Enjoy Naruko while touring Yamagata! Introducing our recommended tour plans

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The Naruko area is easily accessible from Yamagata Airport, taking about an hour and a half by car, allowing you to enjoy sightseeing while you travel. You can make the most of your travel time by stopping off at tourist spots on your way to your destination. In this article, we'll introduce a plan...

Written by

Minami Aoyama Real Estate Co., Ltd.

We, Minami Aoyama Real Estate, are a real estate company located in Minato-ku, Tokyo. We offer a wide variety of services, from our core real estate business to dining, lodging, and modern Japanese architecture. An accommodation experience designed with modern Japanese architecture based on the keyword "bringing Japan's proud culture and technology to the world," a dining experience at a cafe modeled after a Western-style building from around 1900, when Western culture entered Japan, and Japanese sake. We provide entertainment that can be enjoyed with all five senses, such as a Japanese antenna shop that delivers traditional crafts and traditional crafts.

Table of Contents
The starting point of the journey: Yamagata Airport
[Day 1] Enjoy Yamagata's history and scenery
[Day 2] Enjoy skiing and local cuisine in Yamagata
[Day 3] A barbecue using local ingredients while enjoying nature
If you are planning to visit Naruko from Yamagata, head to Hotel WAMARE Onikobe

The starting point of the journey: Yamagata Airport

Yamagata Airport is connected by direct flights to Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Sapporo.

There are five car rental offices within the airport, making the process smooth. The car rental reception is located in the arrival lobby on the first floor of the terminal building. Additionally, parking at Yamagata Airport is free of charge, regardless of the number of days you park.

If you are heading to Naruko while touring Yamagata, we recommend traveling by car.

[Day 1] Enjoy Yamagata's history and scenery

On the first day, we will head to Yamagata city from Yamagata Airport. In Yamagata city, we will introduce tourist spots where you can enjoy the history and scenery of Yamagata.

Yamagata Prefectural Museum "Bunshokan"

Yamagata Prefectural Museum "Bunshokan" is an English Revival style building constructed in 1916. It served as the prefectural office and assembly building until 1975.

It was designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan in 1984, and is currently open to the public free of charge as the Yamagata Prefectural Museum.

Address: 3-4-51 Hatagocho, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture

Business hours: 9:00-16:30

Closed: 1st and 3rd Mondays, New Year holidays

Price: Free

Access: 30 minutes by car from Yamagata Airport

For more information, please visit the official website.

https://www.gakushubunka.jp/bunsyokan/

View the scenery from the sky on the Zao Ropeway

The Zao Ropeway is a ropeway that connects Zao Sanroku Station to Jizo Sancho Station. During the frost-covered season, you can view the fantastic frost-covered fields from the air. You can also enjoy trekking during the seasons of fresh greenery and autumn leaves.

Address: 229-3 Zao Onsen, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture

Business hours: 8:30-17:00

Price: Adults 1,800-3,500 yen (round trip) / Children 900-1,800 yen (round trip)

Access: About 25 minutes by car from Yamagata Prefectural Museum "Bunshokan"

Please see the official website for detailed opening hours and prices.

https://zaoropeway.co.jp/winter/index.php

[Day 2] Enjoy skiing and local cuisine in Yamagata

On the second day, we will introduce a plan where you can enjoy skiing and local cuisine in Yamagata.

Taste the Yamagata specialty "Tama Konnyaku"

A Yamagata specialty is "tama konnyaku." The flavorful tama konnyaku is eaten with mustard. Just one piece is enough to fill you up, making it a popular local delicacy.

At the long-established Chitoseyama Konnyaku Shop, founded in 1926, you can taste ball-shaped konnyaku made with Yamagata Maruyama soy sauce and miso.

Address: 3-14-1 Matsuyama, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture

Business hours: 9:00-18:00

Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays

Access: 20 minutes by car from Zao Ropeway

You can also purchase ball-shaped konnyaku as souvenirs.

Iwasaburo (Moriyama Fish Farm), famous for its deep-fried dace

Iwasaburo (Moriyama Fish Farm) is famous for its fried ugui fish. It is packed so you can eat it as a snack while driving.

Address: 203 Oshikiri, Obanazawa City, Yamagata Prefecture

Access: About 50 minutes by car from Chitoseyama Konnyaku Shop

They also sell processed foods such as carp and herring, which make perfect souvenirs.

Akakura Onsen Ski Resort: Fun for the whole family

Akakura Onsen Ski Resort is a ski resort that can be enjoyed by anyone from families to experts. It is divided into beginner to advanced courses, so you can choose a course that suits your level.

Address: 3480-1 Tomizawa, Mogami-machi, Mogami-gun, Yamagata Prefecture

Business hours: 8:30-16:30 / Night business 17:00-21:00

Price: Enjoyment Pack 4,500 yen

Access: About 20 minutes by car from Iwasaburo (Moriyama Fish Farm)

For more information, please check the official website.

https://akakura-spa-ski.com/check

[Day 3] A barbecue using local ingredients while enjoying nature

On the third day, enjoy a barbecue in the natural surroundings. The barbecue using local ingredients is delicious.

Naruko's Rice Project Musubiya: Delicious Yukimusubi rice balls

At Musubiya, you can enjoy onigiri rice balls made with locally grown "Yukimusubi" rice. Many of the ingredients are locally grown, allowing you to fully enjoy the flavor of the ingredients.

Address: 77-84 Hoshinuma, Naruko Onsen, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture

Business hours: 11:30 - 13:30

Closed: Wednesday

Access: 20 minutes by car from Akakura Onsen Ski Resort

Currently, it is only available for take-out, so we recommend eating your rice balls while looking at the magnificent view.

The Dragon God's Shrine, dedicated to the water god of Katanuma

There is a dragon god legend about Katanuma, and on the middle of the outer rim of the swamp on the south side of the swamp there is a dragon god shrine dedicated to the water god of Katanuma.

Address: National Route 108, Naruko Onsen Yanagi, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture

Access: 7 minutes by car from Musubiya

Every September, an event called the Katanuma Dragon God Festival is held in Katanuma, where you can experience Japanese culture such as votive performances and Kagura dance.

Naruko Dam: Experience packrafting

Naruko Dam is the first arch dam in Japan to be built entirely by Japanese engineers. The dam embankment is open to the public, offering a spectacular view, and in autumn you can enjoy the beautiful autumn foliage.

Address: 2-8 Iwabuchi, Naruko Onsen, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture (Naruko Dam Management Office)

Access: 8 minutes by car from Ryujin Shrine

At Naruko Dam, there are also tours where you can experience packrafting.

Enjoy a barbecue at Lake Arao Park

If you want to enjoy a barbecue, we recommend Lake Arao Park. The spacious grounds include a campground and a barbecue area.

Address: Onikobe Todoroki, Naruko Onsen, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture

Opening hours: 9:00-17:00

Camping fees: Day trip/Adults 400 yen, Children (elementary school students) 200 yen *Preschoolers free

Access: 10 minutes by car from Naruko Dam

If you are planning to visit Naruko from Yamagata, head to Hotel WAMARE Onikobe

Hotel WAMARE Onikobe, located in Onikobe, Naruko Onsen, is a ryokan (Japanese inn) that can be rented out as a whole building.

The building has two living spaces and five guest rooms, so even large groups can relax and unwind after a long day of travel.

If you are planning to visit Naruko from Yamagata, please consider staying at Hotel WAMARE Onikobe.

Reservation here

Written by

Minami Aoyama Real Estate Co., Ltd.

Tokyo

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