Yamagata Travel Guide

Only for two months! Enjoy a dreamy, otherworldly view reflected on the water.

A relaxing local park with beautiful views from the summit.

A forest of giant trees lined with thousand-year-old cedars, wrapped in silence and mystery.

A one-of-a-kind shrine in a beech forest that enshrines “air.”

A renowned Soto Zen temple known as one of Japan’s leading prayer sites, where dragon deities have been enshrined since ancient times.

A relaxing spot in Yutagawa Onsen where Approx. 300 plum trees burst into bloom in spring.

A museum showcasing works by Utagawa Hiroshige, famous for The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido.

An amusement park where you can enjoy all 23 rides, from Sanrio collab attractions to thrill rides.

Unwind in one of Japan’s most strongly acidic sulfur hot springs.

A savvy stop for all your needs at this gateway-style roadside hub designed in homage to the Uesugi clan’s castle town.

All about the cherry theme at one of the biggest one-stop highway shops in Tohoku.

A mystical waterfall formed by the spring water of Mt. Chokai, flowing in two streams.

An exquisite balance of heat and richness! Traditional Yamagata miso ramen.

A ramen restaurant known as the birthplace of Yamagata’s local specialty, hiyashi ramen.

An exceptional Yonezawa beef experience with traditional craftsmanship and the charm of a historic folk house.

Rich spicy miso and hearty chashu are the highlights at this popular ramen shop in Yamagata.

A place to savor richly aromatic Yamagata-style 100% buckwheat soba.

All-you-can-eat traditional mori soba nurtured in the mountain villages of Yamagata.

Directly connected to JR Yamagata Station! A Japanese-style izakaya where you can enjoy Yamagata local cuisine and local sake.

An izakaya where you can enjoy Yamagata's local cuisine in a space that evokes the charm of old Japan.

In historic Naragejuku, savor konnyaku kaiseki with a springy bite and deep umami.

A fruit salon by a fruit shop that fully showcases the appeal of fruit.

A long-established soba restaurant with over 160 years of history, also known for its signature ramen dish, “Tori Chuka.”

Enjoy traditional Itasoba, a Yamagata specialty, served in a charming thatched-roof farmhouse that captures the warmth and rustic beauty of the countryside.

A live shogi piece demonstration and sales shop in the Tendo Onsen hot spring town.

A tourism and local products hall with the best selection in Yamagata Prefecture.

Experience a time-trip to the Taisho Era at this costume rental & cafe.

A historic ryokan with over 300 years of history, offering the pure luxury of Zao’s natural flowing hot springs.

A hot spring ryokan where beautiful nature and a Japanese garden bring relaxation.

A comfortable hotel that makes a convenient base for your Yamagata trip.

A charming 90-year-old wooden inn offering a serene experience and heartfelt hospitality.

A new-style ryokan that offers a blend of Japanese-modern ambiance and Italian cuisine featuring the best seasonal ingredients from Yamagata.

Relax in the hot springs at Tendo, the town famous for shogi, with an open-air bath offering views of a waterfall.

Refresh your body and mind in the scenic large public bath with stunning views.

A luxurious kura-storehouse suite for an indulgent stay in Shirataka, a town surrounded by abundant nature.

A hot spring ryokan with a spacious open-air bath where you can savor the seasons with all five senses.

Nestled on a hill a short distance from the heart of Ginzan Onsen, this retreat is a hidden gem of a hot spring inn.

Experience the extraordinary in this stylish hot spring inn.

An onsen ryokan (Japanese inn) located in the heart of Ginzan Onsen, boasting a history of 500 years since its inception.

An energetic parade featuring around 10,000 dancers, their vibrant flower-decorated hats (hanagasa) swaying beautifully as they dance through the streets.

Aiming to be “Japan’s Most Moving Fireworks Show,” this top-notch competition draws the nation’s best pyrotechnicians in an dazzling launch of 12,000 fireworks across a vast 700-meter-wide site.