What to do in Yamagata City

Hello All

We are going to Japan for a month in December.
From the 23-27 we will be in Yamagata.

What can we do in Yamagata?

I was thinking:

23 Arrive from Tokyo, stay night in Yamagata City
24 Stay night in Yamagata City Travel to Yamadera (trip)
25 Stay night in Yamagata City (travel to Ginzan Onsen day trip)
26 Travel to Zao Resort stay night
27 Zao Resort stay night
28 Leave Zao Resort, back to Yamagata City to travel back to Tokyo

Is this itinerary manageable?

Thanks All

Yeah I don't see an issue with your itinerary. Very slow paced and you only take 60 minute trips most days.

Why are you going to Yamagata if you don't know what to do there?

https://www.japan-guide.com/list/e1205.html

Your trip sounds good, at least for a slow paced person like me. Note that you might/will encounter snow, so come prepared specially for the hike up the mountain in Yamadera.

Enjoy your trip to Japan!

East sea side Sendai is larger than Yamagata and largest in Tohoku region, a lot of activities.
http://www.sentabi.jp/en/
https://youtu.be/6X4pFE98MQE
Especially you can meet a ton of Santas!! and angels under the special illuminations on 23 night(National holiday).
http://sendai-travel.jp/activities/sendai-pagent-of-starlight/
http://www.sendaihikape.jp/event/santaparade/
https://youtu.be/xq6efRToPXM

Take JR Senzan line Rapid train about 120 min not so far, if using JR Pass covered,
also for back to Tokyo faster than Yamagata Shinkansen fr Yamagata stn, http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/routemaps/yamagatashinkansen.html
320km/h max by E5/H5 series Shinkansen about 100min until Tokyo, and wider as car 3+2 type seat.
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/routemaps/tohokushinkansen.html
(See also each "timetable" pages.)

Is it possible to do just a day trip to Ginzan Onsen?

Although it is feasible to do Ginzan Onsen as a day trip from Yamagata it�fs a pity not to spend a night to fully enjoy the place. Besides a relaxing onsen stay the most beautiful time to take in Ginzan Onsen are during dust when the street lamps are lit up and at dawn with the morning mist still floating around.

Do take in consideration if you decide to do side trips, that bus service is limited to like 1-3 trips per day. If you are going by car, you have all the time you need.

No trip to Yamagata City is complete without visiting the charming cats and kittens at Neko Colle cat cafe! http://animalcafes.com/v/25622.html