1kg taro roots, 500g beef, 1 piece flat konnyaku, 4 green onions
Seasoning150ml soy sauce, 60g sugar, 60ml sake (all approximate; adjust to taste)
■LET US HANDLE EVERYTHING
With reservations, a taro soup feast can be fully prepared and served on the Mamigasaki riverside by Karamatsu Kannon Hall. Canopies are available so there's no need to worry about rain, either.
■LET US SET YOU UP
In autumn, Yamagata's supermarkets have soup sets in stock. You can even borrow a pot and bring it down to the Mamigasaki riverside with enjoying. Or if the mountains are more your style, some of the lodging houses up in the highlands of Omoshiroyama Kogen have soup sets available. You can enjoy your party by the riverbanks in Momiji Gorge.
The following barbecue sites are ideal for taro soup picnics because they have adequate facilities.
●Suzukawa Park, imonikai site
●Nishi Zao Park, barbecue site
●Nishi Park, imoni site
●Zao Miharashi-no-Oka
Huge pots 2m and 3m wide, used in Japan's greatest taro soup picnic festival are available for hire. From delivery of equipment and the raw food to the taste and the atmosphere, everything is arranged: the taro soup is sure to attract attention.
There are various opinions on the origin of taro soup picnics, but the reason is not really known. Perhaps they started as agricultural divine ceremonies to admire the moon and to pray for good harvests, or as parties to thank sailors and traders for their efforts in the safflower business in the Edo Period. Akimoto Tajimanokami, a feudal lord of Yamagata, is recorded as hosting a taro soup picnic before moving to Tatebayashi. Later, the Mamigasakigawa riverside became popular for picnics. The beef in the soup dates from the Meiji Period, started by either the soldiers of the 32nd Division, based in Yamagata, or the students of Yamagata High School.
The Hirashimizu Pottery made here has long been popular for its simple, rustic charm. Make your own cup, bowl, or vase in a workshop. Tours are also available.
The Yamagata Traditional Kokeshi Museum, Zao Hot Spring, and Yamadera all offer hands-on kokeshi painting workshops. Some classes are taught directly by the highly skilled artisans who make these fine craft items, so don't miss your chance to paint your very own.
Between June to first of July make up the cherry season. For a small and well-spent fee, orchards around Yamagata City offer cherry picking to the public. Some even have all-you-can-eat packages!
Experience sitting Zen or catch a sermon (if your Japanese is up to it) at Yamadera's Risshakuji Temple. Slow down, forget the bustle and rush, and spend some time in quiet meditation or contemplation in the timeless space of Yamadera.
- Rules for participation
- Dance along with the hanagasa folk music
- Number of people in one group
- 20-200
- Application
- Accepted around June every year
- How to dance
-
- Seicho hanagasa dancing
- Kasamawashi hanagasa dancing
- original hanagasa dancing
- other
- Costume
- Free
- Other
- Bring placards
- contact
- Yamagata Prefecture Hanagasa Council TEL.023-642-8753
Otokoyama Shuzo, Kotobuki Toraya Shuzo, and Shuho Shuzojo provide guided tours of their facilities. Of course, tasting and buying are also on the menu...
Denroku Co., Ltd., Yamagata's best known snack maker, offers tours centered on the packaging process. For something a little different, check out how rusks are made at the factory of Cybele Co., Ltd.
Vegetables, fruits and other Yamagata specialties are sold at Yamagata Marugoto markets held regularly at Zao Onsen, Yamadera, Takase, etc., and at morning markets in the city.
From the days centuries ago when safflower was traded up and down the Mogamigawa River, Yamagata has seen many people come, go, and mingle. This led to the development of a culture of hospitality, which in turn drew artists and politicians to Yamagata to experience (and then praise) the treatment they received. The Yamagata Maiko troupe was formed in 1996 and, together with Yamagata Geigi, seeks to continue and pass on Yamagata's performing arts heritage.
- Contact
- Yamagata Dento Geino Shinko（Yamagata Benino Kai）
4-2-16 Nanokamachi, Yamagata - TEL
- 023-634-0232
- FAX
- 023-634-0234
Get a guided glimpse of Yamagata City's history as a castle town. Tours focus on Kajo Park (the site of Yamagata Castle).
- Times
- 9:30-16:00 (2hrs/tour)
- To Apply
- Groups of 2+ / Reservations required 5 days in advance
- Contact
- Yamagata City Tourist Information Center
- TEL
- 023-647-2266
- FAX
- 023-647-2267
Learn about Zao's hot springs, mountain worship and diverse alpine flora from experts.
- Dates
- Year-round
- Times
- 8:30-15:00
- To Apply
- Reservations required one week in advance
- Contact
- Zao Hot Springs Tourism Association Information Center
- TEL
- 023-694-9328
- FAX
- 023-694-9327
No Japanese? NO problem. Let us link you up with someone who can help.
●Introduction ofgovernment licensed guide-interpreters (not free)
- Yamagata Prefectural Tourism Promotion Division
- TEL
- 023-630-2374
●Introduction of volunteer guides (free)
- Association for International Relations in Yamagata
- TEL
- 023-647-2560
- Yamagata City International Friendship Association
- TEL
- 023-647-2277
Founded by Jikakudaishi 1300 years ago and loved by poet Basho Matsuo, enjoy a tour of Yamadera'shistory and culture.
- Dates
- Year-round
- Times
- By reservation(2 hrs/tour)
- To Apply
- Reservations required 2 days in advance
- Contact
- Yamadera Tourist Information Center
- TEL
- 023-695-2816
- FAX
- 023-695-2810
Introducing Sekigahara“ hasedo joint war” of Dewa, historical site or relics inside the city trace park.
- Dates
- Period: April-November
- Times
- Time: Please negotiate with tour guide (about 45-90 per time)
- To Apply
- Registration method Making the appointment one day in advance
- Contact
- Registration and consultation Huntaway Community Center
- TEL
- 023-688-2310
- FAX
- 023-688-7463
Zao Onsen Ski Resort has seven ski and snowboard schools. Group lessons are available to match your level from beginners to advanced.
Geigi succeeded to the traditional entertainments and hospitality culture developed in the Meiji Period that are distinctive to Yamagata. Their skills are highly acclaimed.
- Yamagata Geigi Agency Union
- TEL
- 023-631-2764
Traditional restaurants from the Meiji Period preserve Yamagata culture and taste with style.
Tea ceremonies are held at many places including the Donno Tea Ceremony at Hokoan and Seifuso in Momiji Park, the Kajo cherry blossom grand tea ceremony, and at other venues such as Bashodo in the Yamadera Basho Memorial Museum.
●Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival
Movies and directors mainly from countries in Asia, but also from all over the world, assemble. Movies are screened at movie theaters and public halls in the city during this biannual festival. Watch movies screened up until now at festivals and movies sent for screening previously free of charge at the Yamagata Documentary Film Library (3rd floor, Yamagata Bigwing).
- Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival administration office
- TEL
- 023-666-4480
●Yamagata Symphony Orchestra
Formed in 1972, the first professional orchestra in the Tohoku region. Performs about 150 concerts a year, mainly on a regular basis.
- Yamagata Symphony Orchestra
- TEL
- 023-625-2203
●Montedio Yamagata
Yamagata Prefecture J. League soccer team that started out on an amateur basis in 1984, and made the J2 League in 1999.
- Yamagata Sports Promotion 21st Century Association
- TEL
- 023-666-8882
- Dates
- Apr-Nov
- Times
- 9:00-17:00(last rental at 16:00)
- Available At
- Yamagata Tourist Information office and the other bicycle rental stations
- Contact
- Yamagata Tourism Information Center
- TEL
- 023-647-2266
- Dates
- Year-round(except during certain events)
- Times
- 9：30～18：30
- TEL
- 023-622-4666
- Dates
- By Great Eastern Gate, Kajo Park
- Times
- 5:00-22:00(5:30-22:00 in winter)
- Contact
- Yamagata City Tourism and Specialty Section
- TEL
- 023-641-1212
