Yamagata

From Tokyo, you can reach Yamagata in northern Japan in 2.5 hours by bullet train. Walk up 1,000 stone steps through cedar forests to Yamadera Temple, ski between ice-coated trees at Mount Zao, or soak in wooden bathhouses at Ginzan Onsen where gas lamps light the evening streets. In summer, you'll find cherry orchards that supply 70% of Japan's cherries, farms raising premium Yonezawa beef cattle, and the Hanagasa festival where 10,000 dancers fill the city streets each August.

Getting to Yamagata

Take the Yamagata Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to reach Yamagata City in about 2.5 hours. You can also fly to Yamagata Airport from Tokyo and catch a 30-minute bus to the city center. The compact city layout makes walking from the main station convenient.

Winter at Mount Zao

From December to March, snow and ice completely cover Mount Zao's trees, creating what locals call "snow monsters" - formations that reach heights of 10 meters. Take the ropeway to the summit to see these ice-covered trees up close, or view them lit up at night during peak season. The mountain has 15 ski slopes suitable for beginners through advanced skiers.

Yamadera Temple Complex

The stone steps to Yamadera Temple, built in 860 CE, wind through a cedar forest on Mount Hoju. During the climb up all 1,000 steps, you'll pass Buddhist statues, stone lanterns, and small temple buildings. From the upper temple area, several viewing platforms look out across the valley - especially popular when autumn turns the surrounding mountains red and gold.

Local Food Culture

Yamagata's farmers grow cherries known for their large size and sweet taste, harvesting them in June and July. Local ranchers raise Yonezawa beef cattle, recognized as one of Japan's top three beef varieties. In autumn, groups gather by the river for imoni parties, cooking taro and beef stew in large pots. You'll find these local ingredients in many restaurants around the city center.

Ginzan Onsen Hot Springs

Ginzan Onsen sits in a narrow valley, with three and four-story wooden buildings from the early 1900s lining both sides of the river. Gas street lamps illuminate the evening streets, preserving the atmosphere of Japan's Taisho period. You can visit public baths or foot baths filled with mineral-rich hot spring water.

Festivals Throughout the Year

During the Yamagata Hanagasa Festival in August, dancers wearing straw hats with red flower decorations perform traditional dances for three days. The Yonezawa Snow Lantern Festival in February creates snowy paths lit by hundreds of candle lanterns around Uesugi Shrine. In April, locals celebrate cherry blossom season with hanami parties in Kajo Park.