Top 10 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Yamagata Prefecture, Tohoku

June 4, 2021 Deane Carmody

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. Tsuruoka City Kamo Aquarium

656 Okubo Imaizumi, Tsuruoka 997-1206 Yamagata Prefecture +81 235-33-3036 http://kamo-kurage.jp/
Excellent
50%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 458 reviews

Tsuruoka City Kamo Aquarium

Reviewed By Robbo51

It was during a blizzard in early February and outdoor sightseeing was out of the question so we tried Kamo. This is quite an impressive complex of indoor aquaria displaying all manner of fish, plus a couple of outdoor pools with seals and sea lions. The highlight though were the jellyfish. So much to discover about these widely varying creatures, and a guided tour behind the scenes to see how they are bred and cultured. Well worth a visit.

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. Bunshokan

3-4-51 Hatagomachi, Yamagata 990-0047 Yamagata Prefecture +81 23-635-5500 http://www.gakushubunka.jp/bunsyokan/
Excellent
48%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 187 reviews

Bunshokan

Reviewed By SofiaTKI - Lima, Peru

you can't miss this spot. It is a lovely museum of english renaissance architecture and it was the previous prefectural government office and assembly hall.

4. Ken Domon Museum of Photography

2-13 Iimoriyam, Sakata 998-0055 Yamagata Prefecture +81 234-31-0028 http://www.domonken-kinenkan.jp/
Excellent
56%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 91 reviews

Ken Domon Museum of Photography

▼The first museum of photography in Japan Ken Domon is one of the representative photographers of postwar Japan. He took news photos grounded in realism, portraits and snapshots of famous and ordinary people, as well as photos of cultural assets such as temples and Buddhist statues. His lens captured moments that revealed truths in the turbulent Showa era. Ken Domon Museum of Photography was built in his hometown of Sakata in October 1983 as the first Japanese museum dedicated solely to photographs, and is said to be the only photography museum in the world built for an individual. Here, all 70,000 pieces of his photographic work, including his lifework, “A Pilgrimage through Old Temples,” “Muroji Temple,” “Hiroshima,” “The Children in Chikuho,” “Bunraku Puppets,” and “Features” are preserved and shown to the public in regular succession.

5. Zao Onsen Kawarayu Public Bathhouse

43-3 Zao Onsen Kawara, Yamagata 990-2301 Yamagata Prefecture http://www.zao-spa.or.jp/about/
Excellent
59%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 37 reviews

Zao Onsen Kawarayu Public Bathhouse

6. Uesugi Jinja Shrine

1-4-13 Marunouchi, Yonezawa 992-0052 Yamagata Prefecture +81 238-22-3189 http://yamagatakanko.com/spotdetail/?data_id=1390&yk=%25BE%25E5%25BF%25F9%25BF%25C0%25BC%25D2&yp=1
Excellent
21%
Good
54%
Satisfactory
23%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 257 reviews

Uesugi Jinja Shrine

7. Michi-no-Eki Sagae Cherry Land

919-8 Yakuwa Kawara Along Road 112, Sagae 990-0523 Yamagata Prefecture +81 237-86-3111 [email protected] http://www.cherryland.co.jp/
Excellent
26%
Good
51%
Satisfactory
23%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 73 reviews

Michi-no-Eki Sagae Cherry Land

8. Sankyo Soko Storehouse

1-1-8 Sankyomachi, Sakata 998-0838 Yamagata Prefecture +81 234-24-2233 http://sakata-kankou.com
Excellent
25%
Good
55%
Satisfactory
19%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 320 reviews

Sankyo Soko Storehouse

Reviewed By passionfruitsin

Our cruise landed in Sakata and our shuttle brought on to the main shopping mall in town. Young and old were on the spot to receive us and there were stalls and cultural displays too. Going to the Tourism booth we were surprised that they organized free tours for 3 separate routes around the whole town, We decided on the Sanyo warehouse route and were led by a most enthusiastic lady and 3 high school students with elemental command of English. The highlight of the tour was Sanyo Soko and we were told of the history. The shrine behind the warehouse has been protecting the owners of the place for generations. We were even shown how the ritual is carried out at this shrine. Leaving the warehouse we walked pass the municipal office followed by the Honma residence. This was impressive but we did not stayed long as we were still keen to go round the rest of the town. Not far from the Honma resident was that of Abumiya, another rich local merchant who did a lot of philanthropy work for the locals for which they are very appreciative of. We ended our tour and offered to buy our guests lunch. The leading guide was in a hurry to go as she has another appointment. The students led us to a Ramen shop for lunch. It was a nice meal at a very reasonable price for the quality they provided. All in all, it was a very satisfying experience and the warmest of the Japanese guests was something we have yet to experience in any other countries we have been to so far.

9. Tsuruoka Roman Catholic Church

7-19 Babacho, Tsuruoka 997-0035 Yamagata Prefecture +81 235-22-0292 http://www.turuoka-catholic.or.jp
Excellent
24%
Good
60%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 62 reviews

Tsuruoka Roman Catholic Church

10. Michi-no-Eki Tendo Onsen

2-3-41 Kuwanomachi, Tendo 994-0028 Yamagata Prefecture +81 23-651-2002 http://www.thr.mlit.go.jp/road/koutsu/Michi-no-Eki/yamagata/ya15.html
Excellent
20%
Good
54%
Satisfactory
23%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 132 reviews

Michi-no-Eki Tendo Onsen

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