Icefall Snow Trekking Yamagata's spectacular snow trekking! Enter the world of ice like in the movies. Guide accompanying and equipment rental available, even beginners of snowy mountains can participate!

[January to March] Snow trekking to the Icefall known as Hyobaku in Zao, Yamagata. Every winter, the entire huge waterfall freezes over, creating a frozen waterfall about 30 meters high and several tens of meters wide. Its power cannot be conveyed in a photo. This area, which has long attracted ice climbing enthusiasts, is called the Ice Garden, and is filled with a world of ice that is like something out of a movie. Step into the frozen world of Senninzawa Ice Garden in search of unknown spectacular views. <Attractions of the plan> ・Hot water provided: The guide will provide hot water at lunchtime, so you don't need to bring a climbing burner or anything like that. ・Portable toilet: A tent-type portable toilet will be brought with you, so women don't have to worry about toilets. ・Photo gift: The guide will take photos during the tour and give you the data for free on the day. On the way there, you will mainly go downhill from the end of the lift at Zao Liza World Ski Resort, aiming for the frozen waterfall. The end of the second lift is an area of ​​frost-covered trees lined with large ice monsters. You can also enjoy viewing the frost-covered trees. From the end of the lift, put on crampons and trek for about an hour to Senninzawa Ice Garden. Rental snowshoes and other lightweight gear were introduced two seasons ago. When you arrive, enjoy lunch while admiring the frost-covered waterfall. The guide will provide you with hot water, so please bring something to warm you up, such as instant noodles. We can also set up a tent-type toilet during lunch, so you can use the restroom. You can hydrate without worrying about the toilet. After enjoying the mysterious world of ice, you will climb back up the steep slope and change into snowshoes. You can walk on the fluffy new snow, slide on your buttocks, or walk down to the ski resort without using the lift. First-time snow mountain climbers are welcome to participate, but you will need the stamina to walk for more than four hours on your own with a backpack. There are some steep descents and climbs. If the route to the icefall cannot be walked safely due to field conditions, we may change to snowshoeing. <Equipment> Snowshoes: ATLAS Helium BC 23,26 (mountain snowshoes with innovative lightness and portability) Stocks: Montbell Fall Line Poles (lightweight backcountry stocks) Light crampons: Montbell Snow Spikes 10 (essential for steep slopes up to the icefall) Helmet: Montbell Alpine Helmet (to be worn when approaching the icefall. Stored in a backpack while moving) <What is included in the price> Guide fee, rental of essential gear (snowshoes, stocks, light crampons, helmet), insurance, consumption tax, lift fee <What is not included in the price> Parking fee (Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays only, free on weekdays) <Insurance> We have personal injury insurance (insurance that pays a fixed amount for the number of days of treatment) that will pay out if you are injured due to an accident during the tour (from the time of meeting to the time of disbanding). Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. (Personal Accident Insurance) Death/Permanent Disability 5 million yen, Hospitalization Insurance Daily Amount (per day) 5,000 yen, Outpatient Insurance Daily Amount (per day) 3,000 yen ＜Changes/Cancellation Fee＞ Cancellation policy is listed below on this page. Reservation changes are free until 17:00 the day before. ※ Target age: 10 years old and above ※ Please contact us in advance if you have a chronic illness or are worried about your physical strength. ※ Pets are not allowed. ※ Our guides can speak English, so English speakers are welcome to join. ＜About Transportation＞ ・By Car The tour finishes at different times depending on the day, so it is convenient to access by car. Only on weekends and holidays, a parking lot management fee of 1,000 yen will be charged. Free on weekdays ・By Public Transportation If you use the free shuttle bus (White Echo) from Kaminoyama Onsen Station, you will need to stay the night before near the ski resort. You can take the evening bus back. White Echo Bus Timetable (last year's schedule) http://www.zaoliza.co.jp/wntr/dede0e9fb25b5a1baeda1f57c5648e7d41b0c33a.pdf Please wait for the announcement of the schedule for the 2025 season. ・By taxi A taxi from Kaminoyama Onsen Station costs about 7,000 yen one way. If you make a reservation in advance for a round trip, you can use it for 13,200 yen (tax included) per car. (Up to 4 people per car. Equivalent to 3,300 yen per person. There are also taxis that can seat 9 people.) Please make a reservation here up to 3 days in advance. Kaminoyama Taxi Contact: Nakano 023-672-1122 For a smoother process, please tell them you are going to ride the "YAMAGATA EXPERIENCE Icefall Tour".

• Days of Week

  Sun,Mon,Tue,Wed,Thu,Fri,Sat

• Duration

  5 hours

• Adult (ages 10+)

  JPY 15,000

• What's Included

  • Tour Guide
  • Rental of essential gear (snowshoes, poles, light crampons, helmet)
  • Medical insurance
  • Tax
  • lift fee

• What's Not Included

  • Parking fee (Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays only. Free on weekdays)

• Requirements

  • First-time snow mountain climbers are welcome to participate, but you will need the stamina to walk for more than four hours on your own with a backpack. There are some steep descents and climbs.
  • If your belongings or clothing are insufficient, you may be refused participation.
  • Target age: 10 years old and above

• What to Bring

  • --- Things you definitely need to prepare ---
  • Cold-weather clothing (cold-proof/waterproof tops and bottoms such as ski wear. Please bring warm enough clothing in case of weather below -10 degrees Celsius)
  • Climbing shoes (high cut, cold and waterproof. You can also participate in winter boots or snow boots, but you will need to wear thick socks or two layers of socks to prevent your feet from moving too much inside the shoes.)
  • knit cap (covers the ears)
  • Gloves (warm ones, such as ones for skiing. *Cotton gloves and woolen gloves are not good because they get wet and allow wind to pass through.)
  • Rucksack (20 liters or more; light crampons and helmet will be stored in the backpack during the tour)
  • Lunch (bread and cup noodles, etc. Hot water will be provided.)
  • Drinks (water bottles filled with warm drink. Plastic bottles may freeze)
  • 　
  • --The following are things that are good to have--
  • Gator spats (things that are attached to the ankles to prevent snow from getting into the shoes)
  • Down jacket or fleece (for use during breaks)
  • Thin gloves or work gloves (for use when eating)
  • Heat pad
  • Sunglasses

• Cancellation Policies

  0%

  8 days before to 17:00

  10%

  4 days before to 17:00

  30%

  1 day before to 17:00

  After 17:00, 1 day before

  100%

  Participation Date