[Japan] Yamagata Quaint onsen and giant snow-covered evergreens
Yamagata, located in southern Tohoku, is famous for its snow monsters, impressive ski resorts, and hot springs.
Yamagata Prefecture, surrounded by Sea of Japan to the west and mountains to the east, is strongly influenced by its natural characteristics. On the coast are the port cities of Tsuruoka and Sakata, and deep inland, the Zhao Hot Springs, where hot springs are located, the quiet ski slopes, and the snow-covered majestic trees nicknamed "Snow Monster" show off their respective presence. Yamadera Temple in the mountains is the theme of the most famous haiku city, and Ginzan Hot Spring is a picturesque hot spring village located where Mount Eunkwang used to be.
directions
To go to Yamagata prefecture, please take the Shinkansen from Tokyo. Alternatively, you can fly to Sendai Airport in Miyagi Prefecture and transfer to a local train.
JR Yamagata Shinkansen connects Yamagata Prefecture to Tokyo and other areas. It takes about two and a half hours to get to the northern terminus of Shinjo. The nearest airport is Sendai Airport in neighboring Miyagi Prefecture. If you want to come from Tokyo or far away, please use this place. If you take the JR Senzan Line, you countYou can go back and forth between Ishi and Yamagata in about 90 minutes.
Don't miss.
Zhao Hot Spring, a ski resort and hot spring resort with towering snow monsters
Yamadera Temple, also known as Ritshakuji, a temple built on a large hill
Gatsan Mountain, the highest peak of the three major holy mountains of Dewasanjan
Yamagata Castle, a historic castle located in the center of Yamagata City with a simple appearance
Perfect starting point for mountain adventure and powdery snow
Yamagata City, located in Yamagata Prefecture, is an international center and is an attractive city with rich culture, fatigue-relieving hot springs, towering mountains and ski resorts.
Don't miss.
a tasteful old Yamadera temple
Kaminoyama Hot Spring and the view of the castle while taking a hot spring bath
Zhao San's "Snow Monster" to be created in February
directions
Yamagata City can be reached from Tokyo in about two and a half hours by taking the Yamagata Shinkansen Line.
The flight from Tokyo to Sendai Airport takes about an hour. If you get off at the airport, you can transfer by direct bus, and it takes about an hour and a half. Alternative routes include flights from Tokyo to Yamagata Airport. It takes about 30 minutes to get downtown again by bus.
a city surrounded by mountains
Yamagata City, the seat of Yamagata Prefecture's prefectural government, with a population of 250,000 people, is a convenient starting point for a trip to northern Japan.
A short walk from the station leads to various events throughout the year at the Gajo Park in Yamagata Castle. Every spring, crowds gather to enjoy picnics and see hundreds of cherry blossom trees in full bloom.
Life is a bowl of cherries
Fruit cherries, not flowers, are a famous export in the region, and are grown in various orchards in Yamagata.
Cherry lovers flock to Yamagata City to participate in the annual Yamagata Cherry Festival when the cherry season peaks in mid-June. Filled with dozens of different kinds of bread and snacks with cherries, as well as even a cherry seed-spitting contest, the festival is the most famous event in Yamagata City in summer.
Popular dance and food
In the summer, Yamagata Hanagasa Festival presents traditional dance, and in the autumn Imoni Festival, an outdoor festival is held where you can eat the popular local food "Imoni" as much as you want. If you participate in these events, you will be able to immerse yourself in Japanese culture.
a temple with a fine view
Yamadera temples built in the 9th century are scattered at the foot of Mount Hoshu, 25 minutes from the city. Climbing 1,000 steps through the mysterious cedar forest, you can reach the temple complex at the top and enjoy one of the best views in northern Japan.
Autumn is a good time to visit Yamadera Temple. You can climb to the top pleasantly while enjoying the colorful autumn leaves and mild temperatures of the surrounding forests.
the legendary hot spring village
The history of Kaminoyama Hot Springs dates back to the 1400s. According to legend, the hot spring originated from a monk watching a wounded crane bathe in healing water. There are four public baths operating at the foot of Mt. Zhao, so visit and enjoy the hot spring bath.
After taking a bath, climb Kaminoyama Castle and enjoy the view of the city and the surrounding mountains. First built in 1535, the castle was once the center of the Kaminoyama Domain. Now there is a small museum dedicated to the daimyo that once ruled the area.
Fruit, hot springs and shogi's home
Dendo is a mecca for Yamagata City fruits and houses a vast orchard planted with apples, peaches, pears, and cherries. Also, Dendo is one of the best hot spring resorts in the prefecture and has several open-air baths.
Do you like Japanese chess shogi? We produce most of Shogi's products here. The products made in Dendo are highly developed local crafts with hundreds of years of history.
world-class skiing and snow monsters
Mt. Zhaosan is one of the most popular tourist destinations in northern Japan. This is because you can enjoy a wonderful hike in the summer and the best skiing in the winter, and a hot spring bath with the same name that is open all year round.
Mount Zhao is also famous for its natural phenomenon known as the "Snow Monster," referring to trees near the top of the mountain that are strangely shaped by heavy snow and swirling Siberian winds.
The Snow Monster area of the mountain is accessible by lift and gondola, and bright lights are cast on the trees at night. If you can't stand the cold, you can enjoy the view in a warm cafe. Snow monsters make their most ferocious appearance in mid-February.
a quiet walk in the midst of history
Yamagata Castle's ruins and precincts were created as a large park, and are a long-standing relic that reminds us of the Momogami Daimyo family, which once ruled the area and showed off its powerful power. It is popular as a place for walks and picnics all year round, and in spring, visitors come to see cherry blossoms.
Don't miss.
It once boasted one of Japan's largest scale, and still an impressive walk through the ruins
an interesting museum remodeled from a building used as a hospital
Spring cherry blossoms surrounding stone fortresses and moat
directions
Located in Gajo Park, the castle is a 15-minute walk from Yamagata Station to Sekizawa by bus. Get off at the Kajoko Enmae bus stop (second stop). It takes about 3 minutes by bus, and it takes about 5 minutes to walk from the bus stop to the center of the park.
simple information
Built in 1592, the Bunjeo of Daimyo, which ruled Yamagata from the 17th to the 18th centuries
originality in the early 17th century, with a gnarled wall to maximize the defensive effectiveness
This castle is the fifth largest in Japan
Background
The 661-year-old castle is located in the city center of Yamagata, and it was actually used until 1872.
Although some parts have been damaged or lost due to carelessness over the years, the moat surrounding Yamagata Castle still boasts overwhelming dignity. The castle and the huge garden around it are a comfortable destination to take a day and look around.
In 1906, more than 1,000 cherry trees were planted around the castle to commemorate the Russo-Japanese War. Later, the name of the castle site was changed to Gajo Park, and it is still the most popular attraction with many people visiting this place to see cherry blossoms in the middle of April.
Restoration of the beautiful old appearance
You can enter the fortress park for free, and it's good to walk around leisurely.
The castle has been under constant restoration since 1986. Partially restored, the foundations of several structures can also be seen in the park. Major parts such as the Otemon Gate in the east have been restored, and moats and stone castles are also preserved. Archaeological excavations are also ongoing.
Like a pink carpet
The fortress park is especially good to visit in April, when many people gather to enjoy the cherry blossom festival.
Cherry trees were planted at the foot of the moat. Every spring, the surface of the moat turns pink because of the petals falling from more than a thousand cherry trees. At night, the lights in the park make a spectacular view.
Eating out and entertainment
Walking from Yamagata Station to Gajo Park, you can see a lot of good bars and restaurants on the street. The neighborhood is famous for its evening outings in the city, and it is also good for tasting local delicacies such as Yonezawa beef, a local specialty.
Another specialty of Gajo Park is the medical museum, which was remodeled from a building once used as a hospital. Built in 1877, the Saiseikan Museum was the first European building around here, and now displays medical devices and supplies used in the past. The unique architectural style alone is worth a visit. Admission is free, and brochures are available in two versions, Japanese and English.
