Yamagata / Zao / Tendo / Kaminoyama

Top Things to do

• Zao Ropeway

  4.0

  212 Reviews

  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.

• Yamagata Prefecture Local Museum Bunshokan

  4.5

  178 Reviews

  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.

• Handmade Suisha Ki-soba

  4.0

  155 Reviews

  Yamagata Pref. Tendoushi Kamatahonchou 1-3-26

  This restaurant continues to offer the same Kanchu Hikinuki Soba, made from buckwheat flour ground in the coldest winter, as was offered to the Shogunate at the close of the Edo period. The soba from Yamagata and Hokkaido is ground in the water-wheel mill and used fresh in handmade noodles on site. Their ramen Tori Chuka, made with Japanese broth and chicken, was once a staff dish that was only available to a few, but now is a hugely popular dish on regular offer.

• Roadside Station Tendo Onsen

  4.0

  129 Reviews

  Yamagata Pref. Tendoushi Kuwanomachi 2-3-41

  This roadside station is along the Yamagata Bypass in Kuwano-machi, Tendo City. Located near the Tendo hot springs quarter, this station has over one million visitors a year. This multi-purpose park not only has direct to market produce shops, a tourist information center, water fountains, a lawn area with playground equipment, an amphitheater, but also a free foot bathing nook, and a wedding ceremony hall, all on the same site.

• Yamagata City Folk Museum (Former Saiseikan Hospital Main Building)

  4.0

  76 Reviews

  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.

• Sobadokoro Shojiya (Yamagata Main Shop)

  4.0

  75 Reviews

  Yamagata Pref. Yamagatashi Saiwaichou 14-28

  This is a soba noodle shop along the Ushu Road in the Saiwai-cho, Yamagata City. Founded during the Keio period, this over 150-year-old shop is the oldest store in Yamagata Prefecture. They offer hand-made soba noodles using the skills handed down by generations of artisans. There are a lot of other items on the menu besides soba, including udon, mugikiri, and microbrew jizake. The shop exudes the history of the Edo period, with a hearth, seating in the rice cellar all within this traditional restaurant.

• Sakaeya Honten

  4.0

  65 Reviews

  Yamagata Pref. Yamagatashi Honchou 2-3-21

  An 18 minute walk from the east exit of Yamagata Station. A ramen restaurant which invented chilled hiyashi ramen, a Yamagata specialty. Inspired by a brief comment made by a customer, the restaurant’s original owner first began offering hiyashi ramen in 1952 after much trial and error. The fat in the broth doesn’t congeal despite being chilled, and this soup, perfect for enjoying in the heat of high summer, is both light and yet rich in flavor. It’s so delicious you’ll want to drink every last drop! The crisp bean sprouts and cucumber o top add a nice accent.

• Koshikakean

  4.5

  56 Reviews

  Yamagata Pref. Tendoushi Kitame 1-6-11

  Koshikakean is a Japanese-style confectionery store run from a more than 100 year old building in Tendo City. The shop sells Japanese confectionery like their jouman, or sake bun. The bun itself is made with ginjoushu sake and sake lees and is stuffed with fine-grained sweet bean paste. Other sweets include their light and fluffy warabi mochi. Koshikakean was also famous for its kakigori, or shaved ice, which was so popular there were always too many customers in the shop which forced it to stop selling the ice cones. They have however begun to sell kakigori again at a sister store, available only in the summer time, and it is still as popular with customers now as it ever was.

• Tanno Konnyaku Konnyaku Bansho

  4.5

  54 Reviews

  Yamagata Pref. Kaminoyamashi Minazawa Suwa 608-1

  Tanno Konnyaku specializes in the Asian vegetable known as konnyaku and is located along the Ushu Highway in Minazawa Suwamae in the city of Kaminoyama. It serves multicourse traditional meals centered on konnyaku, especially the round konnyaku that Yamagata Prefecture is famous for. In its retail shop, customers can buy prepared treats, such konnyaku glazed with miso and grilled, konnyaku basted with a sweet soy sauce and grilled on a stick, and a chewy treat called Mochikon.