Enjoy Naruko while touring Yamagata! Introducing our recommended tour plans

2025.04.24

The Naruko area is easily accessible from Yamagata Airport, taking about an hour and a half by car, allowing you to enjoy sightseeing while traveling. If you stop off at tourist spots on your way to your destination, you can make the most of your travel time.

• Table of Contents
• The starting point of the journey: Yamagata Airport
• [Day 1] Enjoy Yamagata's history and scenery
• [Day 2] Enjoy skiing and local cuisine in Yamagata
• [Day 3] Enjoy a barbecue with local ingredients while surrounded by nature at Hotel WAMARE Onikobe
• If you're planning a sightseeing tour of Naruko Onsen from Yamagata, head to "Hotel WAMARE Onikobe".

The starting point of the journey: Yamagata Airport

Yamagata Airport is connected by direct flights to Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Sapporo.

There are five car rental offices within the airport, making the process smooth. The car rental reception is located in the arrival lobby on the first floor of the terminal building. Additionally, parking at Yamagata Airport is free of charge, regardless of the number of days you park.

If you are heading to Naruko while touring Yamagata, we recommend traveling by car.

[Day 1] Enjoy Yamagata's history and scenery

On the first day, we will head to Yamagata city from Yamagata Airport. In Yamagata city, we will introduce tourist spots where you can enjoy the history and scenery of Yamagata.

Yamagata Prefectural Museum "Bunshokan"

Yamagata Prefectural Museum "Bunshokan" is an English Revival style building constructed in 1916. It served as the prefectural office and assembly building until 1975.

It was designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan in 1984, and is currently open to the public free of charge as the Yamagata Prefectural Museum.

For more information, please visit the official website.

View the scenery from the sky on the Zao Ropeway

The Zao Ropeway is a ropeway that connects Zao Sanroku Station to Jizo Sancho Station. During the frost-covered season, you can view the fantastic frost-covered fields from the air. You can also enjoy trekking during the seasons of fresh greenery and autumn leaves.

Please see the official website for detailed opening hours and prices.

[Day 2] Enjoy skiing and local cuisine in Yamagata

On the second day, we will introduce a plan where you can enjoy skiing and local cuisine in Yamagata.

Taste the Yamagata specialty "Tama Konnyaku"

A Yamagata specialty is "tama konnyaku." The flavorful tama konnyaku is eaten with mustard. Just one piece is enough to fill you up, making it a popular local delicacy.

Iwasaburo (Moriyama Fish Farm), famous for its deep-fried dace

Iwasaburo (Moriyama Fish Farm) is famous for its fried ugui fish. It is packed so you can eat it as a snack while driving.

They also sell processed foods such as carp and herring, which make perfect souvenirs.

Akakura Onsen Ski Resort: Fun for the whole family

Akakura Onsen Ski Resort is a ski resort that can be enjoyed by anyone from families to experts. It is divided into beginner to advanced courses, so you can choose a course that suits your level.

For more information, please check the official website.

[Day 3] Enjoy a barbecue with local ingredients while surrounded by nature at Hotel WAMARE Onikobe

On the third day, let's enjoy a barbecue in nature at Hotel WAMARE Onikobe. The barbecue, made with local ingredients, is absolutely delicious.

You can enjoy a barbecue on the balcony while overlooking the magnificent nature of Kurikoma Quasi-National Park. We also offer optional meat sets, mainly featuring Sendai beef, and provide grills, chairs, and other equipment, so you can enjoy a barbecue without bringing anything.

We will also introduce other nearby tourist attractions.

Naruko's Rice Project Musubiya: Delicious Yukimusubi rice balls

At Musubiya, you can enjoy onigiri rice balls made with locally grown "Yukimusubi" rice. Many of the ingredients are locally grown, allowing you to fully enjoy the flavor of the ingredients.

Currently, it is only available for take-out, so we recommend eating your rice balls while looking at the magnificent view.

"Katanuma" offers a packrafting experience.

Katanuma, located in the Naruko Onsenkyo hot spring area of ​​Osaki City , Miyagi Prefecture , is a mystical caldera lake whose surface color changes from emerald green to deep blue depending on the weather and season.

The surrounding abundant nature and beautiful scenery make it a popular tourist spot.

If you're planning a sightseeing tour of Naruko Onsen from Yamagata, head to "Hotel WAMARE Onikobe".

Hotel WAMARE Onikobe, located in the Naruko Onsen area of Onikobe Onsen, is a ryokan that can be rented as a whole building.

It can accommodate up to 14 people, so you can enjoy a relaxing stay with your family or friends without worrying about others.

The interior of the inn is decorated with traditional crafts such as Naruko Kokeshi dolls, Sendai chests, and Iwayado chests, making it an inn where you can experience the history, culture, and traditions of Tohoku.

As a base for enjoying hot spring hopping in the Naruko Onsen area, and for those visiting Naruko Onsen and Tohoku from Yamagata ,

Please consider staying at Hotel WAMARE Onikobe. It is also the perfect base for traveling around the Tohoku region.

Official website: https://www.wa-mare.com/stay/onikoube/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotel_wamare_onikoube/?locale=ja_JP

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