3 must-visit spots to enjoy Yamagata in winter to your heart’s content

Located at the southern west part of Tohoku area, Yamagata prefecture is adjacent to the sea of Japan and one of prefectures having much snow. It’s also famous for as the setting of ‘Oshin,’ morning drama series by NHK. Visiting here in winter (especially in January), visitors can see the fantastic world covered in a blanket of snow. Would you like to experience attractions of winter unique to Yamagata, such as attending events held in the world of white, warming your body from inside in hot springs, and eating a variety of local dishes?

This time, we’re going to introduce our recommended spots around Yamagata Eki Nishiguchi Washington Hotel and Yamagata Nanokamachi Washington Hotel.

“Kamuro Snow Festival” fascinating both children and adults

Kamuro Skiing Area is covered with much powder snow in winter. Here, you can not only enjoy skiing but also attend “Kamuro Snow Festival” on 20th January 2019. Lots of events will be taken place, such as music event and mochi event, raffle draw and popular snow games among children. When it comes around 5:00 PM, fireworks will be launched for 30 minutes and illuminate the winter wonderland. Witness a stunning view which looks like a completely different place at night!

Period	20th January, 2019 The festival will start from 11:30AM. ※Please check detailed schedule on the official website.
Venue	Green Valley Kamuro Skiing Area (1400, Ariya, Kaneyama-machi, Mogami-gun, Yamagata Prefecture)
Access	Take a Shinkansen at Yamagata station and transfer to bus at Shinjo station. It takes 1 hour from Shinjo station to the venue.
URL	http://yamagatakanko.com.e.db.hp.transer.com/eventdetail/?data_id=7883&yc=event&yp=1

The traditional Japanese hot springs “Zao Onsen” discovered in the year AD 110

Do you know Yamagata has about 90 hot springs? Among them, ‘Zao Onsen’ is the top spots for strong acidic hot springs in Japan, so it is sometimes even called the ‘Springs of Beauty.’ Here, there are 3 public hot springs, 3 foot bath and 5 hot springs for day trip. Why not hot spring-hopping while seeing the snowy landscape? Moreover, Zao Onsen is also perfect to enjoy winter sports, trekking and so on. You can make great memories with anyone because there are various way to spend time here.

Address	Zao Onsen, Yamagata-City, Yamagata Prefecture
Access	40 mins by bus from Yamagata station
URL	http://www.zao-spa.or.jp/english/

New konjac cuisines breaking the mold by “Narageshuku Tanno”

If you visit Yamagata boasting high consumption of konjac, “Narageshuku Tannno” which offers elaborate konjac cuisines is must-visit. You can enjoy new konjac cuisines and sweets at their restaurant and cafe in addition to buy their home-made konjac made with using water pumped up from 283 meters underground. The restaurant ‘Konnyaku Bansho’ offers Kaiseki, a traditional Japanese multi-course meal, as well as Yamagata’s specialty ‘Tama-Konnyaku.’ Their creative chefs incorporate konjac into other dishes in a variety of innovative ways such as forming it into noodles or using it as a substitute for meat. At the cafe ‘Hibi Konnyaku’, you can enjoy pretty sweets using konjac. It’s sure that both your stomach and heart will be satisfied.

Opening Hours	Shopping 9:00AM – 5:00PM Lunch 11:00AM – 4:00PM Hibi Konnyaku 9:30AM – 4:00PM
Address	608-1, Minazawa Suwamae, Kamiyama city, Yamagata Prefecture
Access	Head to Kaminoyama-Onsen station which is 3 stations away from Yamagata station by the Yamagata line. It takes 15 mins from Kaminoyama-Onsen station by taxi.
URL	http://www.tannokonnyaku.co.jp/shop/