History / Culture / Tour Spots in Okitama Area Area

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Okitama Area

Category

Travel / Tourism

History / Culture / Tour

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...
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...
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...
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.

初代上杉謙信公から斉定、そして茂憲の供養塔がある上杉家代々の墓所。特に見たかった謙信公、赤穂浪士で有名な綱憲、名君治憲公の霊廟が見れて感動しました。余談ですが、謙信公の養父で同じく越後春日山から遺骸を運ばれた山内上杉憲政の墓は南米沢駅近くの照陽寺にあります。
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。
Matsugasaki-jinja Shrine

3.5

48 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Pref. Yonezawashi Marunouchi 1-1

This shrine is located across from the Yonezawa castle remains in Marunouchi, Yonezawa City. Uesugi Youzan, the chief of the historic Yonezawa clan, is enshrined here as well as Uesugi Kagekatsu and Naoe Kanetsugu. The primary annual festivals are in April and September. The April festival draws many worshipers and visitors, as it falls during the local major Yonezawa Uesugi Festival.

As one walks up to the main entrance to the Uesugi Shrine, there is a shrine off to the right. It is worth a few minutes to visit, either before or after visiting the main event.
Daishoji Temple (Kameoka Monju Temple)

4.0

17 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Pref. Higashiokitamaguntakahatamachi Kameoka 4028-1

This temple is in Kameoka, Takahata Town, Higashiokitama County. Its origin dates to 807 when a statue of the Bodhisattva Manjusri imported from China's Mt. Wutai was installed on imperial order. The image in the temple's Kameoka Manjusrido is counted among Japan's top three Manjusri statues. Many people pray there for scholastic achievement. During exam season, Exam Passing Rice blessed by the temple's head priest is sold in limited quantities at area shops and supermarkets around the prefecture.

日本三文殊の一つに数えられるのが亀岡文殊です。知恵をつかさどる文殊菩薩をまつっています。平安時代の大同2（807）年に当時の奈良東大寺住職が、中国五台山より伝来した文殊菩薩を、亀岡の地に移したのがはじまりと伝えられています。高くそびえ立つ杉の木が参道の入り口で、文殊堂へは、10〜15分ほど歩きます(登り坂)。古い石像がいくつもありました。こちらの文殊堂は、直江兼続公のゆかりの地でもある...
Kasugasan Rinsenji Temple

3.5

27 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Yonezawa-shi Rinsenji 1-2-3

This temple is just a two-minute walk from either the Yamadaiseimon or the Nichumae bus stops, taking the Yonezawa city bus transit from the JR Yonezawa Station. This Jodo sect temple is the family temple of Yonezawa domain’s Uesugi dynasty and the Naoe Kanetsugu family. The temple was established when Uesugi Kagekatsu erected a large temple on this current site in 1617, The temple was modeled after the Rinsenji Temple in Takada, of Echigo (modern day Joetsu City, Niigata) from where Uesugi hailed. The current sanctum was rebuilt after it was consumed by fire in 1732. The graves of the companions of the Uesugi clan, including Uesugi’s wife, and Naoe Kanetsugu and his wife are on the premises.

こちらの庭園が《米沢三庭園》の一つであることを知り訪問しました。庭園そのものは山形市で鑑賞した[洗心庵]や[もみじ公園]と比較すると美しさにおいて相違を感じましたが米沢独特のお墓《万年塔（万年堂）》は非常に印象に残りました、初めて目にした形状だったので（米沢の方にとって普通なのかも知れませんが）。《直江兼続》が米沢の防衛や堤防の補強を考慮し発案したようですがこのような多機能...
Former Yonezawa High Technical School Main Building

4.0

21 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Yonezawa-shi Jonan 4-3-16

The historic schoolhouse of the former Yonezawa technical high school (present Yamagata University Faculty of Engineering) was first built in 1910, and was only the 7th technical school of higher education in the country at that time. The main building here, which was also the model for the Yonezawa Station building, is a two-story wood renaissance style construction and is designated as an Important Cultural Property. The interior is open to the public and is an archive library with exhibits for each department of the college, such as the Faculty of Spinning and Weaving, and the Faculty of Dyes. Reservations are required for a tour of the inside.

事前予約をし 1時間程度内部を見学しましたが興味深いものを見学することが出来ました（但し内部見学は平日のみ 11:00-16::00、土・日・祝日・冬季は休館添付写真参照）。内装では《会議室の漆喰天井》と《階段》が印象に残りました。内部にどのような展示がなされているのかは添付写真の展示室案内を参照願います。私自身が興味を持った一例として[軍用受信機(戦時中 B29に搭載）1938年...
Miyasaka Archaeological Museum

3.5

20 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Yonezawa-shi Higashi 1-2-24

Located about a seven-minute walk from the JR Yonezawa Station, this history museum introduces the history of Yonezawa City. This museum houses approximately 700 items and documents that the first director, the late Miyasaka Zensuke, spent about 80 years of his life collecting. In addition to the uninscribed sword said to be owned by Uesugi Kenshin, Naoe Kanetsugu's two-piece chain body armor with light blue cabling and rust-colored mail, Maeda Keiji's five-piece vermilion chain armor with purple-cabling with a namban helmet, on display other artifacts, such as earthen bottles, bamboo hats, and documents. There is a special corner with many books and manga open to visitors wanting to learn more about Maeda Keiji

展示物が少ないのは、マイナス。しかし、前田慶次、斎藤朝信、鬼小島弥太郎、武田信清の甲冑が展示されていたが、これらは相当に珍しい。他では、滅多に見れないはずで、これが大幅加点。武田信清はあの信玄の七男。武田家滅亡後は、姉の夫の上杉景勝に仕えた。謙信と信玄は宿命のライバルと言われるが、子供同士が仲良くなったのが面白い。
Hirosuke Hamada Memorial Hall

4.0

14 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Higashiokitama-gun Takahatamachi

The HirosukeHamada Memorial Hall commemorates the works of the author of children’s stories who was called “Japan’s Hans Christian Andersen.” The museum is located a five-minute drive from the Nanyo-Takahata Interchange on the Tohoku Expressway. The exhibits include some of Hamada’s personal possessions and original manuscripts,and his birthplace, a house built in the late Edo Period (1603-1868) has been moved to the property. In the garden are stone images of the Red Demon and the Blue Demon, a monument to “The Dream of the Starling,” a pond designed to evoke “The Tears of the Dragon,” and other exhibits based on Hamada’s stories, so that visitors can immerse themselves in his literary world to their heart’s content.

県道７号沿い。４連休２日目昼過ぎ、高畠界隈有名ラーメン店ハシゴの腹休めに訪問。入館料５００円。受付で住所（県市レベル）、氏名等記帳を求められます。展示室内撮影禁止。作者は「泣いた赤おに」ですが、当日童話ホールで上映されたのは「りゅうの目のなみだ」。自粛警察や県外ナンバー狩りなどコロナ禍の折、病や鬼より怖いのは人間であることを改めて痛感。鬼が滅びるのは決して刃が要因とは限りません。
Sasano Kannon-do (Hydrangea Temple)

4.0

5 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Yonezawa-shi Sasanohoncho 5686-5

This temple is about a 15-minute drive from the JR Yonezawa Station. This ancient Shingon Buzan sect temple is said to have been founded by Sakanoueno Tamuramaro and restored by the famous Hosso sect buddhist monk and saint, Tokuitsu in 806. It is said that both Date, and Uesugi were strong believers and visited the temple to pray to the Kanzeon bodhisattva with 1000 hands and eyes (not open to public viewing) three times a month. The current worship hall was reconstructed in 1843 and is a magnificent structure ornamented with engravings of elaborate dragons and phoenixes. Also called the hydrangea temple, in mid-July the grounds are covered with hydrangea blossoms.

子供のころ遊び場だったお観音様…人の少ない静かな境内だったが、現在は紫陽花寺として有名になっていることを知り、懐かしく訪れてみた。参道の様子は、変わっていましたが、山門から中は、昔のままの静かな佇まいのなかに紫陽花がきれいでした。ちょうどシーズンだったのでたくさんの人が訪れていました。大きな銀杏の木が印象に残っていたが、現在は無くお休み処などが設置されていました。お観音様のかやぶき屋根は、テレ...
Yamagata Prefectural Ukitamu Fudoki no Oka Archeological Museum

4.0

7 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Higashiokitama-gun Takahatamachi Akutsu 2117

Yamagata Prefectural Ukitamu Fudoki-no-Oka Archeological Museum is located on the west side of Mahoroba Ancient Village Historical Park. “Ukitamu” is the ancient name of the Okitama region, as recorded in the eighth-century chronicle Nihon Shoki. As the name suggests, the main exhibits consist of artifacts from the Old Stone Age to the Kofun Period (about 250 to 538) that have been dug up in the area. Among the most unusual exhibits are stone items from the Old Stone Age,, said to be the oldest in Yamagata Prefecture, and earthenware decorated with lacquer “Saimon-doki,” which have been designated as National Important Cultural Properties. In addition, there will be a display of a recreated diorama of Jomon people living in a pit-type dwelling, and an experience-based event on such as earthenware making.

道の駅たかはた近くにある県立の考古資料館です。置賜地方から発掘された旧石器時代から古墳時代までの遺物を展示している資料館です。特に「彩漆土器」は国重要文化財に指定されています。発掘時は、鮮やかな赤色があったそうですが空気にふれ色彩が変化してしまい、現在は金庫に保管されていて展示はレプリカです。さらに新潟県境に近い小国町の遺跡から発掘された黒曜石の石器は青森や北海道産。当時それらの地方と交流があっ...
Somiya Shrine

4.0

1 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Pref. Nagaishi Yokomachi 14-24

This syncretized Shinto and Buddhist Shrine across from Nagai Ayame Park enshrines Yamato Takeru-no-Mikoto. Legends say sacred tree on the grounds, Naoesugi, was planted by Naoe Kanetsugu. The Treasure Hall also holds a sword dedicated by Naoe Kanetsugu, on display for free. They also display other Important Cultural Assets like an Onimen mask, Shishigashira lion dance head, a massive ema prayer plaque, and more.

山形鉄道フラワー長井線のあやめ公園駅から徒歩5分。 802年、征夷大将軍の坂上田村麻呂が東征した際に赤崩山白鳥大明神として創建。1593年に米沢藩主・蒲生郷安が下長井郷の神仏を合祀し、長井荘総鎮守として総宮神社と改めた。長井一の宮とされている。祭神は日本武尊命。社殿は木造銅板葺きで、拝殿は1926年の再建、本殿は1782年の再建。境内入口脇には直江兼続が手植えしたとされる9本の大杉が聳えている。
Toyotaro Yuki Memorial Hall

4.5

5 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Nanyo-shi Akayu 362

This memorial museum is located about five minutes by car from the JR Akayu Station. The museum introduces the achievements of one of Nanyo City's hometown heroes, Yuki Toyotaro who served as the Minister of Finance, and the fifteenth Governor of the Bank of Japan. This museum was built on Yuki's privately owned land for the townspeople and houses the Rinun Bunko Library. It preserves and displays many treasures of Yuki, who was a prolific reader, including valuable paintings and writings by such artists as Katsu Kaishu, and Yamaoka Tesshu. Special exhibitions or cultural workshop events are regularly offered.

地元出身の偉人、元大蔵大臣・第十五代日銀総裁を顕彰する記念館。入場無料も受付で住所、氏名、人数を記帳させられるので心構えが必要。８台駐車可能。辛味噌で有名な某有名ラーメン店至近距離。赤湯ラーメン巡礼の際の時間調整、腹休め、箸休めに適しています。
Nagai City Kodai no Oka Museum

4.0

5 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Nagai-shi Kusaoka 2768-1

資料館の隣のお蕎麦屋さんがとても良かったです。お蕎麦、おつゆの美味しさはもちろん縄文風の食器が使われていました。 GWに友人家族と一緒に３家族で訪れました。友人家族はバンガロー、私たちはテントサイトにテントを張りました。テントサイトはとても広くGWにもかかわらず他の人はいませんでした。平らで草の地面はとても柔らかく過ごしやすいキャンプ場です。トイレ、シャワーもきれいです。展示物がある...
Yuzuru no Sato

4.5

4 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Yamagata Pref. Nanyoushi Urushiyama 2025-2

This cocoon warehouse is on the grounds of a silk mill, and is now a museum dedicated to carrying on folk tales like Tsuru-no-Ongaeshi (The crane returns the favor). It displays folk tale videos, and offers some tablets for viewing as well. In addition, it has displays on sericulture and silk thread production, and displays with materials, costumes, and documents from the opera Yuzuru.

赤湯温泉に宿泊した折に、民話「鶴の恩返し」を語り部が土地の言葉で話してくれるということで訪ねた。製糸工場で使われていたまゆ蔵”を利用してつくられた資料館には、民話の映像や古くからの蚕糸業に関する資料、戯曲「夕鶴」関連の資料などが展示されている。ひととおり資料館を見てから、語り部の館のホールに案内されたが、コロナ禍のウィークデーとあって観客は僕ら夫婦だけの貸切状態。訥々した地元言葉で話す語り部の口演...
Kumano Taisha Shrine

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Pref. Nanyoushi Miyauchi 3476-1

This is approximately a 13 minute walk from Miyauchi Station and is one of three Kumano Shrines in Japan. Boasting more than 1,200 years of reconstruction, also called the Ise Shrine of the Tohoku region, the worship hall is the oldest thatched roof building in the prefecture. Kumano Ogami (Great Diety) is the god of “unification” and is a diety that brings the benefits of “marriage,” and many worshippers visit the shrine as a marriage power spot. Also, it is believed that if you find three hidden rabbits carved on the back of the main hall without assistance, your “prayers will come true” and you will “be happy.” Amulets of cute rabbits etc are available at the reception.
Marudai Ogiya

4.0

2 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Nagai-shi Tokamachi 1-11-7

This historical structure is in Toka-machi 1-Chome, Nagai City. This shop was opened in the early Edo period, and was owned by the prosperous kimono merchant family who ran Marudai Ogiya. There are seven buildings preserved here, which were built between the late Edo Period and Taisho Period, and all are registered prefectural Important Cultural Assets. You can see here the remains of Nagai City's prosperous days as a center for shipping on the Mogami River. There are also displays of works by woodcarver Naganuma Kozo, third son of family leader Naganuma Kozo, as well as his collection of folk and farm implements in the Naganuma Kozo Gallery.

長井駅から徒歩10分ほど。見学無料。丸大扇屋は江戸時代から続いた商家で最上川の舟運を利用した交易で業績を伸ばし、明治期には呉服商を営んでいた。表通りに面した1848年築の店舗から敷地奥にある1913年築の新座敷まで7棟の建物があり、山形県の指定有形文化財になっている。室内には当時の生活道具などが展示されているが、太い梁、黒光りする床板、頑強な造りの土蔵など建物自体が一番の見所となっている。
Kumanotaisha Shrine, Reitaisai Festival

Travel / Tourism

Yamagata Pref. Nanyoushi Miyauchi 3476-1

This festival is an annual festival held at one of the three major Kumano shrines, Kumanotaisha. This festival has been proudly celebrated at this historic shrine for almost 1,200 years. Opening the festivities on July 23 with the Chigomai dance, an Intangible Cultural Property, on the 24th, 25th and 26th, the pre-festival, the annual festival, and the main enshrining festivals are celebrated. This is a magnificent event including the mikoshi ark-carrying, and ritual dances and music.

Yamagata Okitama Area

Travel / Tourism History / Culture / Tour

Reference/Local/Exhibition/Literature Museum Shrine Castle / Ruins of Castle Historical Monument Temple Church Ruin / Grave / Ancient Tomb Memorial Hall Cultural Property Event Hall / Public Hall Art Museum Museum / Science Museum Other Historic Site/Building

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.