Travel / Tourism Spots in Yamagata Area

Area

Yamagata
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Category

Travel / Tourism

Hoshuyama Risshakuji Temple

4.5

903 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Pref. Yamagatashi Yamadera 4456-1

A temple of the Tendai sect, Hoshuyama Risshakuji is located across the Tachiya River from JR Yamadera Station on the Senzan Line. Normally called “Yamadera”, it was opened by Ennin in 860 by decree of Emperor Seiwa. Currently, it is designated a Zao Quasi-National Park, with 1,090,000 square meters green lot with about 30 towers—the most historic holy mountain in the Tohoku region. A famous haiku poet Matsuo Basho wrote “Shizukasa ya iwa ni shimiiru semi no koe (Such stillness / The cries of the cicadas / Sink into the rocks)” here. Its remnants remain as “semi-zuka,” and many poets like Mokichi Saito have poems inscribed here.

The pictures you find on the internet from this place looks better than the actual place. Most of the climb is just stairs with a few small statues along the way. Most of the path is covered in...
Zao Ropeway

4.0

233 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Pref. Yamagatashi Zaouonsen 229-3

This is a ropeway operating at Zao Onsen, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture, running from Zao Sanroku Station in Zao Onsen town to Juhyo-Kogen Station, and from Juhyo-Kogen Station to Jizo Sanchou Station in Zao Jizoson. Winter season demand is high from skiers who want transport and visitors to the Juyo Light Up Event, and in summer it is used by many mountain climbers. By using a gondola named “Funitel” one can have a pleasant ride without any harsh humps or bumps. In all four seasons, from autumn leaves to frost-covered trees to new spring ones, a visitor can enjoy all of the splendid nature Zao has to offer.

Its one of great sightseeing spot either autumn or winter. Sunset at Juhyo Kogen station is the best. Cable car is very well organized. It must visit place in Zao
Yamagata Prefecture Local Museum Bunshokan

4.5

193 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Pref. Yamagatashi Hatagomachi 3-4-51

Yamagata Prefecture Local Museum Bunshokan is located along Prefectural Route 49 in Hatagomachi in the city of Yamagata. It is housed in the remodeled and repurposed former Prefectural Office and Prefectural Assembly Hall (built in 1916). This English Gothic Revival-style building has been designated an Important Cultural Property by the national government. The museum contains exhibits about the remodeling of the building and the history and culture of the prefecture. In addition, it is possible to rent the hall, the meeting rooms, the central courtyard and other areas for various events.

We walked in and no one asked for an entrance fee. Interesting exhibition of the history of the building with many authentic details still present.
Roadside Station Tendo Onsen

4.0

132 Reviews

Transportation

Yamagata Pref. Tendoushi Kuwanomachi 2-3-41

"Michi-no-Eki (roadside rest facility with many services) Tendo Onsen is a spot where visitors can enjoy ""Shogi piece"" called koma and a pear ""La France"", of which Tendo City boasts the largest production in Japan. ""Shogi piece"" production is demonstrated, and the works of koma artisans, etc. are displayed. As for ""La France"", they sell limited version of sweets such as pies and tarts with processed fruit pulp of ""La France"", as well as gelato using seasonal fruits. A multipurpose outdoor space with playground equipment and a footbath with free-flowing spring water are available, and a fountain rises in the summer, making it a great stopover for families."

WE stopped by to stretch our legs on a long drive. Everyone was lined up for the gelato ice cream made from the local fresh fruits so we decided to try them. There were some Interesting flavors so we...
Dewa Sanzan Shrine

4.5

81 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Pref. Tsuruokashi Haguromachitouge 7

This shrine is located at the peak of Mt. Haguro in Haguro-machi, Tsuruoka City. The three Dewa Sanzan Shrines, Gassan-jinja Shrine, Ideha-jinja Shrine, Yudonosan-jinja Shrine, each have a different god enshrined. However, because passage to Gassan and Yudonosan is not possible in the winter, the Ideha-jinja Shrine has erected the Sanjin-gosai Hall to represent all three in one space. The existing shrine was erected in 1818 and is designated as an Important Cultural Property.

We arrived with snow falling heavily. when it stopped the beauty of the landscape really conets you to nature
Cherryland Sagae

4.0

74 Reviews

Transportation

Yamagata Sagae-shi

This roadside station is located along National Route 112 in Kawara, Yakuwa, Sagae City. The largest roadside station in the Tohoku region, Cherryland Sagae is centered around a souvenir store that sells a wide range of Yamagata specialties, such as famous sweets, agricultural produce, local sake and handicrafts. There is also a restaurant and a food court that serve food made using Yamagata beef and Shonai pork. Also, on the other side of the road there is a large cherry orchard called “Hakka Orchard Onuma.” There are also products only available at Cherryland, such as “Jion-ji Temple Golden Sesame Walnut Yubeshi.”

Its a huge souvenir stores mall. I bought cherry cake and cookies. There was a line in front of the famous ice cream shop. You can choose 2 flavors. I ate white rice and lemon, it was nice.
Ken Domon Museum of Photography

4.5

97 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Pref. Sakatashi Imoriyama 2-13 Inside Iimoriyama Park

The Ken Domon Museum of Photography is a specialized museum located in Iimoriyama Park along Prefectural Route 355 in the Iimoriyama area of the city of Sakata. Photographer Ken Domon was a native of the area, and the museum contains his entire life's work, about 70,000 photos. The exhibits are changed on a three-month cycle, with each cycle having own theme, so that all the photos are displayed in turn. The museum also contains sculptures and gardens created by artists who were associates of Domon, especially the sculptor Isamu Noguchi.

I discovered Domon Ken photography, in Rome, when just by chance I saw a huge exposition on his life work. So when we went to Japan, we went to Sakata just to see his museum. We spent a whole...
Denkoku-no-Mori Yonezawa City Uesugi Museum

3.5

90 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Yamagata Pref. Yonezawashi Marunouchi 1-2-1

A museum dedicated to the Uesugi clan. Take a bus from Yonezawa Station and get off at the “Uesugijinja-mae” stop. The museum building incorporates traditional Japanese elements and is designed to mesh well with the surrounding scenery. Its collection of several thousand items relating to the Uesugi clan includes National Treasure-designated folding screens depicting the streets of Kyoto at the time from overhead, and the Uesugi-ke Monjo, a large collection of ancient writings and documents. Highlights include an exhibit in the museum’s permanent display collection which uses CG to give visitors a glimpse into the culture and lifestyle of the world of the Uesugi foling screens, as well as the Yozan Theater exhibit, which dramatizes the reforms Uesugi Yozan implemented in the domain’s government.

かなり久しぶりに米沢市に来たら、立派なホールができていて、驚きました。このホールは、山形県立の「置賜文化ホール」と米沢市立の「米沢市上杉博物館」からなる県と市の合築施設との事です。常設展示室では、上杉の歴史と文化をテーマに構成されていました。「上杉本洛中洛外図屏風」の中を疑似体験できる「洛中洛外図の世界」があり、また鷹山公の実像や改革の苦難時代を紹介する「鷹山シアター」を体験しました。初め...
Roadside Station Atsumi, Wheel Sunset Atsumi Bussan Museum

3.5

60 Reviews

Transportation

Yamagata Pref. Tsuruokashi Wasada Tonoura 606

Roadside Station Atsumi is located along the Ushuhama Highway in Wasada Tonoura in the city of Tsuruoka. It includes a shop that sells local products, such as tsukemono (pickled vegetables) and folk crafts, along with a restaurant that sells full means that feature freshly caught seafood from nearby Nezugaseki Harbor. There is also an outdoor bazaar, where visitors can buy seafood, such as roasted squid, turbo cooked in its shell, or snacks such as soft ice cream. Since this roadside station is located on the seashore, visitors can watch the sun set over the Sea of Japan.

直ぐそばに海がある風光明媚な場所にある道の駅です。夕日がきれいだそうで、磯遊びも出来そうです。ＧＷだったのでレストランも混んでいましたが、まずまずの待ち時間で入ることが出来ました。どの定食もボリュームがあって良かったです。もちろん味も良かったですよ。
Yamagata City Folk Museum (Former Saiseikan Hospital Main Building)

4.0

93 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Yamagata-shi Kajomachi 1-1

This museum is located inside Kajo Park in Kajo-machi, Yamagata City. Built in 1878 as the prefectural hospital, the “Saiseikan” was relocated and restored, and is now used to exhibit items related to local history and medicine. The building is designated as a National Important Cultural Property.

A beautiful building with a lovely garden in the middle. The exhibits cover medicine in Japan. I was most impressed by the eye chart that used animals.
Roadside Station Chokai Furatto

4.0

36 Reviews

Transportation

Yamagata Pref. Akumigunyuzamachi Sugasato Sugano 308-1

A roadside station located along National Route 7 in Sugano Sugasato, Yuza Town, Akumi County. The facility hosts a farm fresh shop selling local agricultural products and fresh seafood; a shop selling local specialty products; a café serving seafood rice bowls, curry, and set meals; a light meal corner; ramen corner; and bakery. You can also take sashimi and grilled fish bought at the farm fresh shop to the cafeteria and enjoy it there as a set with rice.

道の駅のスタンプ帳でソフトクリームが50円引きでしたので、だだちゃ豆ソフト350円を試してみました。寒河江のチェリーランドで食べたものの方が豆の香りがしっかりしてツブツブも残っていました。
Matsugasaki Park (Yonezawa Castle Ruins)

4.0

92 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Pref. Yonezawashi Marunouchi 1-4-13

A 10-minute bus ride from Yonezawa Station. Records state that the castle which once stood here was built in 1238 and was used as a residence by the Nagai clan, Date clan, Gamo clan, Naoe clan, and Uesugi clan. The castle was demolished in 1873 and the site made open to the general public as a park for the next seven years. In 1857, the site was turned into a municipal park as part of an urban planning project. The park is surrounded by a 20 to 36 meter wide, 800 meter long moat. Also a renowned destination for cherry blossoms, 200 cherry trees surround the moat and are lit up at night during the blooming season, creating spectacular scenery with their pink blossoms and the red castle bridge reflecting off the surface of the water.

Yonezawa matsuri is a special matsuri since it commemorates a famous historical battle between two samourai clans. The battle is on the last day of the matsuri and it is worth seeing it. In case of...
Uesugi Clan Mausoleum

4.0

80 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Pref. Yonezawashi Gobyou 1-5-30

Just a 5-minute walk from the Gobyo-mae bus stop on the Yamako bus line bound for Onogawa Onsen. This is a cemetery with 11 generations of the Uesugi clan, notably Prince Uesugi Kenshin down to Narisada, interred in beautiful wood structured mausoleums. It is known for being the resting place of Uesugi Kenshin, a famous warrior during Japan's civil war. This cemetery was the 5th to be designated in 1984 as a National Historic Landmark for former feudal lords. During the Uesugi Yukitoro stone lantern Festival illumination, the snow covered stone and paper lanterns are lit making for otherworldly serene atmosphere. The neighboring Houonji Temple was transported from Mt. Kasuga and rebuilt as the Uesugi family temple.

Tucked away in the western part of town are 2 hectares of peace, tranquility and a stand of 300-400 year old cedar trees. This is also where the first eleven lords of the Uesugi clan are buried, each...
Sake Museum, Toko Brewery

4.0

71 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Pref. Yonezawashi Omachi 2-3-22 Yanagi Town Upper Street

This library museum is located in Oh-machi, Yonezawa City, the Kojima Sake Brewery, the producer of the choice sake, Toko. One can learn about the culture and history of sake making through this exhibit displaying the old instruments and records housed in the sake cellar that has been renovated, while preserving the original structure. In the permanent exhibit room, the feudal lord Uesugi Yozan Hall, is displayed materials pertaining to feudal lord Uesugi Yosan, the ancient head of the Yonezawa clan. Here one can learn of his government and character.

Awesome sake museum with tasting options! The descriptions are in English and the staff are very friendly. The museum explains well the history of their sake, how it was made and its development. The...
Former Main Residence of Homma Family and Villa “O-tana”

4.0

76 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Pref. Sakatashi Nibanchou 12-13

This samurai-style villa built in 1768 by Mitsuoka Homma—the third landlord of Homma Family, wealthy merchant family of Dewa—served as lodgings for the Shogun’s inspection envoys. Featuring a combination of samurai-style and merchant-style construction, this building would be unusual anywhere in the country. The red pines are also wonderful, and are said to live over 400 years.

A very nicely preserved home of an upper class. Very spacious and interesting architecture of Japanese home using the verendas. I liked the simple decor that made look elegant and functional.
Mogami River Basyo Line Descent

4.0

63 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Pref. Mogamiguntozawamura Furukuchi 86-1

This boat trip descends the Mogami River. They're regular route covers about 12 kilometers from Furukuchi Pier in Furukuchi, Tozawa Village to Kusanagi Pier. It operates every day of the year. The hour-long journey lets visitors enjoy the seasonal views of the Mogami Gorge. The songs of the well-trained boatmen are one of the highlights, and on occasion they'll break into mimicry or sing in Korean. They also offer a variety of special plans, like a course that takes in Shiraito Falls from April to November and a cool of the evening cruise in July and August where you can watch the sun set from the Mogami River.

During our 3 week visit to Japan, I really wanted to visit Basho country. I chose a ryokan in Takaya, Yamagata Prefecture by the Mogami River to satisfy this desire. Our hosts mentioned the Mogami...
Chido Museum

4.0

60 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Yamagata Pref. Tsuruokashi Kachushinmachi 10-18

This is a museum in Kachu-Shinmachi Town, Turuoka City, Yamagata Prefecture which stores and displays 5,350 important items that fall under eight varieties of Important Tangible Folk-Cultural Properties relating to the heritage of the Shonai area. The museum takes its name from the Chidokan, the Shonai Clan’s samurai school, and items relating to that school are also on display. Several historical buildings such as the former Nishitagawa District Office and the old Tsurugaoka Police Station which are also important cultural properties were dismantled and rebuilt on the premises, which were the site of the Tsurugaoka Castle’s san-no-maru and the official residence of the Sakai family, the domain lord. The beautiful garden in shoin-zukuri style (a traditional style of Japanese residential architecture) is also worth seeing.

The Museum has brought together some important historical buildings and artifacts from Shohnai region for preservation and public viewing. The region largely consists of the basin of Mogami River...
Shonai Kanko Bussankan Furusato Honpo

4.0

34 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Pref. Tsuruokashi Nunome Nakadori 80-1

This store is located on National Route 7 in Nunome, Tsuruoka City. It houses mostly shops selling local specialties and souvenirs with shops selling seafood from the Sea of Japan and crab directly sourced from fishing ports. There is also a restaurant serving seafood and local cuisine using the fruits of the seas off Shonai.

レストランのほか、お土産品や、鮮魚なども取り扱っており、とても充実しています。新潟から酒田に行く際は、高速であえて鶴岡で降りていつもここに寄ります。（実は鶴岡の先から有料道路になるためってのもありますが）物産館とは別棟・別経営になりますが、平田牧場の直売所もあり、こちらもあわせて見るとさらにいいです。地元庄内交通グループ系で民間の経営のようですが、道の駅と名乗ってもいいレベルの施設です。
Yamagata Museum of Art

4.0

54 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Yamagata Pref. Yamagatashi Otemachi 1-63

This museum is located across the way to the east of Kajo Park in Ote-machi, Yamagata City. Exhibited here are not only the Japanese works of Matsuo Basho's Three Mountains of Dewa writings, Yosa Buson's The Narrow Road through the Provinces scroll, but also a collection of Modern French works including Monet and Renoir. The museum also hosts various planned exhibits related to the collections, the Yamagata General Art Exhibits, local art exhibits, photography exhibits, and calligraphy exhibits.

Living in Paris, I go quite often to Orsay or marmottan museums. The 40 paintings exposed (monet, pissaro, van dongen, Chagall,... ) are very fine. There are very well representating the period...
Uesugi-jinja Shrine

4.0

13 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Pref. Yonezawashi Marunouchi 1-4-13

A Shinto shrine located in Marunouchi, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture. The shrine is dedicated to Uesugi Kenshin, a famous commander during the Warring States period and ancestor of the future lord of Yonezawa Domain. The shrine was built on the site of Yonezawa Castle in 1876 and designated an Imperial Shrine of Special Status in 1902. The shrine was destroyed in the Great Yonezawa Fire in 1919; the current buildings were reconstructed in 1923, and visitors can view the beautiful Japanese architecture of the shrine’s main shrine and front shrine. Treasures passed down in the Uesugi clan are kept in the shrine’s Keishoden hall, and many tourists come to view them year round.

上杉景勝、直江兼続の甲冑は迫力があり、これらは見応え十分。しかし、展示物が少ない。良いにしようか、普通にしようか迷いつつ、展示物の少なさが頭にちらつくと後者の評価に。

Yamagata

Okitama Area Murayama Area Mogami Area Shonai Area (North) Shonai Area (South)

Travel / Tourism

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Yamagata Areas

Although often overlooked, Yamagata prefecture by no means lacks appeal: the Yamadera temple trail through the mountains, deliciously tender Yonezawa wagyu, and over 100 steaming hot springs, most notably Zao Onsen, await visitors. When winter comes, the snowcapped peaks become dotted with skiers by day and onsen-goers by night, while summer brings the celebration of juicy Yamagata cherries.