Why Yamagata should be your next Japan adventure
Why Yamagata should be your next Japan adventure
Second Dinner Sthlm
Tired of standing in line like silly geese at major Japanese hotspots in overcrowded hot cities? Tired of going where everybody is to take the same old pictures?
Do you want to experience a unique side of Japan full of natural beauty, tradition and great food?
Welcome to Yamagata prefecture in the Tohoku region! Land of hot springs, ski slopes, breathtaking mountain trails, cherries and much more!
Come along on our journey as we take you to our favorite spots in the region.
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Yamagata Station
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This is your starting point. Chances are you’ll be arriving here by Shinkansen from Tokyo. Also the main hub where regional trains and busses to other prefectures depart.
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Daiwa Roynet Hotel Yamagata Station
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The perfect accommodation to stay connected and get around easily. Very walkable from the station even with heavy suitcases.
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BOTAcoffee
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Welcoming and cozy cafe with cool rustic interior that servers up some fantastic coffee. Don't miss the purin!
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LOGIC
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Everyone knows Japan does pizza incredibly well, but you would’t expect to find such good ones outside of the major cities. This place was both a surprise and a much needed cure for our food cravings!
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Yamagata Street Food: Hottonaru Yokocho
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A collection of different street food stalls full of locals hanging out after work. Can feel a bit overwhelming at first but pick a counter and have a seat, you're in for a great time! Perfect place to grab a few drinks and talk to locals.
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肉そば 扇屋
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Soba noodles with thinly sliced beef in either cold or warm broth that we really loved. Soba is king in Yamagata so make sure to try some!
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ラーメン渓流 山形駅前店
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Ramen shop right outside the station that serves up absolutely huge bowls of noodles so make sure to come hungry! We recommend the miso ramen. Great place to end the night after a few drinks when the late night munchies set in.
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栄屋本店
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Cold ramen is huge in this area, all year around. Sakaeya here invented a style of shoyu ramen with ice cubes in it to combat the summer heat. Very refreshing!
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La Jomon
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Sake shop run by a friendly couple that also sell their own brand of sake. A bit out of the way but definitely worth a visit for the sake interested! There's also a really cute pottery shop next door.
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Shichiemongama
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Lovely pottery shop on the outskirts of the city that also offers up classes for those that want to create something on their own. Great to combo with a visit to La Jomon sake shop.
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Daytrips from Yamagata
Yamadera
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One of the most famous daytrip destinations in Yamagata, this scenic spot offers up some of the best views in the region.
Be prepared for around a 30 minute hike up the roughly 1000 steps, but the view at the end won't disappoint.
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SAKATA
A gorgeous and once prosperous harbor town, Sakata was an important stop on the trading route connecting Hokkaido in the north with Osaka and the rest in the country down south during the Edo period. Take time to stroll the history-rich streets and take in the Kyoto-esque beauty and culture of this unique place.
Sankyo-Soko Rice Storehouses Site
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Historical hotspots showcasing the once prosperous rice trade in this region. Their edo-style structure intended to store rice from humidity, remains almost untouched today.
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Somaro
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Enjoy maiko performances accompanied by a delicious lunch while you learn about Sakata geisha culture and its ties with the city of Kyoto.
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Dewasanzan Shrine
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A spectacular five stories pagoda hidden in the forest that feels out of a fairytale. This cluster of three sacred peaks offers spectacular views and hikes with surprises on every corner.
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TENDO
Reachable by Yamagata Shinkansen from Tokyo or regional trains, Tendo was our first stop in the region. Famous for being Japan’s center of production for wood pieces used in Shogi (japanese chess), this little town has plenty to offer. From world renowned furniture to local sake breweries and breathtaking onsen resorts, it is well worth a stop.
Takinoyu hotel
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Classy tatami rooms with private onsen baths right on the balcony, this place is the perfect getaway for a night of luxury and relaxation.
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Tendo City Shogi Museum
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Shogi is a traditional chess like game and one of the most popular board games in Japan. 90% of all Shogi pieces are created in Tendo. Here you can explore the history of the game.
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出羽桜酒造
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Dewazakura sake brewery was founded in 1892 and has been brewing craft sake in Tendo ever since. If you're interested in sake we really recommend a tour, but make sure to contact and arrange things beforehand as they do not offer drop-in tours.
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Dewazakura Museum
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Small museum next to Dewazakura sake brewery with a collection of Japanase and ancient Korean arts and pottery from the owners.
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(株)水戸部酒造
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Mitobe sake brewery combines old methods and new technology to brew junmai style sake. Make sure to arrange visits with the brewery beforehand.
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(株)天童木工 本社･ショールーム＆ストア
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Pioneer furniture maker Tendo Mokko has its headquarters in Tendo city. You can visit the showroom and admire their timeless plywood creations.
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SENDAI
The capital of Miyagi prefecture lies only an hour bus ride away from Yamagata. If you start to miss the hustle and bustle of a big city, this is the perfect excape. Busses depart every 10-15 minutes from Yamagata Station and the tickets are around 1800yen per person.
Sendai Morning Market
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The morning market is the perfect spot to buy fresh fruit, vegetables and even seafood. Watch the vendors in action and sample some local delicacies.
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AER Observation Terrace
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Head over to the AER building and hit the 31st floor for a spectacular (and free) panoramic view of Sendai.
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Zenjiro
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When in Sendai don't miss out on the famous local dish of beef tongue. Zenjiro serves up a really nice and affordable lunch menu that we enjoyed.
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Sendai Dai Kannon (Colossus)
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100m tall statue of the goddess Byakue Kannon. This impressive monument towers above the surroundings and is quite the view!
There is a small entry fee to enter the statue itself.
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Ocha no Igeta Sendai-Chuo
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Try the local delicacy Zunda here. It’s made of pounded edamame beans, mixed with sugar and salt and served on top of fresh rice cakes.
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BONUS TIP: if sake is what you’re interested in and need help with brewery visits, tastings or you’re just curious to learn more about Yamagata, we can’t think of a better way than enlisting the services of Story of Sake. We had the pleasure to work with Ojima-san who helped arrange our sake brewery visits, and we couldn’t recommend it more!
Thank you all for the continuous support. We hope this guide is useful and that it will help you discover many amazing new places!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Second Dinner Sthlm
Explore the world of food with us!
We are Emma & Erik, an Italian and a Swede with years of experience living and traveling across the world in the chase for amazing food. We love to stray from the beaten path to find the best hidden gems and local specialties that any place can offer.
We believe that great food is as much about the context in which you have it as it is about the food itself. That is why we only want to share the most authentic experiences with you.
From exploring hidden alleyways of Tokyo to roaming the wine hills of Piemonte, let us show you all the places we genuinely love and only ever the ones we would go back to.
Why Second Dinner? We say: why only one!
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