Trekking holy mountain Gassan Midagahara Marsh and Beautiful flower temple "Gyokusenji" on its foot
Joined 2024
Yamagata Prefecture, blessed with beautiful nature of mountains, seashore, waterfalls, has been deemed holy place and object of worship from ancient time. And temples and shrines at the foot of such mountains are full of lush green, or autumn foliage and beautiful flowers.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Sakata Port, Sakata Station, Tsuruoka Station, or Shonai Airport
Mt. Gassan Midagahara Marsh near 8th Station
2 hours-drive from Starting Point take you to 8th station of holy mountain Gassan. Behin From there walk about 10 minutes and you will arrive at the Midahara Shrine and Midahara pilgrims’ inn.d the shrine extends the magnificent marsh of Midagahara. There you will find scattered ponds of various sizes, called “chito”, after which the wetland took its nickname of “Iroha Forty-eight Ponds.”
Restaurant of Hotel Kyukamura Shonai-Haguro
You may take light lunch such as curry rice or Japanese Soba noodle at bright sunbeam restaurant.
Hagurosan Shrine
The 2,446 stone steps along Mount Haguro’s approach – on the Ishidan Stone Step Pilgrimage, you climb these steps wearing a white sash. Walking surrounded by mystical cedar trees refreshes the mind and body! We went to experience this “journey of rebirth”!
Gyokusenji Temple
Gyokusenji Temple, established in 1251 by Ryozen Homyo, a disciple of Dogen (the founder of Soto Zen Buddhism), is affiliated with the Soto School of Zen Buddhism.
Renowned for its Zen garden, Gyokusenji’s garden has earned the distinction of being listed in the National Monuments of Scenic Beauty registry since 1982. You can also enjoy and appreciate matcha green tea and Japanese sweets with a view of the garden in a quiet, tranquil and peaceful temple's room. So much different from busy gardens of famous temples and shrines in Kyoto!
Ending Point
Sakata Port, Sakat Station, Tsurukoka Station, or Shonai Airport
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
-Guiding fee
-Private car driving fee inclusive of gasoline, toll, parking
-Lunch and drinks
-Entrance fee to Gyokusenji Temple, approx. 500 yen per person
Tour Important Information
-This tour is for the party up to three persons. If you are the party over four persons, please consult me as we need to arrange for different logistics.
-Gassan Midagahara Marsh near 8th station is accessible only between end June and late October due to the road closure in winter season. So, in such season, 2446 stone steps walk to Hagurosan Shrine may be skipped by using the car instead. To the contrary, in the season when the access road to 8th station is not available, we may enjoy walking on stone steps lined with very tall and old cedar trees deep in the mountains.
-This tour involves a lot of walking as said, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
-This tour is not recommended for those with severe back/knee problems.
-This tour is NOT wheelchair accessible.
-Please let me know if you have dietary restriction.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2024
About Tour Guide Kenichi K.
I would be very glad to guide overseas tourists based on my various working experiences over 30 years in a general trading house, including overseas clients' guide in Japanese local cities, being aware of their interests and viewpoints learned through my engagement with various clients during my overseas assignments (10 years in total) and business trips to some 40 countries.
During the past 10 years living in Akita City (northern Japan), I could greatly expand my outdoor activities such as trekking (not only green season but also winter snowshoe hiking), skiing, and experiencing various local traditional festivals, fireworks festival, hot spring lodges stay with local cuisines/Sake etc. I would very much like to share such joy with our valued overseas tourists!
Reviews
Darin R.
“The Best Guide You Could Ask For”
Kenichi is the best guide we could've asked for. He's kind, knowledgeable, considerate, etc., etc. I could go on and on. He delivered beyond expectation. I highly recommend booking him for any excursion. You won't be disappointed.
Kenichi K.
Dear Darin and Danielle, It is always my utmost pleasure to see our valued visitors enjoy excursion, happy at the guided venues. And great honor to receive your high appreciation! I am very happy to have been with your excellent party. Thank you very much and please keep enjoying your exciting journey towards Kanazawa, western Japan to Seoul. Good days and best regards, Kenichi
Cynthia P.
“Wonderful day with Kenichi in Akita”
I want to express my gratitude to Kenichi for providing such a wonderful trip for my client and his son. The purpose of their trip to Japan was to explore and experience all things related to Godzilla. Kenichi was able to expand on that, so not only did they experience Godzilla Rock in Akita, they also got to experience the Namahage Folklore Museum and Oga Aquarium. Kenichi was knowledgable and entertaining. They thoroughly enjoyed their day with Kenichi.
Kenichi K.
Dear Cynthia, Thank you for kind feedback from your excellent client. It’s a great fun to see the very energetic (lovely) son and father enjoyed various places of Akita besides Godzilla Rock and to have various talks. Kindly convey best regards to their excellent family and look forward to working with you not in distant future! Best regards, Kenichi
Kathleen H.
“Akita Day Tour with Kenichi – An Unforgettable Experience”
We had a truly meaningful and memorable day exploring Akita with Mr. Kenichi as our guide. He greeted us warmly at Akita Airport when we arrived from Tokyo, and after a quick introduction, we were off on our journey. Our first stop was Soegawa, just outside Akita City, where we visited the Shrine and Gardens of Our Lady of Akita. The grounds were peaceful and beautiful, with cherry trees in bloom and Mount Chōkai rising in the distance, still capped in snow. From there, we traveled to Kakunodate, sometimes called "Little Kyoto," known for its well-preserved samurai homes and rows of blooming cherry blossoms. We walked along the Hinokinai River beneath the sakura and were lucky to catch the Cherry Blossom Festival while we were there. We also enjoyed a delicious lunch in town. On our way to Lake Tazawa, we stopped to admire a field of mizubashō (Asian skunk cabbage) flowers—soft white blossoms that seemed to blanket the landscape. At Lake Tazawa, we visited local shrines and took in the natural beauty of the area, ending at the golden statue of Tatsuko, one of the region’s most iconic sights. By 5 PM, Mr. Kenichi had us back at the airport with time to spare. He was a thoughtful and knowledgeable guide who paced the day perfectly, and we’re so grateful for the experience. The memories—and the photos—are ones we’ll treasure. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Mr. Kenichi and would gladly tour with him again.
Kenichi K.
Dear Kathleen and Jeff, Many thanks for your beautiful review of our Tour. It was my great pleasure to be with you for a full day in Akita extended from your original plan to stay just 2-3 hours. In particular, Seitai Hoshikai church garden visited at the exactly very best timing did offer us just an amazing scenery of cherry blossoms and other flowers blooming in a quiet peaceful environment. I would not visit there without being with you and I really appreciate this wonderful trip. Wish to see you not in distant future. Thanks again and best regards, Kenichi
$614/ per group
More tours by Kenichi K.
Kakunodate Samurai House and Lake Tazawa
Inland Akita provides you with beautiful nature and rich historical culture. Unfolded from a Lookout is a breathtaking view of Lake Tazawa and high mountains seen beyond it. At Kakunodate Castle Town, you will feel its 400-year history strolling along the Samurai House street lined with beautiful and lush tall trees. If we drop in at a Samurai House, we will be impressed with the armory and the other Samurai tools used hundreds of years ago!
Kakunodate Samurai House and Lake Tazawa
Akita Nature and Culture Experience - Full-day Trekking and Kakunodate Samurai House
Mt. Komagatake, 1637 meters above sea level, provides with spectacular view of Lake Tazawa and its surrounding hills and countryside. After an hour and a half drive from Akita City to 8th station of the mountain, you may go up to the peak in 90 minutes. On the way back to Akita City, you may stroll around Kakunodate Samurai House Street, exposing you to wonderful flavor of Akita both in nature and culture!
Akita Nature and Culture Experience - Full-day Trekking and Kakunodate Samurai House
Sakata Maiko Dance, Prosperous Merchant House, and Beautiful Zen Temple's Garden
Sakata is a gorgeous harbour town along the Sea of Japan, rich in nature, culture and tradition inherited from prosperous era in 16~18th century by sea trade with Edo(Tokyo), Osaka, and Kyoto. It left top-class restaurants where Maiko/Geisha dance to accommodate the merchants from Osaka/Kyoto, and the gorgeous house and garden of the rich Sakata merchant Honma family. We also visit to inland Zen temple Gyokusenji beautiful garden at foot of holy Hagurosan Shrine.
Sakata Maiko Dance, Prosperous Merchant House, and Beautiful Zen Temple's Garden
Other Popular Car Tour (driving guide) Tours in Yamagata
Sakata Maiko Dance, Prosperous Merchant House, and Beautiful Zen Temple's Garden
Sakata is a gorgeous harbour town along the Sea of Japan, rich in nature, culture and tradition inherited from prosperous era in 16~18th century by sea trade with Edo(Tokyo), Osaka, and Kyoto. It left top-class restaurants where Maiko/Geisha dance to accommodate the merchants from Osaka/Kyoto, and the gorgeous house and garden of the rich Sakata merchant Honma family. We also visit to inland Zen temple Gyokusenji beautiful garden at foot of holy Hagurosan Shrine.
Sakata Maiko Dance, Prosperous Merchant House, and Beautiful Zen Temple's Garden
Mt. Haguro Pilgrimage Hike via 2,446 stone steps & Shojin Ryori Vegetarian Lunch
Mt. Haguro, located in Tsuruoka City, is one of the three sacred mountains of Dewa and a historic pilgrimage site surrounded by nature and spirituality. Climb an ancient stairway of 2,446 steps through beautiful cedar forests and discover a place rich in culture and tradition. With background knowledge of the history and local culture, you'll enjoy the hike to the fullest. Highlights include the Five-Storied Pagoda (National Treasure), a cedar-lined path with over 400 years of history and more!
Mt. Haguro Pilgrimage Hike via 2,446 stone steps & Shojin Ryori Vegetarian Lunch
Mt. Haguro Pilgrimage Hike via 2,446 stone steps (no lunch)
Mt. Haguro, located in Tsuruoka City, is one of the three sacred mountains of Dewa and a historic pilgrimage site surrounded by nature and spirituality. Climb an ancient stairway of 2,446 steps through beautiful cedar forests and discover a place rich in culture and tradition. With background knowledge of the history and local culture, you'll enjoy the hike to the fullest. This tour does NOT include lunch.
Mt. Haguro Pilgrimage Hike via 2,446 stone steps (no lunch)
Samurai Silk and History of Shonai Domain
Visit Matsugaoka in Tsuruoka City, where the entire process from sericulture to silk product manufacturing is still preserved. Tsuruoka and the surrounding Shonai region are the only areas in Japan that offer the full silk supply chain. Learn the fascinating history of the samurai who traded their swords for hoes, planting mulberry trees to support Japan’s modernization. Enjoy shopping for authentic, sustainable silk products made locally in the Shonai region.
Samurai Silk and History of Shonai Domain