Zao mountain range and enjoy the beauty of Goshikiko or The lake of five colors

Assalamualaykum,
Brothers and Sisters,
We already knew that Zao is very famous during winter season for the skiing and snowboarding spot. How about from spring to autumn?

You can still visit Zao mountain range and enjoy the beauty of Goshikiko or The lake of five colors. The lake changes its color depending on sunlight. The lake is surround by mount Kattadake, Kumanodake, and Goshikidake. In this beautiful lake we could not find any creature (with naked eyes) due to high water acidity. But it's always fun trip to visit this beautiful and unique water color.
How to get there (By Japan Info)
Address: Inside Zao National Park, Zao-machi, Miyagi
Phone: 0224-34-2725 (Zao Tourist Association)
Hours open to visitors: 8:00 - 17:00
Closed: A certain period of winter
Directions: (Bus) An hour and 47 minutes on Miyako Bus bound for Zao Katta Mountain Peak
from JR Shiroishi Zao Station (runs only in Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays)
(Car) An hour from Shiroishi Interchange, Tohoku Expressway

a road extends across Miyagi and Yamagata prefecture in Zao just opened

In Tohoku, there are some roads that are closed during winter due to heavy snow.
Many of such roads, when they open in spring, look like cloisters surrounded by gigantic walls of snow, because snow plow trucks stuck up snow at both sides of the road.
Recently, a road extends across Miyagi and Yamagata prefecture in Zao just opened.
Usually, this road opens in April. This year, however, the authority was putting it off due to the elevated volcanic activity of Mt. Zao.
But, since the activity settled down and the likelihood of eruption decreased, the road was finally set to open.

Zao is particularly beautiful this time of the year.
Nature is beautiful at this time of the year at Zao, and it's perfect for driving and hiking.
Everyone, pleas come enjoy Tohoku!

Turkish House

Turkish House was built as the symbol of friendship between Giresun City in Turkey and Sagae City in Yamagata, because both cities are cherries producers.
This house is located in Cherryland, Sagae City, Yamagata Prefecture.
Turkish House in Sagae was built based on Turkish building architecture at Ottoman Empire Era.
In this house you can see and buy various kinds of Turkish goods such as plates, carpets, jewelries and so on.
You can also buy Turkish ice cream (Dondurma) in 5 flavours, and it is halal inshaaAllah.

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/Y0DJT
Website: http://www.michinoeki-sagae.com/index.htm

cheese cake from Zao

Assalamualaykum,
Dear brothers and sisters, have you heard about Mount Zao? If you are living in the Tohoku region you probably have heard about it before. This famous mountain s located at the border of Yamagata and Miyagi prefectures. Zao area is known as a place to produce fresh dairy products due to its nice weather and nature.
If you want to try original Zao products, here's good news; this cheese cake from Zao is safe to consume for Muslims. InsyaALLAH, no haram ingredients used in this product.

You can try the plain and blueberry flavor. Wrapped in cute a package, this sweet could be a perfect gift for the loved ones. Enjoy

Eigyoku-do which sells tasty dorayaki

In my visit to Yamagata, I've visited a shop called Eigyoku-do which sells tasty dorayaki.
Dorayaki is a famous Japanese sweet which resembles a pancake. At the shop, you can have a variety of choices for the dorayaki flavours such as azuki, chocolate, chocolate with whipped cream, and macha. But beware, for muslims, the flavours that are safe to be consumed are the ones that I just mentioned only. Flavours such as cheese, unfortunately contains ingredients that are not halal for Muslims. The dorayaki is very soft and the fillings are also great too. Inside the shop is beautiful and elegant. There's also a spacy and comfortable area for eating. The shop also provides a parking space, which makes it a perfect stop for travellers with cars to grab some delicious dorayaki along the way.

Una-don (rice topped with eel)

Did you know that in Yamagata, there's a really a good unagi (eel) restaurant, “Shiraume.”
For Muslims who haven't gotten the opportunity to try Una-don (rice topped with eel), you have to try it and it is halal as it doesn't contain any alcohol nor meat inside. The owner of the restaurant also knows about Muslims, so if you tell him, he will offer you side dishes that don't contain haram ingredients. For example, there are side dishes such as fish cakes and glass noodle. As for the unagi don itself, it’s so delicious. The eel was very sweet and soft texture.
Combined with a sweet sauce and hot white rice, the Una-don adds a wonderful experience in enjoying Japanese cuisine.

Cheese Yoghurt from Zao

Assalamualaykum,
Brothers and Sisters, did you know that Zao area is famous place in Tohoku region for high quality dairy products?
I recommend you to try Cheese Yoghurt from Zao. Alhamdullilah, it's Halal and tastes really good and fresh.
Please be aware that some yoghurt in Japan contain gelatin.
Enjoy

Oshidori Milk Cake

Assalamualaykum
Brothers and Sisters, I will tell you my favorite snack, and that is from Yamagata. “Oshidori Milk Cake” brings back my childhood memory because we have the same type of snack in my country and tastes exactly the same.
There are various kinds of tastes: cheese, cherry, apple, green tea, and chocolate. We checked the ingredients of the product and alhamdullilah, insyaALLAH, no haram ingredients were used. If you find these products in Tohoku, you should get them. It’s definitely worth buying!
<MEMO>
*This is sold only in Japan.
*Please contact our Facebook(comment field) for any questions.

cut fruits product from Yamagata

Assalamualaykum,
Nothing can beat fresh fruits in the hot summer days. Alhamdullilah, just found this ready to eat cut fruits product from Yamagata with gold pineapples from Philippines. No messy cutting, no dirty hand. Just eat and enjoy. Healthy snack for hot summer days.

Yamagata's fruits like grapes and red melon

Assalamualaykum,
Refresh your body with nature's treat. For summer days, I loooove to eat Yamagata's fruits like grapes and red melon. Yamagata's red melon is the best melon that I’ve tried so far: sweet, watery and tender. It's just perfect!
Alhamdullilah, this region is blessed with nature. And for the grapes, it’s so big and little bit sour, which refreshes your exhausted body on a hot day.
These fruits are perfect for a healthy snack, and of course you can make your favorite juice from them.

Obanazawa's watermelon

The height of summer!
Speaking of summer in Japan, "Watermelon"!!!!!!!
In summer, Japanese eat it to experience pleasant coolness.
And that tells them that the summer has arrived.
Obanazawa, Yamagata is one of the leading producers of watermelon in Japan, and Obanazawa's watermelon is known for the incredible sweetness.

Yamagata Hanagasa Festival

"The Yamagata Hanagasa Festival"
The Highlights of the festival are the loud shouts and the sound of drums reverberate in the midsummer and the dynamic and lively dance performed by more than 10,000 people dressed in brilliant costumes.
English Website> http://www.hanagasa.jp/en/

KIYOKAWAYA

Assalamualaykum,
Brothers and sisters,
If you want to visit one of Yamagata's most famous souvenir shops, you should go to KIYOKAWAYA. The shop was founded in 1666, more than 300 years ago. Here you can find Yamagata's original specialty. There are many products that are actually Muslims friendly in this shop, like Yamagata Zunda Pie, lemon cake, cute animal cookies and various kinds of Yamagata's original juices.

Enjoy and keep it Halal

たきぐち果樹園(Takiguchi Orchard)

Assalamualikum and hello everyone
Have you all tried to eat fresh peach (momo in Japanese) from the orchard before? If the answers is NO, I emphasize you to experience peach picking at “たきぐち果樹園(Takiguchi Orchard)” located in Yamagata prefecture, roughly around 1 hour 30 minutes drive from the city of Sendai. With a reasonable price of 800 yen per adult, you can enjoy eating juicy, sweet and fresh peach without limit during 1 hour. Make sure you make a reservation with the farm owner before visiting.

Address.... たきぐち果樹園 999-3727山形県東根市野川 2459
Telephone.... 0237-44-1957
Although the season of peach picking is over, you can try apple picking from now on. Please have a try…You will enjoy it, InsyaAllah.