Yamagata Prefecture [山形]
Tourist spots in Yamagata Prefecture
Southern area
Yamagata city is the central city of Yamagata Prefecture.
It is located relatively close to both Mount Zao and Sendai city.
Yamagata city is a castle town, and this region prospered through the production of safflower which is a local specialty.
High-quality safflower from Yamagata was widely used in Kyoto and Osaka during the Edo period as an ingredient in women's lipstick.
Photo by Yamagata Prefecture
Yamagata Hanagasa Festival named after the safflower is held every year from August 5 to 7 in Yamagata City as one of the major festivals in the Tohoku region.
"Hanagasa" is a sedge hat decorated with some red blossoms.
Many dancers with hanagasa go dancing to the folk music "Hanagasa-ondo" through the streets.
The call in Hanagasa-ondo comes from a call that the workers tamped down the ground, and current song has been mixed with various songs during about a century.
Shonai area and the northern area
The northwestern part of Yamagata Prefecture is known as Shonai area.
This area is one of Japan’s leading rice-producing regions blessed with snowmelt from the mountains and fertile soil.
Sakata city
Sakata (酒田) is a city located at the mouth of the Mogami River, facing the Sea of Japan.
In 1672, the westward route of cargo ship was opened.
The ship loaded with the rice harvested in this area started from Sakata, sailed to the western Japan along the coast of Sea of Japan, entered Seto Inland Sea, visited Osaka which was the largest commercial city, then reached Edo (current Tokyo) which was the biggest city.
Because Sakata was the embarkation port, it had developed rapidly.
Therefore, some wealthy merchants, such as "Honma Family" and a warehouser "Abumiya", appeared in Sakata.
In this city, there are several spots related to them.
The central area of the city in not so wide, then we can visit most spots on foot or by rental bicycle.
Tsuruoka city
Tsuruoka (鶴岡) is a city located about 20 km south of Sakata city.
From the early 17th century to the 1870s, this city was the center of Shonai Domain of the feudal times.
Lots of rice crops have been produced in Shonai area, and the economy of Shonai Domain was supported by rice production.
Tsurugaoka Castle was built to serve as a government office, but no castle tower was constructed.
That site is now Tsuruoka Park, and it is also a famous spot for cherry blossoms.
There are some spots related to Shonai Domain around the park.
In addition, there are Three sacred mountains of Dewa to the south of Tsuruoka city.
There has been ancient mountain worship in the mountains, and Tsuruoka is the entrance to there.
Various tourist spots in the northern area
Local foods in Yamagata Prefecture
Imoni
Taro, sliced beef, konnyaku and green onion are simmered together in a pot in soy sauce-based dashi broth with added sugar.
"Imo" means taro, and "ni" means simmering.
In some regions, pork is used, or miso added to dashi broth.
In Yamagata Prefecture, the standard practice is to cook Imoni in a large pot outdoors and enjoy it together in a large group like a party.
Travelers can enjoy Imoni at izakaya (Japanese pub) and restaurants serving local cuisine in Yamagata city.
Local specialties in Yamagata Prefecture
Cherry
Photo by Yamagata Prefecture
Cherry is called "sakuranbo" in Japanese.
Yamagata Prefecture has more than 70 percent share of the Japan's cherry production.
The popular cultivar is named "Sato-nishiki", and it is different from "Somei-Yoshino" which is the popular cherry blossom in Japan.
It is brilliant red and tastes sweet, so commonly we eat it raw.
Because it has a high quality, the price is expensive.
The picking season is late June.
Yonezawa Beef
Photo by Yamagata Prefecture
Yonezawa Beef is produced around Yonezawa city in the south part of Yamagata Prefecture.
It is known as one of tasty beefs in Japan.
In 1871, a British teacher who was invited to Yonezawa for English education ate this beef, and he was surprised at the excellent taste.
So, when he left Yonezawa, he took a cow to Yokohama city, his primary destination in Japan.
Since that, Yonezawa beef has become famous.
There are several restaurants around JR Yonezawa Station that serve authentic Yonezawa beef.
Safflower
Photo by Yamagata Prefecture
Safflower is called "benibana" in Japanese.
It symbolizes Yamagata Prefecture.
In the 18th century, this area was one of the largest production centers of safflower in Japan.
The flower is yellow, but processed flower shows red color in water.
So it has been used as important dyer.
But since the late 19th century, sufflower in Japan had declined rapidly by increase of imported Chinese safflower.
Now there are not so many farms of safflower.
But when the blossoms open up in July, the events for safflower are held at each farm.
Pieces of Shogi (Japanese chess)
Photo by Yamagata Prefecture
Shogi is a Japanese board game, and it is translated as "Japanese chess" in English.
Although it is a board game, professional players exist and some title matches are held officially.
Unlike Western chess, the board of Shogi has nine columns and nine rows.
And, there is a unique rule that allows you to utilize the opponent's captured piece as your own piece.
The pieces are pentagon-shaped and are made by carving from wood.
On both sides of each piece, a name of the role is written with black lacquer or carving.
Tendo city to the north of Yamagata city produces more than 90 percent of the pieces of Shogi in Japan.