Yonezawa in Yamagata: A 1-Night, 2-Day Itinerary Packed with Gourmet Eats, Nature & Onsen

What kind of place is Yonezawa , Yamagata Prefecture ?

Yonezawa City in Yamagata Prefecture is famous as a castle town with beautiful scenery throughout the four seasons.
Although it is a historic town with ties to the Sengoku period warlords Uesugi Kenshin and Uesugi Yozan, there is also a wealth of attractions in various places, such as the delicious gourmet food of Yonezawa beef, Onogawa Onsen, where fireflies flutter about in season, and Tengendai Takaharu , where you can enjoy nature to the fullest.
Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture , can be reached from Tokyo in about two hours on the Yamagata Shinkansen.
This time, we will introduce recommended spots to visit in aa 1-night, 2-day to make the most of your time in Yonezawa City .
I hope that through this article you will be able to get a sense of the charms of Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture that you may not yet know about.
In this article, we will be focusing on gourmet food, stunning views, and hot springs.

• Table of Contents
• Day 1: The journey begins at Yamagata Shinkansen "Yonezawa Station"
• The first thing you should try in Yonezawa is Yonezawa beef.
• 5 recommended spots to enjoy walking around Yonezawa
• If you're staying in Yonezawa, head to Onogawa Onsen
• Day 2: Visiting spots to experience nature in Yonezawa
• The best place to look for souvenirs is Roadside Station Yonezawa
• summary

Day 1: The journey begins at Yamagata Shinkansen "Yonezawa Station"

The journey begins at Yonezawa Station. The station's cute wooden exterior will put you at ease the moment you step out of the station. Once you exit the ticket gate, you'll find a tourist information center with English-speaking staff, as well as maps and itinerary.

There are rental cars, tourist buses, and taxis available near the station, so you can still enjoy sightseeing even if you can't drive. It would also be nice to rent a bicycle and go sightseeing, especially in spring and autumn.

We also recommend renting a bicycle.

When sightseeing in Yonezawa City, we recommend renting a bicycle depending on the weather. There are three locations in the city where you can rent a bicycle: Yonezawa Station, Uesugi Count's Residence (Japanese Garden), and Yonezawa Roadside Station.
You can also return the car anywhere between Yonezawa Station and the Uesugi Count's Residence (Japanese Garden), so it's great that you can use the service to suit your travel style.
In addition, the rental bicycles are electric, making it easy to get around. Although the number is limited, some come with child seats, so you can consider renting one with small children.

The parking lot is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. It costs 1,000 yen for up to 4 hours and 2,000 yen for up to 8 hours.

Click here for more information about rental electric bicycles in Yonezawa City

The first thing you should try in Yonezawa is Yonezawa beef.

When you think of Yonezawa, the first thing that comes to mind is Yonezawa beef. Yonezawa beef is characterized by its smooth texture and strong flavor. It is also said that even those who don't like fatty meat don't feel heavy on the stomach.

Yonezawa beef is counted as one of the three major wagyu beef breeds in Japan, and only female cows that meet strict standards are certified as "Yonezawa beef."
There are many Yonezawa spots in Yonezawa City that serve Yonezawa beef. This time, we will introduce some recommended restaurants for both lunch and dinner.

If you want to eat Yonezawa beef, we recommend "Yozanko"

If you're feeling hungry, head to "Yonezawa Takayamako." The restaurant has a Japanese-style appearance befitting a historic town, and the interior has a relaxed atmosphere.

"Yozanko" is operated by Yonezawa Sato Livestock, which owns three farms.

It is said that Yonezawa beef is usually brought to market after 32 months of age, but all of the Yonezawa beef from Takayamako (Yonezawa Sato Livestock) is fattened for about 33 months, which produces high-quality fat that reduces the unpleasant odor that is typical of beef and increases the quality of the marbling.

During lunch time, not only tourists but also many locals visit the restaurant. Even on weekdays, it is so crowded that you need to make a reservation.

Orders can be placed via touch panel, which supports four languages, so you shouldn't have any trouble.

The meat is so tender that it can be easily cut with chopsticks, and the delicious taste of the fat spreads in your mouth the moment you put it in your mouth. At Takayamako, you can enjoy a variety of Yonezawa beef dishes, including Yonezawa beef steak, yakiniku, hotpot, and other a la carte dishes. It is expected to be crowded, so it is recommended to visit during off-peak hours.

In addition, at the Yonezawa Sato Livestock Station Front Store in front of Yonezawa Station, we offer face-to-face sales by weight that can only be found at a store. We only sell Yonezawa beef that is produced in-house, and we also ship and cut to order, so please stop by.

Click here for the official website of "Yozanko", a recommended restaurant where you can eat Yonezawa beef.

5 recommended spots to enjoy walking around Yonezawa

Yonezawa has many spots for walking around town, and one of its charms is being able to walk around the city while immersing yourself in its history and culture. Here we will introduce five walking spots that we particularly recommend you visit.

①Uesugi Shrine

We recommend starting your walk around Yonezawa at Uesugi Shrine. Uesugi Shrine is a shrine dedicated to the famous Sengoku general Uesugi Kenshin, and is said to bring good fortune, academic success, and business prosperity.
Additionally, the temple grounds are decorated with cherry blossoms in the spring and autumn leaves in the fall, making it a spot where you can enjoy the natural beauty of the four seasons.

The Ishigaki, moat, and neighboring buildings still give you a glimpse of the past, and a leisurely stroll along the approach to the shrine and within the grounds is soothing. Even though it's bustling with tourists, there's a relaxed atmosphere.

②Sake Brewery Museum Toko Sake Brewery

Next up is the "Toko Sake Brewery." It was founded in 1597 and has a history of over 400 years. Inside the building, you'll find a charming space that makes you feel like you've traveled back in time to a sake brewery in the Meiji era. You can also enjoy tasting and shopping for Toko sake at the attached store.

Admission (viewing) fees are 350 yen for adults, 250 yen for junior and senior high school students, and 150 yen for elementary school students.
Also, use of the shop alone is free, so it's easy for people who don't have much time and just want to buy some alcohol to stop by.

The tour route is dominated by displays of sake brewing tools and sake bottles from the Edo to Showa periods, as well as large wooden barrels measuring 180cm in diameter that have been used since ancient times, and the sheer scale of the brewery is overwhelming. You can experience the beauty of this historic structure, which has even been used in movies, television, and overseas cosmetics commercials. There are also spaces where the living conditions of the time seem to have been preserved exactly as they were, and you can feel the history everywhere.

The museum is barrier-free and has audio guides, so anyone can easily explore the museum and feel at ease when visiting.
Another unique feature is the "Sake Capsule Toy Machine" located inside the building. For 500 yen you can try it once and receive a variety of sake and goods. If you like sake, be sure to give it a try.

3. Count Uesugi's Residence (Japanese Garden)

Located next to the main gate of the Uesugi Count's Residence, a historical building in Yonezawa , Yamagata Prefecture , Nagomi-tei is a charming walking spot where you can enjoy a Yonezawa weaving experience and a Japanese-style cafe. You can enjoy an extraordinary experience by strolling around the area dressed in a kimono and armor with Uesugi Shrine and Matsugasaki Park in the background.

This Japanese-style cafe offers a wide range of menu items, including coffee, matcha, gelato, and original sweets, making it popular with tourists. There are also many takeaway menu items available, making it a great place to take a short break during your sightseeing trip.

If you want to walk around the Uesugi Shrine in a kimono, we also offer a kimono dressing experience to make that wish come true.
This is an experience that we would recommend to anyone who has never worn Yonezawa weaving, a traditional Yonezawa industry, anyone who has never touched a kimono, and visitors from overseas.
Not only can you actually dress up in the kimono, but you can also go sightseeing in it, making it a great souvenir.

There is also an experience of wearing armor, which is quite heavy when you try it on. You can also choose from kimono and ninja costumes, and there are many types of kimono alone, so it's fun to choose. The weight is not plastic, but a real weight feeling.
Please note that if you plan on walking around town after renting your bike, you must return 30 minutes before closing time.
They also have ninja costumes, which are especially popular with children.
There are discounts for advance reservations, so please take advantage of this offer. (Advance reservations include one drink.)
Advance reservations available here (5 languages available)
The size of the children's costumes is for ages 7 and up. You can also pay by card, so you can feel safe.

Bicycle rentals are also available here at Watei, so if you're interested, please give it a try.

④Yonezawa Shinden

Yonezawa Shinden, a long-established dyeing and weaving studio founded in 1884 in Yonezawa City , continues to carry on the traditions of safflower dyeing and Yonezawa weaving.
They produce dye from safflowers they cultivate themselves, and are characterized by their consistent manufacturing process from dyeing to weaving using their unique dyeing and weaving techniques. They mainly produce kimonos and obi belts for women, but also hand-finish a variety of accessories. Tours and safflower dyeing experiences are available by reservation, and the appeal is that you can experience the texture of the fabric and the dyeing process up close.

By experiencing the careful work of the craftsmen, you can experience the depth of craftsmanship and the wonder of color. The workshop building has also won the Yonezawa City Landscape Award, making it a perfect place to drop in while walking around town.
This will undoubtedly be a memorable experience for anyone interested in Yonezawa culture and handicrafts.

In terms of access, we recommend taking a taxi from Yonezawa Station, or renting a car or bicycle. (By bicycle, it takes about 15 minutes from the station.)
Payment can be made by card and there are no age restrictions for tours or experiences.
Generally, we recommend making reservations at least 5 days in advance, so we recommend making a reservation here before visiting.

After your tour and experience, you can shop at the shop at the Oku of the museum. You can purchase a variety of products (pouches, drawstring bags, purses, bookmarks, neckties, etc.) that incorporate the colors and textures of silk fabrics into items that can be used in daily life, all of which are carefully made by artisans. Why not try looking for your own favorite item?

⑤Meechan Diner

Conveniently located just a 6-minute walk from Yonezawa Station in Yonezawa City , Yamagata Prefecture , "Namikata Lamb Shop Meechan Shokudo" is a restaurant directly managed by a long-established lamb specialty store founded in Showa. The specialty "Yoshitsune Yaki" is said to be the soul food of Yonezawa residents, with an astounding 30 tons, or 150,000 servings, consumed annually.

The lamb meat is never frozen and is aged for over 28 days, with multiple cuts offered, including shoulder, chuck, and thigh. There is a wide variety of dishes on the menu, including Genghis Khan, lamb shabu-shabu, smoked lamb tongue, and lamb chops, and whatever you order is delicious.

There are a total of 60 seats available, including counter seats, tatami seating, and semi-private rooms, so we can accommodate a wide range of guests, from solo diners to those with children.
In addition, they also have a Toyotomi of sake and shochu, so you can enjoy your meal with some local Yamagata sake.

This is a restaurant where you can fully enjoy the charms of lamb, which is different from Yonezawa beef, and is a famous spot for lamb cuisine loved by locals and tourists alike.

If you're staying in Yonezawa, head to Onogawa Onsen

If you come to Yonezawa and are thinking of staying overnight, we recommend Onogawa Onsen. Onogawa Onsen is a hot spring town that can be reached by bus or car in about 20 to 30 minutes from Yonezawa Station. The hot spring town is compact and calm, with charming inns, public baths, cafes and shops scattered within walking distance, making it perfect for a leisurely stroll around town. This hot spring resort will make your experience during your stay in Yonezawa even more memorable.

What is Onogawa Onsen?

Onogawa Onsen was discovered about 1200 years ago, and is said to have been used as a hot springs resort during the Warring States period. It is famous for its history and skin-beautifying properties, and is also known as a "beauty bath" that conditions the skin. The hot spring town is dotted with atmospheric public baths, which you can easily drop in to while strolling around. You can also drink the spring water and take a foot bath, so you can enjoy bathing in different baths.

Onogawa Onsen is also known as the "town of fireflies," and every year from mid-June to mid-July, the "Firefly Festival" is held, where fireflies fly everywhere. In winter, you can enjoy seasonal scenery, such as giant snow huts lined up in the snowy scenery.
You can also purchase local vegetables and souvenirs at the shops, or try making your own soft-boiled eggs, which will become a memorable experience of your trip.

Recommended accommodation in Onogawa Onsen: Kameya Mannenkaku

We will introduce "Kameya Mannenkaku" located in Yonezawa City , Yamagata Prefecture Prefecture, which is said to have been opened about 1,200 years ago. "Kameya Mannenkaku" is a historic wooden inn that was founded 120 years ago. The 100% natural hot spring water is known as "beautiful skin water" and has a reputation for leaving your skin moisturized. Another unique feature of this inn is the cute maneki-neko (signboard cat). You can see the cat even inside the entrance, which is very soothing.

There are a variety of room types, including detached rooms with hot springs that flow directly from the source, and spacious Japanese-Western rooms, so groups and families can relax here. There are also universal rooms, and the inn's comfortable facilities are a plus. Meals at the inn mainly feature sukiyaki and shabu-shabu made with locally grown seasonal vegetables and A5-ranked Yonezawa beef.

If you are making a reservation through the official reservation site, it is recommended to use this site as it is available in English .

Kameya Mannengaku is located in the quiet center of the hot spring town and is recommended as a place to stay where you can spend quality time that will satisfy both your skin and your soul. Please do come and visit us.

Introducing experiences you can enjoy in the hot spring town

Besides staying at the inns, Onogawa Onsen town has many other things to see, so we'll introduce a few of them here.

① Handmade hot spring egg experience

At Onogawa Onsen, you can experience making hot spring eggs (radium eggs) using the hot spring water. Purchase eggs at "Iwase Shoten", borrow a basket there, and soak them in the hot spring water right in front of the store. The whole process takes about 12 minutes, and it's a perfect souvenir.

②Hand-written fortune-telling slips from Daikokuten Motoyama

We also recommend trying your luck at the fortune telling slips available at Daikokuten Motoyama, located about a 5-minute walk from the center of Onogawa Onsen town.
Here you can draw a fortune from 20 different colored paper slips for 500 yen each. It's a surprise which colored paper you'll get, but it also has a special feeling to it because they are all handwritten by the head priest.

One thing to note is that the Shikishi Omikuji fortunes are handwritten, so they may be sold out, so it's a good idea to check in advance. ( You can check on social media .)

③ Bathing in public baths

Onogawa Onsen is dotted with several atmospheric public baths beloved by locals, and is also appealing for travelers who can easily use them. Among them, Amayu has an impressive retro appearance in the center of the hot spring town, and is characterized by its 100% natural hot spring water. Hot water is poured into the small bath, and the scent of the hot spring gently rises up. The experience of bathing shoulder to shoulder with locals is a precious experience that can only be experienced in a hot spring resort.
The other bath, "Takiyu," has slightly warmer water that is suitable for long soaks, and the bathing fee is very reasonable at just a few hundred yen. Neither bath has shampoo or soap provided, so you will need to bring your own, but why not drop in on your stroll and casually enjoy the famous hot springs?

Day 2: Visiting spots to experience nature in Yonezawa

You can take the express bus bound for GUJO HACHIMAN from the Meitetsu Bus Center at Nagoya Station. The journey takes about 90 minutes, and it costs about 2,400 yen one way to get to GUJO HACHIMAN. The bus goes right into the castle town, so you don't have to worry about secondary transportation within GUJO HACHIMAN, which is a nice feature.

Totoro's Mori

There is a place in Yonezawa City called "Totoro Mori ." In Totoro Mori, cedars, zelkova trees, cherry blossoms, and more naturally overlap, creating a beautiful scene that makes you feel as if the characters from Studio Ghibli's "My Neighbor Totoro" are standing there. The rich silhouette created by about 18 giant trees stands out in the rural landscape, and many people say that when viewed from the observation deck, it looks like "Totoro himself."
From the observation deck in Totoro Mori, you can see Totoro and the city of Yonezawa beyond. Why not spend some time relaxing in this place where you can feel the tranquility and openness?

Be sure to come and see Totoro in his autumn colors or covered in winter snow. Totoro Mori is a quiet, heartwarming and unique tourist spot where you can enjoy the nature of Yonezawa and the heartwarming sight of Totoro.

Tengendai Takaharu

Tengendai Takaharu is a nature-rich Takaharu resort located at an altitude of 1,350 meters in the west of Yonezawa City , Yamagata Yamagata Prefecture . It is a spot where you can enjoy spectacular views and activities throughout the seasons. In summer, trekking and observing Takayama plants are popular, and it is known as the Yamaguchi for Mount Nishiazuma , one of the 100 famous mountains in Japan. In winter, the whole area is covered in a world of silver, and it becomes a bustling ski resort. The fluffy powder snow and spacious slopes are loved by a wide range of people, from beginners to advanced skiers, and the good quality of the snow due to the high altitude is also one of the attractions. It is known for the blooming Takayama plants in summer and the beautiful autumn leaves in autumn.

By the way, if you are planning to go to Tengendai Takaharu, please make sure to check the operating status in advance. The summer ropeway starts operating in late June, and the best time to see the autumn leaves varies from year to year, but is usually from early to mid-October. Winter skiing can be enjoyed for a long period every year, from late November to around April, so be sure to check the information in advance before visiting. Tengendai Takaharu, where you can experience clear air and a 360-degree panoramic view, is a special place where you can come into contact with nature and refresh both body and mind.

For information on skiing and trekking in Tengendai Takaharu, click here

The best place to look for souvenirs is Roadside Station Yonezawa

If you want to buy souvenirs in Yonezawa, be sure to visit the Yonezawa Roadside Station. The Yonezawa Roadside Station opened in 2018 and is a place where you can enjoy a wide variety of souvenirs and gourmet food.
At Roadside Station Yonezawa, in addition to Yonezawa specialties such as Yonezawa beef and Yonezawa ramen, they also stock a Toyotomi of seasonal agricultural products such as cherries and local sake.
There is also a tourist information center (available in English and Chinese) on-site, so please make use of it if you need assistance.

Yonezawa Roadside Station has a site area of ​​21,677 square meters and is a large roadside station that can accommodate 198 passenger cars.
By the way, if you don't have a car, don't worry.
Another great thing about the Yonezawa Roadside Station is that it offers a one-coin taxi service from JR Yonezawa Station, meaning you can get there from the station for just 500 yen one way.
To use the service, simply tell the taxi driver "I'd like to use the One Coin Taxi." *Available only at Yonezawa Roadside Station and JR Yonezawa Station.

Official Yonezawa Roadside Station website (Japanese only)

summary

How was it?

Yonezawa in Yamagata Prefecture is full of many undiscovered attractions. You can do sightseeing in a compact area, and it can also be used as a stopover point for sightseeing to other places. Experience history, taste delicious food, and be soothed by hot springs and nature. It is a recommended travel destination.
Be sure to add Yonezawa to your next travel destination.