★ Yamagata water activities

1. Enjoy the vibrant scenery on a boat ride down the Mogami River (Tozawa Village)

Ranked #1 for three consecutive years in the “Top 30 Water Sightseeing Boats” selected by professionals!

Take a leisurely boat ride down Mogami Hasami, located in the middle reaches of the Mogami River.

You can experience the panoramic view of the beautiful mountains that surround you while listening to the boatman’s narration and the background music of “Mogami River Boat Song.”

Features
・You can experience the river breeze and fresh greenery that are unique to the summer Mogami River.
・The boatman, who speaks in the Tozawa dialect, will tell you about the legend of Yoshitsune and the famous places.
・You can enjoy a leisurely boat ride down the Mogami River from “Furuguchi Port” to “Kusanagi Port” in about an hour, visiting the famous places.

Date of operation
All year round

Schedule for the day
(Time required: about 1 hour)

Plan
Downstream boat
Furukuchi Port (Tozawa Domain Ship Station) → Kusanagi Port (River Station, Mogami Gorge Kusanagi)
① 10:50am Regular ferry (Furuguchi Port – Kusanagi Port)
② 12:50 departure regular ferry (Furuguchi Port – Kusanagi Port)
③ 14:50 departure Regular ferry (Furuguchi Port – Kusanagi Port)

Activity Fee
Standard passenger fare (one way)
Adult (junior high school students and above) / 2,800 yen (tax included)
Children (elementary school students) / 1,400 yen (tax included)
※Preschool children: Free

Others
・In case of rain, a plastic roof will be put up so you can enjoy your trip without worry.
・If you make a reservation up to 3 days in advance, you can have a lunchbox on the boat and a meal after disembarking.

★ Enjoy delicious food while enjoying nature

2. Rainbow trout fishing is fun for people of all ages and genders (Kaminoyama City)

At Zao Sarukura, you can experience rainbow trout fishing while looking out at the vast summer Zao!

Another great thing about this experience is that you can grill the fish you catch with salt on the spot and enjoy it while it’s still hot.

These rainbow trout are apparently raised in Zao’s clean spring water.

After you’ve had your fill of fishing, enjoy some fresh raw lamb jingisukan!

This is a fun and enjoyable experience activity.

Features
・In the great outdoors of Zao, you can enjoy the fish you caught yourself, grilled with salt on the spot.
・After the activity, you can enjoy fresh jingisukan, a specialty of Zao Sarukura, in the great outdoors.

Date of operation
All year round

Schedule for the day
・We will grill the rainbow trout we caught with salt.
・For lunch, we will have raw lamb jingisukan.
・Rice, miso soup, and drink bar included.
・Adults can purchase beer and other alcoholic beverages at an additional cost.

A free shuttle bus, the Green Echo, is available.

Outbound
Departure from Kaminoyama Onsen Tourist Information Center at 9:20 → Arrival at Zao Sarukura at 9:39

Return trip
Departure from Zao Sarukura at 12:31 → Arrival at Kaminoyama Onsen Tourist Information Center at 12:50
Departure from Zao Sarukura at 16:06 → Arrival at Kaminoyama Onsen Tourist Information Center at 16:25

[Activity fee]
Adult (junior high school students and above) / 3,750 yen (tax included)
Children (elementary school students) / 3,750 yen (tax included)

★ One of Tohoku's most famous summer festivals

3. Don't just watch! Experience dancing Hanagasa! (Yamagata City)

When you think of summer in Yamagata, the Hanagasa Festival comes to mind.

This is a summer parade that attracts approximately 14,000 dancers and approximately 1 million spectators every year.

The festival was founded in 1963 and has become known nationwide since it was unveiled at the 1970 Osaka Expo.

In this experience, you can not only enjoy watching the Hanagasa, but also experience the history and tradition of Hanagasa through “dancing” and “making” them.

Why not join us and have a fun time with the energetic Hanagasa Club “Shimen Soka” from Yamagata University, who participate in the Hanagasa Festival every year, as our lecturers?

Features
・With the Yamagata University Hanagasa Circle “Shimensoka” as a lecturer, you can learn about the history of Hanagasa Odori and traditional Yamagata.
・You can experience making a mini Hanagasa.
・In addition to the lecture on Hanagasa Odori, you can enjoy seasonal Yamagata sweets and a lunchbox from a long-established restaurant.
・You can experience the historical atmosphere at Bunshokan (old prefectural office), a national important cultural property.

Date of operation
All year round

[Schedule for the day]
(Time required: about 4 hours)
<10:00>
Meet in front of the entrance to the Yamagata Prefectural Museum “Bunshokan (old prefectural office)” / Registration begins
<10:10>
Flower hat dance experience
Orientation (Hanagasa explanation/video viewing)
Change into a happi coat
<10:20>
Hanagasa Dance/Lecture First Half
<11:00>
Break (Yamagata sweets and tea)
<11:20>
Hanagasa Dance/At the end of the second half of the lecture, everyone will perform the Hanagasa Dance♪
<12:00>
Lunch break (lunchbox from a long-established Japanese restaurant provided)
<13:00>
Making a mini flower hat
<13:50>
Mini flower hat/souvenir/city walking map
<14:00>
End of experience

Experience fee
For one person, 33,000 yen (tax included) per person
For two people: 38,000 yen (tax included) / 19,000 yen per person
For 3 people: 43,000 yen (tax included) / 14,333 yen per person
For 4 people: 48,000 yen (tax included) / 12,000 yen per person
For 5 people: 53,000 yen (tax included) / 10,600 yen per person
For 6 people: 58,000 yen (tax included) / 9,667 yen per person
(An additional 5,000 yen will be charged for each additional person)

★ Create a one-of-a-kind original work

4. Yamadera pottery experience halfway up the stairs at the Yamadera trailhead (Yamagata City)

There are more ways to enjoy Yamadera than just hiking for pilgrimages!

Nagase Pottery Studio, where you can create Yamadera pottery on a potter’s wheel, is located halfway up the stairs from the Yamadera trailhead.

Even beginners will receive careful instruction, so anyone can create their own unique, one-of-a-kind piece of art!

It’s easy for children to try, it will leave a lasting memory, and it can also be used in everyday life.

The piece will be fired at a later date and delivered in about 2 months.

Features
・You can create your own original work (Yamadera pottery) while feeling the unique atmosphere of Yamadera.
・Everyone from children to adults, even beginners can experience this experience under careful guidance.
・Not only will you have a creative experience, but you will also be able to create a real piece of your own work, creating memories and commemorating them.
・Special prices are available!

Date of operation
All year round

Schedule for the day
(Time required: about 1 hour and 30 minutes)
・Example of experience: 10:30
<10:20>
Gathering at Yamadera Pottery Nagase Pottery Studio
<10:30>
・Start the experience by listening to the explanation
・Make a ball of clay and place it in the center of the potter’s wheel
・Mold your favorite piece
・Choose your favorite glaze (color) from about 5 types
(white, cream, brown, blue, green)
*The work will be fired at a later date and delivered in approximately 2 months.
<12:00>
End of experience/Disband on site

Activity fee
※Special price available☆
Adult (junior high school students and above) 2,200 yen → 2,000 yen/person (tax included)
Children (up to elementary school age) 1,100 yen → 1,000 yen/person (tax included)
< Number of people per reservation>
2 to 15 people　　　

★ Cute Jizo statue brings happiness

5. Painting a jewel-shaped Jizo statue (Yamagata City)

The painting experience at Kaze no Kobi is a soul-filling handicraft that allows you to use your imagination to decorate “your own little Jizo statue.”

The finished memorable piece will make a great gift for yourself or someone special to wish them happiness.

Even if you are new to painting, you can enjoy it with peace of mind under careful instruction.

Why not try out this natural and cute soothing atelier where you can feel the breath of nature?

Why not concentrate on your creative endeavours and refresh yourself by forgetting about the summer heat?

 

Features
・You can enjoy painting a cute Jizo statue in the shape of a jewel, using your own sensibilities. ・You can take out your work on the same day.
・Everyone from children to adults, even beginners can enjoy the experience under careful guidance.

Date of operation
<Available days>
Every Friday/Saturday
<Experience start time>
10:00/13:00
*If you would like to experience this at a time other than the above, please contact us.

Activity fee
<Jizo statue painting experience>
Small size / 2,200 yen (tax included)
Medium size / 3,000 yen (tax included)
* Recommended for ages 6 and up
*Reservations can be made for 2 to 6 people.

Summary

Five Recommended Activities in Yamagata – How was it?

We’ve introduced some activities you can easily enjoy both indoors and outdoors!

We hope you will enjoy Yamagata in many ways, whether that be interacting with nature, learning about culture and history, or trying out some craft experiences.

It may even lead to new discoveries and discoveries about yourself!

Everyone, please take good care of your health and have a great summer!