Spots List

Mt. Azuma

Mt. Azuma, towering on the border of Yamagata and Fukushima prefectures, is a sacred sanctuary of untouched nature and legends, particularly on its Yonezawa side. With a series of peaks reaching 2,000 meters, the mountain displays dynamic seasonal faces—from early summer when alpine plants bloom in profusion, to the fiery colors of autumn, and winter with some of the world's heaviest snowfall. Dotted along its slopes are the unique hot springs known as the Yonezawa Eight, where ancient Japanese hot spring healing cultures still thrive in open-air baths set against sheer cliffs or overlooking waterfalls. Feeling the pulse of nature...

Yamagata
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn

Onogawa Onsen

Known as the "Spring of Beautiful Skin," legend says it was discovered by the famous beauty Ono no Komachi. Its charms include 100% natural, high-temperature free-flowing hot spring water and an atmospheric townscape. Visitors can experience the local richness where fireflies dance in summer and the famous "mame-moyashi" (bean sprouts) grow in winter. Experience warm Japanese hospitality through footbath tours and handmade craft experiences.

Yamagata
Accommodation
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Shirabu Onsen

Discovered 700 years ago, this famous hot spring was once counted among the "Three Famous High-Altitude Springs of Oshu." Traces of the Edo period remain throughout, including inns with massive thatched roofs and the powerful "Hot Spring Waterfall." Serving as a trailhead for the Azuma Mountain Range, it deeply integrates traditional hot spring culture—perfect for soothing fatigue after a climb—with the quiet spirit of the mountains.

Yamagata
Accommodation
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Yunosawa Onsen Tokinoyado Sumire

Yunosawa Onsen Tokinoyado Sumire

A secluded retreat for adults who cherish tranquility, specializing exclusively in "parties of two." Every room offers views of the mountain village scenery throughout the four seasons, and guests can enjoy creative full-course meals featuring local Yonezawa beef. Through exquisite gastronomy and high-quality hot springs, it promises the ultimate experience for travelers wishing to spend special time with a loved one.

Yamagata
Accommodation
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Namegawa Onsen Fukushimaya

Namegawa Onsen Fukushimaya

Boasting over 200 years of history, this traditional hot spring clinic (toji) inn is characterized by its charming wooden architecture. The milky-white waters flowing from a private source are renowned for their effectiveness against neuralgia and poor circulation. The good old Japanese culture of hot spring healing still lives on here, offering a blissful time to deeply heal your body and mind in a quiet space where time seems to stand still.

Yamagata
Accommodation
Spring
Summer
Autumn

Shintakayu Onsen Azumaya Ryokan

Shintakayu Onsen Azumaya Ryokan

This inn boasts five scenic open-air baths with unique themes, such as the "Root Bath" and "Waterfall View Bath." Located at an elevation of 1,126m (a play on words for "good bath" in Japanese), the views of the sea of clouds and the night scenery of the Yonezawa Basin are spectacular. In a silence that echoes ancient mountain worship, you can fully enjoy free-flowing hot spring water in a space full of liberation.

Yamagata
Accommodation
Spring
Summer
Autumn

Goshiki Onsen Auto Campground

Goshiki Onsen Auto Campground

Situated at an altitude of 800m, this spot allows you to enjoy historic hot springs dating back to the Meiji era alongside camping. Surrounded by deep forests, the area offers breathtakingly beautiful starry skies at night. Based on the theme of coexistence with nature, it is an ideal location for modern refreshment where you can enjoy both the outdoors and hot springs simultaneously.

Yamagata
Accommodation
Spring
Summer
Autumn

Oodaira Onsen Takimiya

Oodaira Onsen Takimiya

Located at the source of the Mogami River, this inn offers a breathtaking view of a powerful waterfall, just as its name suggests. The baths, reached only by walking along mountain paths inaccessible to vehicles, offer a true sense of a hidden sanctuary. Surrounded by the gentle murmur of the river and the roar of the waterfall, you can experience a wild yet luxurious soak that makes you feel at one with untouched nature.

Yamagata
Accommodation
Spring
Summer
Autumn

Ubayu Onsen Masugataya

Ubayu Onsen Masugataya

Located at an altitude of 1,300m and surrounded by rugged rock faces, this is the "ultimate hidden hot spring." Since its discovery in 1533, the open-air baths perched on deep mountain cliffs offer an extraordinary world that feels like a dwelling place for mountain hermits. Immersed in white, cloudy waters with the scent of sulfur, you can feel the raw energy of vast, unobstructed nature.

Yamagata
Accommodation
Spring
Summer
Autumn

Yonezawa Eight Hot Springs

Yonezawa Eight Hot Springs

Nestled deep in the mountains of Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, the Yonezawa Eight Hot Springs are a paradise of secluded hot springs consisting of eight uniquely individual spa areas. From breathtaking open-air baths above the clouds at altitudes over 1,000 meters to famous springs with over 700 years of history and rustic baths overlooking waterfalls, each offers a distinct water quality and story. Many inns retain the historical ties to the Uesugi Clan and the authentic atmosphere of the Japan Association of Secluded Hot Springs. Soaking in free-flowing spring water from private sources, visitors can experience a silence and the...

Yamagata
Sightseeing
Accommodation
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Yonezawa City

Yonezawa City, located in southern Yamagata Prefecture, is a castle town deeply connected to the Uesugi Clan, founded by the legendary warrior Uesugi Kenshin. It is a city where the samurai spirit and a noble history remain alive. The solemn atmosphere of Uesugi Jinja Shrine and moments spent gazing at Japanese gardens from former count residences offer a profound sense of traditional beauty. In terms of cuisine, it is the home of the world-renowned Yonezawa Beef, famous for its fine marbling and rich aroma. Indulging in a steak or shabu-shabu meal here will undoubtedly be the highlight of your journey....

Yamagata
Area Info
Sightseeing
Food
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Shirakawa Onsen Shirakawaso

Shirakawa Onsen Shirakawaso

Located on the shores of Lake Shirakawa in Iide Town, Yamagata Prefecture, Shirakawa Onsen Shirakawaso is a hot spring inn boasting a prime location with views of the submerged forest in spring. Inside the inn, filled with the warmth of wood, guests can relax in natural hot springs known as skin-beautifying waters while taking in the ever-changing panoramic views of the lake. The local cuisine, featuring mountain vegetables, river fish, and premium Iide beef, delivers the simple yet deep flavors of rural Japan. Adjacent to the Shirakawa Dam Lakeside Park, where you can enjoy canoeing and camping, it is the...

Yamagata
Sightseeing
Accommodation
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Lake Shirakawa

Lake Shirakawa, located in Iide Town, Yamagata Prefecture, is a mystical spot famous for its submerged forest that appears for only one month each spring. During this season, as snowmelt fills the dam lake, fresh green willow trees stand as if growing directly from the water, creating a surreal landscape reflected on the mirror-like surface. Especially in the early morning, canoeing across the lake shrouded in mist and quietly passing between the trees offers a profound sense of wonder, as if wandering into a forest from another world. It is the ultimate destination for photographers and nature lovers to experience...

Yamagata
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn

Iide Town

Iide Town, located in southwestern Yamagata Prefecture, is a town with a beautiful rural landscape that is counted as one of Japan's three major dispersed settlements. The sight of houses dotted across the vast plains, each surrounded by a protective grove of trees, conveys the aesthetics of traditional Japanese farming villages to the present day. Especially in spring, the submerged forest seen at Lake Shirakawa when meltwater flows in creates a mystical scene as if fresh green trees are growing directly from the lake surface, and canoeing through them is breathtakingly beautiful. It is also a treasure trove of gourmet...

Yamagata
Area Info
Sightseeing
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Sagae City

Sagae City is a very emotional city known worldwide as one of Japan's leading cherry-blossom and cherry-fruit hometowns, spreading at the foot of Mt. Gassan and embraced by the rich flow of the Mogami River. Historic sites and beautiful orchards are dotted in the city, wonderfully harmonizing urban convenience with rich nature. Leaving the bustle of the city, strolling leisurely while viewing beautiful scenery richly sharpens the traveler's sensitivity, bringing new vitality to mind and body. Trips touching traditional performing arts and local delicious fruits to beautifully realign mind and body will be a very intellectual and luxurious holiday for...

Yamagata
Area Info
Sightseeing
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Former Kashiwakura Family Residence Safflower Dyeing Experience

Former Kashiwakura Family Residence Safflower Dyeing Experience

Former Kashiwakura Family Residence Safflower Dyeing Experience is a very precious and luxurious spot where you can actually experience plant dyeing using "safflower," a traditional culture of Yamagata, inside a historic and beautiful wealthy farmer's residence. The time spent creating vibrant crimson dyed goods under the careful guidance of artisans richly stimulates the traveler's sensitivity, bringing a heart-enriching special moment. Leaving the bustle of the city, touching the depth of traditional crafts while feeling the breath of history should make your Yamagata trip deeper and more memorable. Please enjoy an intellectual and special handicraft experience for adults in this historic...

Yamagata
Activities
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Yuza Town

Yuza Town is a very beautiful town blessed with water, where clear spring groups brought by the rich melting snow of the sacred peak Mt. Chokai are scattered, facing the Japan Sea. The landscape woven by the grand nature of Mt. Chokai and the rough waves of the Japan Sea strongly attracts the visiting traveler's heart. Completely away from urban busyness, strolling through the calm town visiting beautiful spring water resets mind and body from the depths, bringing new vitality to the soul. Touching warm local people and delicious food culture, a trip to beautifully realign mind and body will...

Yamagata
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Nanyo City

Nanyo City, located in southeastern Yamagata Prefecture, is a city with a rich culture centered around Akayu Onsen, which boasts over 900 years of history and flourished as a hot spring resort for the Yonezawa Clan during the Edo period. Visitors can encounter classic Japanese scenery at Urushiyama, the setting of the folk tale The Crane’s Return of a Favor, and experience the tradition of Nanyo Chrysanthemum Dolls, which has a history of over 100 years. Furthermore, Akayu is one of Japan's leading wine-producing regions, where you can enjoy tastings at historic wineries. As a mecca for sky sports, it...

Yamagata
Area Info
Sightseeing
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Nagai City

Nagai City, located in southern Yamagata Prefecture, is known as a town of water, greenery, and flowers, retaining the charm of a merchant town that once flourished as a strategic point for Mogami River boat transport. Pure water channels wind through the city, and the landscape is graced with seasonal flowers, including the Kubo-zakura of Isazawa, a cherry tree over 1,000 years old, and Ayame Park, where one million irises of 500 varieties bloom. Strolling through streets lined with retro wooden school buildings and old earthen storehouses allows visitors to experience the atmosphere of good old Japan. It is a...

Yamagata
Area Info
Sightseeing
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Takahata Town

Takahata Town, located in southeastern Yamagata Prefecture, is known as Mahoroba-no-Sato, a land filled with ancient burial mounds and Jomon-period ruins where eternal history and rich nature breathe together. Also beloved as the Hometown of Fairy Tales because it is the birthplace of children's author Hamada Hirosuke, visitors can experience the world of his heartwarming stories. Another major draw is the Takahata Winery, set in a region famous for high-quality grapes, where guests can enjoy premium wines acclaimed both in Japan and abroad. With numerous mystical power spots such as Uriwari Ishiniwa Park, featuring breathtakingly massive stone walls, and Kameoka...

Yamagata
Area Info
Sightseeing
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Kaminoyama City

Kaminoyama City

Kaminoyama City, located in southeastern Yamagata Prefecture, is a rare destination in Japan where three historical identities overlap: a castle town, a post station, and a hot spring resort. From Kaminoyama Castle, the symbol of the city, you can enjoy stunning views of the Zao Mountain Range, while also taking in the atmosphere of Edo-period samurai residences and finding healing in famous hot springs with over 560 years of history. Furthermore, in recent years, it has gained attention as a wine region utilizing its rich climate. With high-quality winery tours and Kurort (climatic therapy) walking experiences that enhance health in...

Yamagata
Area Info
Sightseeing
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Yamagata Hanagasa Festiva

Yamagata Hanagasa Festiva

The Yamagata Hanagasa Festival, symbolizing summer nights in Yamagata Prefecture, is one of the four major festivals of the Tohoku region. This passionate celebration takes place annually from August 5th to 7th along the main streets of Yamagata City. To the spirited chants of Yasho, Makasho!, around 10,000 dancers parading through the city carry Hanagasa hats adorned with vibrant safflowers. The breathtaking beauty of perfectly synchronized group performances and traditional dances featuring powerful hat-spinning movements resonate with the rhythmic beat of Japanese Taiko drums, drawing all spectators into a whirlwind of excitement. With sections where onlookers can spontaneously join the...

Yamagata
Festivals & Events
Summer

Kajo Park

Kajo Park, located in the heart of Yamagata City, is a vast historical park developed on the former site of Yamagata Castle. The restored, dignified Higashi-Ote-mon Gate, impressive stone walls, and surrounding moats convey the history of the 570,000-koku castle town established by Lord Mogami Yoshiaki. It is renowned as one of the prefecture's top cherry blossom viewing spots, where about 1,500 cherry trees bloom along the moats in spring, creating a breathtaking and mystical scene when illuminated at night. With museums and art galleries scattered throughout the grounds, it is a peaceful sanctuary symbolizing Yamagata's identity, where visitors can...

Yamagata
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Tendo City

Tendo City, located in the center of Yamagata Prefecture, is a unique shogi town that boasts the highest production of pieces for shogi, Japan's traditional board game. Shogi motifs can be found throughout the city, and in spring, the spectacular Ningen Shogi event is held, where people dressed as warriors serve as playing pieces on a giant board. The sight, resembling a scene from a Sengoku period scroll set against a backdrop of blooming cherry blossoms, is truly breathtaking. Tendo Onsen, with over 110 years of history, is a famous hot spring known for its skin-beautifying properties. In the hot...

Yamagata
Area Info
Sightseeing
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter