Yamagata Itinerary for 3 Days : Ultimate Yamagata Travel Guide

Day 1 | Morning

Risshakuji Temple (Yamadera)

Opening Hours: Open from 8:00am-4:00pm

Ticket Price: 300 JPY

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-2 Hours

Location: 4456-1 Yamadera, Yamagata, 999-3301, Japan

Liishiji Temple, officially known as Baozhushan Lishiji Temple, also known as Shanji Temple, is a Tiantai sect temple located on a steep hill in the northeastern part of Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. It was built by Yuanren in 860 AD. It is a very famous temple of the Tiantai sect and a representative spiritual place in the northeastern region of Japan. It has a large number of believers and is full of incense all year round. Since ancient times, Rishiji Temple has been believed to be "a temple that cuts off bad relationships". The 300-meter-long "slide" (no sliding) built in 1950 as a "transportation vehicle" is still intact.

Reviews from Real Guests:

たかん: The scenery is great along the cliff. It was the best.

Day 1 | Afternoon

When time permits after visiting Risshakuji Temple (Yamadera), don’t forget pay a visit to Zao Onsen Ski Resort.

Zao Onsen Ski Resort

Opening Hours: Open from 8:30am-5:00pm

Ticket Price: 3000 JPY

Recommended Length of Stay: 3-6 Hours

Location: Zao Onsen, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture

Zao Onsen Ski Resort is located in Zao Onsen Chemical Factory in Yamagata Prefecture. It has a number of ski trails of varying difficulty and is suitable for skiers of all levels to experience the feeling of speeding on the snow. In the cold winter, you can see the spectacular hoarfrost scene in the snow field. After a day of skiing, you can also soak in a natural hot spring to relieve fatigue.

Day 1 | Evening

If you want to explore other popular attractions later, Zao Onsen Iwashimizu Ryori No Yado Kinosato is a suitable place for you to stay and refresh.

Zao Onsen Iwashimizu Ryori No Yado Kinosato

A 5-minute walk from Zao Onsen Ski Resort, Iwashimizu Ryori no Yado Kinosato offers guests an indoor/outdoor hot spring and free Wi-Fi use throughout the property. Complimentary welcome drink and red bean soup are served upon arrival. Room features tatami (woven-straw) flooring, traditional futon bedding and an en suite bathroom. All rooms are furnished with a seating area, flat-screen TV and air conditioning/heating. At Kinosato Iwashimizu Ryori no Yado, guests can enjoy soaking in the public hot spring baths, get a soothing massage for a surcharge or simply relax with a cup of green tea in the tea room. Gift shops and ski storage rooms are also available on site. For dinner, a Japanese-style course meal featuring local vegetables and Zao beef is served. For breakfast a Japanese set meal is served. Both meals are served in the dining area. JR Yamagata Station is a 40-minute bus ride from the property. Guests can access the Zao Okama Lake within a 40-minute drive, or visit the Risshakuji Temple located within a 45-minute drive away.

Day 2 | Morning

Hachiyama

Opening Hours: Open 24 hours

Ticket Price: Free

Recommended Length of Stay: 2-3 Hours

Location: across Yamagata and Miyagi Prefectures

Located on the border between Yamagata and Miyagi prefectures, Mount Zao is a famous ski and hot spring resort. The ski slopes here are great, with lots of runs. Zao's hot springs are also very good. A good place for winter travel.

Reviews from Real Guests:

亞伯先生: You can see the beautiful Tibetan King Mountain from a distance. There is a beautiful snow scene along the road by bus.

Day 2 | Afternoon

Having the chance to enjoy the charming Hachiyama, Site of Yamagata Castle next to it is another great place that you will never want to miss!

Site of Yamagata Castle

Recommended Length of Stay: 1.0-2.0 Hours

Location: Yamagata, Japan

The Yamagata Castle Ruins are located in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. It is said that Yamagata Castle was built in 1357 and is an attractive castle ruins. Currently, the stone walls and turrets are still being restored.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Sumikkonoko: When you visit the cherry blossoms, you can enjoy them more. The cherry blossoms reflected in the moat are beautiful.

Day 2 | Evening

Don’t forget to book Daiwa Roynet Hotel Yamagata Ekimae in advance, because all the tourists head to Site of Yamagata Castle love staying at it.

Daiwa Roynet Hotel Yamagata Ekimae

Yamagata City is surrounded by beautiful mountains that are one of the 100 famous mountains in Japan, and opened for the first time in the prefecture in front of JR Yamagata Station, which is the center of the city. All rooms are equipped with separate types for baths and toilets, as well as an air purifier with a humidifying function. In addition, all guest rooms are over 20 m2, and there are many rooms that can accommodate 3 or more people, so please spend a relaxing time not only for business but also for sightseeing.

Day 3 | Morning

Deshiomonjudo

Recommended Length of Stay: 1.0-2.0 Hours

Location: 6048 Murakizawa, Yamagata, 990-2371, Japan

Reviews from Real Guests:

Doyle: It was the Hydrangea Festival. The weather was very good. I went by car. The car stopped at the foot of the mountain. The blue, white and pink hydrangea are beautiful (* ^^ *)

Malerie: When I went to late June, I was sorry that the hydrangea had not yet bloomed, but I was thinking of coming again on the hydrangea day.

Day 3 | Afternoon

Kajo Park nearby is the top choice before you leave Deshiomonjudo and hit the road.

Kajo Park

Opening Hours: Open from 1/1-3/31,5:30am-10:00pm;Open from 4/1-10/31,5:00am-10:00pm;Open from 11/1-12/31,5:30am-10:00pm

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-2 Hours

Location: Kajomachi, Yamagata 990-0826, Yamagata Prefecture

Kasumi Castle Park is located in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan, and is a historic castle ruins. Every spring, about 1,500 cherry trees bloom in the park, attracting a large number of tourists to enjoy the cherry blossoms.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Sumikkonoko: The time of the cherry blossoms becomes very busy. It is also a stall. There are many people who are on the walk course and can spend a relaxing time.

* All reviews in the blog are machine-translated.