Things to do in Yamagata City
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Top 10 attractions in Yamagata City
Zao Onsen Ski Resort
Zao Onsen Ski Resort is located in Zao Onsen Chemical Factory in Yamagata Prefecture. It has a number of ski trails of varying difficulty and is suitable for skiers of all levels to experience the feeling of speeding on the snow. In the cold winter, you can see the spectacular hoarfrost scene in the snow field. After a day of skiing, you can also soak in a natural hot spring to relieve fatigue.Yamagata City · 10.9 km from downtown
金勝寺
Kinsho-ji Temple is nestled amidst mountains and forests, in a tranquil environment. Often shrouded in a thin mist in the early morning, it offers a sense of seclusion and seclusion. The temple complex is simple and elegant, with upturned eaves and wooden structures that blend seamlessly with the surrounding natural landscape, embodying the architectural aesthetics of traditional Japanese temples. The winding paths within the temple grounds, with stone lanterns, moss, and dry landscape gardens complementing each other, make walking through them feel like stepping back in time, experiencing the weight of history and the power of tranquility. The solemn and dignified Buddha statues enshrined within Kinsho-ji Temple, the swirling incense smoke, and the profound Zen atmosphere provide a place of spiritual solace for believers. The temple not only emphasizes religious ceremonies but is also open to tourists and scholars, regularly holding Zen meditation and traditional cultural activities, allowing people to experience the wisdom of Buddhism through quiet contemplation. The surrounding environment offers different characteristics in each season: cherry blossoms in spring, fiery red leaves in autumn, and a blanket of snow in winter, creating a unique natural landscape that enriches the temple's scenery with each changing season.Yamagata City · 2.6 km from downtown
Risshaku-ji Temple (Yamadera)
Liishiji Temple, officially known as Baozhushan Lishiji Temple, also known as Shanji Temple, is a Tiantai sect temple located on a steep hill in the northeastern part of Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. It was built by Yuanren in 860 AD. It is a very famous temple of the Tiantai sect and a representative spiritual place in the northeastern region of Japan. It has a large number of believers and is full of incense all year round. Since ancient times, Rishiji Temple has been believed to be "a temple that cuts off bad relationships". The 300-meter-long "slide" (no sliding) built in 1950 as a "transportation vehicle" is still intact.Yamagata City · 10.5 km from downtown
Zao Onsen
Zao Onsen is located on Mount Zao, on the border of Yamagata Prefecture and Miyagi Prefecture. It has a history of over 1,900 years and is renowned for its unique, highly acidic sulfur springs, often called beauty baths. The large open-air bath can accommodate 200 people at once, and for just JPY 1,300, you can purchase a 3-sticker bath pass that allows you to choose and enjoy 3 out of 5 day-use hot springs. There are also 3 foot baths in the town, all of which are free.Yamagata City · 10.9 km from downtown
Zao Liza World
Zao Liza World is located in Kaminoyama City, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. It is a resort famous for skiing and winter activities. This ski resort is located in the beautiful Zao Mountains and is surrounded by magnificent natural landscapes, providing visitors with a peaceful and vibrant winter paradise. The ski resort has ski slopes of different levels, suitable for ski enthusiasts of all levels. The resort provides ski equipment rentals and professional ski lessons to ensure that visitors can enjoy skiing safely and happily. In addition to skiing, Zao Liza World also provides snow hiking activities, allowing visitors to explore the beauty of nature in the white snow. The resort has complete facilities, and visitors can enjoy warm dining services and taste local delicacies after skiing. Convenient transportation and friendly service make Zao Liza World an ideal winter holiday destination, providing visitors with an unforgettable travel experience.Kaminoyama · 15.7 km from Yamagata City
Zao Sarukura
Zao Sarukura Ski Area is located on the eastern foot of the Zao Mountain Range in Kaminoyama City, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan, forming a mountain sports space with distinct four seasons. In winter, the ski resort relies on the gentle ridgeline to distribute the ski slopes. The main area is equipped with multi-gradient slopes to adapt to different technical levels, and the forest sliding section retains the original landscape. The snow quality management team maintains the surface snow conditions through regular snow compaction operations, and the night lighting system extends the experience time of family tourists. In summer, the venue is transformed into an outdoor leisure base. The ecological fishing pond opened in the central area adopts a stepped design, with a natural transition between shallow and deep water areas. Visitors can experience rainbow trout fishing with the assistance of instructors. After the caught fish are cleaned, they can choose simple cooking methods such as salt grilling or sauce grilling in the designated barbecue area. Zao Sarukura Ski Area realizes the multi-dimensional utilization of mountain resources through seasonal functional conversion.Kaminoyama · 14.5 km from Yamagata City
Kajo Park
Kasumi Castle Park is located in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan, and is a historic castle ruins. Every spring, about 1,500 cherry trees bloom in the park, attracting a large number of tourists to enjoy the cherry blossoms.Yamagata City · 995m from downtown
Road Station Tendo onsen
Tendo · 11.8 km from Yamagata City
Yamagata Folk Museum Bunshokan
Yamagata City · 192m from downtown
Zao Ropeway Sanroku Station
Yamagata City · 11.5 km from downtown
Experiences you can't miss in Yamagata City
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![[Guaranteed departure] Ginzan Onsen and Naruko Valley autumn foliage scenic tour - Tohoku autumn leaves day trip! [Departing from Sendai]](https://ak-d.tripcdn.com/images/0356u12000tvehcwq8AA1_C_568_320.jpg?_fr=wc)
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![Sendai local food tour! Stroll through the gourmet capital [departing from Sendai]](https://ak-d.tripcdn.com/images/0354p12000sr3jtpw8565_C_568_320.jpg?_fr=wc)
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![Sendai join-in tour 1-day tour | Zao Fox Village + Ginzan Onsen 1-day tour [join-in tour]](https://ak-d.tripcdn.com/images/0351q12000u70drtv2244_C_568_320.jpg?_fr=wc)
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What travelers say about Yamagata City
BearWuMarch 5, 2023
5.0
Zao Hot Spring in Yamagata Prefecture, northeastern Japan, is famous for its icy trees in winter. January to March every year is the peak season for tree ice.
Take the cable car up the mountain from Zaosanroku Station on the flat ground, change trains at Juhyo Plateau Station, and finally arrive at Jizo Summit Station. As soon as you exit the station, you can see a large piece of Juhyo heading towards you!
Zao Onsen Ski Resort
一路小跑游日本November 4, 2025
5.0
Yamagata, Risshaku-ji Temple, and Tarushi Ruins are all very close to each other and can be visited together. If you hire a car, you can easily combine Risshaku-ji Temple, Tarushi Ruins, and Zao's Okama into a day trip. These are worthwhile, less-visited attractions.
Risshaku-ji Temple (Yamadera)
NikitalalalaFebruary 20, 2020
5.0
First time to Zao, very nice ski area and good onsen. Stayed three nights in Wakamatsuya, good food variety and quality, staffs were super friendly and detailed. JR pass is really easy to us and good saving from Trip.com.
Zao Onsen
翱翔的大鲨鱼February 21, 2020
4.0
Yamagata Park is only about 15 minutes away from Yamagata Station, so it is a tourist attraction with convenient transportation. The entire area itself is a place with comprehensive sports and recreational facilities. It covers a very large area. This is a good place to see cherry blossoms in full bloom in spring. It is really beautiful. Although it is not one of the top 100 cherry blossom viewing spots, it is still very beautiful.
Kajo Park
