When you hear the name Tendokogen, many people probably think of a ski resort.

I’ve been to Tendokogen familyland about 10 times with my children in the winter for skiing, so the image of it as a winter destination is firmly ingrained in my mind. That’s why, when my husband invited me to go to Tendokogen in the summer, I was confused and thought, “What? In the summer?” But I was also curious about what Tendokogen would be like in the summer, so after some hesitation, I decided to go. In the pleasant season with a slight autumnal feel, and blessed with perfect weather for a drive, I headed out to Tendokogen familyland with my husband and mother.

Feel refreshed and soothed by Yamagata’s natural beauty!

This time, we’ll be reporting in detail on the gourmet food and experiences we enjoyed at Tendokogen!

[Seasonal] The autumn foliage is also beautiful! Introducing the facilities at Tendokogen familyland!

The Tendokogen we visited this time operates as a ski resort in the winter, but from spring to autumn it operates as a leisure facility aimed primarily at families under the name Tendokogen familyland. With camping facilities and large playground equipment, it was a fulfilling leisure spot where both children and adults could enjoy the whole day. In the coming season, you can also enjoy the autumn leaves. This is a recommended outing destination where you can fully enjoy autumn, but we’d really like to keep it a secret.

Actually, I didn’t know that Tendokogen was a place where you could enjoy things other than skiing in the winter, but it seems to be a very popular playground for families with small children. There is an observation deck near the parking lot, and the area around the observation deck has been turned into a “playground” with athletic equipment and large play equipment for children.

The other area is the “Nature Experience Facility (Camping Area),” which is fully equipped with a BBQ plaza, picnic grounds, campsites, and more.

Tendokogen familyland also plans to hold special experience events, such as bracken picking, biathlon, soba noodle making, pizza oven experience, woodworking craft experience, and more… *Advance reservations are required for experiences such as soba noodle making, so be sure to check the dates and other details in advance.

It’s also a great way to make memories with your kids!

Enjoy Nature! A Report on Recommended Cuisine at Tendokogen familyland

One of the attractions of Tendokogen is the wide variety of gourmet food you can enjoy amidst the magnificent natural scenery.
Here, we introduce some recommended dishes you can enjoy at Tendokogen familyland.

Limited to 24 servings per day! Savor the delicious handmade soba

As soon as we arrived, we decided to have lunch at “Sobadokoro Tendokogen” located inside the Community Center. Here you can enjoy carefully made soba that are handmade every morning by the staff of an NPO. What’s more, the “ita soba” is limited to 24 servings per day, so it’s first come, first served!

Without any hesitation, we ordered three soba with tempura. They are said to be 100% fragrant and flavorful buckwheat noodles made with 100% “Dewakaori” from the local Tendokogen. When the soba was brought to us, it was shiny and delicious just from looking at it! It had a firm texture, and the more you chew, the rich aroma of the soba spread throughout your mouth. It came with tempura, pickles, and a small bowl of soba rice crackers for 1,500 yen. My husband loved it so much he said, “I want another one!” I was also very satisfied with the portion. It’s a delicacy that can only be enjoyed here, and it’s no wonder that they’re limited to 24 servings.

When we arrived around 11:30am, it was still possible to order, but after 12pm there was a sign saying “Sold Out”! If you’re visiting for soba, we recommend going earlier. Apparently they also have new soba available in the fall. In addition to soba, they also have ramen, udon, katsudon and other menu items.

By the way, they’re usually open from late April to late October, and in 2025 they’ll be open until October 26th. You can also try making soba noodles, which adds to the fun.

You can also enjoy luxurious Jingisukan on the slopes!

I went there looking for soba, but I found out that I could also enjoy “Jingisukan” (Japanese style grilled mutton or lamb BBQ) there. At the foot of the spacious slope, there was a BBQ space, and several groups were enjoying a meal under tents, gathered around Jingisukan.

Fragrant smoke drifted on the breeze, and an appetizing aroma filled the air, but unfortunately we only got a taste of the aroma this time. It was a wonderful terrace seat with a private view of the vast slopes. It seems you need to make a reservation in advance, so I’d definitely like to try it next time.

Reservations for 2025 are open until October 26th.

The soba were delicious, of course, but enjoying the Jingisukan in the clear air and magnificent scenery was sure to be a luxurious lunch only possible on the slopes.

[Seasonal Offer] Enjoy the spectacular sky view while enjoying a “cool” dessert!

For dessert after your meal, head to Food Shop Shirakaba, a food stand located about a five-minute drive up the mountain. You can also hike there, so if you’re confident in your stamina, why not try hiking down the slopes?
Food Shop Shirakaba is a facility located at a spectacular spot with a panoramic view of the Tendokogen. (Open only from late June or July to late October.) The food stand offers snacks such as long potatoes, chilled baked sweet potatoes, drinks, and ice cream, and a temporary seasonal tent also sells shaved ice and chilled cucumbers.

The menu was filled with dishes that would blow away the summer heat. We each ordered something we liked and headed to the observation deck.

From the observation deck, a vast panorama unfolded before my eyes, with the blue sky, the slopes like a green carpet, and the mountains stretching into the distance… I felt as if I had entered a painting, and I couldn’t help but take out my smartphone and take lots of photos.
The scenery is so beautiful that I can’t stop taking photos! No matter where you take it, it’s a picturesque scene, and it’s sure to look great on social media. However, my photography skills aren’t that great, so… as you can see (lol)

Surrounded by a starry sky! Camping in Tendokogen familyland is also recommended

Although we didn’t experience it this time, camping is also possible at Tendokogen.

I heard that camping at Tendokogen offers a spectacular night sky with stars. The quiet night sky, completely clear of town lights, is filled with stars, making you feel as if you’re enveloped in space. Listening to the crackling of a bonfire, gazing up at the sky with a hot drink in hand – just imagining such a moment makes your heart melt. Apparently, you can sometimes see so many shooting stars that you won’t be able to keep up with all your wishes.
Camping may seem like a bit of a challenge, but if a starry sky like this awaits, it’s definitely worth the challenge. A night spent in nature is sure to be an unforgettable memory.

*The campsite is usually open for a limited time from the end of April to the end of October. Please check the official website for detailed dates and times.

There is also an area where you can enjoy barbecues in the natural surroundings

As I was enjoying the magnificent view from the observation deck, I suddenly heard cheerful laughter coming from the adjacent BBQ area. Turning my eyes, I saw a group of foreigners having a lively and lively time around a barbecue. The sizzling sounds, delicious aromas, and lively conversations echoed pleasantly in the open space.

I was a little surprised to see inbound demand in a place like this, but it made sense. Grilling delicious meat in nature and laughing with friends – I was reminded that the richness of such moments is shared across borders.

The spectacular view from the observation deck and the bustle of the BBQ area. The combination of these two scenes provided a moment of relaxation.

Feel like you’re on an adventure in the forest! Try out some athletics at “Wanpaku no Mori”

Tendokogen familyland also has an athletics park called “Wanpaku no Mori.”

There are lots of athletics equipment lined up using trees, ropes, and nets, and there are plenty of things to keep children entertained, such as trying their hand at rope crossing and climbing nets.

Some of the play equipment is a little difficult, so small children should be accompanied by a guardian. The playground is open from spring to autumn, and the air is refreshing in the field surrounded by nature, so you’ll likely lose track of time as you play!
*Wanpaku Forest is only open from spring to autumn, so please check the opening period in advance on the official website.

How to Access Tendokogen familyland

To get to Tendokogen familyland from the Sendai area, first take National Route 48. From Sendai, it’s about an hour and a half by car.

There is a guide sign at Yamaguchi Elementary School along National Route 48, and the most common route is to head east using that as a landmark, but you should be careful as part of Prefectural Route 281 (Yamaguchi area) will be closed to traffic until around December 2025 due to bridge construction.

Alternatively, if you use the Tohoku Chuo Expressway, it is about a 35-minute drive from Tendo IC. There is plenty of parking, so no need to worry!

Summary

Tendokogen familyland, a popular destination for families, is a great place to visit all year around. From spring to autumn, Enjoy camping and barbecues, as well as playgrounds and athletic facilities for children. Enjoy a wide variety of delicious food!

If I had brought my children here when they were little, I’m sure they would have had wonderful memories of running around in the crisp air and munching on delicious food. Unfortunately, that wish can no longer come true, but I hope to plan a BBQ with my grown-up children and friends and enjoy this wonderful location!

With the name “Family Land” in the title, I was a little hesitant to go there as an adult, but it’s a place that adults can enjoy as well. I definitely recommend that adults give it a go.

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【イベント情報】天童市 令和7年度天童秋まつり

将棋で有名な天童市の秋の魅力を凝縮したイベントです。 市内各所で菊花展、紅葉、将棋文化など天童ならでは多彩な催しが同時期に開催されます。 ご家族、ご友人と天童の秋をぜひ満喫してください。 天童秋まつり 開催概要 イベント名 天童秋まつり 開催期間（中心） 2025年9月下旬～11月上旬 主な会場 道の駅天童温泉「わくわくランド」、天童公園もみじ園、舞鶴山、西沼田遺跡公園、面白山など市内各所 料金 基本的に無料（一部体験コーナーや協力金が必要な施設あり） お問合せ 天童秋まつり実行委員会事務局（天童市商工観光課内） 023-654-1111 公式HP 天童市観光情報サイト 期間中の主なイベント 道の駅天童温泉 わくわくランド イベント 日時：令和7年11月1日（土曜日）午前9時～午後3時30分 開催） キッチンカーマルシェ 天童市茶華道連合会による呈茶（お茶席） 菊花と将棋（こま）の女王写真撮影会 わくわくアートカルチャーステージ（歌・ダンス・演奏） やまがた矯正展 その他の主な関連イベント 第48回 天童菊花展（10月22日～11月4日、わくわくランド多目的広場） もみじ園ライトアップ（10月17日～11月30日、天童公園もみじ園） ふうやのひなあそび（後の雛）（9月26日～11月3日、高橋宅） 第18回 ヌマリンピック（10月12日、天童市西沼田遺跡公園） 秋まつりフォトコンテストの実施 ※ 各イベントの日程や詳細、場所はそれぞれ異なります。最新情報は公式HPまたはチラシをご確認ください。 イベントの見どころ 幻想的な秋の夜景を楽しむ 天童公園もみじ園で開催されるライトアップは、夜の紅葉が池に映り込み、昼間とは違う幻想的な美しさを楽しめます。 将棋文化と華道の融合 菊花展の会場では、天童のシンボルである将棋の駒と、優雅な菊、そして将棋の女王との写真撮影会など、天童ならではのユニークな文化体験ができます。 秋のグルメとステージ 道の駅天童温泉を舞台に、キッチンカーマルシェやアートステージなど、グルメとエンターテイメントが集中するメインイベントが開催されます。 [bhb_blogcard url="https://bongheiberg.yamagata.jp/tendo-kogen/"]

将棋で有名な天童市の秋の魅力を凝縮したイベントです。 市内各所で菊花展、紅葉、将棋文化など天童ならでは多彩な催しが同時期に開催されます。 ご家族、ご友人と天童の秋をぜひ満喫してください。 天童秋まつり 開催概要 イベント名 天童秋まつり 開催期間（中心） 2025年9月下旬～11月上旬 主な会場 道の駅天童温泉「わくわくランド」、天童公園もみじ園、舞鶴山、西沼田遺跡公園、面白山など市内各所 料金 基本的に無料（一部体験コーナーや協力金が必要な施設あり） お問合せ 天童秋まつり実行委員会事務局（天童市商工観光課内） 023-654-1111 公式HP 天童市観光情報サイト 期間中の主なイベント 道の駅天童温泉 わくわくランド イベント 日時：令和7年11月1日（土曜日）午前9時～午後3時30分 開催） キッチンカーマルシェ 天童市茶華道連合会による呈茶（お茶席） 菊花と将棋（こま）の女王写真撮影会 わくわくアートカルチャーステージ（歌・ダンス・演奏） やまがた矯正展 その他の主な関連イベント 第48回 天童菊花展（10月22日～11月4日、わくわくランド多目的広場） もみじ園ライトアップ（10月17日～11月30日、天童公園もみじ園） ふうやのひなあそび（後の雛）（9月26日～11月3日、高橋宅） 第18回 ヌマリンピック（10月12日、天童市西沼田遺跡公園） 秋まつりフォトコンテストの実施 ※ 各イベントの日程や詳細、場所はそれぞれ異なります。最新情報は公式HPまたはチラシをご確認ください。 イベントの見どころ 幻想的な秋の夜景を楽しむ 天童公園もみじ園で開催されるライトアップは、夜の紅葉が池に映り込み、昼間とは違う幻想的な美しさを楽しめます。 将棋文化と華道の融合 菊花展の会場では、天童のシンボルである将棋の駒と、優雅な菊、そして将棋の女王との写真撮影会など、天童ならではのユニークな文化体験ができます。 秋のグルメとステージ 道の駅天童温泉を舞台に、キッチンカーマルシェやアートステージなど、グルメとエンターテイメントが集中するメインイベントが開催されます。 [bhb_blogcard url="https://bongheiberg.yamagata.jp/tendo-kogen/"]