Yamagata Private Tours & Local Tour Guides

Discover Things to Do and Plan a Trip to Yamagata, Japan with a Local Guide

Popular Yamagata Private Tours

Exciting Experience Tour in Shinjo (EETS)

Yamagata
8 hours

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.

FROM$311/ per group
Kuniaki S.
4.80 / 5
(5 reviews)

Hands-on "Snow Experience " Tour

Yamagata
8 hours

This tour is focused on the three wintery activities in the snowbound area of Yamagata. First you can enjoy shoveling the 3-meter-deep snow and digging the stored vegetables (turnips) out of the snow. Second you'd like to cook them with the help of a local cuisine specialist and appreciate the traditional food on the spot. Third we take a breathtaking boatride down the Mogami River.

FROM$311/ per group
Kuniaki S.
4.80 / 5
(5 reviews)

Hands-on Exciting and Exploring Tour in Sakata (6.5 Hours)

Yamagata
6 hours 30 min

This tour can give you chances to enjoy both Japanese traditional cultures and modern ones. We can visit a sembei rice cracker firm, rice storehouses, rice museum, Zen-sect Buddhist temple and a maiko teahouse. What makes this tour so special is that you can dive deep into ricce-related Sakata cultures, one of Japan's biggest rice production sites from long ago. You can't miss this amazing and unforgettable tour!

FROM$0/ per group
Kuniaki S.
4.80 / 5
(5 reviews)

Popular Yamagata Tour Guides

Mai H.

5.00 / 5
(30 reviews)
Japan

Hello. I'm Mai, a national licensed tour guide in Sendai. I can guide in Tohoku region around Sendai. Please check my tours and ask me if you want to go places like -Matsushima, Shiogama, Hiraizumi, Yamadera, Okama zao, Nikka whiskey factory, Jogisan I think of myself as friendly, open minded and considerate. I love talking so I’m happy to discuss any topics about japan or this region. I want to help travelers discover attractiveness of this region and make their trip memorable! I love traveling so I have visited many countries and I lived in India. learning ideas and cultures of people from various countries have helped me to understand Japan deeply. And I'm happy to share my knowledge and personal experiences with my guest. I look forward to meeting you and hope we have enjoyable time together!!

Kuniaki S.

4.80 / 5
(5 reviews)
Japan

I've been involved in English education at public junior high school and prefectural board of education for more than 40 years as a teacher, teachers' consultant and a principal.Now retired, I’m very interested in introducing many places of historical interest and scenic beauty in my hometown to international visitors to Japan.My motto in life is ”once-in-a-lifetime encounter”. I'm more than happy to help make your trip the most impressive one. Why don't you get off the beaten track and visit Shinjo and Mogami regions? Shinjo City is now world-famous for its Shinjo Festival, registered by UNESCO as an Intangible World Cultural Heritage, December in 2016. I’m sure that you can definitely enjoy both the festival and the subtle harmony between man and nature in this area.

Tomio Y.

5.00 / 5
(2 reviews)
Japan

Government Licensed tour guide with 9 years experience as a shore excursion guide for cruise ships visiting northern part of Japan such as Aomori, Akita, Iwate, Yamagata, Miyagi and Hokkaido prefecture.

Hiromi O.

Japan

National Licensed Guide Interpreter located in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture. I used to work at a global investment bank in Tokyo but returned to my hometown to be close to nature. Yamagata is the perfect place to visit for those who love nature in rural area. Especially in Tsuruoka and its surrounding area that are nestled between the Sea of Japan and beautiful mountain ranges, we offer a unique cultural experience found nowhere else. For example, visiting Sokushinbutsu (Self-mummified monks) temples, climbing up 2,446 stone steps to the summit of a holy mountain, mystical encounter with various jellyfish, indulging in a rich culinary tradition, exploring diverse local crafts, and more! I love my hometown and would love to help visitors have unforgettable experiences during their journeys. Looking forward to meeting you! <How to get Tsuruoka from Tokyo> By JR, Joetsu Shinkanse from Tokyo to Niigata, then change to express train Inaho from Niigata to Tsuruoka. About 4 hours from JR Tokyo Station. By bus, night buses are available from Shinjuku area and Shibuya area, leaves around 10pm and arrive at Tsuruoka around 6am. Please check the bus company's website for details. By air, ANA operates 5 times a day from Haneda Airport to Shonai Airport.

Popular Yamagata Private Cars

☆Yamagata Day Tour with a Private Car

Yamagata
3 hours

Experienced local taxi drivers will cordially show you around the area so that you can visit both must-see and hidden sightseeing spots and enjoy local food.

FROM$220/ per group
Tr taxi R.
4.87 / 5
(234 reviews)

☆Yamagata Day Tour with a Private Car

Yamagata
3 hours

Experienced local taxi drivers will cordially show you around the area so that you can visit both must-see and hidden sightseeing spots and enjoy local food.

FROM$250/ per group
Tr taxi R.
4.87 / 5
(234 reviews)

Yamagata zao ski area to Narita Airport Transfer

Yamagata
6 hours

Depart from Narita airport, and deliver to any ski resort hotel in zao Village. Or, pick you up back to Tokyo Narita Airport. Pick-up and drop-off service at any time

FROM$913/ per group
Soq J.
4.94 / 5
(18 reviews)

Yamagata zao ski area to Haneda Airport Transfer

Yamagata
5 hours

Depart from Haneda airport, and deliver to any ski resort hotel in zao Village. Or, pick you up back to Tokyo Haneda Airport. Pick-up and drop-off service at any time

FROM$830/ per group
Soq J.
4.94 / 5
(18 reviews)

Samurai Silk and History of Shonai Domain

Yamagata
4 hours

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.

FROM$346/ per group
Hiromi O.

Holy hike to the top of Mt. Haguro via 2,446 stone steps

Yamagata
4 hours

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.

FROM$0/ per group
Hiromi O.

Mysterious visit to Mt. Yudono and self-mummified monks in TSURUOKA City

Yamagata
6 hours

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.

FROM$228/ per group
Hiromi O.

Holy hike to the top of Mt. Haguro via 2,446 stone steps and shojin ryori lunch

Yamagata
5 hours

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 -Shojin Ryori (Vegetarian lunch) You will feel refreshed and energized after completing the round trip of 2,446 stone steps, ascending and descending.

FROM$0/ per group
Hiromi O.

Day Trips from Yamagata

Reviews

Barbara A.

5 / 5
May 28, 2024

A great tour of Sakata with a difference

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.

Kuniaki S.

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)

V

Vickie L.

5 / 5
May 1, 2024

Fantastic experience hiring a driver to the Dewa Sanzan

We originally communicated with Woo at TR Taxi who was very helpful and responsive, and who arranged the driver to take us to the Dewa Sanzan and Kamo Aquarium. Mr. Watabe, our actual driver, was excellent - a careful driver with a comfortable and clean car, who was punctual, conscientious, and friendly. He communicated very well with his phone translation app to make sure we were on the same page with where we were going and when. We couldn’t have had a better experience! We highly recommend them!

Tr taxi R.

Thank you for the review! Our team is so grateful for your positive feedback. We hope to serve you again in the future.

H

Hedj J.

5 / 5
Apr 12, 2024

Perfect Service

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.

Kuniaki S.

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

H

Hedj J.

5 / 5
Apr 12, 2024

Great Service

I am a travel professional that needed to reserve Soq J. for last minute services for VIP Clients. He provided professional prompt attention to my clients. I definitely recommend him and would use him again in the future.

Soq J.

Thank you for your recognition and recommendation! I'm glad to have been able to provide professional and prompt service to your VIP clients. Looking forward to assisting you again in the future! SoQ

Yamagata Private Tour Guide

Whether it’s your first time to Yamagata or you are back to discover more, a good tour guide can make all the difference. Enjoy the best of what Yamagata has to offer, without all the fuss of planning everything by yourself! You can pick your favorite itinerary from the Yamagata tours offered by our local guides, but feel free to ask for customizations based on your preferences. We want to help travelers get the most out of their trips, and we believe a good tour with a local guide is the best way to ensure that. There is so much to see and do in Yamagata, and the best way to get the most out of your time there is to have a local expert with you. GoWithGuide is committed to delivering unforgettable tour experiences, so let us help you create your next favorite memory.

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