Yamagata

Yamagata Model Sightseeing Course

* The images, maps, and schedules are for reference purposes only. For the latest updates on the services and other information, please refer to the websites of each facility.

Yamagata: Retro Ginzan Onsen hot spring and the castle town of a good governor 2 Days 1 Night 

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Stay at the popular Ginzan Onsen hot spring, where you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a retro Taisho era hot spring town. In addition, enjoy a laid-back journey treading in the haiku poet, Basho's footsteps in Obanazawa and Uesugi Yozan's castle town, Yonezawa. (*Haiku= a traditional form of Japanese poem)

2 Days 1 Night Model Course

First Day

9:30	Take the Yamagata Shinkansen from Tōkyō Station.
12:30	Arrive at Ōishida Stationand enjoy lunch.
14:00	Take the Hanagasa busto Ginzan Onsen.
15:00	Arrive at Ginzan Onsen and stay for a night. Take a stroll around Ginzan Onsen.

Second Day

10:30	Take the Hanagasa bus to Ōishida Station.
11:30	Take the Yamagata Shinkansen from Ōishida Station.
12:30	Arrive at Yonezawa Station.and enjoy lunch.
13:30	Take a Yonezawa community bus or taxito the castle town area (Uesugi-Jinja Shrine).​
15:00	Take a Yonezawa community bus or taxi to Yonezawa Station.
16:00	Arrive at Yonezawa Station.

Route Map

Yamagata: Tread in the footsteps of Basho, a haiku poet, at Yamadera and enjoy the majestic Zao area2 Days 1 Night

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Enjoy the spectacular view of Yamadera. Indulge in the Zao Onsen hot springs. View the magnificent scenery from the Okama Observatory in the summer and discover the snow monsters in the winter.

2 Days 1 Night Model Course

First Day

9:30	Take the Yamagata Shinkansen from Tōkyō Station.
12:00	Arrive at Yamadera Station and enjoy lunch.
13:00	Go around the Yamadera worship course.
15:00	Yamadera Basho Museum
17:00	Take the Senzan Line from Yamadera Station to Yamagata Station.
17:30	Depart Yamagata Station by the Yamako Bus.
18:30	Arrive at Zao Onsen Bus Terminal Station and check in at the inn.

Second Day

10:00	Take the Yamako Bus from the Zao Onsen Bus Terminal.
11:00	After arriving at Zao Katta Sancho bus stop, go to Okama Observatory.
13:00	Take the Yamako Bus from Zao Katta Sancho bus stop to Yamagata Station.
14:30	Arrive at Yamagata Station.

Route Map

Yamagata: A relaxing trip filled with the nature and popular spots of Yamagata3 Days 2 Nights

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A 2-night, 3-day model course to leisurely explore popular shops and cafes while also visiting some major tourist spots. Tour the historical and cultural sites of Yonezawa with convenient e-bikes. Enjoy the side-street culture of Tendo Onsen, which is also known as “fruit paradise,” as well as seasonal fruit picking. Easily access the area via public transportation. Visitors to Zao Onsen can experience the grandeur of nature on the ropeways and Yamadera is great for hiking, as it features vast scenic spots and several historical spots, like stone haiku monuments.

3 Days 2 Nights Model Course

First Day

12:00	Take the Yamagata Shinkansen from Tōkyō Station.
14:10	Arrive at Yonezawa Station​Rent an e-bike at Tourist Information Center Okitama ASK​
14:30	Stroll around Uesugi-Jinja Shrine and the Uesugi Castle Ruins​
15:00	View the Japanese garden at Uesugi Hakushakutei and relax at the Japanese-style café Nagomi-tei​
15:40	Hinomoto Hanpu’s Main Store in Yonezawa
16:10	Take the Yamagata Shinkansen from Yonezawa Station​
17:00	Arrive at Tendō Station​
17:20	Enjoy street food and pub hopping in Tendo Onsen’s yatai village ToYokoCho​
19:00	Stay at Tendo Onsen​

Second Day

10:00	Go fruit picking at Ohsyo Fruits Farm and enjoy a breakfast fruit parfait
11:45	Enjoy shopping at the second-hand and specialty boutique Caro​
12:30	Eat lunch at Tendoso Garden Cafe​
13:50	Take the Yamagata Shinkansen from Tendō Station​
14:00	Arrive at Yamagata Station​
14:20	Take a break at the popular local coffee shop Tsuki Café​
15:20	Take the Yamako Bus from Yamagata Station to Zao Onsen Bus Terminal
16:00	Arrive at Zao Onsen Bus Terminal​
16:10	Make your own kokeshi doll at Zao Onsen Yutabiya Takayudo​
17:00	Stroll around Zao Onsen town​
18:00	Stay at Zao Onsen​

Third Day

9:00	Zao Ropeway (take scenic photos at the Hyakumannin Terrace and Sancho Terrace)
11:20	Take a bus from Zao Onsen Bus Terminal to Yamagata Station
12:50	Take the Senzan Line from Yamagata Station​
13:20	Arrive at Yamadera Station​
13:30	Eat lunch at restaurant Endo and enjoy imoni, a Yamagata specialty
14:30	Stroll around Yamadera​
16:00	Take the Senzan Line from Yamadera Station​
16:30	Arrive at Yamagata Station​

Route Map

* Notes *

• This information is current as of October 2022.
• Please check the operational status of each facility before you visit.
• E-bike rentals are not available during the winter.
• Ohsyo Fruits Farm and their cafe are closed during the winter and spring.
• Zao Terrace (Hyakumannin Terrace + Sancho Terrace) is closed during the winter due to ski resort operations.

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  Yonezawa beef

  Counted as one of the three great regions for producing wagyu, Yamagata produces Yonezawa beef, a sublime way to enjoy steak, sukiyaki, beef pickled with miso and sake lees, stew or any other beef dish.

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  Cherries

  Producing 70 percent of Japan's cherries, Yamagata is truly a "cherry paradise." To eat a freshly picked cherry in the great outdoors of Yamagata is a sublime pleasure.

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  Tsuyahime, a local rice brand

  Developed in Yamagata Prefecture, this brand of rice debuted in 2010. Characteristics of Tsuyahime include large, prominent grains, a beautiful white shine, excellent flavor, a pleasant smell and glutinousness (stickiness), also a desirable trait in white rice. It can be enjoyed in restaurants and inns throughout the prefecture.