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Let's be more moved - turn a trip of sights into a trip of feeling!
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| Free estimates Free travel consultation |
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| #06G401 |
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| IMONI Kai (parties) |
an autumn event |
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IMONI Kai is an event held in autumn where a group gathers outdoors, such as on a riverbank, to cook and eat hotpot dishes using Taro. It is an autumn event held by families, friends, coworkers, and other groups to deepen friendships. The basic ingredients are Taro, Beef, Konnyaku, Green onions, etc., and in this region, soy sauce is used for seasoning. It gradually begins to take place in October during the Taro harvest season, and ends when the autumn leaves season ends or the first snow falls. The annual "Japan's No. 1 IMONIKAI Festival," which uses a huge pot of Imoni, has set a Guinness World Record for "Most soup served in 8 hours." |
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Yamagata C. (cap.)
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| #06G201 |
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| RISSHAKUJI Temple |
commonly referred to as "Yamadera" |
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The Risshakuji Temple was founded in 860 and is commonly referred to as
"Yamadera (the meaning of mountain temple)." The temple is well
known by impressive Sutra Repository and Founder's Hall built on a steep
cliff. Blessed with abundant nature, you can enjoy the changing atmosphere
of each season. It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to go round trip from
the Risshakuji trailhead to the summit. From JR Yamadera Train Station,
it takes about 2 hours. As the path is steep, it is the best to consider
clothing, footwear, and belongings depending on the season. This temple
has long been worshipped as a temple for cutting off bad relationships
and creating good ones. It not only has the benefit of cutting off bad
relationships with people, but also ties with illness and disaster. |
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Yamagata C. (cap.)
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| #06G501 |
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| YAMAGATA Casting |
Traditional Crafts of Japan |
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The origin of Yamagata Casting is said to be about 1000 years ago, when a caster in the late Heian period discovered that the river sand and soil in Yamagata City were ideal for casting molds. Characterized by thin, delicate shapes and beautiful cast surfaces, the majority of tea kettles used in the tea ceremony are Yamagata casting.
Today, Yamagata Casting makes use of techniques cultivated over a long history and actively incorporates new designs, widely promoting the charm of casting, which combines tradition and modernity, functionality and artistry, and spirituality, both domestically and internationally, and is popular even overseas, including in France. |
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Yamagata C. (cap.)
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| #06G202 |
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| KAJO Castle Park |
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large urban park developed on the ruins of Kajo Castle |
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Kajo Castle is another name for Yamagata Castle, from which the park name originates. It is located almost in the center of the city, and is a
large urban park developed on the ruins of Yamagata Castle. Yamagata Castle
is said to have been built in 1356. The current castle is said to have
been built by the castle lord at the time between the late 16th century
and the early 17th century. It was later well-maintained in 1622. It is
now famous as cherry blossoms and tourist spot, and there are many cultural
facilities in and around this park, such as the Yamagata City Museum of
History, the Yamagata Prefectural Museum, and the Yamagata Museum of Art
and so on. |
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Yamagata C. (cap.)
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| #06A401 |
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| Fruit Kingdom |
the city with the highest cherry production in Japan |
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Yamagata Prefecture's cherry cultivation area accounts for about 60% of
the nation's total, and its cherry production accounts for 70% of the nation's
total. Higashine City, in particular, boasts about 20% of the nation's
total production, making it the number one city in Japan. Cherries are
cultivated in large quantities because of the climate, which is suitable
for growing cherries, with hot summers, little rain during the rainy season,
and little wind. The most delicious cherry variety is Sato Nishiki, so
about 80% of farmers produce Sato Nishiki cherries. Higashine City, which
declared itself the Fruit Kingdom in 1994, also produces peaches, grapes,
and Japanese pears in August. Apples and La France are harvested from September
to November. . |
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Higashine C.
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| #06A301 |
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| KUROBUSHI Kogen Snow Park JANGLE-JUNGLE |
a ski resort with 100% natural snow |
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This ski resort faces Mt. Kurobushi and has a wide variety of 100% natural powder snow. Enjoy skiing in snow that combines the snowfall from the Sea of Japan side with the powder snow from inland. Everyone from beginners to advanced skiers can enjoy it at once.
The slope faces north, and directly in front of it stands Mt. Kurobushi, one of the leading rock climbing spots at Tohoku region. Although the resort is not high in altitude, it is located in a valley where seasonal winds blow in from Mt. Gassan, so it receives a large amount of snowfall compared to other ski resorts in the prefecture. |
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Higashine C.
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| #06B101 |
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| Mt. ZAO ECHO Line |
a spectacular mountain tourist road |
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A 26 kilometers long mountain tourist road that crosses the ZAO mountains
range from east to west, connecting Miyagi Prefecture and Yamagata Prefecture.
The road is closed for about half a year from early November to late April.
(Nighttime closures are from late October until early May.) From the opening
(in late April) until mid-May, tourists can drive through a snow corridor
that reaches up to 10 meters in the highest places, fresh greenery in summer,
and autumn leaves from late September to late October. The climax of this
road is the emerald green crater lake called OKAMA near the summit. Before
the winter closure is lifted, a tour called "Snow Wall Walk"
is also held (only tour buses operated by travel agencies). When the road
first opened, there was a toll, but now it is free. |
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Kaminoyama C.
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| #06B301 |
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| KAMINOYAMA Hot Spring |
discovered in 1458 |
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KAMINOYAMA Hot Spring is one of the leading hot spring resorts in the Tohoku
region, located in a castle town at the foot of Mt. Zao. The hot spring
town is made up of seven districts, including Yumachi, which is said to
have been discovered in 1458. Each district is considered an individual
hot spring, and is also referred to as Kaminoyama hot spring village.
The hot springs in each district were discovered at different times, and
each has its own characteristics. Many hot spring inns and hotels are open
in the hot spring town. There are also public baths, day-trip hot spring
facilities, and foot baths. |
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Kaminoyama C.
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| #06A401 |
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| ITA SOBA (Soba noodle on a long board) |
Soul Food of Yamagata Prefecture |
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"ITA SOBA (Soba on a long board)" is eaten in the inland areas
of Yamagata Prefecture, and is a dish of soba noodles served on a long
board for several people. It is said to have originated in Murayama City.
Buckwheat has been cultivated in Yamagata Prefecture since ancient times,
and there was a custom of serving soba noodles to relatives and neighbors.
It seems to have been born from the idea that it would be convenient to
serve soba noodles on wooden board when many people eat them together.
The most important thing about ita soba is the board or container, and
the thickness of the soba noodles and the thickness of the soba soup vary
(compared to regular soba, it is often thick and dark, and has a thinner
soba soup).. |
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Murayama C.
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| #06D401 |
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| OBANAZAA Watermelons |
shipped in the summer |
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While the peak shipping season for watermelons is usually from early spring
to early summer, OBANAZAA Watermelons are shipped in the summer, from late
July to mid-August. This is the largest yield of watermelons shipped in
the summer in Japan. The Obanazawa Basin, where Obanazawa watermelons are
produced, is known as one of the snowiest areas in Japan. However, it is
also an area where the summers are hot, but with very cold mornings and
evenings. Taking advantage of this climate, the warm temperatures and ample
light during the day stimulate the watermelon's photosynthesis, producing
an abundance of nutrients, and the low temperatures at night suppress the
watermelon's respiration, meaning the stored nutrients are not used and
the watermelons are shipped with a sweet flavor. |
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Obanazawa C.
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| #06D201 |
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| GINZAN Hot Spring |
a hot spring village with a nostalgic atmosphere |
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GINZAN Hot Spring is one of leading hot springs in Japan. On both sides
of the Ginzan River, there are hot spring ryokans built from the Taisho
period to the early Showa period, with three- and four-story wooden balcony
buildings that were very modern for the time, and gas lamps line the stone-paved
sidewalks. The nostalgic townscape that evokes a sense of nostalgia is
popular. The scenery that changes with the seasons is also one of the attractions.
Ginzan hot spring was built to this day with the source of the spring water
that welled up along the river as an indoor bath. It is famous with milky
white water mixed with fine hot spring deposits. The water is a sodium
chloride sulfate hot spring, colorless and transparent, with a faint scent
of hydrogen sulfide. The spring quality is said to be effective for cuts,
burns, chronic dermatitis, neuralgia, and muscle pain. |
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Obanazawa C.
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| #06E201 |
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| JIONJI Temple |
National Important Cultural Property |
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JIONJI Temple was founded in 746 after the Buddhist monk Gyoki suggested to Emperor that a temple be built there. It occupies a mountain overlooking the Yamagata basin, and its main gate is at an altitude of 146 meters.
During the Edo period, the temple acquired vast lands with the backing of the shogunate, and developed. The main hall on the temple grounds has been designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
The temple grounds are lined with the main hall, mountain gate, Yakushido Hall, and three-story pagoda, all standing solemnly to keep time. Each hall houses 30 Important Cultural Property Buddhist statues from the Heian and Kamakura periods. |
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Sagae C.
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| #06F201 |
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| SHOGI City, TENDO |
almost of Shogi pieces are produced in Tendo |
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Currently, more than 90% of Shogi pieces are produced in Tendo City. It is said that the origins date back to the late Edo period, when samurai who were struggling financially were encouraged to manufacture shogi pieces, focusing on the popular game of shogi at the time. Tendo City has the only Shogi museum in Japan, located next to JR Tendo Station.
At the "Human Shogi" event, held as a major event at the Tendo Cherry Blossom Festival that colors Tendo in spring, warriors and ladies-in-waiting dressed in armor and kimonos play as shogi pieces. |
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Tendo C.
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