It was time to say goodbye to Miyagi prefecture and cross over into Yamagata prefecture. And, the first place to visit is Zao Okama Crater.
Zao Okama Crater: A circular crater lake surrounded by the three peaks of Zao Katta-dake, Kumano-dake, and Goshiki-dake.
Now that we're here, we have to figure out how to get closer; there doesn't seem to be a walking path to get down the slope to the edge of the crater.
However we wanted (I wanted) to get more closer. we kept walking along the fence to get nearer to the crater.
At this point Emi and Hiroko said that they had seen enough of the crater and they were going up these stairs to go visit the shrine on top of the mountain. I would catch up with them later because I was on a mission to get the best view of the Zao Okama Crater!
Note: no mater where you are in Japan, even in the middle of nowhere, there are always stairs to climb! I paused here to look back down at the crater before continuing up.
At the top of the stairs there was a nice walking path heading to the shrine. The tall poles on the left side are to help people find the trail when the ground is covered with snow.
Still going up but I'm getting closer.
I finally made it to the top! That's Hiroko on the right side of the picture.
It's nice and peaceful up here.
The jagged white line on the monument was caused by lightning!
Well, it's time to say goodbye to the mountain top; we're going to head for Zao Onsen where we'll be spending the night.
This is the center of the Zao Onsen town. We need to find a place to eat lunch.
This place will do!
Let's eat!
After lunch we did a little walking around and sightseeing. This is a natural hot spring; the water is extremely hot!
We checked into our Inn a 15:00 (standard check in time)
We all enjoyed bathing in the Inn's hot spring bath. Then after taking a little rest in the room it was time to go to the dining room for dinner.
We were all in a good mood and ready for hot food and cold drinks.
Emi and I only have empty glasses because we're waiting for the drinks to come.
Kanpai! Cheers! This highball is great!
Now it's time to eat.
We ordered the cook-your-own special.
Meat, vegetables, mushrooms... all kinds of good stuff.
The dinning room is cozy.
I'm enjoying a glass of wine with my meal.
Next morning and it's time for breakfast.
My favorite: onsen tamago on rice!
Emi's enjoying her miso soup.
After breakfast we checked out of the Inn and drove down the the mountain. Our next stop is Yamagata City.
The first place we visited in Yamagata city was Gutto Yamagata. It's a big local products center and farmers market. I didn't take any pictures but here is their website: https://www.yamagata-bussan.co.jp/
This was a great place to visit, I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Yamagata city.
Next we visited Midoricho Garden. https://www.gakushubunka.jp/senshin-an/
It's a lovely Japanese style garden. That's Emi in the center of the picture reading the garden information pamphlet.
After the garden we walked down the street and around the corner to visit the Yamagata Education Museum. The museum is in an old school house.
That's Hiroko about to enter the school house/museum.
We were the only people visiting the museum. It was very interesting and it was free admission too! More info here:
Well, that's it for part two of the big 4 day adventure. The 3rd and final part of the adventure will be coming soon!
All the best,
Mike
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