Culture In Search of the Sakai Daimyo in Tsuruoka City Alena Eckelmann The Sakai, a samurai clan that originated in the 14thcentury, became chief retainers to the Shoguns of the Tokugawa Clan. The Sakai..
Culture The Old Abumiya Residence Alena Eckelmann Sakata, a small town in the northwestern part of Honshu Island, has a rich merchant history. The "Band of 36", a group of powerful..
Culture Sankyo Rice Warehouses Alena Eckelmann The heritage of Sakata City in Yamagata Prefecture tells the stories of rich rice merchants and of poor day laborers in rice warehouses...
Culture On the Movie Set of “Okuribito” Alena Eckelmann "Okuribito" (Departures) won the Best Foreign Language Oscar in 2009. The main movie set, the NK Agent's office, is now open..
Culture Kurokawa Noh Performance Alena Eckelmann Kurokawa Noh: 500 years of tradition and excellence of Japan's traditional theatrical performance set in a small village in..
Activities Dondendaira Snow Park Alena Eckelmann Winter fun at Dondendaira Snow Park in Iide Town, Yamagata: snow mobile, banana boat and "Yuki-kon" match-making
Food Al Ché-cciano in Tsuruoka Alena Eckelmann "Yamagata-style Italian cuisine" has become a brand name amongst food connoisseurs in Japan, and Al-che-cciano restaurant in Tsuruoka..
Culture Michelangelo of Echigo Alena Eckelmann In search of a master carver in Japan whose skills equaled those of Michelangelo