You can experience three exciting things in this tour. First, you can see Shinjo Festival float ( Intangible World Cultural Heritage), and play the "hayashi" music at the museum, wearing a "happy" coat. Second, you can enjoy a thrilling boatride down the Mogami River, like Matsuo Basho, a haiku poem master from about 400 years ago. Third, you can hike in "Genso-no-mori", Fantasy Forest.
At Shinjo Station
At Shinjo Station and Shinjo History Museum you can observe three Shinjo Matsuri Festival (UNESCO Intangible World Cultural Heritage) Floats. They are so gorgeous to look at that you'll be amaze d at their beauty.
We take a boat down the Mogami River, which is breathtaking because of its magnificent view all around you.
You can enjoy a bento (boxed lunch ) and sake while boarding.
We can take a walk through the Genso-no-mori (Fantasy Forest). You will feel like you are in a totally different world, a far cry from the reality. You must have a special respect for nature's greatness, I'm sure.
At Shinjo Station
Shinjo Festival is registered as a UNESCO Intangible World Cultural Heritage along with Japan’s 32 festivals featuring floats. If you are interested in float festivals, this is a must-see in Japan.You can not only observe the spectacular floats, but also experience the atmosphere of the festival, wearing a ”happy” coat and performing the ” hayashi” music. In fact the festival is held from August 24th to 26th every year. This tour takes you to the spots and facilities related to it.
Also you can enjoy an exciting boatride down the swift Mogami River (the 8th longest in Japan, about 230 kms) , which runs through Yamagata-ken only. Matsuo Basho, haiku (17-syllabled peom) master took the same trip about 400 years ago and wrote a world-famous haiku, which read: Flowing so swiftly, Gathering early summer rains; the Mogami River. Why not try making your own haiku on a boat?
Lastly, definitely you 'd like to visit "Genso-no-mori", which literally means " Fantasy Forest". We can see and hike around a lot of one-thoudand-year-old funny-shaped cedar trees. The strange curves are said to have been caused by an annual heavy snowfall, which is usually more than 3-to-4-meter deep.
Guide fee, Hotel pick-up in Shinjo City
Transportation fee (you and guide) : Chartered Small Taxi (Max: 4 people ¥7,000(per hour), Chartered Jumbo Taxi (Max: 9 ￥10,000 (per hour), Approximately ¥3,000 ( per person in case of using public transport : JR trains and buses), Boat-ride ¥ 2800 (per person), Lunch ¥3,000, Museum Admission Fee ¥300 (per person)
I'm available from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday through Saturday.
Transportation fee and lunch of you and a guide will be paid by the customer.
If you book me before making inquiries, please note that you may be requested to pay extra guide fee for hotel pickup (about 5,000 yen) depending on the location. So, please ask me first.
Shinjo Festival is registered as a UNESCO Intangible World Cultural Heritage along with Japan’s 32 festivals featuring floats. If you are interested in float festivals, this is a must-see in Japan. You can not only observe the spectacular floats, but also experience the atmosphere of the festival, wearing a ”happy” coat and performing the ” hayashi” music. In fact the festival is held from August 24th to 26th every year. This tour takes you to the spots and facilities related to it.
Also you can enjoy an exciting boat ride down the swift Mogami River (the 8th longest in Japan, about 230 kms) , which runs through Yamagata-ken only. Matsuo Basho, haiku (17-syllabled poem) master took the same trip about 400 years ago and wrote a world-famous haiku, which read: Flowing so swiftly, Gathering early summer rains; the Mogami River. Why not try making your own haiku on a boat?
Lastly, definitely you 'd like to visit "Genso-no-mori", which literally means " Fantasy Forest". We can see and hike around a lot of one-thousand-year-old funny-shaped cedar trees. The strange curves are said to have been caused by an annual heavy snowfall, which is usually more than 3-to-4-meter deep.
The itinerary is very flexible. I can adjust the schedule to your liking. So, please let me know your reference in advance.
Pure Water was a delightful tour guide from the very first contact. He was quick to respond to all our requests and put together a wonderful day for our group of 8 of the cruise ship. Our highlight was a short trip to see the tamasudare falls.
Hi again, Barbara. Thanks a bunch for writing a review for our tour, "Exciting and Exploring Sakata Tour (7 Hours). I highly appreciate your wonderful comments on our one-day trip around Sakata. As you mentioned, the Tamasudare Waterfall was just amazing and magnificent beyond our description. A little rain added another extraordinary value to all the surrounding landscape, which made each and every one of us speechless. Why don't you come back to Sakata again to delve more into rural parts of Yamagata Prefecture, which you missed this time because of time constraint? I do hope our paths will definitely cross all again in the very near future and that we'll be able to explore another unbeaten track of Yamagata. Pure Water (Sometimes Poor Water)
I am a travel professional that used Kuniaki for VIP clients I had traveling. His service was absolutely perfect. He provided the perfect service. I recommend him and will confirm his services in the future.
Thank you so much for writing a review for me. The tour was just a short period of time, but I really had the time of my life guiding and helping them carry their baggage. I hope that they felt the same as I did. Why don't you visit Yamagata again and delve into other places of scenic beauty and historical interest? The longer you stay here, the stronger your attachment to Yamagata becomes. I do wish that our paths will definitely cross again in the not-too-distant future. See you around! Pure Water
Kuniaki - aka Pure Water, the English translation of his name - planned an incredible two-day tour for us based in Yamagata. Pure Water went above and beyond in every aspect, planning everything thoroughly and precisely while also providing flexibility and options. He worked with us to create a fully customized itinerary including traditional activities such as harvesting winter vegetables, making soba with a soba master, a boat ride, and visiting the local onsen. He arranged all transportation and meals for us and even helped us find local authentic accommodation in a traditional Japanese farmhouse. We never would have had such a local or authentic experience without his help, and his passion and enthusiasm for tour-guiding and helping people experience Japan shone through at every step. As Pure Water says, we have left behind nothing but happy memories and will remember our time in Tozawa Village always! Thank you Pure Water!
Kari and Rob, I just can't thank you enough for writing such an unexpected review. It sure is my greatest honor that you both enjoyed OUR tour, "Authentic Snow Activity Tour in the Rural Snowbound Region, Tozawa Village," to the full! From the very scratch, we all planned our trip very carefully to meet our requirements, which was a lot of fun on my part, too. Despite the long journey you guys were amiable all the time and said "Arigato" in Japanese for any service you got, which made the locals around you very happy and comfortable. You're definitely one of the best couples I've ever met in my whole life! We miss you very much. Why don't you visit our place again to take another optional tour you missed this time. We, of course, roll out the red carpet for you both just like the Hina Dolls we saw at Farmhouse 'Ajiki'. Bon voyage! Wishing you a smooth flight to New Zealand, Kari and Rob. Poorest Water (Because we miss you so much!)
Shimizu-San is a very nice person and we enjoyed his company. The first day to Yamadera was lots of fun but we could have done without the Basho museum. The second day was less interesting. Though the old Prefecture building was OK, it was not worth the time. Yamagata Castle was a bit of a bust. Lunch, however, at Gura was very good.
Thanks a lot for writing a review for me. I was very happy to have an opportunity to show you around Yamadera mountain complex and Kajo Koen Park. It was a pity, however, that we could not climb up to the top of Mt. Zao on the second day as originally scheduled becase of the weather and the cable car check-up. Maybe next time! I personally enjoyed your sophisticated talks and jokes all through the tour. You are definitely one of the best couples I've ever met in my whole life. Thanks again for choosing me as your personal guide for two days. Next time why not visit Mt. Zao and the Shinjo-Mogami region for another exciting tour? I'm very much looking forward to it. I do hope you'll enjoy the rest of your tour in Japan. See you again. Bon voyage!