Icefall Snow Trekking in Yamagata – Explore a Breathtaking Winter Wonderland! Join a guided trek into a spectacular world of ice, with essential technical gear provided

Zao Icefall Snow Trekking | January to March only Zao, in Yamagata Prefecture in northern Japan, sits in one of the snowiest regions on earth. In the depths of winter, a wall of ice around 30 meters (100 feet) high appears here. Every winter, an entire waterfall freezes solid, forming an icefall tens of meters wide. Photographs cannot do it justice. On the way, you cross open snowfields and walk among the "Ice Monsters" — the huge snow-laden trees Zao is known for. An icefall, ice monsters, and the mountain-worship traditions still alive in Zao: this tour brings all three together, and it is one of YAMAGATA EXPERIENCE's most popular. About 2 hours 30 minutes from Tokyo by Yamagata Shinkansen. Step into a snow country landscape few travelers ever see. ■ Season Friday, January 8 to Monday, March 15, 2027 * Please check the calendar on this page for available dates. * Wednesdays and Thursdays marked "×" are rest days for the regular tour. On those days we run private charter tours with pickup included (see the bottom of this page). ■ Six reasons travelers choose this tour 1. Experienced guides, and the line they choose The route to the icefall includes steep descents and climbs. Our experienced guides, certified by the Zao Bodaira Tourism Council, read the snow conditions on the day and lead accordingly. We run this tour more than 40 days each season, with a strong record of reaching the waterfall. On the same slope, the line you take changes how safe it is. We cut steps with a shovel to prevent slips, and choose our route carefully, with safety first. 2. An avalanche transceiver and crampons for every guest The route includes steep slopes where 10-point crampons are essential, and every participant carries an avalanche transceiver (beacon) in case of a slide. Rental for both is included in the tour price. We decide what equipment is necessary based on the character of the field and its risks, and run our tours accordingly. 3. A portable toilet on the course There are no toilets on the course, but your guide carries a pop-up tent toilet that can be used during the tour — so there is no need to hold back on drinking water. * Places where it can be set up are limited, so your guide will let you know when it is available. Please just ask. 4. Hot water, free of charge At the lunch break, your guide provides hot water, so you can warm up from the inside without carrying a heavy thermos. * Please bring cup noodles or similar instant food for your lunch. * Lunch is a break out on the snow. There is no indoor rest area. 5. Free photos of your day Photo data taken by your guide during the tour is sent to you the same day. Pictures of your smiles and the scenery around you become irreplaceable memories, to enjoy long after the tour is over. 6. Even on days we cannot reach the waterfall If weather or field conditions keep us from the icefall, we guide you along our Extreme Ice Monster Field route instead — a vast, powerful world of white that you can only enter with a guide. It is a rare chance to feel DEEP ZAO at its fullest. ■ Please read before booking • This tour is for people with experience snowshoeing or walking on snow. If it is your first time walking in winter mountains, we recommend our Ice Monster Snow Hiking tour instead. • You need to be able to walk more than 4 hours on your own feet, carrying a backpack. • If you have a medical condition or are unsure about your fitness, please contact us before booking. • Pets cannot join the tour. • Our guides speak English. ■ Special equipment rental (rental fees included in the tour price) • Snowshoes | ATLAS Helium — worn over your own winter boots to walk on deep snow (they are not boots themselves). • Poles | Montbell Fall Line Pole — lightweight backcountry poles. • Crampons | Montbell Snow Spike 10 — essential on steep slopes. • Helmet | Montbell Alpine Helmet — worn on steep slopes and near the icefall (carried in your backpack while walking). • Avalanche transceiver | A beacon for the unlikely event of an avalanche. Every participant carries one at all times. • Cushion | An outdoor seat pad to keep the cold off you at breaks. * Clothing and footwear are not rented. Please bring your own — see "What to bring" below. ■ What to bring This tour goes into the mountains in the coldest part of winter. Without adequate gear, there is a real risk of hypothermia and frostbite. For everyone's safety, your guide checks equipment before departure. If the items under "Essential" are not complete, you may be asked to sit the tour out, so please prepare them in advance. If anything is unclear, please contact us before you book. Essential • Winter outerwear | Waterproof, insulated jacket and pants, such as ski wear. Temperatures can drop below -10°C (14°F), so please bring something genuinely warm. • Winter hiking boots | Insulated, waterproof, and coming up above the ankle. Snow boots are also fine — please wear thick, warm socks with them. * Snowboard boots cannot be used: crampons and snowshoes will not fit them securely. • Winter hat | A warm beanie that covers your ears. • Gloves | Warm gloves such as ski gloves. * Work gloves and knitted gloves cannot be used, as they get wet and let the wind through. • Backpack | 20 liters or larger. You will stow your crampons and helmet in it during the tour. One per person is required. • Lunch | Bring plenty, such as bread and cup noodles. We provide the hot water. • Drink | A thermos with a hot drink. Plastic bottles can freeze. Good to have • Gaiters | Worn at the ankle to keep snow out of your boots (rental available for a fee). • Down jacket or fleece | For rest breaks. • Thin gloves or work gloves | Useful while eating. • Hand warmers • Sunglasses ■ Approximate finish time The finish time varies with the weather, the condition of the field, and the pace of the group. We usually finish between 13:30 and 14:30, but we cannot promise an exact time. If you are taking a Shinkansen or a flight on the day of the tour, please allow plenty of time. ■ Getting here 1. By car (recommended) Because the finish time shifts from day to day, coming by car is the most reliable option. Parking is free on weekdays; on weekends and public holidays there is a 1,000 yen parking cooperation fee. 2. Free shuttle (limited spaces) We offer a free shuttle for a limited number of guests from: • JR Kaminoyama-Onsen Station • Accommodation in Zao Bodaira (pensions and similar) Please tell us your preferred pickup point when you book, and we will confirm whether we can accommodate it. If you are staying in Tendo Onsen, there is a separate plan with pickup from your accommodation. https://www.tendodays.com/tour/icegarden-tour/ 3. By public transport If you take the free "White Echo" shuttle bus from Kaminoyama-Onsen Station, you will need to stay near the ski resort the night before, because of the meeting time. For the return trip, an evening bus is available. White Echo timetable (2026 reference): https://www.zaoliza.co.jp/wntr/dd6c3251f80974debd707ba312a860987d0b272a.pdf 4. By taxi • From hotels in Yamagata City: about 50 to 60 minutes / small taxi (1-4 people) 27,500 yen round trip • From the Zao Onsen area: about 30 to 40 minutes / small taxi (1-4 people) 15,000 yen round trip, jumbo taxi (up to 9 people) 21,840 yen round trip. * To book, please call Kanko Taxi at +81-23-672-2323. ■ Insurance We carry accident insurance covering accidental injury during the tour (Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. / event participant accident insurance). • Death or residual disability: 10,000,000 yen • Hospitalization (per day): 5,000 yen • Outpatient treatment (per day): 3,000 yen If you would like broader coverage, please consider taking out additional insurance of your own. ■ Changes and cancellations • You may change your booking date once, free of charge, up to 17:00 (JST) four days before the tour. Changes after that are treated as cancellations. • For cancellation fees, please see the cancellation policy at the bottom of this page. ■ Private charter tours on rest days, pickup included On days the regular icefall tour does not run (every Wednesday and Thursday, plus January 12, March 2 and March 9), we accept private charter tours. It is a day with the guide to yourselves — well suited to couples and small groups. • Price: 26,000 yen per person (minimum 2 people, pickup included) • We move at your pace, on a plan that suits you. Having the guide to yourselves makes the day something different. • We can go deeper into whatever interests you: the shapes winter carves into the landscape, the signs of animals, the history of mountain worship. • In addition to the areas above, we can pick you up from accommodation in Kaminoyama Onsen and Zao Onsen. • We can adjust the start time and accommodate other requests where possible. Once you have a date in mind, please get in touch.

• Days of Week

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

• Duration

  5h

• Adult/Child (ages 10+)

  JPY 20,000

• What's Included

  • Guide Fee
  • Rental of Essential Gear (Snowshoe, Poles, Light Crampons, Beacon, Helmet)
  • Insurance
  • Consumption tax
  • Lift fee
  • Cushion | An outdoor seat pad to keep the cold off you at breaks.

• What's Not Included

  • Parking fee (1,000 yen on weekends and holidays, free on weekdays)

• Requirements

  • This tour is designed for participants with snowshoe or winter trekking experience. Beginners are recommended to join our separate “Ice monster Snow Hiking” course.
  • Participants must be able to carry a backpack and walk for more than 4 hours under their own power. The route includes some steep ascents and descents.
  • Participants may be refused entry if proper clothing or equipment is not provided.
  • 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.) * Work gloves and knitted gloves cannot be used, as they get wet and let the wind through.
  • 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)
  • A backpack (20 liters or more). You will store your light crampons and helmet in the backpack during the tour. Each participant must bring one）
  • 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

  • Until 17:00, 8 days prior: 0%
  • Until 17:00, 4 days prior: 10%
  • Until 17:00 the day before: 30%
  • After 17:00 the day before: 100%