Kajo Kanokai Festival
Kajo Park on the site of Yamagata Castle has about 1,500 cherry trees. It is the best place to view cherry blossoms in Yamagata. When cherry trees along the moat at the east and south are in bloom, they are illuminated at night for the enjoyment of people inside and outside of the park. A grand tea ceremony is held every year when the trees are in full bloom, and the eastern main gate building is opened to the public.
Hina doll path
Many hina dolls of different eras, which were brought to Yamagata from Kyoto along with the trade in safflowers, are exhibited in Yamadera and Zao. You can see these hina dolls and safflower folding screens, that are cultural assets designated by Yamagata Prefecture, at the Yamadera Basho Memorial Museum.
Yakushi Festival,
garden-plant fair
The garden-plant fair in Yamagata, one of the three biggest such fairs in Japan (the others are in Kumamoto and Osaka), is held during the Kokubunji Temple Yakushido Festival for three days. More than 500 stalls of plants color the charming sight with the green of fresh leaves.
Opening of Zao Echo Line
This is a mountain viewing road about 26 kilometers in length, running east - west along the Zao mountain range, connecting Miyagi Prefecture with Yamagata Prefecture via Lake Okama. Drive along this route to see beautifully changing seasonal views: the ice walls of spring, the reds and yellows of autumn leaves and more. (Closed during winter.)
Kajo Park
The cherry trees in Kajo Park are said to have been planted to celebrate Japan's victory in the Russo-Japanese War and are about 100 years old. People enjoying picnics under the cherry blossoms in the park are a charming sight in springtime Yamagata.
Mamigasaki cherry blossoms path
Almost 2 kilometers of cherry trees line the Mamigasakigawa River. When in bloom, they are illuminated, so in the evening you can enjoy the view of this magnificent path decorated with cherry blossoms.
Heisenji Temple
Adorning the precincts of this temple are two big weeping cherries, one about 8 meters high and the other about 15 meters high. Yamagata has designated these trees as precious natural treasures.
Nishi-Zao Kogen
The cherry trees here, with the backdrop of Mt. Ryuzan, bloom around the time of the May national holidays. Growing in an area of heavy snow, these sargent cherry trees are very elegant creating the feeling of merging with nature.
Yamagata Hanagasa Festival
At the festival, a folk song, Hanagasa Ondo, is played while people shout "yassho, makasho" together with the soul-stirring sound of Hanagasa-daiko drums. Led by a colorful festival float, dancers (a total of about 10,000 over three days) dressed in beautiful kimonos with bamboo hats decorated with safflowers parade through the main street about 1.2 kilometers in length.
Cherry picking
Growing from the prefectural tree of Yamagata, and the symbolic fruit of Yamagata, the kingdom of fruits, is the cherry. Cherry cultivation was introduced into Yamagata at the beginning of the Meiji Period. Now Yamagata Prefecture grows more cherries than any other prefecture. Several types are cultivated, including Satonishiki, Benishuho and Napoleon.
Takase safflower field
The safflower is the flower of the city of Yamagata. The red color of Yamagata safflowers, called Mogami safflowers, fascinated people. Safflowers were sold in Edo (old Tokyo) and Kyoto, and swept through the whole country. You can see safflowers in Takase, Yamagata, which is the site pictured in a famous animation movie called "Omoide Poroporo (Only Yesterday)". Yamagata Benibana (safflower) Festival is held when the safflowers bloom.
Illumination of Mt. Hojusan
Mt. Hojusan is illuminated, focusing on Godaido and Kaisando of Yamadera Risshakuji Temple, in the summer and autumn. Enjoy beautiful views of Mt. Hojusan.
Deshio Monjudo Temple, hydrangea entrance path
The stone-paved entrance path, 500 meters long, is lined with about 2,500 hydrangeas of about forty types in various beautiful colors. The Hydrangea Festival is held when they bloom
Hanagasa Summer Festival/
Yamagata Prefecture Specialty Fair
On the day before Yamagata Hanagasa Festival, the Hanagasa Bazaar and Yamagata Prefecture Specialty Fair are held on the same main street that is used for the Yamagata Hanagasa Festival.
Yamagata Fireworks Display
A display of fireworks takes place along the Sukawa River in the west of Yamagata. The people of Yamagata love this fireworks display and enjoying a gorgeous summer night. Be sure not to miss the firework contest held at the same time, when firework manufacturers from all over Japan compete against each other.
(nicknamed Nabetaro)
Japan's No. 1 Imonikai (taro soup picnic) Festival
Japan's No. 1 Imonikai Festival began in 1989 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the city of Yamagata. Now the festival is held every year beside the Mamigasakigawa River and is Yamagata's biggest autumn event. Taro soup for about 30,000 people is boiled in a huge pot 6 meters wide. The soup is very tasty, full of autumn vegetables.
Imonikai (taro soup picnics)
Many groups of families and friends enjoy taro soup picnics beside the Mamigasakigawa River: a scene that gives a warm, poetic feel to autumn in Yamagata.
Omoshiroyama Cosmosberg
One million colorful cosmoses of eight types, such as Sensation, grow on Omoshiroyama Kogen, covering an area of about 7 hectares.
Yamagata Horetsu dakyu (Japanese polo)
Horetsu Jinja Shrine is one of only three places that pass down the ancient sport of dakyu (the others are the Imperial Household Agency and Hachinohe). The game is played during the shrine's festival. The rules are the same as those used by Imperial Household Agency.Yamagata prefecture has designated Horetsu dakyu as an intangible cultural asset.
Zao mountain
For about a month, you can enjoy views of the Zao mountain range as the colors change from the summit down to the hot spring town below, creating a vivid spectacle of many colors.
Yamadera
The colors of autumn leaves complementing the colors of the rocks compose a masterful vista in Yamadera. Autumn creates a splendor of the magnificent expanse and beauty of nature.
Omoshiroyama Kogen
The colors of autumn leaves complementing the colors of the rocks compose a masterful vista in Yamadera. Autumn creates a splendor of the magnificent expanse and beauty of nature.
Momiji Park
The gorgeous contrast between the vivid red of maple leaves and the clear green of pine trees enhances the beauty of the changing colors of autumn leaves.
Ice trees
The seasonal wind blowing in from Siberia picks up moisture as it crosses the Sea of Japan and deposits this moisture as ice on the fir trees in Zao. Thus the ice trees are born from the distinctive climate of Zao. The massive bulk of the ice trees in Zao presents one of the best sights in the world. The ice trees, also called ice monsters, are nature's artwork, a sculpture of snow and ice.
Rambling in the neon light
The overall length of Yamagata Hanagasa Festival Course is 1.2 km in the central street of Yamagata. LED illuminations are decorated on the trees and in front of shops along the street. Simultaneously, the star light and illuminations (colored) lights of hotnaru square park of Nanoka-machi is a most popular spot for photographers.
Yamagatashi Hatsuichi Fair
This traditional fair has roots stretching back to the Edo Period. About 250 stalls sell turnips [in Japanese, the word also means company shares], hatsuame candy (lucky sweets), implements made of wood, such as wooden utensils to make rice cakes, and household articles.
Yamadera Snow Statue Festival
A contest of snow figures relating to Yamagata, animation characters, etc., open to anybody. Snow kokeshi dolls are displayed in the temple town.
Zao Onsen Ski Resort
One of the biggest ski resorts in the Tohoku region with hot springs, ice trees, 26 ski slopes and superb powder snow.
Ice trees illumination
Ice trees are illuminated with colorful lights in the silence of the darkness. Trees shining with ice during day time look completely different at night. You will feel as if you have entered a world of pure fantasy.
Zao Ice Tree Festival
The Zao Ice Tree Festival is held when the ice trees become truly spectacular. There are countless events at the festival including demonstrations and performances by ski schools and firework displays.
