Introduction to Yamagata Prefecture
Yamagata Prefecture is located in the center of the Tohoku region and is blessed with rich nature, surrounded by both sea and mountains. Facing the Sea of Japan, the prefecture is rich in seafood and mountain products. It is also deeply rooted in history and culture, with many unique festivals and traditional crafts.
Geographical location
Yamagata Prefecture is located in the center of the Tohoku region, bordered by Akita Prefecture to the north, Iwate Prefecture to the east, Fukushima Prefecture to the south, and the Sea of Japan to the west.
History & Culture
Yamagata Prefecture has long been trading with mainland China, which fostered a unique culture. It is also known for being the stage for the Meiji Restoration, which was led by the Choshu clan at the end of the Edo period.
Tourist attraction
Yamagata Prefecture offers a variety of attractive sightseeing spots, including historical and cultural sites and spots where visitors can enjoy nature to the fullest.
Zao
Zao is one of the 100 most famous mountains in Japan and a tourist destination where mountain climbing and winter sports can be enjoyed. Especially in winter, visitors can take the Zao Ropeway to the top of the mountain and enjoy the spectacular view of tree ice.
Yamadera
Yamadera is one of the three most famous temples in Japan, built on a precipitous cliff with oddly shaped rocks and monstrous stones. The five-story pagoda at the top of the temple commands a panoramic view of the Zao mountain range and the countryside, making it a popular tourist destination.
Ginzan Onsen
Ginzan Onsen is a hot spring resort with a sense of Taisho Romanticism. Visitors can enjoy a relaxing hot spring bath while listening to the murmuring of the Ginzan River. At night, the streets are lit up, creating a fantastic atmosphere.
Food culture
Yamagata Prefecture has many delicious local dishes and local specialties.
Yamagata beef
Yamagata Beef is one of Japan’s three major breeds of Yamato Beef, and is highly regarded both in Japan and abroad for its delicious taste. Among black Wagyu beef, Yamagata beef is characterized by its fine fat, sweetness, and richness. Yamagata beef can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes, but especially recommended are yakiniku and sukiyaki.
Local Sake in Shonai
Shonai, in the prefecture of Shape, is known as the sacred land of sake. Shonai’s sake is characterized by its dry, crisp taste. It is also popular for its fruity flavor.
Cherry
Yamagata Prefecture is the “Cherry Kingdom,” boasting the largest production of cherries in Japan. Yamagata cherries are characterized by their sweetness, juiciness, and soft flesh.
Imoni
A typical autumn dish in Yamagata Prefecture is “imoni,” a stew of taro and pork simmered in a soy sauce-based broth. There are various imoni with different ingredients and flavors in different parts of Yamagata Prefecture, but in general, taro, pork, konnyaku, green onions, shiitake mushrooms, and sansho (a type of Japanese pepper) are used.
Activities
Yamagata Prefecture offers a wealth of activities that allow visitors to enjoy nature to the fullest.
Winter Sports in Zao
Zao’s ski resorts offer a wide variety of courses that can be enjoyed by beginners and advanced skiers alike. Courses where you can ski while enjoying a spectacular view of the juhyo are also popular.
In addition, Zao Onsen is one of the three most famous hot springs in Japan, and is the perfect place to heal your body after a long day of winter sports.
Walking around Ginzan Onsen
Ginzan Onsen is a Taisho-romantic hot spring resort that retains the atmosphere of the Meiji era. Visitors can enjoy the emotional atmosphere of the hot springs while listening to the murmuring of the Ginzan River.
There are a variety of hot spring facilities, including day-trip bathing facilities and lodging facilities.
Cherry picking
Yamagata Prefecture is Japan’s largest producer of cherries. In spring, visitors can enjoy picking cherries throughout the prefecture.
There are various styles of farms where you can pick cherries, such as all-you-can-eat or time-based. We hope you will enjoy the sweet and juicy cherries.
Taking a boat trip on the Mogami River
The Mogami River is one of the three most rapid rivers in Japan and is a popular tourist spot where visitors can feel the majestic nature up close.
Boat cruising down the Mogami River is an activity that takes about one to three hours. Visitors can enjoy a relaxing river cruise while listening to the boatman’s boat songs and enjoying the magnificent natural scenery.
Seasonal Recommendations
Yamagata Prefecture offers beautiful scenery and a variety of ways to enjoy each of the four seasons.
Spring
- Cherry Picking: Cherry season is from late May to early July, and you can enjoy cherry picking at more than 400 orchards in Yamagata Prefecture. You can taste especially delicious freshly picked cherries picked in the morning.
- Cherry Blossoms at Yamadera: The cherry blossoms at Yamadera are at their best from mid to late April. In particular, the view of the cherry blossoms from Nukuyomon and Midagamine is breathtakingly beautiful.
Summer
- Zao Summer Retreat: Zao is a summer resort located on a plateau at an altitude of 1,700 meters. Visitors can enjoy hiking and trekking in the cool air.
- Summer Festival in Yamadera: Held annually on August 24, this summer festival takes place at Goshiki Falls, one of the three most famous waterfalls in Japan. The main event of the festival, fireworks launched over the falls, is a spectacular sight.
- Ginzan Onsen Fireworks Display: Held every year on August 15, a variety of fireworks are launched, including starmines and large fireworks. The scenery of fireworks in the night sky and wooden inns lining the riverside is truly spectacular.
Autumn
- Foliage viewing: The autumn foliage in Yamagata Prefecture is usually at its best from late October to early November. The autumn foliage scenery at Zao, Yamadera, and Ginzan Onsen (Ginzan Hot Springs) is very beautiful.
- Imo nikai: A potato stew party is an autumn dinner party where family and friends get together and enjoy themselves while eating potato stew. The “Japan’s No. 1 Imojikai Festival” held every September is an event where imoni are cooked in a giant pot 6.5 meters in diameter and attracts many tourists.
Winter
- Juhyo in Zao: The best time to see the juhyo is usually from late January to late February, when you can appreciate the powerful juhyo up close. The “Juhyo Fantasy Corridor Tour” is also popular, where visitors can enjoy the illuminated juhyo.
- Snow Festival in Yamadera: The Snow Festival in Yamadera is held annually in early February. The highlight of the Snow Festival is the unique snowmen exhibited at the Kokeshi Snowman Contest. Popular characters and themes unique to the era make them a joy to behold.
- Snowy scenery of Ginzan Onsen: In winter, Ginzan Onsen is enveloped in a silver world, creating a fantastic view. Enjoy the romantic atmosphere as you stroll through the hot spring resort.
Local Culture
Yamagata Prefecture has its own unique festival culture and traditional crafts.
Festival
- Yamagata Hanagasa Matsuri (July): This is one of the four major festivals in Tohoku, held annually in Yamagata City from August 5 to 7. Dancers wearing hanagasa hats decorated with safflowers, the flower of Yamagata Prefecture, march along a 1.2 km course.
- Yonezawa Beef Festival (August): Held every summer in Yonezawa City, the Yonezawa Beef Festival is an event where visitors can taste Yonezawa beef, one of Japan’s three great cuts of beef, in sukiyaki and yakiniku styles.
- Dewa Sanzan Shrine Festival (August): This is an annual festival at Dewa Sanzan Shrine in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture. Held annually on July 15, this festival is held to pray for a good harvest and family safety.
Traditional craft
- Yamagata cast iron: This is a traditional craft made in and around Yamagata City. A wide range of products are made, from crafts such as iron kettles and tea kettles to industrial products such as machine parts.
- Okitama Washi: Washi produced in the Okitama region of Yamagata Prefecture is known for its strength and beauty.
- Shonai Dolls: “Shonai dolls” is the general term for dolls from the Shonai region of Yamagata Prefecture. In the past, they were popular as children’s toys, and today they are valuable handicrafts.
Transportation
Access to Yamagata Prefecture from Tokyo is by plane, bullet train, train, or highway bus.
Airplane
It takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes from Haneda Airport to Yamagata Airport.
Shinkansen
It takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes from Tokyo Station to Yamagata Station.
Railway
It takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes from Tokyo Station to Shinjo Station, and about 1 hour from Shinjo Station to Yamagata Station.
Express bus
It takes about 5 hours from Tokyo Station to Yamagata Station.
Lastly
Yamagata is an area of beautiful nature and rich culture, where visitors can enjoy the charms of each of the four seasons. Relaxation, outdoor activities, and experiencing traditional culture are some of the attractions for visitors to Japan. We hope you will visit Yamagata and enjoy its charms to the fullest.