In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Japan
Shiroishi
白石市
Spend a half‑day to one full day in Shiroishi: see the castle, visit Zao Fox Village or ski in winter, then head to Sendai.
Shiroishi is a small city in Miyagi with a historic castle, a nearby fox village, and a ski resort. It is reachable in under 2 h from Tokyo on the Tohoku Shinkansen, making it a convenient day‑trip base or a brief overnight stop before continuing to Sendai or the Zao mountains.
- Country
- Japan
- Local name
- 白石市
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- Avoid
- Jan–Feb (heavy snow, limited transport)
- Stay
- 0.5–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- JPY
- Money
- Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget ¥6,000–¥9,000 excl. bed · Mid ¥9,000–¥14,000 excl. bed · High ¥14,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Data-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 119 · Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English) 050-3816-2787
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 100 V · 50 Hz east (Tokyo), 60 Hz west (Osaka) · Most sockets are two flat pins without earth; European and UK plugs need an adapter. Phone and laptop chargers handle 100 V.
- Tipping
- Restaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.; Taxis: No tip; pay the meter.; Ryokan: Optional: ¥1,000–3,000 in an envelope for the room attendant; never loose cash.; Private guide: Not expected; a small gift or a thank-you meal is more usual.; Hotel porter: No tip.
- Water
- Safe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.
- Toilets
- Free, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet. Rural and old stations may have squat toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Shiroishi Umen bowl | ¥600–¥900 |
| Katsudon (Banya) | ¥800–¥1,200 |
| Bus ride to Zao Fox Village | ¥1,200–¥1,500 |
| Ski lift ticket (full day) | ¥4,000–¥5,500 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- SDJ · Sendai Airport
- About 60 km (37 mi) north, 1 h by bus or carAbout 37 mi (60 km) north, 1 h by bus or car
Typical fares
- Tokyo → Shiroishi (Shinkansen, reserved)
- about ¥8,000–¥12,000, 1 h 45 min
- Shiroishi‑Zao → Zao Fox Village (bus)
- ≈¥1,200 round‑trip
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Shiroishi‑Zao Station (Tohoku Shinkansen) is the main hub; local buses serve the castle, fox village and ski area. Walkable city centre.
See and do
Known for
- Shiroishi Castle
- Miyagi Zao Fox Village
- Miyagi Zao Shiroishi Ski Resort
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Zao Fox Village | Bus from Shiroishi‑Zao Station, about 30 min | ≈45 min |
| Zao Ski Resort | Shuttle from Shiroishi‑Zao Station, 10 min | ≈20 min |
Sleep
- Venezian Hotel Shiroishi Zao
- Close to Shiroishi‑Zao Station, good for ski‑season stays
- Pacific Hotel Shiroishi
- City‑centre location, easy access to castle and train
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | すみませんsumimasen |
| Thank you | ありがとうございますarigatō gozaimasu |
| This one, please | これをくださいkore o kudasai |
| How much is it? | いくらですか？ikura desu ka |
| Can I pay by card? | カードで払えますか？kādo de haraemasu ka |
| Where is the toilet? | トイレはどこですか？toire wa doko desu ka |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: A small bow; a handshake if the other person offers; avoid: Hugs, back slaps, loud greetings
- Names: Family name plus -san; avoid: First names unless invited; adding -san to your own name
- Paying: Put money in the tray at the register; avoid: Tipping, or leaving loose cash for staff
- Trains: Queue at the floor marks, phone on silent, ask before reclining on the Shinkansen; avoid: Phone calls, eating on crowded commuter trains, blocking doors with bags
- Escalators: Stand on the side locals use — left in Tokyo, right in Osaka; stations now ask people to stand still on both; avoid: Stopping at the top or bottom
- Shoes: Off at the step-up entrance; toilet slippers only inside the toilet; avoid: Stepping on tatami in shoes or slippers
- Shrines: Rinse hands at the basin; bow twice, clap twice, bow once; avoid: Walking down the centre of the approach, which is for the deity
- Gifts: Offer and receive with both hands; bring a small omiyage for hosts; avoid: Sets of four; cash outside an envelope
Scams and watch-outs
- Winter snow can close mountain roads; check ski‑resort opening dates.
- Last Shinkansen trains depart around 21:30; plan return to Tokyo accordingly.
Generally safe; main risks are winter road closures and occasional bike traffic. Keep valuables secure and check snow conditions in winter.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Shiroishi yet. Suggested stay: 0.5–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Shiroishi Castle
- Miyagi Zao Fox Village
- Miyagi Zao Shiroishi Ski Resort
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Shiroishi official site: www.town.shiroishi.lg.jp/
- Wikidata – Shiroishi: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12345
- Wikivoyage: Shiroishi, revision 5178470 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5178470
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Shiroishi白石市
ここまでお願いします
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
The US has a consulate in Sendai (check address); other countries use consulates in Sendai or the embassy in Tokyo.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/shiroishi). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.