Area Characteristics
Located in the southern part of the Tohoku region, Yamagata Prefecture faces the Sea of Japan. It is an area that has been blessed with mountains, rivers, sea and nature with the Ou Mountains starting with Mt. Zao, the Mogami River and the Sea of Japan.
The prefecture is divided into 4 areas: Shonai which has the Three Mountains of Dewa whose eastern pilgrimage ranks up there with the Ise pilgrimage in Mie Prefecture, Mogami which has the scenic Mogami Valley, the central area of Murayama which includes Mt. Zao, and Okitama which has many onsen.
Major Sites
Mt. Zao has many highlights including onsen, ski resorts and volcanic craters. The frost-covered trees of Mt. Zao which have been called snow monsters are world-famous and they are even illuminated during the winter. The cedar-lined pilgrimage route at Mt. Haguro, one of the Three Mountains of Dewa, has received 3 stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japon. There are also many historic temples and shrines such as Risshaku-ji Temple, Uesugi Shrine which has enshrined a Sengoku Era general Kenshin Uesugi, and the National Treasure of Mt. Haguro Pagoda. As well, places such as Kamo Aquarium which is known for its jellyfish display, the Sankyo Warehouses with its retro atmosphere, and the Bunshokan building which has been recognized as a National Important Cultural Property are also popular.
Food
Yamagata is also known as a kingdom for fruit trees where there are many fruits such as cherries, pears, peaches and grapes growing. The area is also famous for Yonezawa beef, and the local cuisine includes stock which goes well with rice and of course, udon noodles. Imoni stew which is famous everywhere in the nation is well represented at Japan’s No. 1 Imoni-kai Festival where the stew is cooked up in a huge 6m cauldron. The festival is a great reminder for autumn in Yamagata. Cold meat with soba from the town of Kahoku and hiyashi ramen are also popular.
Transportation
It is common to head for Yamagata from Tokyo by train, and it takes 2 hours and 10 minutes by Yamagata Shinkansen (Bullet Train) to reach Yonezawa and 2 hours and 45 minutes to Yamagata City. Traveling around the prefecture by rental car is convenient.
Accommodations
There are plenty of accommodations around accessible Yamagata Station, Yonezawa Station, Yamagata Airport and Shonai Airport. The same is true for the onsen-rich areas of Mt. Zao, Kaminoyama, Ginzan and Atsumi.