MT. ZAO
See the iconic Okama crater
Majestic mountain landscapes with natural beauty transformed by the seasons
Covered in snow for half the year, Mount Zao thaws to reveal the stunning Okama Crater and its colorful lake. In spring just after the roads are cleared, the towering wall of snow abutting the highway is an attraction in and of itself. In summer, hikers of all abilities can explore the rocky ridge around Okama. Autumn brings a spectacular show of gold and red leaves, which impress up close and from a distance.
Sumikawa Snow Park
Silky powder and accessible backcountry adventures
Sumikawa Snow Park is the highest-elevation ski resort in Miyagi, notable for its off-piste action and hip local flair. The snow is powdery and deep, making for runs so smooth it feels as if you’re floating at times. The park also offers tours to view the “snow monsters” of Mount Zao by snowshoe trekking or snowcat vehicle.
Hitome Senbon Zakura
The most beautiful cherry blossom spot in Miyagi
Hanami, cherry blossom viewing, is the highlight of spring in Japan. One of the best places for it in the entire country is Miyagi’s Hitome Senbon Zakura, named one of Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots. The Hitome Senbon Zakura (lit. “a thousand cherry trees in one glance”) are a group of over one thousand cherry trees that bloom along an eight-kilometer stretch of the Shiroishi River. Enjoy the view from the grassy riverbank with a stroll or picnic, or from the water with a yakatabune boat ride. During peak cherry blossom season a festival takes place, with food stalls selling classic Japanese festival fare and an evening light-up of the delicate pink blossoms.