Yamagata is located 300 km north of Tokyo, about 3 hours by bullet train or 1 hour by plane. It is surrounded by beautiful mountains with the Mogami River flowing through it, and the land is rich in nature. It is especially famous for its cherries, which account for 70% of Japan’s production.
In winter, there is deep snow in the mountains, and many tourists visit the area for skiing and hot springs. Spring and early summer are gorgeous with fresh greenery in the mountains and fruit trees blooming with flowers, making it a perfect season for strolling. In summer, temperatures are high, but nights are relatively cool, and autumn boasts the changing colors of the leaves and the harvest season. Yamagata is the perfect place for a trip to enjoy food and handicrafts as well as the scenery of each of the four seasons. A car is convenient for touring around the area, and renting one is an option.
Traditional crafts such as Yamagata cast iron, Shonai sashiko (Japanese traditional hand embroidery), safflower dyeing, and Yonezawa textiles are still being handed down to today’s generation. Tendo City is known as Japan's largest producer of shogi (Japanese chess) pieces, and is also home to Tendo Woodworks, a furniture manufacturer known for its butterfly stools. Yamagata could be called a prefecture for craft lovers.
Yamagata is also known in Japan as a producer of knitwear. In particular, Sagae and Yamanobe, near the center of the Prefecture, are rich in nature, with abundant high-quality melted snow water flowing from Mount Zao and Gassan. The area has knit factories that have remained in operation since the postwar period.
In recent years, the number of factories and manufacturers has greatly fallen, and the people engaged in the knit industry has also declined. However, there are companies leading the Japanese knit industry with various innovations, such as launching their own brands and developing new areas of business by utilizing the technical skills they have cultivated over time.
During our visit to Yamagata, we were able to talk to several knit manufacturers, a carpet manufacturer, and a papier-mâché artist. We enjoyed visiting all of these places, some of which have brand-operated stores in Yamagata and also offer factory tours. Do read the article and visit Yamagata someday!
Recommended Locations
Cafe Espresso
〒990-0021
5-18-12 Kojirakawacho, Yamagata City
Opened in 1984, this cafe was converted from a Japan National Railways train car into a store. The interior is filled with rare musical instruments and objects collected from around the world by the owner, Shohei and his wife, Akemi. Spending time chatting with them in this cozy space feels like traveling to another world. In addition to espresso and other drinks, handmade paninis and cakes are also on offer.
anori
〒990-0025
2-1-19 Akoyacho, Yamagata City
https://www.instagram.com/anori_cafe/
https://anoriproject.jp/
This cafe boasts carefully brewed flannel drip coffee. You can also enjoy homemade desserts and focaccia sandwiches. It also functions as a design office, and they sell original bags, tableware purchased in Scandinavia, and artists' works. The store is filled with cute things. This is the cafe where we first discovered ArtDaifuku's papier-mâché creations.
Yamagata Prefectural Museum Bunshokan
〒990-0047
3-4-51 Hatagocho, Yamagata City
023-635-5500
https://www.gakushubunka.jp/bunsyokan/
This facility preserves and utilizes the former Yamagata Prefectural Office Building and Prefectural Assembly Hall built in 1916. It features a massive stone exterior, a beautifully restored interior, and is designated as a National Important Cultural Property. The permanent exhibition introducing the modern history of Yamagata, local culture, and process of building restoration is well worth seeing and learning about.
Saito Mokichi Memorial Museum
〒999-3131
1421 Benten, Kitamachi, Kaminoyama City
023-672-7227
The museum houses and exhibits materials that demonstrate the achievements and life of the poet Mokichi Saito, such as his manuscripts, personal effects, poetry collections, and letters. Located in a rich natural setting overlooking the Zao Mountains, the museum offers a panoramic view of the landscape Mokichi loved. The building, which was constructed, expanded, and renovated by Taniguchi Yoshiro and Taniguchi Yoshio, is also beautiful and offers a quiet place to spend time.
Risshakuji Temple
〒999-3301
4456-1 Yamadera, Yamagata City
023-695-2843
Founded in 860, this Tendai Sect temple, commonly known as “Yamadera,” is said to have 1,015 stone steps that, if climbed, will eliminate all worldly desires. Once the 1,015 steps are completed, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Yamadera and the surrounding mountains. The temple is also known as the place where Matsuo Basho visited in 1689 and composed his haiku, “Quietness and the sound of cicadas seeping into rocks.” A monument to his haiku has been set along the path to the temple.
Below are the shops that are introduced in the featured interview article.
GEA
〒991-0053
1-19-1 Motomachi, Sagae City
0237-86-3930
A select store run by the knit manufacturer, Sato Seni. The store is located in two renovated stone warehouses more than 100 years old that were once used as factories. The shop offers a wide variety of items, from the latest fashion from around the world, to traditional Yamagata crafts and lifestyle goods. It also has a restaurant, GEA0053, which uses a wide variety of ingredients sourced in Yamagata, and a Japanese restaurant, GEN EN AN, where you can relish carefully selected Japanese sake and seasonal dishes.
Yonetomi Store
〒990-0301
1136 Yamanobe, Yamabe-machi
023-664-8165
Yonetomi Store was opened in the headquarters and factory of knit manufacturer Yonetomi Seni as a testing ground to explore the possibilities in selling directly from the area that fashion is produced. In addition to their brands including COOHEM, THISISASWEATER., and Yonetomi, they also have a selection of other brands that have been carefully selected. You can get products exclusive to the store that are not available in their online store.
Yamagata Dantsu Workshop / Showroom
〒990-0301
21 Yamanobe, Yamanobe-machi
023-664-5811
https://yamagatadantsu.co.jp/showroom/
The workshop of Yamagata Dantsu, which makes high-quality carpets, is open for tours. There is also a showroom where visitors can actually touch and sit on the carpets. The company offers a wide range of products from small cushion sizes to custom-made carpets. Reservations are required for tours. Workshop tours are only available in Japanese.