★ Speaking of winter! 5 special experiences at Zao

1. Snowshoes Trekking at Zao! Snow Monsters with a guide

Come enjoy the spectacular winter view of Zao’s famous Snow Monsters and other rime-covered trees.

Wear snowshoes and enjoy trekking in the silver world with a local mountain instructor as guide.

Feature
・ You can enter the area where skiers and general spectators cannot enter and feel the nature of winter with your whole body .
・ “Snow Monsters Exploration Course” “Chuo Kogen arearime ice area” You can choose from 3 courses of “Exploration Course”
・ The mountain instructor who knows the mountains of Zao will guide you safely while explaining the flora and fauna, terrain, rime on trees, etc.

Period
January 20, 2022 (Thursday) -March 15, 2022 (Tuesday)

Schedule
* In the case of “Tree ice & Rime enjoyment course”
9:00 Zao Ropeway Zao Sanroku Station Meeting Zao Ropeway Zao Sanroku Station to Jizo Top Station (Transfer at Juyo Kogen Station on the way)
11:00 Stroll through the Snow Monsters area Stroll through Paradise Slopes (lunch on the way)
13:00 Walk around the summit of aconite From aconite station to a hot spring station on the central ropeway
15:00 Dissolution
* “Snow Monsters Exploration Course” and “Chuo Kogen arearime ice area exploration course” will end at 14:00

Fees
23,000 yen (tax included) / person if 1 person
13,000 yen (tax included) / person if 2 people
9,900 yen (tax included) / person if 3 people
8,200 yen (tax included) / person if 4 people
7,500 yen (tax included) / person if 5 people

Others
Participants: 20 years old and over
Trekking distance: approximately 5~6km
Level: Beginner ~

2. Snowshoes Hiking at Zao! Explore the Chuo Kogen snowfields

Let’s go on a journey to discover new attractions of Zao that you can not taste with skiing or snowboarding!

Why don’t you wear snowshoes and enjoy hiking in the silver world ?

Feature
・ Hike around the Zao Chuo Kogen area at your own pace with a free plan without a guide.
・ This plan includes the ropeway / sky cable ticket, the snow shoes rental fee, and stock rental fee.

Period
January 10, 2022 (Mon) to March 6, 2022 (Sun.)

Schedule (example)
10:00 Meeting and explanation at the Chuo Ropeway Onsen Station
10:30 Take the Chuo Ropeway from the Chuo Ropeway Onsen Station to the Torikabuto Station and hike around the Chuo Kogen area.
12:00 Lunch (bring your lunchbox or eat at Forest inn SANGORO)
            Visit the Zao Dai Gongen
12:50 Take the Sky Cable from the Chuo Kogen station back down to the Uwanodai station
* You can freely complete the reception between 9:00 and 14:00 and take a walk freely.

Fees
3,000 yen (tax included) / person

Others
Level: beginner ~

3. Snow Shoe Trekking! Go up to the Okama crater lake in winter

Why don’t you go to see the precious Okama crater lake that can only be seen during this season?

In fine weather, you can see Mt. Chokai, Mt. Gassan, Mt. Hayama, the Asahi mountain range, the Iide mountain range, the Azuma mountain range, and Mt. Adatara from Kumanodake ♪

Feature
・ In fine weather, the view from Zao’s highest peak ” Kumano dake” (elevation 1841m) is truly spectacular !
・ You can see the mysterious emerald crater lake ” Okama crater lake” in winter. ・ The mountain instructor who knows the mountains of Zao will guide you safely from Zao Onsen ski resort to Okama crater lake in winter .

Period
March 20 (Sun.) to May 8 (Sun.), 2022

Schedule
9:00 Zao Ropeway Zao Sanroku Station Meeting Zao Ropeway Zao Sanroku Station to Jizo Top Station (Transfer at Juyo Kogen Station on the way)
Jizoyama ~ Kumanodake ~ Jizoyama (Lunch on the way, watching Okama crater lake)
Zao Ropeway From Jizo Sancho Station to Zao Sanroku Station (Transfer at Juyo Kogen Station on the way)
15:00 Dissolution
* However, please note that depending on the weather, you may not be able to see Okama crater lake or go to Kumanodake.

Fees
28,000 yen (tax included) / person if 1 person
16,000 yen (tax included) / person if 2 people
12,000 yen (tax included) / person if 3 people
10,000 yen (tax included) / person if 4 people
9,000 yen (tax included) / person if 5 people

Others
Participants: 20 years old and over
Trekking distance: Approximately 5 km
Level: Intermediate or above
* Please refrain from applying for those who have no mountaineering experience.

4. Ice waterfall tour

The art of ice woven by nature — “Hyobaku”.

Why don’t you go with your guide to see the fantastic scenery that you can only meet in winter?

Feature
・ Yamagata City West Zao Ranch has started! A guide will guide you to the icefall wearing snowshoes.
・ Since it is a one- way trek for about 1 hour , even those who are not accustomed to mountain walking can participate.
・ You can feel the overwhelming power near the frozen waterfall. I can do it

Period
December 25 (Sat.), 2021 to March 14 (Mon.), 2022

Start time
9:00

Time required
2~3 hours
・ The time may be longer depending on the meeting place and weather conditions on the day.
・ The above Time required does not include breaks, etc.
・ In addition to the above, it may take about an hour to take a picture or eat in front of the ice bomb.

Schedule (example)
Around 9:00 West Zao Ranch Arrival / Departure Ice Waterfall Tour Lunch in front of the Ice Waterfall
Around 13:00 Arrive at West Zao Ranch
* We will pick you up at Yamagata Station, accommodation facility in Yamagata City, and other meeting places. * It may take longer depending on the meeting place and weather conditions on the day.

Fees
10,000 yen (tax included) (weekdays)/ person if one person (11,000 on weekends and holidays)
5,800 yen (tax included) / person if 2 people
5,200 yen (tax included) / person if 3 people or more

Others
Minimum number of participants: 1 person
Walking distance: Approximately 4km
Level: Beginner ~

5. Snowmobile experience running around the snow field

Experience the exhilaration in the pure white snow field of the Nishi Zao Plateau!

Why don’t you enjoy a ride on a Snowmobile that can run smoothly over snowy roads that are difficult to drive with ordinary cars?

The instructor will give you guidance, so you can take on the challenge of safety even for the first time.

Feature
・ Depending on the level, we will take you to a mysterious place that can only be reached by snowmobile .
・ Under the guidance of an instructor, practice around the basic field, get the knack of how to ride, and then go to the course. It is safe even for the first time because it comes out.
・ We have various courses such as ranch, wilderness, hill, forest road, swamp, waterfall, etc. that are rich in variety according to the level .

Period
February 1 (Tue.), 2022 to March 21 (Mon.), 2022

Start time
Morning session 10:00
Afternoon 13:00

Time required
About 1 hour and 30 minutes

Schedule
・ Filling out the contract
・ Classroom lecture
First, we will have a lecture with a video.
Introducing the features of snowmobiles, pre-operation inspections, rough riding methods, etc.
・ Practice
Learn basic movements and operations in the practice area
・ Tours
After mastering the basic movements and operations, we will start the tour * Depending on the conditions such as weather and level, we may not be able to go on the tour

Fees
7,600 yen (tax included) / person

Others
Participants: 13 years old ~
Level: Beginner ~

★ Snow experience at Hijiori Onsen, one of the most heavy snowfall areas in Japan!

6. Snow Footprint Exploration Walking (Beginner Course)

Limited event on February 5 (Sat.) & March 5 (Sat.)!

Why don’t you wear Japanese snowshoes and go looking for animal footprints in the forest of Hijiori?

Snowshoes walking while exploring the footprints of animals on the snow for a short distance ♪

Feature
・Limited event only on February 5 (Sat.) and March 5 (Sat.)
・ You can enjoy walking on snow with snowshoes while looking for footprints of squirrels and rabbits.
・ The guide will guide you while explaining the nature of footprints and Hijiori.

Period
February 5 (Sat.) and March 5 (Sat.), 2022

Schedule
13:40 Meet at Hijiori Deyukan
14:00 Start snow shoe walk
15:00 End snow shoe walk

Fees
1,200 yen (tax included) / person

Others
Level: Beginner ~

7. Snow Footprint Exploration Walking (Medium / Advanced Course)

Why don’t you wear Japanese snowshoes and go looking for animal footprints in the forest of Hijiori?

Snow shoes walking from Hijiori Onsen through the larch forest near the Okura mine and exploring the footprints of animals on the snow of about 1.3km to Kogane Onsen ♪

[feature]
・ Walking 3m of fresh snow with snow shoes ♪ You can fully enjoy nature ・ The footprints you can find are rabbits, martens, stoats, squirrels, raccoon dogs, foxes, weasels, etc. ・ The guide explains the nature of footprints and elbow folds. I will guide you while

[Departure date]
January 1st (Sat) -March 31st (Thursday), 2022

[Flow of the day]
9:40 Hijiori Deyukan Meeting
10:00 snowshoes walking start
12:00 snowshoes walking end

[Experience fee]
1,800 yen (tax included) / person (when 2 or more people participate)
* 2,700 yen for 1 person

[others]
Level: Beginner ~

8. Snow saw / snow dump snow erasing experience

Hijiori Onsen is one of the most heavy snowfall areas in Japan.

Why don’t you try the experience of clearing snow and removing snow as a life experience of Hijiori?

Cutting snow with a snow saw and throwing (discarding) it with a snow dump truck is unique to heavy snowfall areas!

[feature]
・ We can respond to your desired date . ・ We will use the snow saw tool “Snow Saw” that can only be used in heavy snowfall areas. The experience is safe because you will experience working on level ground.

[Departure date]
January 1st (Sat) -March 26th (Sat), 2022

[Time required]
About 1 hour
* Please tell us your desired time after making a reservation

[Experience fee]
1,000 yen (tax included) / person

★ "The best hidden snow in Japan" A relaxing experience at Shizu Onsen, Nishikawa Town

9. Gassan Japanese paper experience making lights

To a fantastic world with soft lights.

Why don’t you make your own light by directly touching Gassan Japanese paper , a craft of Yamagata prefecture that has been around since the Edo period?

By the way, the Shizu area, where you can experience the experience, is not announced as an official figure because there is no observation point of the Japan Meteorological Agency, but it is a hidden heavy snowfall area where snow cover exceeding the national highest value is often observed.

[feature]
・ Because we will teach you carefully with techniques that anyone can feel free to experience , even beginners can rest assured . ・ There is no doubt that it will be a great success as an interior to light a room or as a gift !
・ While the lights are drying, you can relax while enjoying seasonal dishes and beautiful skin hot springs .

[Flow of the day]
(Time required: about 6 hours)
10:00 Making the groundwork and pattern
12:30 Drying the work (lunch & bathing)
15:30 Finish
16:00 end

[Experience fee]
10,500 yen (tax included) / person
* Included in the price … Experience fee, material cost (pedestal / light bulb), meal fee, bathing fee

[others]
Target age: 3 years old and over Handing over: You can take out the finished product on the day of the experience

★ March is the season when flowers are in full bloom! Wasabi experience grown in the clear air and water of Okura Village

10. Harvesting experience of wasabi grown in the spring water of Mt. Gassan

Have you ever seen a whole wasabi stock?

Wasabi can be eaten from the beard root to the leaves!

Why don’t you harvest the wasabi cultivated only with the delicious spring water called ” Masutama no Shimizu ” without using pesticides in the beautiful scenery and clear air?

* Due to the impact of COVID-19 infection, reservations will not be accepted in March 2022 and will be resumed in April.

[feature]
・Harvest wasabi cultivated without using any pesticides or chemical fertilizers and take out . ・ You can also sample processed wasabi products. ・ There is also a course where you can enjoy wasabi- zukushi ” wasabi gozen”.

[Experience fee]
・ A course wasabi harvest experience 1,800 yen (tax included) / person ・ B course wasabi harvest experience + wasabi set 4,100 yen (tax included) / person

[Reception hours]
・ A course
(Time required: 1 hour 30 minutes)
10:00 / 10:30 / 11:00 / 11:30 / 12:00 / 12:30 / 13:00 / 13:30 / 14:00 / 14:30 / 15:00
・ B course
(Time required: 2 hours 10 minutes)
11:00 / 11:30

[others]
Holidays: Sundays / Holidays

11. Experience making your own wasabi soy sauce

Okura Village is known as a heavy snowfall area with deep snow in winter —

We used plenty of fragrant and beautiful green-colored “Yuki Aoi” cultivated without pesticides and fertilizers in the spring water ” Masutama no Shimizu ” produced by the abundant snow-melting water of Sacred Peak Mt. Gassan. Why don’t you make ” Wasabi soy sauce ” by hand ?

* Due to the impact of COVID-19 infection, reservations will not be accepted in March 2022 and will be resumed in April.

[feature]
・ You can also tour the wasabi field in the clear air and beautiful scenery. ・ Cultivate wasabi without using any pesticides or chemical fertilizers, and stick to additive-free processed products .・ If you wish, you can also enjoy wasabi- zukushi wasabi set .

[Experience fee]
・ A course wasabi processing experience 1,800 yen (tax included) / person ・ B course wasabi processing experience + wasabi set 4,100 yen (tax included) / person

[Reception hours]
・ A course
(Time required: 1 hour 30 minutes)
10:00 / 10:30 / 11:00 / 11:30 / 12:00 / 12:30 / 13:00 / 13:30 / 14:00 / 14:30 / 15:00
・ B course
(Time required: 2 hours 10 minutes)
11:00 / 11:30

[others]
Holidays: Sundays / Holidays

★ Snow Mogami river seen from the kotatsu boat

12. Mogami Gorge Basho Line Sightseeing "Mogami River Boat Descent"

Mogami Gorge , a valley in the middle of the Mogami River.

You can relax and enjoy the scenery of the four seasons of the mountains and rivers on the Mogami river, but during the winter from December to March, the world of ink painting created by the snow and clear air is expanding. A warm and warm Kotatsu boat will operate.

[feature]
・ Slowly descend from Koguchi to Kusanagi over an hour while listening to the captain ‘s guidance and singing on the scenic Mogami Gorge. ・ Snow season only! A kotatsu of soybean charcoal is placed on the ship, so you can enjoy a cruise while warming up. ・ If you make a reservation in advance, you can enjoy ekiben, soraben , and soraben on the ship.

[Experience fee]
Adult: 2,500 yen (tax included) / person Children (elementary school students): 1,250 yen (tax included) / person

[Departure time]
・ 10:50 departure ・ 12:50 departure

[others]
COVID-19 may be suspended due to infectious diseases, weather, etc.

In conclusion...

Although the winter season has passed and the days are getting longer, the cold winter is still going on these days.

I’m worried about infectious diseases, but I want to overcome it while refreshing so as not to accumulate too much stress.