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..
9 Activities River Pilgrimage along Kumano River Alena Eckelmann Riding down the fast currents of Kumano River in a traditional boat, just like the Kumano Kodo pilgrims in the old days
10 Activities Yumiharidaira Snowshoe Trekking Alena Eckelmann At the foot of Mount Gassan, snowshoe trekking with an experienced guide is available from January to May.
Area Yamagata City Yamagata City and Yamagata Prefecture share the same name: "mountain shape". Yamagata City is surrounded by mountains indeed and its main attractions are actually to be found in these mountains..