shonai Archives - Page 2 of 5

Mountain Vegetable Foraging

Forage for sansai (wild mountain vegetables, herbs, and mushrooms) in the pristine nature of Mount Gassan, Yamagata with a veteran guide.

Forage wild sansai vegetables on the slopes of Mount Haguro alongside yamabushi mountain monks, then use them to cook shojin ryori dishes.

The Gyo Experience: Join yamabushi monks for traditional spiritual training at a waterfall on Mount Yudono of the Dewa Sanzan.

Zenpoji, a temple in Tsuruoka offering visitors zazen meditation sessions, shojin ryori lunches, shakyo experiences, lodging, and more!

Maruike is a pond with beautifully clear waters that gleam emerald in summer and sapphire in winter. It is part of the Mount Chokai Geopark.

Our top 9 spots for hanami (cherry blossom viewing) in the Shonai region of Yamagata Prefecture: at parks and temples, along rivers, and more!

Held annually since 1609, the Sakata Matsuri is Sakata City’s biggest event. It boasts parades, performances, and hundreds of street vendors.

This dance festival is held in downtown Sakata; hundreds of dancers fill the streets and dance to Sakata Jinku, a traditional folk song.

Every winter, the young boys of Shonai brave subzero to participate in this intense religious and cultural ritual.

At the Sakata Ika Tsuri Festival, onlookers cheer on the fishermen of Yamagata as they depart on their first squid fishing trip of the year.