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
Melvin N.
“A grand adventure, customized to my needs!”
Had an amazing time exploring the marvels of Akita with Kenichi-san. Not only was there nary a dull moment, the experiences I had, trekking at the top of Mount Moriyoshi even in the midst of heavy snow to see the Juhyo, the absolute magical sights en route to Lake Towada, and finally, a scenic stroll through Kakunodate... and all throughout, absolutely safe and masterful driving, coupled with a most remarkable level of conscientiousness and preparedness. It was an incredible experience!
Kenichi K.
Dear Melvin-san, Very glad to learn you really enjoyed our tour to snowy (and cold) world in Akita of this January. It was an exciting experience to do snowshoe trekking in blizzard to me as well! Besides those visited, we have various charming spots in Akita, nearby prefectures, or Tokyo metropolitan area, and I would love to have another opportunity to enjoy tour with you or your friends. Good days and best regards, Kenichi
$564/ 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!
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!
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.
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.
Holy hike to the top of Mt. Haguro via 2,446 stone steps
Mt. Haguro in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, is one of three mountains of Dewa and a popular destination for those who want to immerse themselves in beautiful nature. Attractions include -Shinkyo Bridge and Suganotaki Waterfall -Grandfather Cedar Tree -Five-Storied Pagoda (National Treasure) -Michelin Green Guide 3-Starred Cedar Forest You will feel refreshed and energized after completing the round trip of 2,446 stone steps in the cedar forest.
Samurai Silk and History of Shonai Domain
Visit Matsugaoka in Tsuruoka City where all the processes from sericulture to silk product making are still available. Tsuruoka and its surrounding area called Shonai is the one and only area that can provide the whole supply chain of silk products. Learn the history of Samurais who gave up their swords for hoes to plant mulberry trees for the sake of helping the modernization of Japan and also to clear their names after being defeated by the new government centered around the Meiji Emperor.
Mysterious visit to Mt. Yudono and self-mummified monks in TSURUOKA City
You will witness the real Sokushinbutsu, or Self-Mummified Monk, in Ryusuiji Dainichibo temple, and also visit Mt. Yudono Shrine which has been worshipped since ancient times. You will discover a mysterious side of Japan by learning what Sokushinbutsu is all about and what is enshrined in the Shrine. It's difficult to find detailed information about the mountain on the internet because the ancient rule, "do not speak about Mt. Yudono," has been handed down over many generations.