Itinerary
Tohoku Snow Country: Ginzan, Zao & Hirosaki Lanterns
8 days · 15 stops · ¥140,000–¥200,000
Sat, Feb 6 – Sat, Feb 13
Eight days of winter magic across Yamagata, Miyagi and Aomori — lantern-lit onsen towns, ice-monster mountains, and the 50th anniversary Hirosaki Snow Lantern Festival.
Days
Zao Onsen
Yamagata
663highland / CC BY-SA 4.0
Schedule
Day 01 of 08🛬
Arrive 13:00 · first activity from 15:30
2.5h customs + airport transit buffer
Land at GAJ · Sat, Feb 6 · from JFK · 2 travelers
Renting a car? Check the license rules
Some licenses (FR/DE/CH/BE/TW) need a JAF translation, not an IDP — 5-min guide.
Stay
Yamagata, · 2 nights
Sat, Feb 6 → Mon, Feb 8 · 2 guests
15:30
EXPLORE
蔵王温泉
Stay ~2h
Yamagata Station (JR)
Ride the ropeway up to the Juhyo (snow monster) field — the trees are fully formed by early February and lit at dusk.
Getting around
🚗
Rental car recommended
Several stops on this route are in rural areas with limited rail access. A rental car from the nearest city hub gives you the freedom to reach places no bus serves.
Browse rental cars on Klook →⛴️
Ferry required
At least one destination is accessible only by ferry. Book in advance — island ferries sell out weeks ahead in peak season (Apr–May, Jul–Aug).
Browse ferry options on Klook →01 / 08
Journey map
Trip budget · お見積り
¥11,500–¥21,500 / person / day
¥185,000–¥345,000 total for 2 travellers
💴 Carry ~¥9,000/day in cash — many hidden spots are cash-only.
Estimated from 14 travel legs, 7 hotel nights and 1 ticketed event. International flights not included. Typical prices, not quotes.
Before you go
Everything else, sorted.
Stay Connected
Japan eSIM delivered instantly to your phone — 5% off with code HIDDENJAPAN.
Get yours
Get Around
Shinkansen, regional rail passes, and city transit — sorted before you land.
Compare passes
Stay Hidden
Sleep in a centuries-old ryokan. Tatami floors, onsen, and a 7-course kaiseki.
Browse ryokans
Travel Light
Ship luggage ahead on the shinkansen route. Explore every day completely hands-free.
Book delivery
Travel Safe
Insurance that actually covers adventurous travel — hiking, onsen, ski slopes.
Get covered
Save on Exchange
Spend yen at the real mid-market rate. Saves real money on a 2-week trip.
Open free
Hidden Japan may earn a small commission on purchases — at no extra cost to you.
Your turn
Plan a trip like this — free
This itinerary was built from 2,350+ verified hidden places — real routes, ferries, and events matched to your dates. Yours takes about a minute.
No credit card, plan your first trip now!