Things to do in Yamagata Prefecture, Tohoku: The Best Sights & Landmarks

September 30, 2021 Margarita Chappel

Yamagata Prefecture (山形県, Yamagata-ken) is a prefecture located in the Tōhoku region of Japan. Its capital is Yamagata.
Restaurants in Yamagata Prefecture

1. Kumano Taisha Shrine

3476-1 Miyauchi, Nanyo 992-0472 Yamagata Prefecture +81 238-47-7777 http://kumano-taisha.or.jp
Excellent
35%
Good
54%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 68 reviews

Kumano Taisha Shrine

2. Somaro

1-2-20 Hiyoshicho, Sakata 998-0037 Yamagata Prefecture +81 234-21-2310 http://www.somaro.net/
Excellent
48%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 69 reviews

Somaro

Dating back over 200 years to the Edo Period, Somaro is a maiko teahouse and museum in the northern port city of Sakata. It is one of the very few places outside of Kyoto where geisha culture can be enjoyed. Originally called Soma-ya, Somaro's geisha culture was brought up to Northern Japan through the thriving trade ties that once existed between Kyoto and Sakata. During that time, Somaro served as an entertainment destination and exquisite restaurant for the many merchants and shipping agents who shuffled through this city. Beautifully restored in 2000, Somaro is a museum and maiko dance house that preserves and showcases the splendor of Sakata's geisha culture.

3. Mt. Haguro

Haguromachi Toge, Tsuruoka 997-0211 Yamagata Prefecture http://www.dewasanzan.jp/publics/index/71/
Excellent
66%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 305 reviews

Mt. Haguro

4. Yudonosan Shrine

7 Tamugimata Rokujurimata, Tsuruoka 997-0532 Yamagata Prefecture +81 235-62-4727 http://www.dewasanzan.jp/publics/index/52/
Excellent
63%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 128 reviews

Yudonosan Shrine

5. Frost Covered Trees of Zao

Near Jizo Mountain, Yamagata 990-2301 Yamagata Prefecture +81 23-694-9168 http://www.kankou.yamagata.yamagata.jp/zao/jyuhyo/
Excellent
54%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 246 reviews

Frost Covered Trees of Zao

6. Nishiazuma Sky Valley

Yonezawa 992-0000 Yamagata Prefecture http://www.urabandai-inf.com/?page_id=25027
Excellent
46%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 26 reviews

Nishiazuma Sky Valley

7. Risshaku-ji Temple

4456-1 Yamadera, Yamagata 999-3301 Yamagata Prefecture +81 23-695-2843 http://www.rissyakuji.jp/
Excellent
52%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 891 reviews

Risshaku-ji Temple

Reviewed By JohnD209 - Leavenworth, United States

Yamadera means "mountain temples" and the mountainside has many small and a few large temples built in nooks and crannies along the way up to the mountain top. The hike up to the top and the area of Risshaku-ji is along a stone path with over 1000 steps. It takes about one hour to climb and 25 minutes to descend. The lower steps wind back and forth climbing through a Japanese cypress forest festooned with stone lanterns. About half-way up there is a traditional temple gate with two guardian statues. After you pass through this gate there are more buildings and more maple trees - making the climb sparkling when the maples are changing colours. Most professional pictures of the temple complex are taken in the fall when the reds and yellows are out or in the spring when the maples send forth their green leaves. As the complex opens up you will see several separate buildings. Head to the left to go to the Risshaku-ji Temple and the views of the train station and town through which you passed on the way to the base of the mountain. A must-see experience. After seeing the Risshaku-ji Temple, continue up a few more minutes to the main Senju-in Temple, which is a completely different looking temple that is used more for worship than for the views. It has some magnificant statuary in the foreyard.

8. Jionji Temple

31 Jionji, Sagae 990-0511 Yamagata Prefecture +81 237-87-3993 http://www.honzan-jionji.jp/info/access
Excellent
58%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
6%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 36 reviews

Jionji Temple

9. Hagurosan Five-Story Pagoda

7, HaguromachI, Touge, Tsuruoka Yamagata Prefecture +81 235-62-2355 http://www.dewasanzan.jp/publics/index/9/
Excellent
70%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 224 reviews

Hagurosan Five-Story Pagoda

Reviewed By 420mayam - Gunma Prefecture, Japan

Set in forest and at base of stairs going up to the temple,this is just lovely, It is almost hidden away in this peaceful place.

10. Osho Orchard

1303 Kawarago, Tendo 994-0103 Yamagata Prefecture +81 120-150-440 http://www.ohsyo.co.jp/
Excellent
39%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 18 reviews

Osho Orchard

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.