Up into the Zao and Shichikashuku mountains. We suggest the mountains on day one and back to the house in the evening.
36 min by carShiroishi
Yajiro Kokeshi Village
Displays, sales and workshop of Yajiro-style kokeshi dolls. Painting your own (¥1,000) is fun with children.
Time needed, prices and parking
- Season
- All year
- Time needed
- 30 min; 1–1.5 hr with painting (approx.)
- Price
- Free entry; painting ¥1,000
- Hours
- Apr–Oct 9:00–17:00, Nov–Mar 9:00–16:00; closed Wednesdays and over New Year
- Parking
- 50 cars
- Rainy day
- Yes — indoors
- With children
- Yes — doll painting any time
Note: Closed Wednesdays. Groups of 10+ should phone ahead.
More information ↗ Seasonal Stay Plans →
43 min by carShiroishi
Miyagi Zao Fox Village
Over 100 foxes of several kinds roam free in the woods.
Time needed, prices and parking
- Season
- All year
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hr (approx.)
- Price
- Adults (junior high and over) ¥1,500; primary school and under free
- Hours
- 9:00–16:30 (from 15 Oct 9:00–16:00), closed Wednesdays
- Parking
- Available
- Rainy day
- Partly — the fox area is outdoors (open in rain)
- With children
- So-so — one adult per child; no buggies
Note: No pets. Do not touch the foxes; feed them only at the feeding area.
More information ↗ Fox Village guide → Fox Village article → Seasonal Stay Plans →
43 min by carMurata
Taniyama Nature Park
About 1,000 hectares of forest with the Zao range in the distance. In autumn the leaves are reflected in the dam lake — good if you want somewhere quiet.
Time needed, prices and parking
- Season
- Autumn leaves mid Oct – mid Nov
- Time needed
- 30 min – 1 hr (approx.)
- Price
- Free
- Hours
- Any time
- Parking
- Free
- Rainy day
- Outdoors
- With children
- So-so — views and walking only
Note: The hiking course is closed since the 2011 earthquake (leaf viewing is fine). No shop. Watch for bears.
Official site (Japanese) ↗ Autumn leaves guide →
46 min by carShiroishi
Zaimokuiwa Park (Obara gorge)
A wall of column-shaped rock about 65 m high and 100 m wide — "Zaimokuiwa", a national natural monument. Water play in summer and autumn leaves in autumn.
Time needed, prices and parking
- Season
- Cherry blossoms and new green in spring; water play in summer; autumn leaves
- Time needed
- About 1 hr (approx.)
- Price
- Free
- Hours
- Park any time; restaurant and shop close December to mid-March
- Parking
- Free, 87 cars
- Rainy day
- Partly — old house and noodle restaurant
- With children
- Yes — shallow water channel in summer
Note: Food and shop close in winter.
More information ↗ Autumn leaves guide →
49 min by carKawasaki
Michinoku Lakeside Park
Tohoku's only national government park, with big playgrounds and seasonal flower fields beside Lake Kamafusa.
Time needed, prices and parking
- Season
- All year (seasonal flowers)
- Time needed
- Half a day, 2–4 hr (approx.)
- Price
- Adults ¥450; junior high and under free
- Hours
- Mar–Oct 9:30–17:00, Nov–Feb 9:30–16:00; usually closed Tuesdays
- Parking
- 1,400 cars, ¥400
- Rainy day
- Partly — some indoor facilities
- With children
- Yes — playgrounds, nursing room, buggy hire
Note: Usually closed on Tuesdays (open daily in some seasons).
More information ↗ Michinoku Park article → Autumn leaves guide →
53 min by carShichikashuku
Lake Choro
A quiet lake with a 2 km path around it, reflecting Mt. Fubo. In autumn the beech woods colour the water.
Time needed, prices and parking
- Season
- Fresh green to autumn leaves (mid Oct – mid Nov)
- Time needed
- About 45 min around the lake; 1 hr in all (approx.)
- Price
- Free
- Hours
- Any time
- Parking
- About 60 cars
- Rainy day
- Outdoors
- With children
- Yes — 2 km lakeside path; boats and SUP in season
Note: Car park toilets closed 1 Dec – 31 Mar. Watch for bears.
More information ↗ Autumn leaves guide →
1 hr by carShichikashuku
Nametsu Otaki Falls
A two-step waterfall about 10 m high and 30 m wide, filling the whole river. It is right beside National Route 113.
Time needed, prices and parking
- Season
- Autumn leaves mid Oct – early Nov (lit up on some evenings)
- Time needed
- About 30 min (approx.)
- Price
- Free
- Hours
- Any time
- Parking
- Available, including the café next door
- Rainy day
- Outdoors
- With children
- So-so — steps down to the water; keep close
Note: Slippery rocks. Watch for bears.
More information ↗ Autumn leaves guide →
1 hr 15 min by carZao
Zao Echo Line (mountain road)
A mountain road between Miyagi and Yamagata. Walls of snow just after it opens in late April, and in autumn the colour moves down the slopes over several weeks.
Time needed, prices and parking
- Season
- Open late April – early November; snow walls late Apr – mid May; autumn leaves late Sep – early Nov
- Time needed
- 15–30 min at each viewpoint; 1–2 hr for the drive (approx.)
- Price
- Free
- Hours
- Closed at night (17:00–8:00) in spring and from mid-October; closed in winter from early November to late April
- Rainy day
- Outdoors
- With children
- So-so — mostly views from the car
Note: Check road information before you go; the road can close in bad weather.
More information ↗ Autumn leaves guide →
1 hr 20 min by carZao
Okama crater lake (Mt. Zao)
A crater lake ringed by the peaks of Katta, Kumano and Goshiki. The viewpoint is a two-to-three-minute walk from the summit car park.
Time needed, prices and parking
- Season
- While the Echo Line is open (late April – early November); autumn leaves near the top in mid-October
- Time needed
- About 1 hr (approx.)
- Price
- Zao Highline toll ¥600 per car
- Hours
- Highline 7:30–17:00 (last entry 16:30); closed in winter
- Parking
- Free, about 300 cars
- Rainy day
- Partly — summit rest house; fog often hides the lake
- With children
- Yes — 2–3 min walk from the car park
Note: An active volcano: check the volcanic alert level. The summit is cold and the weather changes quickly.
More information ↗ Seasonal Stay Plans →
