Trekking holy mountain Gassan Midagahara Marsh and Beautiful flower temple "Gyokusenji" on its foot
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?
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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
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
Vibes C.
“Kenichi-San is a good find for a guide!”
My daughter and I had a memorable time in Akita. Thanks to our exceptional guide! Kenichi-san was well prepared, knowledgeable, and genuinely enthusiastic throughout our tour. He even sent us a PowerPoint presentation beforehand, which he used very effectively during the trip to help us better understand the history and significance of the places we visited in Akita. Being a former professor was truly an advantage. He had a wonderful way of explaining history in very simple and easy-to-understand terms, without making it feel like a lecture. His stories brought the past to life and made the entire experience so much more meaningful and enjoyable. What made the visit even more special was his personal connection with the descendant of the Ishiguro family. Ishiguro-san who is a resident of the house toured us in their Samurai house (one of only six original samurai residences that remain standing today). This gave us such a rare and authentic glimpse into the family’s history and made the visit even more memorable. I especially loved our guide’s energy, warmth, and sincere desire to always give us more than what was expected during the tour. He is truly a wonderful find, and I would book him again in a heartbeat! Thank you Kenichi-san! See you again soon!
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Kenichi K.
Dear Vibes, Thank you very much for your utmost appreciation, very much honored and pleased. I feel more than happy to learn that you have really enjoyed the tours in Akita and elsewhere in Japan. It was wonderful to spend time and to have a variety of conversations with your people, starting with a quiet and beautiful church, then to nature around the Lake and Samurai Town, dropping at Sake brewery, ending at a wonderful Onsen lodge deep in the forest. I am also deeply impressed with the great careers of you and your daughter likewise. Good days and months, take best care of yourselves and see you not in the distant future. Best regards, Kenichi
Soeyantho L.
“Akita 1 day private tour”
Kenichi-san was an outstanding tour guide in Akita. He took us to the Our Lady of Akita, Lake Tazawa, Tsurunoyu Onsen (Nyuto Onsen area), and Kakunodate Samurai Town, and he made the whole day smooth, comfortable, and genuinely enjoyable. He is very helpful and attentive to detail—always checking timing, weather, walking conditions, and the small practical things that make a trip stress-free. He’s also knowledgeable, explaining the background and local stories in a clear, engaging way without ever rushing us. Throughout the day he was cheerful, friendly, and easy to talk to, which created a relaxed atmosphere from start to finish. If you’re looking for someone professional, warm, and reliable in Akita, I highly recommend Kenichi-san. He’s the kind of guide who truly elevates the experience, and I would gladly book him again and recommend him to others.
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Kenichi K.
Dear Soeyantho-san, Many thanks for your utmost appreciation, very grateful! Thanks to your beautiful family members’ good behaviors, we were very much blessed with pretty fine weather, which was unusual and rare in this winter season of the year in this side of Japan along Japan Sea. My fun too was the exciting walking Our Lady of Akita garden covered with small snow, beautiful scenery along shining Lake Tazawa and challenging Onsen experiences in sunny open-air bath etc.! Our various conversation including your country's today was interesting and exciting. Thanks again and I look forward to seeing you not in distant future. Best regards, Kenichi
Kerrie J.
“half way around the country ”
what an absolutely amazing day we went to so many beautiful places ken is the greatest guide an so full of knowledge the information he provided on each place was fantastic i wish i had more time to do more things with ken. highly recommend anybody wanting to use these guys to go exploring
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Kenichi K.
Dear Kerrie, Thank you very much for your wonderful feedback, very much honored! I enjoyed a lot sharing excellent experiences and also exciting conversation with you. Good holidays with rich snowboarding in various fields of northern Tohoku! Best regards, Ken
$559/ per group
More tours by Kenichi K.
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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 Nature & Outdoor Tours in Yamagata
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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
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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)
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