山形県 Yamagata
Hi, it’s Izumi and I am going to introduce Yamagata Prefecture as we approach nearing the end of covering all prefectures in Japan. I will especially focus on introducing the places that I visited back in August.
First up is Mogami River. You can enjoy the view of each season when going downstream by boat, letting yourself go with the flow and listening to the boatman’s description or the boat songs. You can stop by at the convenience store on the way downstream and buy salt-grilled sweet fish, satisfying your appetite by being surrounded by nature.
In the spring, a row of cherry trees called Mogami River Cherry Blossoms in the city of Nagai is a point worthy of note. Around three hundred of 100-year-old Yoshino cherries that extend for two kilometers are bloomed with beautiful flowers.
Next up, Yamadera (Houjusan Risshakuji), located in the city of Yamagata is known as the place where Basho Matsuo composed his haiku. At the starting point of the trail, there are lines of souvenir shops where you can enjoy Yamagata’s local specialty such as boiled potato and ball konnyaku. There are 1,050 stone steps from the entrance to the temple summit and climbing them in the mid-summer seriously requires physical strength and rehydration. On the summit, you can enjoy the wonderful scenery of the countryside that mirrors its miniature model, along with the sense of accomplishment only felt by those who reach the top.
And lastly, The Ginzan Hot Spring located in the city of Obanazawa has become a setting of a movie. The hot spring district has a history of 500 years and is known to have a nostalgic appeal. Once you set foot in this district, you can feel as if you have been slipped back in time, and since the ambience changes with season, you can enjoy this location throughout the year. The coming season will be a snow scene, so I am very excited!
Please try visiting as many places in Yamagata!
