"It's my first time touching a horse."
That's true for most of our visitors.
Many of the guests visiting
ZEN RIDING CLUB have no prior horseback riding experience.
Even if you are "not good at sports"
or "haven't interacted much with animals,"
you have nothing to worry about.
Our staff will carefully support you,
so please feel free to drop by empty-handed
just to be healed by the gentle eyes and warmth of our horses.
What to Wear & Bring
For those who have booked a riding or trail session, please come in the following attire for safety.
Recommended Attire
- Long sleeves that are easy to move in and okay to get dirty
- Long pants that cover your ankles
(Jeans, chinos, etc.) - Athletic shoes/sneakers + socks
Inappropriate Attire
- Skirts or shorts
(Clothes that expose skin) - Sandals, high heels, or platform shoes
- Fluttering items like stoles or ponchos (as they may startle the horses)
Helmets are
available to rent for free
To ensure safety, you must wear one of our club's helmets while riding.
No other special equipment is necessary.
Flow of the Trial Day
Arrival & Registration
Please arrive at the club at least 10 minutes before your reservation time.
We will confirm your booking (payment receipt, etc.) at the reception.
Preparation
You will be asked to wear a rental helmet.
Leave your belongings, except valuables, in the designated area to be light and ready.
Meeting & Interacting with the Horse
Meet the horse you'll be spending time with today!
Speak gently and stroke their neck to ease any mutual tension.
Time to Start the Ride!
With the support of our staff,
it's finally time to get on the horse's back.
Forget your daily routine and enjoy a relaxing time
along with the beautiful natural scenery.
Access
How to Get to the Club
Address
〒999-3113
2555-1 Zao Horikiriyama, Kaminoyama City, Yamagata
Business Hours
9:00 - 12:00 / 13:00 - 16:30
(Phone inquiries: 8:00 - 18:00)
Closed: Tuesdays (Horse rest day)
Warning regarding Car Navigation Systems
Entering our address into a car navigation system often guides drivers to the wrong location (e.g., the other side of the mountain).
When visiting, please make sure to use the Google Maps navigation feature and search for "ZEN RIDING CLUB". The roads can be very confusing, so please feel free to call us if you are unsure.
Frequently Asked Questions from First Timers
Q. I am a complete beginner. Is that okay?
Yes, you are more than welcome!
Most of our visitors have no experience.
Our staff will walk right beside you
and provide careful support, so please don't worry.
Q. Can small children ride?
As long as they can hold on, children from "1 year old"
can experience a led pony ride.
Riding together as a parent and child is also okay as long as the combined weight is under 75kg.
Q. Can I ride on rainy days?
Riding is possible in light rain, but
putting your safety first,
we may decide to cancel the session
if the weather worsens.
(In that case, no cancellation fee is charged)
Q. Do you accept credit cards?
Currently, payments are cash only
We request advance bank transfer when making a reservation.