Yamagata (Province) Hotels and Accommodation

The Japanese prefecture of Yamagata is in the Tohoku region on the island of Honshu. Its capital city is also called Yamagata. Guests staying in discount hotels in Yamagata on August 5th to 7th can see the Hana-gasa Festival. Ten thousand dancers dance through the streets in their traditional costumes and their hana-gasa hats; so named because they are decorated with sunflowers. This is one of Japan’s principal ski resorts between December and April. In summer it is popular with hikers who come to see the beautiful caldera lake called Zao Okama. A cable car takes people up to the mountain town of Zao Onsen. In nearby Hirashimizu you can see exquisite pottery being made.

If your budget hotel in Yamagata prefecture is near the town of Tsuruoaka, go to the red Zaishin Gate and climb up Haguro-san (Mount Haguro). The 2,446 stone steps will take you to the summit. Along the way you’ll pass a 14th century pagoda. Depending on when you’re there, you might get to see one of the mysterious ceremonies held at the Dewa Sanzan Jinja shrine at the summit. This shrine was sacred to the Shugendo sect of “mountain warrior” Buddhists.