3 recommended spots with a historical atmosphere where you can feel free to stop by at while strolling the central Yamagata city

Created in the early Edo period by Yoshimitsu Mogami, Yamagata city in Yamagata prefecture was flourished as a castle town. Therefore, there are many spots where you can feel a historical atmosphere still now. Why not stop by at spots with a long history such as Kajo park and old-established buildings used as museums while strolling around the central Yamagata city?

This time, we’re going to introduce 3 spots which represent the Edo period, the Meiji period or the Taisho period from historical sightseeing spots located in the central Yamagata city.

“Gotenzeki” where cityscape making you feel as if you traveled back to the Edo period spreads out

“Gotenzeki” is one of the agricultural canals ‘Yamagata Goseki’ running in the center of Yamagata city like a net. It has a nostalgic atmosphere making scenery of about 400 years ago come to your mind. Besides, it’s also attractive that you can not only feel history but also enjoy shopping and dining at ‘Mizunomachiya Nanokamachi Gotenzeki,’ a modern Japanese tenement-style building built along Gotenzeki. How about spending a relaxing time in an old teahouse or Japanese-style knick-knack shop, Soba restaurant, cafe or something like that? Moreover, you will have butterflies in your stomach just by seeing the building which is a fusion of traditional and modern design. It seems that the design won seven awards including the Good Design Award and Tohoku Architecture Award.

Opening Hours	Please check opening hours and regular holidays on the official website because they vary depending on each shop.
Address	2-7-6 Nanoka-machi, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture
Access	Yamagata Nanokamachi Washington Hotel: A 3-min walk from the hotel Yamagata Eki Nishiguchi Washington Hotel: A 2-min walk from Nanokamachi Bus Stop where it takes 10 mins by bus from JR Yamagata Station
URL	http://gotenzeki.co.jp/

“Former Yamagata Normal School Main Building” representative of the Meiji period featuring a beautiful design with considered structural strength

Opened in 1878, “Former Yamagata Normal School Main Building” is the Renaissance style wooden building with Sangawara-Buki style roofs. It’s also one of the leading school architectures in the Meiji period and designated as a national important cultural property. Elaborate decorations of exterior and interior produce elegant space. To our surprise, its design considers structural strength and resistance to fire as well as beauty. So, you can find the corridors and ceilings are constructed with diagonal wooden boarding, the outer walls made of Kawara-shaped mortared bricks and so on. Now, the building is used as Educational Resources Museum of Yamagata Prefecture Museum. Let’s learn about the educational history of Yamagata from the Edo period to the present while exploring here!

Opening Hours	9:00 AM – 4:30 PM　Closed on Monday and public holidays ※Please check regular holidays on the official website because they may vary.
Address	2-2-8 Midori-cho, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture
Access	A 1-min walk from Kitakomae Bus Stop Yamagata Nanokamachi Washington Hotel: 3 mins by bus from Yamagatashiyakushomae which is a 5-min walk from the hotel Yamagata Eki Nishiguchi Washington Hotel: A 10-min walk from the hotel
URL	http://english.yamagata-museum.jp/

Yamagata prefecture’s political center at the Taisho period “Yamagata Prefecture Local Museum Bunshokan” with the elaborate and gorgeous design

“Yamagata Prefecture Local Museum Bunshokan” is a British modern-era reconstruction style building that was used as Prefectural Office and Assembly Building at the Taisho period. Constructed in 1877, this building was burned down before. Then, the current building was reconstructed in 1916. It’s truly restored with the same method as its first construction, and now, designated as a national important cultural property. Its magnificent exterior and gorgeous interior with decorations such as flowers made by craftsmen one by one look like a castle. Besides, Bunshokan’s symbol ‘Tower Clock’ in which copper plates are embedded is must-see. It’s the second oldest clock in Japan, and watchmakers manually wind it once every five days. Why not trace Yamagata’s history while walking in retro and instagrammable space?

Opening Hours	9:00 AM – 4:30 PM　Closed on 1st and 3rd Monday (if a national holiday falls on Monday, it is closed the next day.) ※Please check regular holidays on the official website because it may vary depending on events.
Address	3-4-51 Hatago-machi, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture
Access	Yamagata Nanokamachi Washington Hotel: A 5-min walk from the hotel Yamagata Eki Nishiguchi Washington Hotel: A 1-min walk from Yamagatashiyakushomae where it takes 8 mins by bus from JR Yamagata Station
URL	https://www.gakushubunka.jp/bunsyokan/english/