About this experience
For one day, we will head to one of the remote corners of Japan. Our destination is Miyagi Prefecture, the city of Shiroishi - located approximately 300 km from Tokyo. The main distance is covered by bullet train (shinkansen). You will experience what it's like to rush at a speed of 320 kilometers per hour! In the prefecture, we will visit amazing attractions that are difficult to reach on your own - a fox park, an ancient Japanese hotel with thermal waters, and an ancient castle from the samurai era of Kamakura.
Itinerary
- We will travel through several prefectures - Saitama, Tochigi, Fukushima, Miyagi. Upon arrival at the local station, we will switch to a taxi and cover the remaining 15 kilometers on picturesque mountain roads.
- And we are in the realm of foxes! Lately, this park has been gaining more and more popularity, with tourists from different countries being the main visitors. About three hundred foxes live in the fenced area! You will be able to see young foxes or cubs, of different colors and species. Some animals, accustomed to people, can be touched and held for an additional fee of 400 yen. You will walk among the foxes, observe their habits, and choose the perfect moments for photos. From a special hut, you can feed the animals, the cost of a feeding packet is 100 yen. There are other residents in the park as well: rabbits, chipmunks, goats, and a couple of cute ponies.
- Afterwards, you can enjoy the local thermal waters in a small pool at the old 200-year-old Japanese-style hotel. We will get there by taxi. There are separate pools for men and women. The local water is famous for its beneficial effects on the skin.
- Next on the route is a stop to explore the Shiroishi Castle. The initial construction was erected during the Kamakura era (1185 - 1333). I will tell you about this period of civil wars and samurais.
- With the program completed, we will take a taxi to the station and board the shinkansen back to Tokyo.
Organizational Details
During the tour, tourists cover expenses for transportation and entrance tickets for themselves and the guide:
- travel time on the bullet train one way - 1 hour 50 minutes;
- ticket cost for shinkansen (if you don't have a JR pass) for one adult one way - 10,340 yen. Children under 12 years old receive a 50% discount. Infants under 6 years old travel for free (in a non-reserved seat car).
- taxi travel time - 25 minutes, total fare for all approximately 4,000 yen (up to 4 people);
- entrance fee to the fox park - 1,000 yen, entrance is free for children under 12 years old;
- taxi to the hotel with thermal waters - around 2,200 yen;
- pool entrance fee - 500 yen per person, towels are provided for 200 yen;
- taxi to the castle - 2,000 yen;
- entrance to the castle for an adult - 300 yen, for a child up to 17 years old - 150 yen;
- taxi from the castle to the station - 2,000 yen;
- lunchtime is decided during the tour. Approximate cost - from 1,000 yen and above. Due to the lack of restaurants in some parts of our route, lunchtime and conditions should be discussed in advance. Alternatively, you can bring some snacks from Tokyo. Snacking is possible during the shinkansen ride and in the Fox Village.
The temperature in the excursion area is 5 to 10 degrees lower than in Tokyo, so dress warmer. In winter, gloves, a hat, a scarf, and warm footwear are mandatory.
In June, July, and August, the foxes shed - this is not a good time to visit the Fox Village. The best time is during the winter months. In May-June, fox cubs appear.
