A 2-day tour showcasing the unique features of the mountains | Departing from Sendai (includes one night's accommodation at a hot spring hotel)

A limited-time Tohoku transverse journey from Sendai to Yamagata, available on September 6th, 20th, and 4th, 2023 (Wednesday). Visit the renowned Zao Ogama Lake, open only outside of winter; enjoy a cruise on the Mogami River, one of Japan's three major rapids; and visit Yudonoyama Shrine, a sacred site for Japanese people who believe they must visit at least once in their lifetime. Stay overnight at a hot spring hotel. Limited time offer, so don't miss this opportunity!

Attraction Introduction: ◆ Zao Ogama Lake: A volcanic lake located in the Zao mountain range. This deep crater is filled with water, shaped like a pot, hence the name "Ogama." The ever-changing colors of the lake are spectacular, earning it the nickname "Five-Colored Lake," displaying different hues at different times of the year and season. Ogama Lake is closed during the winter months (November to the end of April), but generally, visitors can reach the summit from May onwards to witness its breathtaking scenery. Each season offers a unique landscape: during the summer months, alpine plants bloom in profusion, bringing the mountain range to life. From late September to late October, vibrant yellow, orange, and red autumn leaves can be enjoyed.

◆Yama-i Warehouse: Located in Sakata City, the birthplace of the famous Japanese drama series "Oshin," the Yama-i Warehouse is where Oshin endured hardship and bullying in the series. Later, it was used as a rice storage facility, creating a surprisingly poetic and captivating scene. Built in 1893, the Yama-i Warehouse stores the renowned high-quality "Shonai Rice," which has historically been transported along the Mogami River to this location for storage before being exported to other prefectures. The most unique feature of the warehouse is its construction: 12 interconnected wooden silos, a truly magnificent sight both from afar and up close. It is said that to ensure the rice's preservation, a row of birch trees was deliberately planted behind the warehouse for shade and wind protection, thus transforming a practical structure into a romantic and enchanting landscape. The magnificent warehouse buildings and towering ancient trees create a picturesque scene, making it a romantic spot for couples to stroll and date.

◆ Tsuruoka Municipal Kamo Aquarium: Located in Tsuruoka City, a coastal area of Yamagata Prefecture. This aquarium boasts a stunning view overlooking the Sea of Japan. It houses a jellyfish research institute with the world's largest collection of jellyfish. Explore the world's most fantastical jellyfish world. The aquarium features the "Jellyfish Dream Theater," a giant circular tank with a diameter of 5 meters, where approximately 10,000 moon jellyfish swim freely, creating a fantastical world unlike anything in reality.

◆ Mogami River Cruise: Revered as the "Mother of Yamagata Prefecture," the Mogami River is one of Japan's three major rapids, stretching over 200 kilometers. Its banks are flanked by numerous small mountains, running north to south through Yamagata Prefecture, its layered peaks offering distinct scenery that changes with the seasons. Listen to the boatman singing his boat songs, and join in with the "Mogami River Boat Song" sung from the bow as you explore the enchanting scenery of the Mogami Gorge, including its beautiful cedar forests and Shiraito Falls, which change with the seasons. The boat trip takes about an hour. Besides the traditional boat songs, English, Chinese, and Korean versions are also available. The humorous guide, "Boatman," is the soul of the boat, entertaining everyone with his witty banter and singing.

◆Yudenzan Shrine: Mount Yudono, a mountain of mountain worship and ascetic practice. At 1,504 meters above sea level, Mount Yudono is a sacred mountain for mountain worship (Shugendo), where ascetic practices are practiced. Along with Mount Gassan and Mount Haguro, it is known as one of the Three Mountains of Dewa, where those who practice asceticism at Gassan and Haguro attain enlightenment. The main shrine of Mount Yudono is located in a valley halfway up the northern slope of Mount Yudono. Since ancient times, it has upheld the principles of "do not speak of what is improper" and "do not listen to what is improper," making it a mysterious shrine where what is seen and heard cannot be revealed to outsiders. Renowned for its strict precepts, it is a sacred shrine separated from the secular world.

◆Dewa Sanzan Shrine (Three Shrines Combined Shrine): The shrine enshrines the gods of three mountains atop Mount Haguro. This combined shrine is one of the largest shrines in Japan and also the largest thatched-roof building in the country. At the very center is Gassan Shrine, to the right is Dewa Shrine, and to the left is Yudonoyama Shrine. The thatched roofs are 2.1 meters thick, and the interiors are entirely painted, making it well worth a visit. The main deity enshrined at Gassan Shrine is "Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto," considered the embodiment of the moon; as the name "Tsukuyomi" suggests, she is a deity who governs the calendar. Dewa Shrine enshrines the land god of Dewa, Ijiha-no-Kami, while Yudonoyama Shrine enshrines the great mountain god, Ōyama-no-Mikoto. The Mirror Pond in front of the Gōsai-den (Gathering Shrine) has been named for the hundreds of bronze mirrors buried in its waters since the Heian period, thanks to the continuous offerings of bronze mirrors by worshippers. The water level remains almost unchanged throughout the year, leading to its belief in mystical power and attracting a constant stream of devotees.

◆Yunohama Onsen: Yunohama Onsen is located in the western part of Tsuruoka City, Shonai region, Yamagata Prefecture. Hotels and inns are built along the coast, offering breathtaking panoramic sunsets over the Sea of Japan. The sunsets at Yunohama are among Japan's 100 best sunsets; as the sun sinks into the Sea of Japan, it paints the surrounding area in orange-red hues, a stunning sight that instantly washes away the fatigue of your journey. Enjoying local delicacies is another pleasure. The seafood caught in the Sea of Japan's fishing grounds and the mountain delicacies harvested from the fertile Shonai Plain offer a rich variety. In addition to the different local fish available each season, you can also savor seasonal delicacies such as bamboo shoots, edamame, melons, and cod soup.

#Hotel: Yunohama Onsen-go [Yukai-tei Miyajima] or similar hotel

#Room Type: Primarily tatami rooms accommodating two to four people.