Location: Yamagata Prefecture
Top Things to do in Yamagata Prefecture
Top Hotels in Yamagata Prefecture
The 10 Best Things to Do in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan
Yamagata Prefecture in Japan, from Asia region, is best know for Historic Sites. Discover best things to do in Yamagata Prefecture with beautiful photos and great reviews from traveller around the world here!
Restaurants in Yamagata Prefecture
1. Hagurosan Five-Story Pagoda
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 114 reviews
Reviewed By wvzjxq - SFO
This place is far from the beaten track in the countryside of West Japan. Come here while the foreign tourists still haven't discovered it yet. On a cold November day, we were the only foreign tourists here. The hike to the pagoda is only 10 minutes from the bus station. This pagoda is the first stop on the long path up the mountain. It is as beautiful as a Japanese scenery can get, especially with falling snow like on the day we went.
2. Risshaku-ji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 674 reviews
Reviewed By mabei0123 - Tsukuba, Japan
Yamadera, literally "mountain temple", is a general term for the temples and shrines scattered along the Yamadera mountainside. Hojusan Rissakuji is the official name of Yamadera, which may be translated as Rissakuji Temple on Mt. Hoju. The Temple was founded in 860 AD by Kikaku Daishi in response to an imperial edict issued by Emperor Seiwa during the Heian period. The haiku poet and traveller Matsuo Basho journeyed to Yamadera to experience its supreme quietness, and the 1,015 stone steps Basho climbed in the Edo period continue to lead visitors up to Okuno-in, the famous innermost temple. Yamadera has become a popular tourist destination, and many tourist visit Yamadera all year round and take 1,015 steps way up at the mountain. The climbing walk would be a test to your strength and age. The view from top is indeed spectacular. The temples themselves were just fine. It's good to eat the homemade Soba noodles here after your climbing walk before you take a train to return to Yamagata (@20 min) or to Sendai (@60 min).
3. Mt. Gassan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 64 reviews
Reviewed By Heikki S - Tartu, Tartumaa, Estonia
Gassan is the second of the Dewa Sanzan holy Mountains, representing death in the cycle of birth-death-rebirth. Like Haguro-san, it is somewhat easily accessible with a bus or car taking you to the 8th station (80% up the mountain) from where you have to continue on foot. If doing the Dewa Sanzan pilgrimage in the order of Haguro-san, Gassan, Yudono-san, this is the most reasonable place to stay overnight. It is of possible to go through all the Mountains in a day, but I would recommend visiting the shrine on top of Gassan right as it opens a wee bit before sunrise. One is not allowed to take pictures at the shrine and no picture could accurately show all you can see in the shrine, so visiting is the only way to get the real expereince.
The walk up the mountain is not difficult, but requires some degree of stamina. It's mostly walking on stone and gravel paths, but there is some boulder-climbing involved. The path towards Yudono-san is more physically and mentally demanding but I will cover than in a Yudono-san review.
There are multiple mountain huts (goya) on the mountain which offer different levels of comfort and price. I chose the mountain hut at the 9th station for their pricing (I was allowed to sleep on the floor in my own sleeping bag for cheap). Goya lodging has to mostly be reserved beforehand and most of the mountain huts only have phone numbers available on Japanese websites. You can ask for assistance in Tsuruoka or Sakata tourist information points.
4. Uesugi Jinja Shrine
Overall Ratings
4 based on 185 reviews
Reviewed By johntaro - Tokyo, Japan
this is a local shrine and as usual there is always something interesting - recommend to speak to the old guards on the grounds who can tell you about the differences
5. Sankyo Soko StorehouseJapan National Tourism OrganizationMuseums in Yamagata
Overall Ratings
4 based on 220 reviews
Reviewed By Akira M - Tokyo, Japan
Here was the old warehouse.
This warehouse has protect the town from big fire when almost 30 years ago.
Here is the pride of the Sakata citizens.
Inside of warehouse has been remodeled
now is a souvenir shop replace from warehouse
You are able to purchase to main of souvenir in Shonai plain at the here.
There is also an expensive souvenir such as a wooden dolls and wooden furnitures and special native products.
Almost visitors cannot purchase these valuable souvenir but these are so beauty for eyes.
Anyway, have a look if you will come here.
Free parking is available here.
However, mega tourist buses are occupied during on holiday and weekend.
Therefore, it is a little narrow.
6. Kumano Taisha Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 45 reviews
Reviewed By ichaos - Tokyo, Japan
This shrine is quite far from touristic area, but is worth visiting if you occasionally drop by. It is a classic Shinto shrine, dated by 9th century. As stated in Wiki, shine's large iron bell is one of the last original Japanese bells (others were melted to get the iron during World War II).
Other famous thing about this shrine is the Three Rabbits! On the back side of the shrine you can see wooden patterns, and the rabbits are hidden somewhere among them. There is a belief that if you find all three of those rabbits, you will get luck in your life. We managed to find two rabbits, but where was the third one? Will try next time...
The closest station to the shrine is Miyauchi (Yamagata Hana Nagai line). You can transfer to this local line from Yamagata Shinkansen at Akayu station. Yamagata Shinkansen is departing from Tokyo station every hour and is available for JR Pass.
7. Michi-no-Eki Sagae Cherry Land
Overall Ratings
4 based on 61 reviews
Reviewed By 2sophia8
It's a huge souvenir stores mall. I bought cherry cake and cookies. There was a line in front of the famous ice cream shop. You can choose 2 flavors. I ate white rice and lemon, it was nice.
8. Takahata Winery
Overall Ratings
4 based on 63 reviews
Reviewed By toka130 - Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
レンガ造りの建物が印象的です。目の前に噴水や花壇とぶどう畑がありきれいでした。売店でお土産が豊富で無料のワインの試飲がありいただきました。
9. Ginzan Yuhodo
Overall Ratings
4 based on 45 reviews
Reviewed By jajavalB - Bangkok
This village is small but lovely , nice place to walk, even raining day. There are shops lining along the creek upto the waterfall. There are many lovely things to buy, snacks, Sweets and food to look around. The way for walking upto the waterfall at the first stage is so easy and cooling with spray of water. Further, there is a red bridge crossing over the creek with view of the second stage of the waterfall. The walkway is loop back to the origin. Have a nice walk with green trees with shades.
10. Michi-no-Eki Tendo Onsen
Overall Ratings
4 based on 90 reviews
Reviewed By ohohigawa - Sendai, Japan
程よい温かさでした。入るときはくるぶしまでズボンをまくったほうがいいです。足拭き用のタオルは販売してますが持参したほうがいいです。 It was reasonable warmth. You had better wear trousers to the ankle when you enter. I sell towels for wiping feet, but it is better to bring towels.
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