Location: Yamagata Prefecture
Top Things to do in Yamagata Prefecture
Top Hotels in Yamagata Prefecture
Countries
What to do and see in Yamagata Prefecture, Tohoku: The Best Things to do Adventurous
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
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 458 reviews
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. Mt. Haguro
3. Yudonosan Shrine
4. Frost Covered Trees of Zao
5. Risshaku-ji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 891 reviews
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.
6. Yamagata Zao Onsen Ski Resort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 330 reviews
Reviewed By MontyPuppy - Perth, Australia
If you love Nosawa Onsen but hate the crowds, try something a little further away. Zao Onsen in the Yamagata Prefecture has 12m snow seasons, lovely powder, loads of lifts and fun local foods to try plus the very amazing and unique ‘snow monsters’. (Eerie snow and wind blasted trees near the peak of the mountain). If you enjoy first tracks and make early starts avoiding the Zao ropeway that takes tourists up to the monsters, you’ll have a fabulous time. And then there is the private and public town onsens and apres skiing. Sensational.
7. Hagurosan Five-Story Pagoda
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 224 reviews
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.
8. Zao Ropeway
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 226 reviews
Reviewed By hienbau - Geneva, Switzerland
The landscape is spectacular and worth to queue. The wind is very strong and blew with snow like storm, so sometime we could hardly see the things on top, then stop at the middle station and enjoy the view there. Will come back for skiing, must be wonderful experience.
