Yamagata (prefecture)
From Wikitravel
Contents
Yamagata prefecture (山形県 Yamagata-ken) is in the northeastern Tohoku region of the main Japanese island Honshu.
[edit] Understand
Yamagata prefecture is often described as 'hidden' Japan. Well off any tourist route, Yamagata nevertheless has a wealth of experiences for those with the will to seek them out. Home to amazing unspoilt scenery, ancient temples, world class skiing, wonderful local food, summer festivals and some of the best onsen (hot springs) in Japan, Yamagata is a real change for the visitor who believes that Japan is best understood in the municipal centres of Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto.
[edit] Cities
- Yamagata — the prefectural capital
- Obanazawa — hot springs and tremendous snowfall
- Sakata — coastal town in the northwest
- Shinjo — a farming city, where the shinkansen ends
- Tsuruoka — coastal town, former castle town
- Yonezawa — beef and hot springs
[edit] Other destinations
- Dewa Sanzan - the Three Mountains of Dewa, holy to the mountain ascetic cult of Shugendo
- Yamadera - Buddhist temple carved into solid rock
[edit] Talk
[edit] Get in
[edit] By plane
In Yamagata prefecture, there are airports in Yamagata (connecting to Osaka-Itami, Nagoya, Tokyo-Haneda, and Sapporo-Chitose) and Shonai (connecting to Tokyo-Haneda). Most visitors coming from overseas will prefer flying to Tokyo and taking the shinkansen from there.
[edit] By train
Yamagata prefecture is served by the Yamagata Shinkansen, which zips up every hour from Tokyo through Yonezawa (2 hrs, ¥10000) and Yamagata (3 hrs) to Shinjo (3:30, ¥12000). Just don't expect blazing speed: the last 150 km from Fukushima is on ordinary track at 160 km/h, half the speed of a "real" Shinkansen.
[edit] By bus
The southern parts of Yamagata prefecture can easily be accessed by express bus from Sendai just to the south.
[edit] Get around
[edit][add listing] See
[edit][add listing] Do
[edit][add listing] Eat
Yamagata is famous for its cherries and fruits. It also has its own distinctive senbei (rice crackers).
[edit][add listing] Drink
[edit] Get out
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