Apr 1, 2013 - 1 min read

Kaneyama Seasons

The ever-changing scenery of a rural Yamagata town

By Amber Mezbourian

Community writer

Summer: In mid-August, the rice fields around Kaneyama are lush and vibrantly green. This view, with its distinctive hills in the distance, is the first glimpse visitors get of Kaneyama when travelling north from Yamagata City.

Summer: Dramatic colours before a sudden storm. Kaneyama is famed for its Japanese cedar trees, and thick forests cover the surrounding hills. Many houses in the town are built using cedar, with black wooden frames and white walls.

Autumn: A misty October morning, and stacks of harvested rice hang out to dry in the fields. Agriculture is one of the main industries in Kaneyama, and many fields are still tended by hand.

Autumn: By November, the rice fields are bare, and a dusting of snow covers the distant mountains - a reminder of the rapidly approaching winter.

Autumn: As winter approaches, wooden tipi-like structures spring up all over the town. They protect carefully-pruned trees and bushes from the weight of the snow.

Winter: Persimmon grow in abundance around Kaneyama, and are delicious eaten both fresh and dried.

Winter: Buildings in the town are softened by the fresh snowfall.

Winter: Kaneyama often receives over two metres of snow, but everyday life carries on as usual. Here, a junior high school student walks home along a path cut through the snow.

Winter: On a clear day, the surrounding mountains are striking against the sky. This road appears to lead straight towards them.

Winter: This is a typical sight in Kaneyama - daikon (Japanese radish) hanging outside a house to dry in the sun.

Winter: An invigorating walk through the forest is the perfect activity for a sunny afternoon.

Spring: The fields are flooded in preparation for the new rice crop. Mount Chokai, the tallest mountain in Yamagata at 2,236m, is visible in the distance.

Spring: On a still day, the flooded rice fields reflect the clouds like mirrors.

Spring: Rapeseed is another crop grown in Kaneyama, and in May, its bright yellow flowers add a splash of colour to the fields.

Spring: The cherry blossoms usually bloom in early May, and this is one of the most beautiful times to visit Kaneyama.

Kaneyama is a small town in the north east of Yamagata. It offers visitors a glimpse into a rural side of Japan that has remained largely unchanged for generations. Surrounded by rice fields and forest-covered hills, it is a world away from the bright lights of Tokyo, and life here moves at a far more leisurely pace. It has four very distinct seasons, typified by hot, humid summers and heavy snowfall in winter. The ever-changing landscape is part of its beauty, and there is always something new to see, whatever the time of year.

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Amber Mezbourian

By Amber Mezbourian

Community writer

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Wouter Thielen

Wouter Thielen 12 years ago

Beautiful photos! So much lush in Yamagata. I also like the contrast of fields and mountains in the background.

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Nicole Bauer

Nicole Bauer 12 years ago

Very beautiful indeed. Reminds me a bit of Hokkaido. Thanks for sharing!

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Amber Mezbourian

Amber Mezbourian Photographer 12 years ago

Thank you Mandy! It's a beautiful place to live. :-)

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Mandy Bartok

Mandy Bartok 12 years ago

What a beautiful photo essay, Amber! I hope you hit your goal of visiting all the prefectures.

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