Top 7 Things to Do in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan

Yamagata (山形県, Yamagata-ken) is a large prefecture along the Sea of Japan coast in the Tohoku Region. The prefecture is blessed with natural beauty such as Mount Zao. It also has more than 100 hot spring locations. More importantly, it is the largest producer of cherries and pears in Japan. A large quantity of other kinds of fruits such as grapes, apples, peaches, melons, persimmons and watermelons are also produced. Here are 7 things you can do in Yamagata Prefecture.

HOW TO GO TO YAMAGATA FROM TOKYO?

We flew into Tokyo via Japan Airlines. The seat is of course comfortable, the take off was on time and the aircraft is great. To get to Yamagata from Tokyo, we bought the JR EAST PASS（Tohoku area) for unlimited rides on the Shinkansen and limited express trains to Eastern Japan. Japan’s shinkansen, or bullet train, never fail to amaze me. Every time a train arrives, the cleaning crews will clean the whole train within 7 minutes.

We first alight at Yonezawa, which is in the southern part of Yamagata Prefecture. It is on the Yamagata Shinkansen line between Tokyo and Yamagata. There are hourly departures from Tokyo, with the trip taking just over 2 hours and costing ¥10,000.

EAT THE FAMOUS YONEZAWA BEEF

Yonezawa may be an unassuming rural town but do you know that it is known throughout Japan for its beef (米沢牛 yonezawa-gyū). Its beef became famous after an Englishman named Charles Henry Dallas, an English teacher at the Yonezawa clan school, took a Yonezawa cow to his friends at Yokohama in 1875. They lvoe it and words start spreading about how delicious it is.

Yonezawa cows are fed such rice straw that sucked up the minerals. Most of the cows are raised and fattened for the period as long as 32 months, which explains secret to the quality and flavour of the meat. We had our lunch at Uesugi Joshien (上杉城史苑 • ウエスギジヨウシエン) where Yonezawa Steak Don and beef fillet. The steak don has sliced beef grilled to perfection and every piece literally melts in your mouth.

VISIT TOKO SAKE-BREWING MUSEUM

Yonezawa is also a favourite amongst sake lovers and the best-known local tipple is Tōkō (東光). Upon reaching our destination, we took a bus to visit Japanese Sake Brewery. I am impressed with the punctuality with all buses in Japan!

Sake-Brewing Museum Tōkō Sake Warehouse helps us to understand the traditional Sake-Brewing within Yonezawa. Stated since 1597, Tōkō has been around for more than 400 years and Mr Kojimaya Zaremon is now the 23rd generation is taking care of it. They have 53 sake breweries in Yamagata and are the 4th biggest around. They export to 13 countries world wide.

With the aim of sharing the traditional art of sake brewing to the world – the museum was restored from and old sake distillery in 1984. Various sake production implements are on display, including a huge vat made of Japanese cedar once used for fermentation. Sake making typically happens from October to March and fermentation itself can take up to a good 2 months. Guess what, the TV commercial for SKII is also done here! In the sake-tasting area, visitors can enjoy freshly pressed, unpasteurized sake that cannot be found anywhere else. Go for their top-of-the-line daiginjō (¥12,000/1.8L)!

CLIMB TO THE TALLEST TEMPLE IN YONEZAWA

From Yonezawa Station, we took a train and alighted at Yamadera Station where we visit Risshaku-ji Temple. JR trains are extremely efficient and fast, and a major part of their efficiency is due to all the different kinds of express trains!

Risshaku-ji Temple was founded over a thousand years ago in 860 as a temple of the Tendai sect under the official name Risshakuji. Its popular name, Yamadera, literally means “mountain temple” in Japanese. The temple is a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty and Historic Site.

You need to take about 1015 steps to climb up to the top. But it was not difficult at all. Just do it at your own pace and when you reach the top, all is worthwhile as you will get to see the great view down onto the valley. The temple is easily accessible by train. You can take a short walk to one of several entrances at the foot of the mountain.

MUST VISIT OKAMA CRATER IN ZAO

This natural lake formed in the crater of a volcano is the symbol of Mt. Zao. The lake was 27m deep but it was gradually buried over years due to the collapse of Goshikidake cliff walls. It is sometimes called the Five Color Lake due to the way its water changes colors from day to day. The circle crate is surrounded by the three mountains of the Zao Mountain Range, i.e. Kattadake, Kumanodake, and Goshikidake. This lake was named Okama after Japanese traditional cooking pot (kama) from its shape, and has been beloved by all.

Crater Lake Viewing Season happens early May to late October. Get on the Zao High Line (tolled road) from Zao Echo Line, and drive up to the park of Zao Mountain Peak Restaurant where you can find the view deck. There are two buses per day between Kaminoyama Onsen Station on the Yamagata Shinkansen and the Kattadake peak outside of winter. The one way trip takes about one hour and is free of charge!

EAT FRESH PIZZAS

After the visit to Mount Zao which takes up about half a day, you can drive down to Zao Liza World to have a slice of pizza! During winter, this is a famous ski resort. But for the rest of the seasons, you can enjoy vast greenland while enjoy a piece of pizza made upon order.

PICK SOME FRUITS AT TAKAHASHI FRUIT LAND

One of my favourite destination in Yamagata Prefecture is Takahashi Fruit Land where we get to pick the seasonal fruits. Grapes were in season during my visit in October so we get to try a few varieties of grapes. All of them were so sweet! Takahashi Fruit Land makes fruits all year round with 100% organic farming.

STAY IN RYOKAN KOYO

Kaminoyama is a small onsen city. From Yamagata or Yonezawa, you can take the train to Kaminoyama Onsen Station and visit different onsen. Since there are so many things to see in the prefecture, I recommend you to spend your night at Ryokan Koyo where you get the best of both worlds – a scrumptious dinner and very good onsen. There are three standard hot baths – one cold bath, two hot baths, a hot sauna and a −5° Celsius sauna. There are different shampoo for you to choose from in your onsen. In the private dining room, all dishes were already laid out beautifully for us. There are sashimi in ice caves, hot pot with the special beef, and even seasonal vegetables in stacked boxes. Remember to change into a yukata cotton robe for a truly leisurely night. Each night costs 20,000 yen while a dinner here costs 12,000 yen. From Ryokan Koyo, there is a free shuttle bus to Zao Okama!