Yamagata (prefecture)
Discover Yamagata (prefecture)
Yamagata Prefecture (山形県 Yamagata-ken) is in the northeastern Tohoku region of the main Japanese island Honshu. Yamagata prefecture is often described as 'hidden' Japan. Well off any tourist route, Yamagata nevertheless has a wealth of experiences for those with the will to seek them out. Home to amazing unspoilt scenery, ancient temples, world class skiing, wonderful local food, summer festivals and some of the best onsen (hot springs) in Japan, Yamagata is a real change for the visitor who believes that Japan is best understood in the municipal centres of Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto.
What to Experience in Yamagata (prefecture)
Taste of Yamagata (prefecture)...
Yamagata is famous for its fruits. Yamagata produces 70% share of Japan's cherry production. The most famous cultivator is called "Satonishiki," known for its red color and sweet taste. La France, a type of European pear, is also famous. Yamagata contributes around 80% Japan's production of La France. Other fruits such as grapes, apples, peaches, melons, persimmons and watermelons are also produced in large quantities. Imoni is a type of stew made with taro potato, beef, konnyaku, sugar, soy sauce or miso. It is traditionally eaten in the autumn of Tohoku region of Japan. Yamagata hosts the biggest imoni festival in Japan in September. Soba, buckwheat noodles, is also extremely popular in Yamagata. There are many soba restaurants, each with its own specialties. Yamagata Prefecture has the highest consumption (in terms of money spent) of ramen in Japan, according to a survey conducted by the Ministry of General Affairs in 2004. Yamagata city ranked the highest, with a record of ¥13,897 spend on ramen per household per year. Beside Yamagata city, other cities in the prefecture including Sakata, Yonezawa, Nanyo (Akayu) also have their own distinctive taste in ramen. Yonezawa beef is a type of Japanese beef originating from the city of Yonezawa in Yamagata Prefecture. It is one of the three most recognized brands in Japan. Due to the rich culture of rice-making and clean water carried by Mogami River, Yamagata is known for its delicious Japanaese sake, nihonshu.
Climate
While standard Japanese is used in Yamagata Prefecture, this place is known for unique local dialects (方言), which even differ from town to town. When speaking with elderly, visitors may encounter difficulty due to their heavy dialects. In Yamagata prefecture, there are airports in Yamagata (GAJ) (connecting to Osaka-Itami, Nagoya, Tokyo-Haneda, and Sapporo-Chitose) and Shonai Airport (SYO) (connecting to Tokyo-Haneda). Most visitors coming from overseas will prefer flying to Tokyo and taking the shinkansen from there. Yamagata prefecture is served by the Yamagata Shinkansen, which zips up every hour from Tokyo through Yonezawa (2 hr, ¥10,000) and Yamagata (3 hr) to Shinjo (3½ hr, ¥12,000). Just don't expect blazing speed: the last 150 km from Fukushima is on ordinary track at 160 km/h, half the speed of a "real" Shinkansen. The southern parts of Yamagata prefecture can easily be accessed by express bus from Sendai just to the south.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsIn Yamagata prefecture, there are airports in Yamagata (GAJ) (connecting to Osaka-Itami, Nagoya, Tokyo-Haneda, and Sapporo-Chitose) and Shonai Airport (SYO) (connecting to Tokyo-Haneda). Most visitors coming from overseas will prefer flying to Tokyo and taking the shinkansen from there. Yamagata prefecture is served by the Yamagata Shinkansen, which zips up every hour from Tokyo through Yonezawa (2 hr, ¥10,000) and Yamagata (3 hr) to Shinjo (3½ hr, ¥12,000). Just don't expect blazing speed: the last 150 km from Fukushima is on ordinary track at 160 km/h, half the speed of a "real" Shinkansen. The southern parts of Yamagata prefecture can easily be accessed by express bus from Sendai just to the south. A one-way trip from Yamagata city to Sendai city costs ¥900 and takes just under an hour. There are also buses connecting Sendai with Shinjo, Kaminoyama, Yonezawa and Sakata city. Yamagata City is also accessible from Niigata City by bus....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Within the prefecture, the Yamagata Shinkansen Tsubasa (山形新幹線つばさ) runs through Yonezawa city to Shinjo city (with stops in Takahata, Akayu, Kaminoyama Onsen, Yamagata, Tendo, Sakuranbo-Higashine, Murayama, Oishida). Yamagata is also served by the local JR lines and is connected to its neighboring prefectures such as Miyagi, Fukushima and Akita. There are high-speed buses available from Yamagata city to Tsuruoka city in the northwest regions of the prefecture. There is also airport bus that connects the Yamagata airport and Yamagata city (the bus stops are located at Yamagata station and Yamko Building). This bus makes 6 round-trips a day. There is an extensive bus system serving the area around Yamagata city, connecting major landmarks such as the city hall, the prefectural office, hospitals and schools. Considered the easiest way to get around the prefecture.
Language & Talk
While standard Japanese is used in Yamagata Prefecture, this place is known for unique local dialects (方言), which even differ from town to town. When speaking with elderly, visitors may encounter difficulty due to their heavy dialects. In Yamagata prefecture, there are airports in Yamagata (GAJ) (connecting to Osaka-Itami, Nagoya, Tokyo-Haneda, and Sapporo-Chitose) and Shonai Airport (SYO) (connecting to Tokyo-Haneda). Most visitors coming from overseas will prefer flying to Tokyo and taking the shinkansen from there. Yamagata prefecture is served by the Yamagata Shinkansen, which zips up every hour from Tokyo through Yonezawa (2 hr, ¥10,000) and Yamagata (3 hr) to Shinjo (3½ hr, ¥12,000).
Safety Information
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Yamagata (prefecture)
Okama Crater Lake https://visitmiyagi.com/articles/mount-zao-okama-crater/
"Snow monsters" - "juhyo" in Japanese - trees completely covered in snow, grown by strong winds which freezes the leaves and branches, allowing them to collect layers of ice and snow. Thus, the trees turn into "monstrous" shapes! Almost got frostbite to get this shot! 🥶
a blue bridge over a river with a mountain in the background
A view of a mountain with a train going by
a street with cars and trucks driving down it
an aerial view of a city with a train on the tracks
November 2019 in Sagae. Shot with Pentax 6x7 and Kodak Portra 400
Rice field in rural Japan in autumn just before harvest.
Okama Crater Lake https://visitmiyagi.com/articles/mount-zao-okama-crater/
"Snow monsters" - "juhyo" in Japanese - trees completely covered in snow, grown by strong winds which freezes the leaves and branches, allowing them to collect layers of ice and snow. Thus, the trees turn into "monstrous" shapes! Almost got frostbite to get this shot! 🥶
a blue bridge over a river with a mountain in the background
A view of a mountain with a train going by
a street with cars and trucks driving down it