Zao Snow Monsters (Juhyo)
Only from Jizo Sancho Station at the top of the ropeway do the snow monsters appear in full. White conifers standing in the wind make the most famous winter picture in Tohoku.
Tohoku · 5 Days / 4 Nights Private Charter
Tohoku Zao Snow Monsters 5-Day Private Charter
Narita in, Sendai out | Zao snow monsters, the red bridge of Ginzan Onsen, the JR Tadami Line in the snow, Nikko Toshogu Shrine and the thatched roofs of Ouchi-juku: Tohoku's winter scenery, gathered into five days.
Overview
Tour Overview
Five days that capture the winter scenes everyone wants to photograph in Tohoku: the snow monsters of Zao seen from the ropeway, the red bridge and wooden inns of Ginzan Onsen, a train crossing the snowbound bridge on the JR Tadami Line, the gilded gateways of Nikko Toshogu Shrine, and the snow-covered thatched street of Ouchi-juku.
Arrive at Narita and depart from Sendai with your own private driver: your luggage rides with you the whole way and there is no doubling back to Tokyo. Ideal for friends, families with children and anyone chasing winter scenery. Tell us your dates and group size and we will reply with a tailored quote within 24 hours.
Highlights
Highlights
- Zao snow monsters (juhyo): ride the ropeway up the mountain to see conifers wrapped in ice and snow into white snow monsters, the most famous winter sight in Tohoku and worth a full day.
- Ginzan Onsen: a street of Taisho-era wooden inns with a snow-covered red bridge; once the lamps come on, the whole street looks like a postcard from another age.
- JR Tadami Line in the snow: framed from the No. 1 Tadami River Bridge viewpoint, the moment a train crosses the iron bridge over the snowfields is a dream shot for rail fans and photographers.
- Nikko Toshogu Shrine: Yomeimon Gate, the Three Wise Monkeys and Shinkyo Bridge at a World Heritage shrine that is quieter in winter, so you can take your time with the camera.
- Thatched Ouchi-juku: snow on the roofs of this Aizu post-town street, with soba noodle shops and local craft stores to wander through and the warm feel of rural Tohoku.
- Narita in, Sendai out: door-to-door private transfers with your luggage in the car throughout, so there is no hauling suitcases between trains in winter.
Itinerary
Day by Day
DAY1
Narita Airport pickup → Kairakuen Garden, Mito → Kinugawa Onsen
Your private driver meets you with a name board at Narita. The first stop is Kairakuen Garden, one of Japan's three great gardens, with its plum groves, pavilion and grounds stretching toward Lake Senba, an easy place to stroll and take photos after your flight. By evening you arrive at Kinugawa Onsen, where a hot-spring soak washes away the long drive and sets you up for a restful first night.
Meals Breakfast: in-flight / at your own expense | Lunch: at your own expense | Dinner: kaiseki at the onsen hotel (subject to the room plan) Stay KAI Kinugawa by Hoshino Resorts (or similar)
DAY2
Nikko Toshogu Shrine → Kegon Falls → Ouchi-juku → Ashinomaki Onsen
Spend the morning in the sacred precincts of Nikko, taking your time over Yomeimon Gate, the Three Wise Monkeys and Shinkyo Bridge; the World Heritage shrine sees fewer visitors in winter, so the pace is relaxed. Continue to Kegon Falls, with a stop on the shore of Lake Chuzenji if time allows. In the afternoon, walk into the thatched village of Ouchi-juku, at its most beautiful with snow on the roofs. Overnight at Ashinomaki Onsen.
Meals Breakfast: at the hotel | Lunch: at your own expense | Dinner: kaiseki at the onsen hotel (subject to the room plan) Stay Ookawaso, Aizu Ashinomaki Onsen (or similar)
DAY3
JR Tadami Line → Tsuruga Castle → Lake Inawashiro → Urabandai
Timed to the train schedule, watch the JR Tadami Line cross the iron bridge in the snow, a classic moment that rail fans and photographers will not want to miss. Then visit Tsuruga Castle with its red roof tiles and white walls, and in the afternoon stroll the shores of Lake Inawashiro and the Urabandai lakes, where ice fishing on Lake Hibara is possible once the lake freezes over. Overnight in Urabandai.
Meals Breakfast: at the hotel | Lunch: at your own expense | Dinner: kaiseki at the onsen hotel (subject to the room plan) Stay Urabandai Lake Resort (or similar)
DAY4
Zao Snow Monsters → Ginzan Onsen → Tendo Onsen
Zao is the star of the day: ride the ropeway up the mountain for a close look at the conifers encased in ice and snow, the famous snow monsters that define a Tohoku winter. Back down the mountain, head to Ginzan Onsen for a stroll and photographs along the red bridge and the street of wooden inns, even lovelier once the evening lamps are lit. Toward evening, settle in at Tendo Onsen for a soak and a good night's sleep.
Meals Breakfast: at the hotel | Lunch: at your own expense | Dinner: kaiseki at the onsen hotel (subject to the room plan) Stay Tendo Onsen (or similar)
DAY5
Sendai Ichibancho or outlet mall → Sendai Airport drop-off
Depending on your flight home, make a flexible stop at Sendai Ichibancho, the city's shopping arcades or a nearby outlet mall before the transfer to Sendai Airport. With your luggage already in the car, there is no rush as you pick up beef-tongue crackers, dried sardine snacks and other souvenirs. Five days of Tohoku winter scenery come to a perfect close.
Meals Breakfast: at the hotel | Lunch: at your own expense | Dinner: at the airport / in-flight Stay Home sweet home
Inclusions
What's Included
Quoted per trip. Tell us your dates and group size and a travel consultant will send a tailored quote within 24 hours.
Included
- Private vehicle with a private driver throughout (10 hours per day, 08:00–20:00)
- Airport transfers, fuel, expressway tolls and parking fees
- 4 nights' accommodation (upgrades available to suit your budget)
- Daily breakfast
Not Included
- Return flights to Japan (a travel consultant can book them, or arrange your own)
- Admission, ropeway and activity fees (including Toshogu Shrine, Kegon Falls, the JR Tadami Line, the Zao Ropeway, ice fishing and snow parks)
- Lunches and dinners (your driver recommends places; your choice)
- Child safety seats (the first is free; from the second seat onwards charged per itinerary, please request at booking)
- Driver overtime (beyond the daily 10 hours, charged per 60 minutes)
Vehicle use is 10 hours per day (08:00–20:00); overtime is charged in 60-minute blocks. The snow monsters, railway viewing and snow activities are arranged according to seasonal weather. The final itinerary and quote are confirmed by your travel consultant.
Ready to plan this route?
Stops
Featured Stops
Ginzan Onsen
A Taisho-era hot-spring street in Obanazawa, Yamagata Prefecture, where the red bridge and wooden inns are the classic winter shot. Stroll, take photos and soak up the atmosphere, most enchanting once the evening lamps are lit.
JR Tadami Line
A local railway running from Aizu-Wakamatsu toward Tadami, with the No. 1 Tadami River Bridge as its classic viewpoint. The moment a train crosses the bridge in the snow is worth building the day around.
Nikko Toshogu Shrine
The mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, where Yomeimon Gate, the Three Wise Monkeys and the Sleeping Cat are the details everyone asks about. With fewer visitors than in autumn-leaf season, winter makes for a more leisurely visit and easier photographs.
Kegon Falls
Nikko's signature waterfall, fed by the overflow from Lake Chuzenji. From the observation deck, watch the main cascade plunge straight into the gorge, and stop by the Lake Chuzenji shore on the way if time allows.
Ouchi-juku
A thatched post-town street in Aizu, most photographed in winter when snow blankets the roofs. The street is short and made for a slow wander, with a bowl of local soba along the way.
Kairakuen Garden, Mito
One of Japan's three great gardens, celebrated for its plum blossom. Spacious grounds and long paths make it an ideal first-day stroll and photo stop, with the open feel of a Kanto garden.
Ice Fishing on Lake Hibara
A winter-only experience in Urabandai: once the lake freezes, drill a hole in the ice and drop a line, one of the most enjoyable interludes of a Tohoku winter.
Related
More in this destination
Nagoya
Tateyama Kurobe Snow Wall 5-Day Charter
The spring-only Yuki-no-Otani Snow Wall, with Takayama old town, Shirakawa-go, Kenroku-en Garden, Kamikochi, Shinhotaka Ropeway and Gero Onsen, finishing at Magome-juku and Enakyo Gorge. In and out of Chubu Centrair with a private driver.
5 Days / 4 NightsYuki-no-Otani Snow WallKamikochiShirakawa-go
5 DaysView Itinerary →
Osaka
Kansai Classic 6-Day Tour: Nara, Kyoto, Kobe & Osaka
Six days by private charter built around the classic Nara, Kyoto, Kobe and Osaka circuit, with Lake Biwa and Shiga along the way. The itinerary flexes to suit your party and how long you like to linger.
6 Days / 5 NightsNara & Lake BiwaKyoto & KobeOsaka
6 DaysView Itinerary →
Tokyo
Tokyo, Kamakura, Hakone & Mt. Fuji 5-Day Charter
Five days from Tokyo through Yokohama, Kamakura, Hakone's hot springs, Lake Yamanaka, Oshino Hakkai, Lake Kawaguchi and Gotemba, with daily routes, hotel nights and a Mt. Fuji 5th Station fallback.
5 Days / 4 NightsHakone OnsenMt. Fuji & Lake KawaguchiKamakura
5 DaysView Itinerary →
Ready to plan this route?
Share your travel dates, group size and hotel preferences. A travel consultant confirms the itinerary and sends a quote.