Snowfield Walk in Zao Bodaira｜A Perfect First Snow Adventure in the Wild Nature of DEEP ZAO｜Dogs Welcome【Limited to One Group per Day】

[January – March] This is a relaxing 2-hour snow walking tour across the white snowfields of Zao Bodaira Plateau. Wearing snowshoe, you will stroll through gentle snowy forests without using ski lifts. The course is safe and easy for everyone, from children as young as 3 years old and first-time snow walkers to guests joining with their dogs. No prior experience is required. While Yamagata Zao is well known for skiing, snowboarding, and Ice Monster viewing, this tour takes place in DEEP ZAO – Zao Bodaira Plateau, a quieter and lesser-known winter area away from the busy Zao Onsen zone. Joining this YAMAGATA EXPERIENCE tour is the start of your adventure into Yamagata’s hidden winter nature. Step into the DEEP ZAO forest and discover a silent winter world. Soft powder snow, snow-covered trees, and beautiful scenery create a magical atmosphere. In just two hours, you can fully enjoy the extraordinary winter landscape of Yamagata with your loved ones or your dog. [This tour is recommended for] ・Guests who want a special snow experience ・First-time snow walkers and beginners ・Families with small children ・Guests who wish to enjoy nature with their dogs Experienced local guides accompany the tour. They will teach safe walking on snow, share knowledge of nature, and introduce the charm of Yamagata. The route can be adjusted flexibly depending on weather, snow conditions, and participants’ energy levels. During the tour, guides will take photos of your experience and scenery. Photo data will be provided free of charge on the same day. The tour starts at the Liza World Ski Resort Rest House. After fitting snowshoe, you will begin a gentle walk toward the forests of Zao Bodaira. This is a short and enjoyable winter trip without using ski lifts. All equipment rental is included in the tour price ・Snowshoe (not actual shoes, but a special piece of gear worn over your winter boots to walk on deep snow) ・Trekking poles (Montbell Fall Line Poles) ・Insulated seat cushion for breaks Guests with medical conditions or concerns about physical fitness should consult us in advance. Our guides speak English, and English speakers are welcome. Participants are covered by accident insurance during the tour. ■ 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. 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 3. 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. ■Tour Price This is a fully private tour with one fixed price for a group of up to **three guests and one dog. If your group includes four or more guests or two or more dogs, please select the appropriate add-on options when making your reservation. ・Additional guest—from the fourth guest onward: +¥10,000 per person ・Additional dog—from the second dog onward: +¥5,000 per dog Please contact us in advance if you would like to participate with six or more guests or three or more dogs.

• Days of Week

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

• Duration

  2h

• Per-Booking

  JPY 40,000

• Add-ons

  • One Additional Dog

    [Description]

    Please select this option for one additional dog. If you are bringing 3 or more dogs, please contact us.

    [Price]

    Per-BookingJPY 5,000

  • One Additional Guest

    [Description]

    Please select this option if your group has 4 guests.

    [Price]

    Per-BookingJPY 10,000

  • Two Additional Guests

    [Description]

    Please select this option if your group has 5 guests. For groups of 6 or more, please contact us.

    [Price]

    Per-BookingJPY 20,000

• What's Included

  • Guide Fee
  • Rental of essential gear (snowshoe, poles)
  • Insurance
  • Consumption tax

• What's Not Included

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

• Requirements

  • Please come prepared with basic cold-weather clothing and suitable footwear for walking on snow.
  • arget age: 3 years old and above

• What to Bring

  • --- Things you definitely need to prepare ---
  • Winter clothing (warm and waterproof jacket and pants, such as ski wear. Please prepare sufficiently warm clothing for sub-zero temperatures.)
  • Warm, waterproof high-cut snow boots. Winter rubber boots are acceptable with thick or double-layered socks.
  • 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)
  • --- 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)
  • 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%