Yamagata 8 Hour Private Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle

Yamagata Prefecture, Japan
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Duration8h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesJapanese, English
Private tourOnly your group will participate
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

Arriving in Yamagata and want to explore the region with ease? This private tour is perfect for you! With a government-licensed English-speaking guide and a private vehicle, discovering Yamagata is effortless.

Yamagata is a hidden gem of northern Japan, rich in sacred mountains, historic hot springs and refined culture. Begin at Yamadera Risshaku-ji, the breathtaking mountain temple whose stone steps climb through cedar forest to a hall with sweeping valley views, immortalized by the poet Basho. Stroll through Kajo Park, the grounds of former Yamagata Castle, and the elegant 1916 Bunshokan.

Enjoy famous hot-spring towns: the milky waters of Zao Onsen and the nostalgic gas-lamp streets of Ginzan Onsen. Take in the swift Mogami River, hilltop Kaminoyama Castle, and art at the Yamagata Museum of Art.

Choose 3 to 4 highlights to match your interests, with a knowledgeable local guide. This flexible 8-hour tour shows you the very best of Yamagata at your own pace.

Options

Regular Car (Up to 2 Pax)

Regular Car (Up to 2 Pax)
Pickup included

Van (Up to 7 Pax)

Van (Up to 7 Pax)
Pickup included

What's included

  • Private vehicle
  • Customizable Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from 'Itinerary' list.
  • Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
  • You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
  • Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
  • Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under Itinerary

What to expect

  1. Yamadera Senju-in Temple
    40m
    Visit Yamadera (Risshaku-ji), a mountain temple founded in 860 AD. Your guide leads you up the stone steps through ancient cedar forest to the Godaido hall, where you enjoy sweeping views over the valley made famous by the poet Matsuo Basho.
  2. Kajo Park
    30m
    Visit Kajo Park, the grounds of former Yamagata Castle. Your guide walks you past the reconstructed Honmaru-Ichimonji gate and stone moats. It is a peaceful green space and one of the area's most beautiful cherry-blossom spots in spring.
  3. Kaminoyama Castle
    30m · Admission ticket not included
    Visit Kaminoyama Castle, a picturesque reconstructed hilltop castle in a historic onsen town. Inside are local history exhibits, and from the top you enjoy panoramic views over the Yamagata basin and surrounding mountains.
  4. Yamagata Museum of Art
    30m
    Discover the Yamagata Museum of Art, home to French Impressionist masterpieces alongside Japanese and regional works. Set in a tranquil garden near the castle park, it offers a relaxed cultural finale to your tour.
  5. Risshaku-ji Temple
    15m · Admission ticket not included
    Founded in the 9th century, Yamadera's sub-temples dot the slopes of Mt. Hoshu just 25 minutes from the city. A 1,000-step ascent through a mystic cedar forest brings you to the temple complex at the summit, with gorgeous views that are considered among the best in northern Japan.

    Fall is a wonderful time to visit Yamadera Temple. The colorful foliage of the surrounding forest and the mild temperatures help make the climb to the top a joy
  6. Yamadera Basho Memorial Hall
    15m · Admission ticket not included
    Founded in the 9th century, Yamadera's sub-temples dot the slopes of Mt. Hoshu just 25 minutes from the city. A 1,000-step ascent through a mystic cedar forest brings you to the temple complex at the summit, with gorgeous views that are considered among the best in northern Japan.
  7. Tendo
    15m
    Tendo is Yamagata's fruit mecca, home to vast orchards of apples, peaches, pears, and of course, cherries. It's also one of the prefecture's premier hot spring resorts, with many outdoor baths.

    For fans of shogi, Japanese chess, the town produces the vast majority of Japan's game pieces. Their creation is a highly developed local craft dating back hundreds of years.
    Read more about - Yamagata & Yamadera Customized Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide - https://www.viator.com/tours/Yamagata-Prefecture/Yamagata-Yamadera-6hr-Private-Trip-with-Licensed-Guide/d50150-92136P338?mcid=56757
  8. Bunshokan
    15m
    Admire the Bunshokan, the elegant former Yamagata Prefectural Office, a beautifully preserved early-20th-century building of British Renaissance style.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

The guide will be waiting with a name board.

End point

The guide will be waiting with a name board.

Pickup details

If your hotel or desired pick up point is not on the list, please contact us. Please be at your pick up point 10 minutes before the tour starts. This tour includes an English-speaking, Government-licensed guide and a private vehicle with a driver. Pick up and drop off are available at Yamagata Station and hotels in central Yamagata.

Additional information

  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Service animals allowed
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • There are only a limited number of car seats and booster seats. Rear-facing car seats are not available. You must contact us directly if you need them.
  • Please contact us should you need a child or infant seat.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
From
79,500.00 JPY per person
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  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
  • Instant confirmation
  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
Operated by Japan Guide Agency · Booked through Viator
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From
79,500.00 JPY per person
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