Spots in Yamagata Area

  • Yamadera Basho Museum
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    4.0
    55 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Yamagata Pref. Yamagatashi Yamadera Minamiin 4223
    This is a memorial museum for Matsuo Basho, the renowned haiku poet, located along Prefectural Route 19 in Yamadera, Yamagata City. The museum host various events such as haiku contests along with the permanent exhibit displaying drafts written in Basho's own hand, letters, and other archival materials pertaining to his life, as well as a theater corner documenting his life. The museum has tatami mat training rooms and tea rooms available for seminars or tea ceremonies and other traditional cultural art events.

    Basho is considered one of the best, if not the best, Haiku poet. If one is really, really interested in this art form, this museum is well worth a visit. If Haiku is not your thing, visiting the...

  • Roadside Station Chokai Furatto
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    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。

  • Former Main Residence of Homma Family and Villa “O-tana”
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    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.

    もともとは本間家が庄内藩に献上した日本家屋、後に拝領し本邸として使われました。ぐるっと外を回ってみましたが、やはり大きいですね。さすが本間家の建物です。

  • Yamagata Museum of Art
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    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...

  • Chidokan Shonai Domain School
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    4.0
    72 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Yamagata Pref. Tsuruokashi Babachou 11-45
    Sakai Tadaari, the ninth lord of Tsuruoka Domain, established this domain school in 1805 with the aim of reforming samurai customs and cultivating surpassing individuals. The school’s educational policy focused on further strengthening each student’s innate talents. Today, the school is a designated National Historic Site and is open to the general public; facilities such as front Mikado gate, Confucian temple, and lecture hall remain intact. This facility is the only domain school still in existence in the Tohoku region.

    Amazing it is still there, the old school for young Samuraiunder King Sakai , as it used to be. Subject included localized Analects of Confucius ethics...

  • Catholic Tsuruoka Church
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    4.0
    64 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Yamagata Tsuruoka-shi Babacho 7-19
    Tsuruoka Catholic Cathedral is located a five-minute walk from the Shiyakusho (City Hall) mae bus stop on the bus line from Tsuruoka Station. It is a beautiful church with a red roof and white walls, designed by Father Papineau and completed in 1903. A masterpiece of Meiji (1868–1912) period Romanesque architecture. On one of its altars stands the only statue of the Black Madonna in Japan and one of the few in the world. Another feature unique among Japanese churches is that its pictorial windows are not made of stained glass but of pictures painted on transparent paper pressed between two panes of glass.

    鶴ヶ丘城址に近い白い壁と赤い尖塔の建物です。案内板によれば明治期に建てられたようで山形県の文化財として指定されています。内部は畳の上にパイプ椅子が置かれています。入り口の上にはパイプオルガン、音を聞いてみたいものです。

  • Tendo Park
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    4.0
    46 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Yamagata Tendo-shi Tendo Shiroyama
    This park is in Tendoaza Shiroyama in Tendo City. Familiar to locals as a symbol of the city, there's an outlook on the summit with views of Mt. Gassan and the Mogami River, as well as a barbecue area. It's a popular cherry blossom spot, and they hold the Tendo Sakura Festival in the spring along with its famous Human Shogi (Japanese Chess) tournament.

    We were lucky enough to be there in Cherry Blossom Season. Not only were the Cherry Blossoms stunning, the view overlooking the city was lovely. A lovely walk and if you don’t want to walk too far...

  • Lina World
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    3.5
    29 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Yamagata Pref. Kaminoyamashi Kanakame Mizukami 108-1
    The largest comprehensive leisure land in the Tohoku region is approximately one kilometer from Yamagata-Kaminoyama Interchange. It has a total of 30 attractions on an extensive site such as the Ferris wheel painted in a Hello Kitty design popular with small children and thrilling roller coasters, some of the many cute rides made in collaboration with Sanrio. There is a variety of food available at the restaurant & cafe, such as curry and hamburgers. The park is closed during the winter from late November to early March.

    山形県で唯一の遊園地であり、東北三大遊園地です^^ 日本一暑い夏の記録を出した山形には必須のレジャー施設です

  • Mogami River Basyo Line Descent
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    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.

    戸澤藩船番所で乗船券を購入し、坂を降りて、古口港から出発します。 ここから草薙港まで、12kmの定期航路は通年営業で、冬でも乗船できます。 基本的には船頭さんのお話を聞きながら、両岸の滝を眺め、のんびり川を下っていきますが、途中何箇所か流れが早い部分があり、スリルを楽しめます。 しかし、川の水量によって、そのスリル度は異なるようです。 今回は大雪の後で、水量が多く、スリルを楽しむ事が出来ました...

  • Shonai Kanko Bussankan Furusato Honpo
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    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。

  • Honzan Jionji Temple
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    4.5
    38 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Yamagata Pref. Sagaeshi Jionji Cadastral 31
    Honzan Jionji Temple is located in Jionji in the city of Sagae. It is said to have been founded in 746 by Baramon Sojo. During the Edo period (1615-1868) it controlled 18 villages and land that produced about 505,095 liters of rice, making it the most powerful temple in the Tohoku region. Even though its influence has shrunk in the present day, its former precincts have been designated a National Historic Site, and it contains many Important Cultural Properties, including its main building and collection of Buddhist statues, as well as Jionji Bugaku, a type of dance performed during the Issai Kyoe Festival, held on May 5 every year.

    As a previous noted, visit the museum at the bottom of the hill for an overall understanding of this mountain complex going back well over a thousand years. There are artefacts, some explanations in...

  • Roadside Station Nishikawa
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    4.0
    29 Reviews
    Transportation
    Yamagata Pref. Nishimurayamagunnishikawamachi Mizusawa 2304
    Roadside Station Nishikawa is located on the Gassan Hanagasa Line Road in Mizusawa in the town of Nishikawa. Its shop sells local fresh vegetables, seasonal fruit, tsukemono (pickled vegetables), sweets, local beer, and natural spring water. In addition to lunch dishes, such as beef cooked in local beer and soba noodles with greens and meat, the restaurant also serves limited-time lunch menu items, such as the Gassan Seasonal Tray.

    山形市から車で1時間位でつきます。 広い駐車場で、県産品や食事もできます。 隣には温泉も併設されていて、 良かったです。

  • Mogami Yoshiaki Historical Museum
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    4.0
    56 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Yamagata Yamagata-shi Otemachi 1-53
    This museum is on Koen-dori Street in Otemachi, Yamagata City. Located on the ruins of Komyo-ji temple, which was the Bodaiji temple holding the remains of first Mogami Clan lord Shiba Kaneyori, and holds materials connected to the first Yamagata domain lord, Mogami Yoshiaki, and other members of the clan. They display martial pieces like swords and armor, as well as scrolls, paintings, and other valuable items.

    山形城跡の東側にあります。山形繁栄の基礎を築いた最上義光を中心に最上家関係の資料を収集、展示がされています。前には庭園があり、銅像もあります。文翔館といい、メジャーな文化歴史関係の施設が無料なのは山形はいいですね。

  • Uesugi-jinja Shrine
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    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。

  • Shonai-jinja Shrine
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    3.5
    37 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Yamagata Pref. Tsuruokashi Babachou 4-1 Tsuruokaoka Castle Ruinsite
    Shonai-jinja Shrine is located in Tsuruoka Park in Babacho in the city of Tsuruoka. Sakai Tadatsugu is one of four feudal leaders of Shonai Province enshrined here, and the shrine was built on the ruins of the inner building of Tsurugaoka Castle. The treasure house within the shrine precincts contains precious items associated with the Sakai clan, which are displayed on a rotating basis according to specific themes. From July 1 to July 7, the precincts are illuminated in celebration of the Tanabata Festival.

    鶴ヶ岡城址本丸に有る4人の藩主を祀る神社です。明治10年、荘内総鎮守として創建されました。中規模の神社ですが、威厳が有ります。

  • Yamagata Marugoto-kan Beni-no-Kura
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    4.0
    54 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Yamagata Pref. Yamagatashi Tokamachi 2-1-8
    Located a 10 minute walk from JR Yamagata Station, this tourism and shopping facility focuses on seasonal Yamagata treats, delicacies, and products. The building was originally constructed as a warehouse and home for the Hasegawa safflower merchant family. In addition to restaurants, a souvenir shop, and direct farm shop selling local Yamagata agricultural products, the facility also hosts a tourist information center. At Beni-no-Kura, you can enjoy stone ground, handmade soba noodles; Italian cuisine made with traditional and seasonal vegetables; sweets, and more. At the souvenir shop and direct farm shop, you can purchase traditional Yamagata crafts, rare Japanese legacy vegetables, and other fresh agricultural products.

    山形駅から東に行った方向にあります。諏訪神社に行く途中に寄りました。かつて紅花商人であった長谷川家の蔵屋敷を活用した建物で、農産物の直売や観光情報の提供などをしています。建物は悪くないけど、何かを買うにはロケーション的に散策の途中であまり便利じゃないかも。

  • Yamagata Prefectural Museum
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    4.0
    53 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Yamagata Pref. Yamagatashi Kajoumachi 1-8
    Yamagata Prefectural Museum is made up of three facilities, the main building (Kajo Park, Yamagata City), the Educational Resources Museum (Midori Town, Yamagata City), and the Nature Study Park (Hataya, Yamanobe Town, Higashimurayama County). It’s an extensive museum where visitors can learn all about Yamagata. The main building exhibits the Jomon no Megami, a goddess figure from the Jomon period, and the Yamagata Daikaigyu, a mysterious looking sea cow fossil which swam the seas over nine million years ago, and exhibits of folk materials related to the production of rice. The museum is approximately 10 minutes by car from Yamagata Chuo Interchange on the Tohoku Chuo Expressway.

    城址公園内にある県立博物館、展示室は2階、展示内容は山形の自然&歴史の博物館。目玉の展示物は平成4年に道路工事現場で発見され平成24年に国宝指定された縄文の女神と小学生が見つけた大海牛のマナティやジュゴンの仲間のヤマガタダイカイギュウの化石。他には日本海の誕生と山形台地の成り立ちや出土された化石、植物や蝶・昆虫・鳥などの標本、縄文土器と弥生土器、古墳や稲作、律令体制下における出羽国、武士の台頭と最...

  • Yupia
    rating-image
    4.0
    24 Reviews
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Yamagata Pref. Tendoushi Tounaishinden 1620-1
    This day use hot spring facility has a view of Mt. Gassan and the Asahi mountain range from its outdoor baths, the largest in the prefecture. The hypotonic high temperature springs are said to be effective at treating muscle soreness and nerve pain. There are two different source springs, high temperature and low, for the large baths, full body bath with jets, saunas, and cold water baths. There is a physically challenged bath available by reservation as well.

    温泉は無臭のアルカリ泉でお気に入りのお湯です。 天童周辺を訪れた際には毎回利用しています。 サウナはバスタオル持ち込みじゃないと利用出来ない制限がありますが、それ以外は格安で良い温泉です。 特にプール並に広い露天風呂は素晴らしいです。

  • Tendo Municipal Shogi Museum
    rating-image
    3.5
    38 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Yamagata Pref. Tendoushi Honchou 1-1-1
    The Shogi Museum in Tendo city, with a 95% share of Japan’s Shogi piece production, hosts exhibitions explaining how the game was born, how it came to Japan, Shogi around the world, how pieces are made, and displays of famous works by Shogi craftsmen, all to help visitors better understand and appreciate the game. It’s eight minutes’ drive from Tendo Interchange on the Tohoku Expressway.

    「将棋」といえば「天童」。天童駅内の1Fに「天童市将棋資料館」があります。 「将棋のルーツ、歴史」と「将棋の駒作りの職人技」の紹介展示が中心だったかな。ごじんまりとした資料館ですが良い感じでした。 ちなみに、天童駅前の郵便ポストには将棋の駒(王将)のオブジェつきでした。まさに「将棋」といえば「天童」。「天童」といえば「将棋」ですね。

  • Zenpoji Temple
    rating-image
    4.5
    30 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Yamagata Pref. Tsuruokashi Shimogawa Sekine 100
    This temple is located in Shimogawa-sekine, Tsuruoka City. Enshrining the dragon god, this shrine draws believers that work in the fishing industry who pray for safe navigation across seas. This expansive almost 20 hectare landscape houses many Buddhist buildings and the 500 Rakan Statuary Hall (a registered Tangible Cultural Property) built in 1855. Periodically various events are hosted for experiencing zen, such as the Sanzenkai, and the fellowship of zen, zen no tsudoi.

    The temple has a long history that dates back more than 1000 years, but the existing buildings are about 150 years old, on average. Relatively speaking, they are of recent construction, as Japanese...

Yamagata Areas

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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.

Yamagata Photo Album

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