Introduction to Yamagata Prefecture

Yamagata Hanagasa Festival

The energetic chants of "Yassho, makasho!!" and the heroic tones of the Hanagasa drums echo through the summer nights of Yamagata. Led by a gorgeously colored Zao Daigongen float, more than 10,000 dancers dressed in glamorous costumes and holding hats decorated with safflower perform a group dance on the main street of Yamagata City. It is a summer tradition in Yamagata that captivates the audience with a variety of dances, including gorgeous women's dances, brave men's dances, dynamic hat mawashi, and creative dances.

Venue	Tokamachi, Yamagata City - Honmachi/Nanakamachi Street - Bunshokan-mae
Contact information	Yamagata Prefecture Hanagasa Council 023-642-8753
URL	http://www.hanagasa.jp/
Access	About 10 minutes walk from JR Yamagata Station
Date	August 5th to 7th every year

Cherry

Cherry is also called "early summer ruby". It is a popular fruit, with Yamagata Prefecture accounting for approximately 70% of the national production. Yamagata Prefecture is a basin surrounded by mountains, and has distinct spring, summer, fall, and winter seasons compared to other prefectures, resulting in hot summers and cold winters. However, this climate is the perfect location to grow delicious cherries. Various varieties are cultivated, including the nationally famous and most popular "Sato Nishiki," as well as "Beni Shuho" and "Beni Sayaka." Please give it a try.

Asahi rising cherry tree

This is the only surviving tree of the three Yoshino cherry trees planted by local residents 60 years ago. It's worth seeing for its branches that jut out to the side, as if it's wide open arms, and its thick, splendid trunk that gives the impression that it's hundreds of years old. It is said that the appearance is like that of a yokozuna entering the ring. To prevent snow from breaking, the branches that overhang the tree are covered with logs from below, and the tree continues to be grown with great care. Enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms against the backdrop of snow-capped Mt. Zao.

Address	Izumikawa Higashigawara, Kaminoyama City, Yamagata Prefecture
Contact information	Kamiyama City Tourism Division 023-672-1111
Access	About 25 minutes walk from JR Kaminoyama Onsen Station

Yamadera

The official name is "Hojuzan Risshakuji Temple". This temple is famous as the place where Matsuo Basho wrote the poem, "The silence and the voice of the cicadas that penetrate the rocks". This is a historic temple that has been around for more than a thousand years, and is popular as a power spot to cut off bad relationships and forge good ones. There are 1,015 stone steps from the entrance to the summit, and you can enjoy the climb as you climb up to see many sights, including the statue of Basho, the cicada mound associated with Basho, and Mida Cave, where it is said that happiness will come if you see Amida Buddha. In 2018, "Yamadera and Safflower" - the safflower culture supported by Yamadera - was certified as a Japanese Heritage Site. After visiting the Okunoin temple at the top of the mountain, enjoy the spectacular view from Godaido Hall, which overlooks Yamadera.

Address	4456-1 Yamadera, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture
Contact information	Yamadera Tourism Association 023-695-2816
URL	https://www.yamaderakankou.com/
Access	Car: Approximately 30 minutes from JR Yamagata Station/Yamagata Airport Train: Approximately 7 minutes walk from JR Yamadera Station
Holiday	None
Business hours	8:00～17:00
Fees	Entrance fee Adults: 300 yen, Junior high school students: 200 yen, Children (4 years old and over): 100 yen

The frost-covered trees of Zao

Juhyo is a unique piece of ice and snow art created by the special weather conditions and vegetation of the Zao Mountain Range (part of the Ou Mountains). No two pieces are the same, and their ever-changing appearance is both majestic and delicate. Also known as the "Snow Monster," it is a local heritage site in Yamagata where you can experience the threat of nature. From the hot spring town, you can take the ropeway straight to the frost-covered field, which is surrounded by 360 degrees of frost-covered trees. It is a must-see to see the frost-covered trees in the natural light during the day, and the fantastic nighttime frost-covered trees lit up in pitch-black darkness.

Place	Around Zao Ropeway Jizo Sancho Station
Contact information	Zao Onsen Tourism Association 023-694-9328
URL	http://www.zao-spa.or.jp/
Access	Get off the bus bound for Zao Onsen from JR Yamagata Station Use the Zao Ropeway
Best viewing times/operating hours	Best viewing period: Late December to early March when frost-covered trees form *Period varies depending on the weather conditions of the year Sanroku Line/8:30-17:00, Summit Line/8:45-16:45
Fees	Ropeway fare (fare to Jizo Sancho Station) Adult: 1,800 yen one way/3,500 yen round trip, Child: 900 yen one way/1,800 yen round trip

Ginzan Onsen

Ginzan Onsen derives its name from Nobesawa Ginzan, which once flourished as a large silver mine in the early Edo period. It suddenly became famous as the filming location for the NHK TV drama series "Oshin." Western-style wooden multi-story inns built between the end of the Taisho period and the beginning of the Showa period are lined up along both banks of the Ginzan River, allowing you to enjoy the unique, old-fashioned scenery. Why not enjoy walking around Yu-no-machi, where you can feel the nostalgia of the Taisho Romantic era, while feeling nostalgic?

Address	Ginzan, Obanazawa City, Yamagata Prefecture
Contact information	Ginzan Onsen Tourist Information Center 0237-28-3933
URL	http://www.ginzanonsen.jp/
Access	40 minutes by bus bound for Ginzan Onsen from JR Oishida Station

Zenpoji Temple

A Soto sect temple in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture. It is known throughout the country as the temple of the dragon god, the guardian deity of the sea, and is especially worshiped by people involved in the fishing industry. There are many valuable buildings within the precincts, such as the five-storied pagoda, which is the only one in Japan that holds a memorial service for all fish scales, and in the back there is a shellfish pond that is said to be the home of the two dragon gods. This shellfish pond has become a hot topic as the birthplace of the human-faced fish. The deep greenery creates a mysterious atmosphere.

Address	100 Shimokawa, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture
Contact information	Zenpoji 0235-33-3303
URL	http://ryuoson.jp/
Access	30 minutes by bus towards Yunohama from Tsuruoka Station and get off at Zenpoji
Business hours	Reception for admission from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm (Special viewing inside Gohyaku Rakando is held in spring and autumn. For details, please see the website)
Fees	Entrance fee: 500 yen (You can view the main hall, Jishoden, and the prayer hall.)