PRESS RELEASE

Press Release

[Mercure Miyagi Zao Resort & Spa] JAXA Tsunoda Space Center Cooperation Held “Handmade Rocket Launch Experience” to learn about space at a resort in Miyagi Zao during Golden Week

There are plenty of activities for families, including bonfires and grilled marshmallows. To celebrate the 2nd anniversary of its opening, a new signature menu will appear at the buffet.

Mercure Miyagi Zao Resort & Spa, a plateau resort hotel overlooking the magnificent Mount Zao (Location: Zao-cho, Kariya-gun, Miyagi; General Manager: Takafumi Yoshida), will hold a handmade rocket launch experience with the cooperation of JAXA Tsunoda Space Center. This is a special event where you can enjoy learning about the science of space, such as space courses, rocket making workshops, and launch experiences. In addition, we offer a number of activities that can be enjoyed by families, such as grilled marshmallows to enjoy around the bonfire and crafts using natural materials. In addition, at the hotel restaurant celebrating its 2nd anniversary, a new signature menu with the theme of the new CONCEPT “Marché” will also appear, suggesting a resort stay for Golden Week that families can enjoy.

Outline of each event

1. Space science learning at the resort "JAXA Tsunoda Space Center Presents: Handmade rocket launch experience"

A large number of events, such as mini space lectures by JAXA Tsunoda Space Center staff, a workshop on handmade rockets, and a rocket launch experience made by a JAXA space center staff located about 40 minutes by car from the hotel. At the try-on corner of the space suit, children's size is also available, so you can take a commemorative photo with your family.
If you have enough time to schedule, it is recommended that you actually visit and tour the center to deepen your knowledge of rockets.

 

[Date] Saturday, May 2, 2026
[Hours] 14:30 to 17:20 (4-part system)
[Place] Special venue on the 3rd floor of the hotel and courtyard
[Contents] After participating in the "Mini Space Course", you will make a rocket at the "Pet Bottle Rocket Workshop" and actually fly it in the courtyard. The "Space Clothes Try-on Corner" will be announced on a first-come, first-served basis.
[Fee] Free (for guests only)
[Methods and Details] https://mercure-miyagizao-resortandspa.jp/plan/handmade-rocket-launch-experience/
[Remarks]
・In case of rain, make a rocket with an umbrella bag instead of a plastic bottle and fly indoors.

About JAXA Tsunoda Space Center

A base that conducts research and development of engines that will serve as the heart of rockets that carry satellites out of the atmosphere. There is a "space development exhibition room" that can be visited by the general public, and it introduces the research and development of rocket engines in an easy-to-understand manner, as well as models of successive rockets and real rocket engines, so you can see them up close. I can do it.

Address: Kamijiro Takakuzo 1, Kakuda City, Miyagi Prefecture (space development exhibition room / approx. 40 minutes by car from our hotel)
Visit Fee: Free (no reservation required)
https://fanfun.jaxa.jp/visit/kakuda/guide.html#visit_guide

2. Bonfire & grilled marshmallow
In the hotel courtyard, you will experience a grilled marshmallow surrounded by a fire pit. The fantastic scenery woven by the light of swaying flames in the wilderness is a beauty that you want to leave in your photos. We will deliver a relaxing time with a warm drink such as hot cocoa.

Grilled marshmallow image

[Date] May 2 (Sat)-5 (Tuesday/holiday), 2026
[Hours] 18:30-20:00 (last entry 19:45)
[Place] Hotel courtyard
[Fee] Free (for guests only)
[Details] https://mercure-miyagizao-resortandspa.jp/plan/courtyard-experience/
[Remarks]
・Due to bad weather and other circumstances, the contents may be changed or canceled without notice.

3. Other Activities
※Items that are not particularly described can be used free of charge because they are included in all-inclusive (conducted throughout the year).


Universe Coloring
Paint the color you want and complete your own rocket.


Space paper craft
You can enjoy the asteroid explorer Hayabusa and earth paper craft.
Time required: Approx. 10 minutes

Painting of kites
After painting the kite freely with a pen, you can fly the finished kite in the hotel's courtyard.
Time required: Approx. 10 minutes
Price: 500 yen


Fallen leaves stained glass
We collect fallen leaves while strolling around the hotel, and paste them on special paper to make stained glass. You can bring back the nature of Miyagi Zao to memories of your trip.
Time required: About 30 minutes
Price: 300 yen

In addition, you can enjoy a variety of activities, such as the birthplace of Kokeshi, a traditional craft in the Tohoku region, "Original Koma Making" and "Tree Ongyo" unique to the Togatta area, as well as giant soccer balls and badminton that can be played in the hotel courtyard.
https://mercure-miyagizao-resortandspa.jp/plan/family-craft-activity/
https://mercure-miyagizao-resortandspa.jp/plan/courtyard-content/

New menu at dinner & breakfast buffet

Mercure Miyagi Zao Resort & Spa celebrated its 2nd anniversary on April 1, 2026, and the buffet restaurant Locavore has started offering a new signature menu inspired by the new CONCEPT Marche. The "fun of discovery" that makes you want to stop your feet unintentionally, the "excitement" of a live kitchen where you can finish cooking in front of you, and the "fresh experience" unique to your travel destination are packed.

In addition, we will expand the vegetarian menu in consideration of food diversity. The kids menu that children can enjoy is also enhanced.

 

 Click here for details on the new CONCEPT menu

 

Mercure Miyagi Zao Resort & Spa

This resort hotel is located at the foot of the magnificent Mount Zao, about an hour's drive from Sendai Station. The public bath is equipped with a hot spring open-air bath "Toogattaonsen Fudo no Yu" and a sauna, and the cypress bath can heal fatigue in a flowing hot spring. Evening breakfast is served in a buffet style. You can taste the local menu unique to this area. There is an indoor pool (summer) and a fire pit, which is also recommended for family use. The crater lake "Migama", about 35 minutes by car from the hotel, is one of the prefecture's leading scenic spots, and is also called "Goshiki Lake" because the color of the water changes to blue and green depending on the weather, time and season. In winter, you can enjoy the nature of the Zao area throughout the four seasons, with about 30 minutes by car to the ski resort, which boasts the largest scale in Miyagi Prefecture. This is an all-inclusive hotel that includes evening breakfast, hot springs, alcohol in restaurants and lounges.

[Location] 1-1, Oniishihara, Toogattaonsen, Zao-machi, Katsuta-gun, Miyagi
【TEL】 03-6830-3926 (Reservation Center)
[Access] Approximately 75 minutes by express bus from JR Sendai Station, and approximately 30 minutes by car from Tohoku Expressway Shiroishi IC or Murata IC
[Fee] All-inclusive 1 night from 17,500 yen (per room for 2 people, including tax and surcharge)
[Official Website] https://mercure-miyagizao-resortandspa.jp/
※Some drinks, activities, etc. are charged
※We do not offer lunch

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