot get by viewing the landscape from a ropeway. Much of Yamagata's lifestyle, food, and culture begins with its mountains and snow. By spending time in the snowy mountains, the villages, landscapes, and local way of life you encounter afterward may begin to look a little different. Stay in Tendo Onsen, a convenient hub for exploring Yamagata, and enjoy round-trip transportation included with your tour. On the return journey, drop-off at Yamagata Station is also available. Discover winter in Yamagata on a deeper level! ■ Tour Period January 8, 2027 (Friday) – March 15, 2027 (Monday) Available dates can be found on the booking calendar on this page. Tours are not available every Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. If you would like to join a tour on Tuesday or Wednesday, please book directly through the YAMAGATA EXPERIENCE website. Transportation from designated locations is also available. Book directly with YAMAGATA EXPERIENCE ■ 6 Reasons to Choose This Tour ① Reach the Snow Monster Field Without Long Waiting Times Take just two ski lifts to reach the starting point near the Snow Monster Field. Unlike the ropeway, there are no long waiting times or large crowds, allowing you to step into this magical winter landscape soon after arriving. ② Feel Safe Even If It Is Your First Time in the Snowy Mountains An experienced outdoor guide from YAMAGATA EXPERIENCE will lead the tour, offering tips on how to walk on snow and introducing the highlights of the day. First-time participants and solo travelers are also welcome. ③ A Mostly Downhill Route for a More Comfortable Experience The course is designed mainly downhill, making it less physically demanding than a typical mountain hike. You will walk for approximately three hours. There are no long uphill climbs, but you will still need enough physical fitness to walk on snow using your own feet throughout the tour. ④ Discover More Than Just the Snow Monsters As you walk through the quiet white landscape, you will also encounter a beautiful beech forest sparkling in the winter light. It offers another side of Zao's winter landscape, completely different from the Snow Monster Field. ⑤ Complimentary Hot Water During Lunch Your guide will provide hot water during the lunch break to help warm you from the inside. There is no need to carry a heavy thermos filled with hot water. Please bring your own lunch, such as cup noodles. Lunch will be enjoyed outdoors on the snow. There is no indoor rest area. ⑥ Receive Complimentary Photos from Your Adventure Your guide will take photos throughout the tour and send you the digital photo data on the same day. Photos of your smiles and the spectacular winter scenery will become lasting memories that you can continue to enjoy long after your journey. ■ Tour Experience After taking two ski lifts, you will arrive at the top of the ski area, where your snow hiking adventure begins. Put on your snowshoes and explore among the snow monsters, step into soft fresh powder, and walk through tunnels of frozen trees. At times, you may even slide down snowy slopes on your bottom. Enjoy the magical white world of Zao to the fullest! ■ Please Read Before Joining You must have sufficient physical fitness to walk for more than three hours while carrying a backpack. Your guide will support you, but this tour requires you to walk through snowy terrain on your own. No previous experience walking in snowy mountains is required. If you have a medical condition or concerns about your physical fitness, please contact us before booking. Pets are not permitted. English-speaking guides are available. For guests with previous experience walking on snow who are looking for a more physically demanding adventure, we also offer the "Icefall Snow Trekking" course. ■ Professional Equipment Rental The following equipment is included in the tour price. Snowshoes | ATLAS Helium Specialized equipment designed for walking on deep snow. IMPORTANT: Snowshoes and snow boots are different items. Snowshoes are provided by us, but you must bring your own suitable winter boots or snow boots. Snowshoes are attached over your own footwear and cannot be worn without suitable boots. Trekking Poles | mont-bell Fall Line Pole Lightweight poles designed for backcountry use. Seat Cushion A compact outdoor cushion to help protect you from the cold while resting. Please note that clothing, winter boots, and snow boots are NOT available for rent. You must bring your own suitable footwear. Please check the "Required Items" section below before joining the tour. ■ What to Bring You will be walking in snowy mountains during the coldest part of winter. Inadequate clothing or equipment may result in risks such as hypothermia or frostbite. For your safety, your guide will check your equipment before departure. If you do not have all of the required items listed below, you may not be able to participate in the tour. Please prepare all required equipment in advance. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us before booking. !! Required Items !! Warm and Waterproof Outerwear Please wear warm and waterproof clothing, such as ski wear. Temperatures can fall below -10°C, so please make sure your clothing provides sufficient warmth. Winter Boots or Snow Boots — You Must Bring Your Own Snowshoes are provided by us, but snowshoes and snow boots are different items. You must bring your own suitable winter boots or snow boots to wear underneath the snowshoes. Please wear high-cut, warm, and waterproof boots whenever possible. Winter rubber boots or snow boots may also be used, but please make sure your feet do not move excessively inside the boots. Wearing thick socks or layering two pairs of socks may help. Snowboard boots cannot be used because snowshoes cannot be properly attached to them. Knit Hat A warm hat that covers your ears. Gloves Warm gloves designed for skiing or other winter activities. Cotton work gloves and knitted gloves are not suitable because they can become wet and do not provide adequate protection from wind. Backpack Each participant must bring their own backpack. Lunch Please bring a substantial lunch, such as cup noodles and bread. Hot water will be provided by your guide. Drinks Please bring your own drinks, preferably in a thermos or insulated bottle. Plastic bottles may freeze. ■ Recommended Items Gaiters Worn around the ankles to prevent snow from entering your boots. Paid rental is available. Down Jacket or Fleece Recommended for staying warm during breaks. Hand Warmers Sunglasses ■ Insurance Accident insurance is included to cover unexpected accidents during the tour. Insurance Provider: Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. Type of Insurance: Event Participant Accident Insurance Death or Permanent Disability: JPY 10,000,000 Hospitalization Benefit: JPY 5,000 per day Outpatient Treatment Benefit: JPY 3,000 per day If you would like more comprehensive coverage, please consider purchasing additional travel or accident insurance independently. ■ Changes and Cancellations You may change your tour date once free of charge until 5:00 PM, four days before your scheduled tour date. Any changes requested after this deadline will be treated as cancellations. For details regarding cancellation fees, please refer to the cancellation policy at the bottom of this page.
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
Jan 8 – Mar 15, 2027
JPY 22,000
Mountain to Table – A Journey to the Roots of Japan’s Mountain Food Culture –
What did people in Japan eat before food became something we simply purchased from a supermarket? For centuries, people living in Japan’s mountain regions have looked to the land around them for food. Wild mountain vegetables, mushrooms, nuts, and other seasonal ingredients were gathered from the mountains and transformed into meals through local knowledge passed down from generation to generation. In many parts of modern Japan, this way of living has become increasingly distant from everyday life. But in the mountains of Yamagata, traces of this food culture still remain. On this journey, you will step into the mountains around Mt. Gassan, one of the sacred mountains of the Dewa Sanzan. Together with a local mountain expert, you will encounter the seasonal gifts of the land and experience the environment where these ingredients are born. You will then visit Dewaya, a historic mountain cuisine inn at the foot of Mt. Gassan, where the ingredients and food culture of the mountains have been preserved and developed over generations. Here, you will learn how ingredients from the mountains are carefully prepared before being transformed into food. Finally, you will taste Mt. Gassan wild mountain vegetable soba. By following the journey of food—from the mountains to the kitchen and finally to your table—you will discover a way of eating that is deeply connected to the landscape. This is more than a food tour. It is a journey into one of the roots of Japan’s food culture.
M Tu W Th F Sa Su
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
JPY 23,000