Mount Gassan and Mount Zao
Mount Gassan (1984m) is the highest of the Three Mountains of Dewa in the ancient province of Dewa. The hiking trail passes through marshland, wild alpine flower fields and patches of snow, even in midsummer. While not particularly steep, the rocky, treeless trail can be challenging due to its exposure. Rain makes the rocks slippery and there is no protection from either strong wind or sun. You can opt to stay a night in the mountain lodge at the summit or just do a day trek to the summit. Staying a night in the mountain lodge will enable you to see the sunrise the next morning if the sky is clear.
Mount Zao is a volcanic mountain range on the prefectural border between Yamagata and Miyagi Prefectures. While most famous for its snow monsters in winter, the area also offers hiking opportunities with spectacular views of the Okama Crater in summer and autumn.
Join us in this 3-4 days trekking tour from Yamagata!
Season: Summer and Autumn
Difficulty: Medium to Difficult
Trekking with the Last Remaining Snow of Mt. Gassan (April – June)
※Targeted for people with snowy mountain hiking experience and the appropriate equipment. Equipment can be rented for free subject to size availability.
3 Days Mt Gassan and Mt Zao Trek
TRAVEL PERIOD: Snow Trek ~ April – June. Best from June-October
Code: JPN-JMG_T3
Min 2 adults to go
Itinerary (Subject to changes)
Day 1 Tokyo – Yamagata (Lunch, Dinner)
0712 Depart Tokyo Station by Tsubasa 131
1054 Arrive at Shinjo Station, meet and transfer to take Mogami river boat cruising with lunch in the boat. Let’s enjoy river song by boat master.
1430 After the cruise, we go to Ginzan hot spring district before check in at Gassan Pole Pole Farm
1900 Enjoy dinner of nice Japanese cuisine and have a relaxing time in cottage
Overnight Gassan Pole Pole Farm Cottage
DAY 2 Mt Gassan Trek (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
0730 Breakfast in lodge
0800 After breakfast, we climb to Summit of Mt.Gassan (1984m). First we will take lift and go up to 1500m of altitude. Then we trek about 40 mins to Mt. Uba (1620m). After Mt. Uba, we walk along ridge line with breeze and view. Continue walk of more than 1 hours, we will reach the steepest part in this mountain. From here will require another 1 hour before reaching the summit.
1200 Lunch in the summit is lunch box.
1300 On return trek, you can slide on the snow in return way.
1500 Back in lodge for rest and pack before proceed to our lodge, Kaminoyama Onsen Hayamakan Japanese-inn.
1700 Check in Kaminoyama Onsen Hayama-kan. Here you can relax yourselves in the hot spring with luxury room and delicious dinner.
1800 Dinner at Japanese Inn
Overnight Kaminoyama Onsen Hayamakan Japanese-inn.
DAY 3 Mt Zao – Depart (Breakfast, Lunch)
0800 Breakfast
0930 Proceed to Mt. Zao volcano area and have a short trek up to the Mt Zao Okama Volcano Spot.
1300 Enjoy soba noodle soup in a very historical Soba noodle shop.
1430 Visit Yamadera Temple which has many temples on the rock. We need to climb almost 1000 steps to main temple of the summit. After Yamadera, you will be transferred to the station for your train to Tokyo.
1749 Depart Tendo Station Tsubasa 156
2048 Arrive Tokyo
4 Days Mt Gassan and Mt Zao Trek
TRAVEL PERIOD: July-September
Code: JPN-JMG_T4
Min 2 adults to go
Itinerary (Subject to changes)
Day 1 Tokyo – Yamagata (Lunch, Dinner)
0712 Depart Tokyo Station by Tsubasa 131
1054 Arrive at Shinjo Station, meet and transfer to take Mogami river boat cruising with lunch in the boat. Let’s enjoy river song by boat master.
1430 After the cruise, we go to Ginzan hot spring district before check in at Gassan Pole Pole Farm
1900 Enjoy dinner of nice Japanese cuisine and have a relaxing time in cottage
Overnight Gassan Pole Pole Farm Cottage
DAY 2 Mt Gassan Trek (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
0730 Breakfast in lodge
0900 After breakfast, we climb to Summit of Mt.Gassan (1984m). First we will take lift and go up to 1500m of altitude. Then we trek about 40 mins to Mt. Uba (1620m). After Mt. Uba, we walk along ridge line with breeze and view. Continue walk of more than 1 hours, we will reach the steepest part in this mountain. From here will require another 1 hour before reaching the summit.
1200 Lunch is lunch box on the trail.
1400 Arrive summit and check in mountain lodge in the summit of Mt Gassan which is very comfortable. Rest and relax. Sometimes you can take bath even at the summit of mountain!!
1800 Dinner is mountain wild vegetable meal.
Night time, you can see sparking star lights if weather is good.
Overnight mountain lodge.
DAY 3 Mt Gassan Trek (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
0600 Breakfast. You can see sunrise from top of the mountain if the weather is good
0700 On return trek, we will take another trail down where you can see Sea of Japan and Mt.Chokai (about 4 hours)
1400 Back in lodge for rest and pack before proceed to our lodge, Kaminoyama Onsen Hayamakan Japanese-inn.
1600 Check in Kaminoyama Onsen Hayama-kan. Here you can relax yourselves in the hot spring with luxury room and delicious dinner.
1800 Dinner at Japanese Inn
Overnight Kaminoyama Onsen Hayamakan Japanese-inn.
DAY 4 Mt Zao – Depart (Breakfast, Lunch)
0800 Breakfast
0930 Proceed to Mt. Zao volcano area and have a short trek up to the Mt Zao Okama Volcano Spot.
1300 Enjoy soba noodle soup in a very historical Soba noodle shop.
1430 Visit Yamadera Temple which has many temples on the rock. We need to climb almost 1000 steps to main temple of the summit. After Yamadera, you will be transferred to the station for your train to Tokyo.
1749 Depart Tendo Station Tsubasa 156
2048 Arrive Tokyo
LAND Price per person in SGD
Tour Code: JPN-JMG_T3 or T4
LAND Price includes
| Size | 2 pax | 3 pax | 4 pax | 5 pax | 6 pax | 7 pax or more |
| 3 days | 1728 | 1428 | 1388 | 1368 | 1348 | 1328 |
| 4 days | 2348 | 1688 | 1658 | 1638 | 1598 | 1568 |
- Accommodation as per itinerary (Pole Pole cottage and Hayamakan deluxe room & mountain lodge for 4 Days itinerary)
- Meals as per itinerary ※not include drink fee
- Using private car
- Entrance fee and experience fee of the spot on the itinerary.
- English speaking guide
- Free rental of crampon if required
- All airfare + taxes
- All Rail Pass not mentioned
- Other transport not mentioned
- All other meals not mentioned
- All other entrance fees not mentioned
- Travel insurance
Preparation for Mt Gassan Snow Trek