2-Day Yamagata Shinzo Festival Tour in Tohoku, Japan | Ginzan Onsen, Shinzo Festival Designated Seats, and Zao Okama (Departing from Sendai)

Want to experience a unique local Japanese summer festival? This is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the action and fully experience it. Joining the Shinjo Matsuri in Yamagata Prefecture offers a highly engaging and immersive experience.

[Shinjo Matsuri] In 2016, the Shinjo Matsuri float festival was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage as one of 33 Yamabokoya-no-Odoi (Japanese float parades) nationwide. Its rich history dates back over 260 years to the mid-Edo period. Legend has it that in 1756, the then feudal lord, Masatsugu Tozawa, prayed for a good harvest and held a festival at Tenmangu Shrine, revered as a jidaijin (deity of the gods) to bring hope and vitality to the people devastated by the previous year's poor harvest. The Shinjo Matsuri originated from this festival. Held annually from August 24th to 26th, locals parade over 20 floats through the city at night, accompanied by drums and gongs. The exhilarating atmosphere is a true part of summertime Japan. *This tour includes a night parade of colorful traditional floats on the first night, creating a lively evening. Reserved seating (A) is included, allowing you to enjoy the vibrant parade or nearby food stalls.

[Safflower Dyeing] As the official flower of Yamagata Prefecture, the safflower has played an indelible role in the prefecture's history and remains a beloved plant for locals. The safflower's most striking feature is the vibrant red color it produces. Only 1% of the red pigment can be extracted from each flower, making it extremely valuable. The price of safflower cakes (made by removing the yellow pigment, rolling, and drying) is incredibly high, said to be 100 times more expensive than rice and 10 times more valuable than gold, bringing immense wealth to wealthy merchants and farmers of the time. Dyeing fabric a deep red was so expensive that ordinary people were prohibited from using it on their clothes. While chemical dyes have become the primary method of weaving and dyeing in modern times, the locals of Yamagata remain committed to preserving this traditional craft, preserving it. Experiencing this traditional craft firsthand is truly a worthwhile experience.

Ginzan Onsen is a hot spring town located in the mountainous region of Yamagata Prefecture in Tohoku, Japan. This narrow street, nestled among mountains, flourished as a silver mining site in the 17th century, earning it the name Ginzan Onsen. Ginzan Onsen retains wooden houses from the Taisho and early Showa eras, creating a romantic atmosphere with its retro streetscapes and snow-capped winter landscapes. Ginzan Onsen was also the setting for the globally popular Japanese television series "Oshin." Legend has it that the hot spring baths in the anime "Spirited Away" were inspired by the area. The retro, romantic atmosphere of the hot spring inns, paired with the beautiful snowy scenery, attracts travelers from all over the world every year.

Zao Okama, located in Miyagi Prefecture, is a volcanic lake on the border of Zao and Kawasaki. At approximately 1,670 meters above sea level, it covers an area of approximately 1 kilometer and has a depth of approximately 30 meters. It is the highest point in the central Zao Mountain Range. Zao Okama is named for its sculpted appearance, resembling a cauldron, as it is surrounded by the three peaks of Katada-dake, Kumano-dake, and Goshiki-dake. Zao Okama, a mysterious lake in Sendai, Japan, is a sapphire green. Standing amidst the volcanic landscape, gazing upon the beautiful, vast, and mysterious Zao Okama, it resembles a jewel teardrop lost in the mountains. Its color changes slightly with the season, earning it the nickname "Goshiki-numa" (Five-Colored Swamp).

*Zao Okama is closed in winter (from early November to late April) due to snowfall and is generally only accessible from May to October. Setomi Onsen Kanshokan: This long-established hot spring inn retains the unique atmosphere of a classic Japanese hot spring, nestled amidst mountains and water. The surrounding mountains transform with each season, creating a scene reminiscent of a painting. Soaking in the hot springs while listening to the gurgling stream creates a naturally soothing and beautiful experience.