Yamagata Prefecture is famous for...
Zao and it's 'Ice Monsters'
Summer skiing at Gassan
Dewa Sanzan Mountains
Sunset over the Sea of Japan
Cherry picking
...amongst other things

Yamagata Prefecture is located in the south west region of Tohoku with its west coast facing the Sea of Japan.

The boundaires of Yamagata Prefecture are all mountainous with Niigata Prefecture and Fukushima Prefecture to the south, Akita Prefecture to the north and Miyagi Prefecture to the east.

There are over 20 ski and snowboard resorts spread across Yamagata Prefecture.

The most famous - and the largest - is Zao Onsen which is located just to the south-east of Yamagata City. The famous 'Ice Monsters' (juhyo 樹氷) are certainly a sight to behold.

The small Gassan ski hill is famous for being open well into the hot summer season - often until the end of July - and provides a good escape from the heat once the snow has long since melted away from other resorts.

>> All ski and snowboard resorts in Yamagata Prefecture
>> Regional expressway connections