City or town
Things to see in Yamagata (Japan): 41 places and when to go
Yamagata is a city in Japan with around 272,000 inhabitants, and this site lists 41 places in and around it, mainly Snow (10), Museums and art (9), Nature (8). The best known are Yamagata Castle, Kaminoyama Castle and Yamagata Museum of Art. The best time to come is February to May and October to November; also possible: December to January and June to September. In June there are 14 h 39 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 21. Here is what there is, when to go, how to get there and what else is nearby.
In a nutshell
- Where
- Japan · 38.2705, 140.32
- Population
- About 272,000
- Places
- 41 places on this site, in the town and around it.
- What people come for
- Snow (10) · Museums and art (9) · Nature (8) · Mountains (8) · Hot springs (8) · Food and drink (2)
- Best time
- February to May and October to November.
- Also possible
- December to January and June to September.
- Nearest airport
- NRT Narita, 279 km as the crow flies
- Highest point
- Byōbu Dake, at 1,825 m.
What to see in Yamagata
The places in and around Yamagata, best known first, each with its own page: what it is, when to go and what is next to it. Distances are from the centre, as the crow flies.
- Yamagata CastleCastle in Yamagata city, Japan1.8 km
- Kaminoyama CastleBuilding in Kaminoyama, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan13 km
- Yamagata Museum of ArtArt museum in Yamagata, Yamagata, Japan2.0 km
- Yamagata Prefectural MuseumMuseum in Yamagata, Yamagata, Japan2.0 km
- Yamagata Zao Onsen Ski ResortBuilding in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan14 km
- Miyagikyo distilleryBuilding in Aoba-ku, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan29 km
- Mogami Yoshiaki Historical MuseumMuseum2.1 km
- Byōbu DakeMountain in Japan24 km
- OmoshiroyamaVolcano in Yamagata, Yamagata and Taihaku-ku, Sendai, Miyagi prefecture, Japan20 km
- Yamadera Basho Memorial MuseumMuseum in Yamagata, Japan11 km
- Dewazakura Museum of ArtArt museum in Tendō, Yamagata, Japan9.9 km
- Kurobuse YamaMountain in Japan27 km
- Akiu ShrineShinto shrine in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan30 km
- Aone Western-style HouseMuseum23 km
- Kurobushi Kogen Snow Park Jangle JungleSki resort27 km
- Miyagi Zao Eboshi ResortSki resort24 km
- Miyagi Zao Shiroishi Ski ResortSki resort28 km
- Miyagi Zao Sumikawasu Snow ParkSki resort21 km
- Mount ChitoseMountain in Yamagata-city, Japan5.4 km
- Mount DaitōMountain in Taihaku-ku, Sendai, Miyagi prefecture, Japan18 km
- Mount KoshikiMountain in Higashine and Murayama, Yamagata prefecture, Japan27 km
- Zaōsan ShrineShinto shrine in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan18 km
- St. MaryBuilding in Kawasaki, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan18 km
- Asahi Shizenkan Snow ParkSki resort24 km
And the other 17, by what you come to do:
- Hot springs: Dai-Rotenburo, Kami-yu, Kawara-yu, Kawasaki Town Health and Wealfare Center Yasuragi no Sato, Sagae Hanasaka hot spring Yu-Cherry, Shimo-yu, Shinzaemon no Yu, Zaoonsen Genshichiroten
- Museums and art: Goto Museum, Sake museum
- Nature: Mount Minamibyobu, Mount Shirataka
- Stargazing: Tohoku University Zao Observatory
- Snow: Water Jump Miyagi, Zao Liza World, Zao Sarukura
- Food and drink: Zao Brewery
When to go to Yamagata
The best time to visit Yamagata is February to May and October to November; also possible: December to January and June to September. This comes from its own places: a month counts as the town's best time when it is the best time for half of what there is to see.
- JanPossible9:37
- FebBest time10:34
- MarBest time11:42
- AprBest time13:00
- MayBest time14:05
- JunPossible14:39
- JulPossible14:25
- AugPossible13:29
- SepPossible12:14
- OctBest time10:59
- NovBest time9:53
- DecPossible9:21
Best timePossibleBetter notHours of daylight
In June there are 14 h 39 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 21. In February, 33 of the 41 places are at their best.
When to go to Japan in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in its country guide.
Getting to Yamagata
The nearest main airport is Narita International Airport (NRT, Narita), 279 km as the crow flies. How to get around Japan (train, car, bus) is in its country guide, and what to sort out before you leave is in its checklist.
Where it is (opens in a new tab)Directions (opens in a new tab)
Other towns nearby
- Fukushima32 places61 km
- Sendai63 places61 km
- Tsuruoka28 places64 km
- Sakata, Yamagata10 places83 km
- Kōriyama12 places96 km
- Niigata27 places119 km
And all of Japan, in its country guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to see in Yamagata?
The best known: Yamagata Castle, Kaminoyama Castle, Yamagata Museum of Art, Yamagata Prefectural Museum, Yamagata Zao Onsen Ski Resort. In all, 41 places in the town and around it, all on your trip map from day one.
When is the best time to visit Yamagata?
February to May and October to November; also possible: December to January and June to September. In June there are 14 h 39 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 21.
How do you get to Yamagata?
The nearest main airport is Narita International Airport (NRT), 279 km away. From there, directions opens the route on the map.
How do I add it to my trip?
Create a trip with Yamagata as the destination and these 41 places are on your map, each with its category. The ones you like go into a day's plan with one tap, and Kokai reminds you when you pass nearby.
Keep reading
- JapanBefore travelling to Japan: 10 things worth sorting out, each with its deadline. No visa is needed for tourism: up to 90 days with a valid passport.
- Snow473 places for snow in Japan, from Asahi-dake to spots hardly anyone knows. Best time: February. Each with its own season by altitude and daylight.
- Where to travelPick what you fancy (mountains, beaches, museums…) and the months you have free, and Kokai tells you which countries to go to and what to see there.
Data from OpenStreetMap, licensed under the ODbL, from Wikidata, CC0, cities from Natural Earth and airports from OurAirports. Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in credits.