Plenty to see and do in Yamagata | Yamagata Sightseeing and Travel Information

Juhyō in Zaō

A very rare sight in the world, a juhyō is a miraculous piece of art created by nature. Juhyō is a phenomenon in which particles of water below 0°C (32°F) hit the trees, freeze and stick together, creating a thin layer of ice. Some natural conditions must be met in order for juhyō to form.
There are few heavy snowfall areas in Japan or in the world where these conditions are met, making it an extremely valuable natural phenomenon that attracts people to the area.
The Juhyō viewing area in Zaō can be accessed by ropeway or snowmobile, or by skiing or snowboarding through the Juhyō plateau.

Zaō Jizōson

Zaō Jizōson is located a short walk from the Zaō ropeway and Jizō summit station. It is a large seated statue 2.34 m high. It was built in 1775 (An'ei 4) and was intended to fulfil wishes and ward off misfortune over a period of 37 years.
It is said that the number of people getting lost in the mountains decreased after it was built, so it is now called the 'disaster-preventing Jizō'.
To get to Zaō Jizōson, take the Zaō Ropeway to Jizō Sanzou Summit Station, get off and walk for about 1 minute.

Zao Okama

Zao Okama is a crater lake located in the Zao Mountain Range and is known by the name "Okama".
The lake has a beautiful emerald green color on its surface, which contrasts with the ruggedness of the surrounding mountains and creates a more mystical atmosphere.

Nishizaō Observatory

Nishizaō Observatory is located approximately 20 minutes by car from Yamagata City. From this location, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Yamagata Plain and, on clear days, the dynamic mountain scenery of the Asahi Mountain Range, including Mt Gassan and Mt Hayama.
The area around the observatory is lush with trees, the air is clean and time passes slowly, free from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Yamadera Temple :Godaidō

Godaidō is the best viewpoint of Yamadera Temple. It is a "butai" (stage) style building built on a cliff, and offers a view of the cliff on which the monks used to train their ascetic practices and the town of Yamadera spreading out at the foot of the cliff.
There are approximately 1,000 stone steps leading up to Godaidō, but the view that unfolds beyond is well worth the fatigue. Needless saying, it is also a very popular photo spot.

Nabe Taro

Every year in September, Yamagata City holds the 'Japan's No.1 Imoni Festival'.
At this event, a large pot is used and about 30,000 servings of potato stew are served. The size of the cauldron is approximately 6.5 m in diameter, and its dynamic cooking method, in which the ingredients are stewed using a backhoe, a mobile crane used at construction sites, is a selling point. The pan is now in its third generation, and successive generations of it are displayed in certain parts of the city and can be viewed freely by anyone.
The impact of seeing the cauldrons in person is stunning!

YAMAGATA RAMEN

Yamagatans are those who eats the most ramen in Japan. The reasons why people eat so much ramen are: there is a culture of eating chilled ramen with ice even in the hot summer months; ramen is served as a form of hospitality when acquaintances visit the house; there are many different types of ramen shops throughout the city.
And, above all, the fact that there are many delicious ramen restaurants.
Yamagata City is a fun place to eat ramen. You are sure to find the ramen of your choice.

Cherry

A rich variety of fruits are produced in Yamagata Prefecture from spring to autumn. Strawberries, cherries, melons, peaches, grapes, LaFrance (pears), apples and persimmons are all borne.
Yamagata is particularly famous as a cherry kingdom, producing the largest quantity of cherries in Japan. Brand-name cherries such as Sato Nishiki and Beni Shuho, which originated in Yamagata, are also famous.
There are several cherry orchards in Yamagata City where you can experience cherry picking.