Sightseeing in the Nishimurayama District (inland of Yamagata Prefecture), full of things to do and seeWhen visiting Yamagata, be sure to experience Tamaki cuisine and sightseeing.
This page introduces recommended sightseeing spots and places to relax that can be enjoyed year round. This includes events and festivals held in spring, summer, fall, and winter in the town of Nishikawa, Yamagata Prefecture where Tamaki is located, as well as the surrounding municipalities of Sagae, Kahoku, Oe, Asahi, Tendo, and Yamagata City. We hope this information is helpful to you when you visit Yamagata.
-
Gassan Meisuikan, Roadside Station Nishikawa
The roadside station is located along National Rt. 112. It is well known for local beer made from Mt. Gassan water and also has a farmer's market that sells fresh vegetables and mushrooms from the town of Nishikawa. In addition, Mizusawa Onsen-kan is a one-story wooden building made from Nishiyama cedar wood from Nishikawa that houses a salt-water hot spring for day trips. The transparent, refreshing hot spring water is popular.Reference Website: Roadside station Nishikawa -
Honzan Jion-ji Temple
Said to be the imperial temple of Emperor Toba, it flourished as a key base for religion and culture in Dewa Province. On the old temple grounds that spread out over hills, the dynamic figure from ancient times remains robust and evokes lasting presence and profoundness of history. The temple is also interesting for its many items deemed important cultural properties by the city, prefecture, and national government.Reference Website: Honzan Jion-ji Temple -
Gassan-ko Sagae Dam
The height of the Gassan Lake water spray at Sagae Dam is 112 meters, which is the tallest in Japan. There is a main overhead discharge nozzle, plus 8 oscillating diffusion nozzles and 12 lights in 3 colors that can illuminate the dam. The water spray pattern changes in each season for an enjoyable view.Reference Website: Mogami River Integrated Dam Management Office -
Kenritsu Shizen Hakubutsu-en (prefectural nature park)
The roadside station is located along National Rt. 112. It is well known for local beer made from Mt. Gassan water and also has a farmer's market that sells fresh vegetables and mushrooms from the town of Nishikawa. In addition, Mizusawa Onsen-kan is a one-story wooden building made from Nishiyama cedar wood from Nishikawa that houses a salt-water hot spring for day trips. The transparent, refreshing hot spring water is popular.Reference Website: Kenritsu Shizen Hakubutsu-en -
Yachi Hina Matsuri (Yachi Doll's Festival)
Yachi Doll's Festival is held in the Yachi area in the town of Kahoku. The town still has many hina dolls brought from Kyoto and its vicinity harking back to when Yachi and Kyoto traded safflower long ago. A lively hina market takes place on Hinaichi-dori Street.Reference Website: Benibana no Sato Tourist Information -
Hirashio Bugaku
Hirashio Bugaku is dancing and music from Hirashio Kumano-jinja Shrine in the city of Sagae. It has been designated an intangible folk-cultural property of Yamagata Prefecture. Said to have begun in the Tempyo period (710–794), it has a long history. Every year from 1:30 p.m. on April 3, the bugaku begins inside Kumano-jinja Shrine grounds.Reference Website: Official Guide to Sightseeing in Sagae -
Ningen (human) Shogi, Tendo Cherry Blossom Festival
Ningen Shogi, Japanese chess using humans as game pieces, is a major event that has taken place in Tendo since 1956. Warriors and lady's maids dressed in armor and kimono become shogi pieces in a game played in Maizuruyama amid 2,000 cherry blossom trees in bloom.Reference Website: City of Tendo -
Jion-ji Temple Bugaku
Jion-ji Temple bugaku, dancing and music, takes place on the temple grounds in the city of Sagae. It is a nationally designated important intangible folk cultural property that possesses a 1,200-year tradition transmitted from father to child from the Hayashi family. Consisting of 8 parts including Enbu, Sanjyu, Taiheiraku/Ninomai, and Ryouo, it is performed by the Hayashi family and family protectors of Jion-ji Temple.Reference Website: Official Guide to Sightseeing in Sagae -
Summer skiing at Mt. Gassan
Mt. Gassan is well known throughout Japan as a mecca for summer skiing and is one of the few ski slopes crowded with many skiers who come from all over the country every year from the start of the season in April until late July. The allure of summer skiing is being able to enjoy exhilarating skiing amid warm weather, blue skies, and the contrast between white snow and fresh greenery.Reference Website: Gassan Kanko Kaihatsu Co., Ltd. -
Climbing Mt. Gassan
Climbers can enjoy viewing a variety of rare alpine plants from June to July. Though the mountain is less than 2,000 meters in elevation, since it has a harsh natural environment, you can see alpine plants that normally bloom on mountains that are 3,000 meters above sea level. The black lily, which can be viewed near the peak in early July, is a rare flower that can only be found on Mt. Gassan in the Tohoku region.Reference Website: Gassan Visitor Center -
Yumetane@Sagae
This event is held in the city of Sagae when cherries are harvested at Mogamigawa Furusato Park. The event is crowded with people coming to participate in the many things to do, which include cherry blossom walking, a cherry pit spitting contest, and a fireworks display. Take time to leisurely view the many flowers in bloom in the park.Reference Website: Yumetane@Sagae -
Tour de Sakuranbo
Tour de Sakuranbo is a cycling competition held over a wide geographical area that spans 1 city and 4 towns (Sagae, Kahoku, Nishikawa, Oe, and Asahi). This year will mark the fourth year it has been held. Each aid station (rest stop) offers local specialties, including bamboo shoot soup, sakuranbo (cherries), and grape juice. The competition has become very popular.Reference Website: Official Tour de Sakuranbo website -
Sakuranbo Marathon
Sakuranbo Marathon is held every year in Sagae during harvest time for cherries. It starts at Cherryna SAGAE (indoor athletic field in Sagae) and offers 3 courses: 10 km, 5 km, and 2.5 km. There is also a family division in which parents and children can run.Reference Website: Official Sakuranbo Marathon website -
Hanagasa Festival
Hanagasa Festival is a gorgeous summer festival in Yamagata held on the main street in Yamagata City from a crossroad in Tokamachi to the Bunshokan. Together with high-spirited calls of "yassho, makasho," festival participants dressed in charming attire make their way down the street in formation, beautifully dancing while holding a hat decorated with safflowers. Every year, more than 10,000 people participate in the dance.Reference Website: Official Yamagata Hanagasa Festival website -
Sagae Festival (portable shrine festival)
Sagae Festival is a lively Shinto ritual that passes down the traditions of Kamakura samurai. It features Sagae Hachimangu Yabusame (horseback archery at Sagae Hachimangu Shrine), which has been designated an intangible folk cultural property by Yamagata Prefecture, and is the largest Shinto ritual held in the Tohoku region in which approximately 4,000 people carry 'mikoshi' (portable shrines). It is an unusual festival in Japan because it has three types of portable shrines, the main shrine mikoshi, 'dokkoi' mikoshi, and Edomae mikoshi.Reference Website: Sagae Mikoshikai -
Yachi Donga Festival
Yachi Donga Festival is an annual festival held at Yachi Hachimangu Shrine. Hayashi bugaku (dancing and music), a nationally designated important intangible folk cultural property, takes place on the stone stage on shrine grounds. Yachi yakko performers and floats boisterously playing festival music parading through town are must-see aspects of Yachi Donga Festival. On the final day of the 3-day festival, the "National Yakko Festival" is held at Donga Hall at night.Reference Website: Benibana no Sato Tourist Information -
Autumn foliage on Mt. Gassan
Dewa Sanzan, the 3 Dewa mountains, are Mt. Gassan, Mt. Yudono, and Mt. Haguro. They have been known since ancient times as a mecca for mountain worship, and Gassan Hanagasa Line (Gassan Road), which connects these 3 Dewa mountains, was selected "One of the Best 100 Roads in Japan." In fall, you can enjoy the bright colors of autumn foliage on trees such as Japanese rowan and minekaede (Acer tschonoskii Maxim). -
Oisawa Mushroom Festival (Kamoshika Festival)
Oisawa Mushroom Festival (Kamoshika Festival) is held at the Nishikawamachi Shizen to Takumi no Denshokan, the former Oisawa Elementary School, and the surrounding area. The event includes sales of farm products including mushrooms, sales of and hands-on experience with traditional handicrafts from Oisawa, and a mini concert. You can fully enjoy fall in Oisawa, Nishikawa. -
Fall Festival, Roadside Station Nishikawa
This event held in late October at Roadside Station Nishikawa offers the flavors of fall in Nishikawa. A line of shops sell items including autumn vegetables and mushrooms. There are also fun events such as grabbing nameko mushrooms and scooping up nameko mushrooms, as well as mushroom soup that can all be enjoyed for free.Reference Website: Roadside Station Nishikawa -
Nishikawa Chomin Ski Grounds
Nishikawa Chomin Ski Grounds is visible from National Rt. 112 and has reasonable lift fees. Visitors can either ski or snowboard! It is also open at night, so you can easily visit after work.Reference Website: Gassan Asahi Tourism Association -
Asahi Shizenkan Snow Park
Asahi Shizenkan Snow Park is a snow paradise at the foot of Mt. Asahi where skiers of all levels, from beginner to advanced, can enjoy skiing. There is an uncompressed snow area for enjoying deep snow and a half pipe to satisfy both skiers and snowboarders. Various special days provide money-saving services, such as discounted lift fees, so be sure to check the official website.Reference Website: Asahi Shizenkan Snow Park -
Yukihatago no Akari
Yukihatago no Akari is held every year in the Gassan Shizu Hot Springs area in Nishikawa. The event uses snow to recreate the street of inns (standing as high as 6 meters) that once prospered as a post station on Rokujuri-goe Highway. At night, you can enjoy a magical world lit by candlelight lanterns. The hot white wine served at the ice bar conjuring a futuristic atmosphere is popular! There is also a giant snow slide for children.Reference Website: Official website for Gassan Shizu Hot Springs Yukihatago no Akari -
Mt. Gassan Snow Cat Tour
Snow cats (snow tractors that carry passengers) are used to give rides to areas that cannot be entered since roads are closed during winter from Shizu to Ubasawa. If you are interested in backcountry skiing or backcountry snowboarding, you will definitely want to participate.Reference Website: Gassan Asahi Tourism Association