Yamagata

Do you want to relax in a hot spring resort without the tourist crowds? It is a bit of a trek, but Ginzan Onsen in Yamagata is a perfect getaway for those who really want to bathe in nature.

The people who practice Shugendo asceticism on Dewa Sanzan are called ‘yamabushi’, and they are probably the most rigorous and stoic people in the history of Japan.

Yamadera is a temple in a mountainous region of Yamagata. It was founded over a thousand years ago, and now it is one of the region’s best-kept secrets. Some of the most amazing views of nature can be seen from Yamadera.

Yamagata City is a centrally located town within a short distance of famous sightseeing areas like Mt. Zao with its onsen, hiking spots, winter sports areas, and Yamadera.