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Yonezawa: The coolest little town you’ve never heard of. In the mountains of Northeast Japan. Welcome to Yonezawa!
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We are a small city surrounded by mountains in Yamagata Prefecture in Japan's Tohoku region. As well as producers of one of Japan's top three rated brands wagyu beef, world-class sake and Yoneori fabrics, Yonezawa is a wonderful place to take a break from city life. With eight onsen resorts just a short drive away we have plenty of places in which to enjoy our "Asiatic Arcadia" as it changes with the season. In the meantime, we hope you will join us as we introduce the coolest little town you've never heard of😃

Support Yonezawa producers and craftspeople through the Furusato Nozei tax deduction program and receive amazing gifts for you, your family and friends. Japanese
https://furusato-yonezawa.jp/

Google Translate
https://bit.ly/YonezawaFurusatoNozei

24/10/2026

Discover Yonezawa’s craftsmanship behind the doors of factories and workshops usually closed to the public 🏭

This September, the “360° Yonezawa Open Factory” was held across Yonezawa City.

An open factory is a factory tour event where local makers open up their workplaces and visitors can talk directly with the people who make things.

Walking from factory to factory, I felt I could see Yonezawa’s history and culture taking shape in the things made by the hands of its craftspeople.

For example:
Yonezawa-ori, the city’s traditional woven textiles 🧵
Famous local food, such as Yonezawa beef and ekiben (train station bento) 🍱
Fermented foods and drinks, such as sake, miso and natto 🍶
Accessories shaped from metal into words of the local dialect, and a samurai warlord’s helmet ⚔️

Yonezawa is a town where so many crafts are still alive.
Next September, why not take your time and explore? 😉

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The 4th 360° Yonezawa Open Factory
📅 Thu, Sept 10 – Sun, Sept 13, 2026 / 9:00–17:00
📍 Participating factories and workshops in Yonezawa City, Yamagata
IG) https://www.instagram.com/360yonezawa/
🚅 Tokyo Station ⇄ Yonezawa Station: about 2 hours by the Yamagata Shinkansen “Tsubasa”

12/07/2026

Scattered through the mountains of Okitama stand mysterious stone monuments. 🪨🌲

Large stones, resting quietly in the hills. What could they be?

They are called "Somokuto," or "Somoku kuyoto" — stone monuments for the grasses and trees. Made of natural stone, they date from the Edo period. Only about 35 have been found across all of Japan. And 32 of those stand in just one place — the Okitama region of Yamagata.

Yonezawa alone has 17, and the Tazawa district holds 10. Tazawa is said to be the birthplace of the Somokuto. The oldest one, dated 1780, is believed to have been raised at Shiojidaira in Tazawa.

But why, when, and by whom were they built? Almost no written records remain. The feelings behind them were surely many, shaped by the times and lives of the people.

Long ago, Tazawa was a land rich in forestry. Timber was cut into firewood, then gathered behind a dam-like structure called a "handou." When the streams swelled with spring snowmelt, it was released all at once, carrying it down to the castle town — a hard and dangerous work called "kinagashi."

Many, it is said, lost their lives to this labor. Were these stones raised in prayer for the departed? Or in memory of the trees that had been felled?

Some Somokuto are carved with the words "Somoku kokudo shikkai jobutsu" — that even grasses, trees, and the land itself, things without a heart, hold the Buddha-nature, and all attain Buddhahood. It is a phrase from Buddhist teaching — yet perhaps, too, a way of giving thanks to the trees and to nature.

In more recent times, the Somokuto came to be seen as a quiet warning about the environment, and spread across Japan as a symbol of living in harmony with nature.

No clear answer remains — and so each visitor brings their own story to the stone. Standing before a Somokuto, what will you feel?

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🚅 Tokyo Station ⇄ Yonezawa Station (Approx. 2 hours by Yamagata Shinkansen Tsubasa)
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24/04/2026

A must-visit chicken spot right by Yonezawa Station — "Yours" 🐓

Just a 2-minute walk south from the station and right next to local hotels, the access couldn't be easier.

The signature dish here? Hands down, the "Negi-Mayo Kara" — Japanese fried chicken (karaage) topped with fresh scallions and creamy mayo.

This legendary plate was the very first champion of Yonezawa's beloved local gourmet showdown, the "Y-1 Gourmet Grand Prix," and has continued to rank among the top finishers ever since — making it one of the city's most iconic dishes 🏆✨

Yours's original-recipe karaage comes generously topped with rich mayo and crisp green onions. It looks indulgent at first glance, but one bite reveals a surprisingly mellow, perfectly balanced flavor. You'll be hooked from the very first taste… 🤤

You can enjoy Yours's cooking not only at the restaurant but also from their food truck — a familiar sight at Yonezawa's biggest festivals, including the "Nasebanaru Autumn Festival" and the "Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival." A true hidden local treasure.

Don't miss their yakitori skewers either 🐓
— made with the same Japanese young chicken as the karaage, and every bit as outstanding.

With a wide selection of sake and drinks to pair, you'll find yourself pouring "just one more" in no time 🍻

If you're ever in Yonezawa, this is one spot you simply have to visit.

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🏠 Izakaya Yours
📍 1-1-63 Ekimae, Yonezawa, Yamagata
🕓 16:00–21:30 (L.O. 21:00)
📅 Closed: Sundays
IG) https://www.instagram.com/yours_yonezawa/
HP) https://e-yours.jp/

🚶 About 2 min walk from JR Yonezawa Station
🚅 Tokyo ⇄ Yonezawa (About 2 hours by the Yamagata Shinkansen "Tsubasa")

28/03/2026

Making your own Dashimaki-tamago is so much fun! 🍳
Nikenmedousuru is an izakaya near the station, known for its popular beef tongue dishes.

Just a short walk from the station, it is a cozy and welcoming place where you can easily drop in and feel at home.

At Nikenmedousuru, you can enjoy grilled beef tongue skewers, beef tongue shabu-shabu, and a variety of dishes made with seasonal ingredients from Yamagata.

The menu also offers plenty of choice, from light snacks and grilled dishes to small plates, chilled Chinese-style noodles served Japanese-style, and even gelato for dessert.

It is a great place not only for drinks, but also for anyone looking for a satisfying dinner.

One of the most popular items is the Self Dashimaki-tamago Set 🍳

A small gas stove and seasoned egg mixture are brought to your table, and you get to make dashimaki-tamago (Japanese rolled omelet) yourself.

Freshly made, soft, fluffy, and piping hot, it has a special kind of deliciousness that only comes from cooking it right in front of you ✨

You can also add extra toppings such as cheese or mentaiko to make it your own 😋

Another part of this place’s charm is how much it is loved by regular customers.

At the counter, you can often see regulars chatting with one another.

Sometimes, if a regular customer makes a request, the owner will even prepare an off-menu dish using whatever ingredients are available that day 😮

As you enjoy the unique food and drinks, you may also find yourself drawn into unexpected conversations and chance encounters.

It is the kind of place filled with a warm atmosphere where those moments naturally happen 🌙

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🏠 Nikenmedousuru
📍 2-1-43 Ekimae, Yonezawa City, Yamagata
🕕 6:00 PM–12:00 AM
📅 Closed: Sunday
IG) https://www.instagram.com/nikenmedousuru/

🚶🏻 About 2 minutes from JR Yonezawa Station
🚅 Tokyo Station ⇄ Yonezawa Station (about 2 hours by the Yamagata Shinkansen Tsubasa)
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#米沢 #ニケンメドウスル

20/03/2026

An unexpected space overlooking Yonezawa Station at night.

Just outside the station, there’s that mysterious purple-lit spot that makes you wonder, “What kind of place is this?” The entrance is a small door at the lower left of the building marked InnStore—slightly hidden, just like the place itself.

Inside, you’ll find a space that feels unusual for Yonezawa. Yet outside the window, Yonezawa Station is right there. It’s a place where the familiar atmosphere of the city blends with something a little different.

The name is unique too. “INN” reflects the idea of a place near the station where anyone can casually stop by, while “Store” suggests that it’s more than just a bar. The space is meant to welcome visitors to Yonezawa and gradually take on its own character through the people who gather there.

The drinks are carefully selected 🍸 Along with alcohol, they also serve mocktails, so drivers and non-drinkers can enjoy the space too.

The owner is also a DJ and music selector active in events around Yonezawa, and the music changes with the mood of the moment, creating a relaxed atmosphere 🎧

Another distinctive feature is the use of scent. Different fragrances are placed at the entrance, counter, and restroom, adding another layer to the experience.

Music, drinks, and scent—an intimate space to enjoy with all five senses. On nights when you want to step away from everyday life for a while, this is the kind of place you’ll want to drop into.

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🏠 InnStore
📍 2F, 2-1-1 Ekimae, Yonezawa, Yamagata
🕔 19:30–24:00 (Last order 22:30)
📅 Closed: Sunday
IG) https://www.instagram.com/innstore_bar/

🚶 About 1 minute walk from Yonezawa Station
🚅 Tokyo Station ⇄ Yonezawa Station (About 2 hours by the Yamagata Shinkansen Tsubasa)
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13/03/2026

Yonezawa is fun at night too.
Stop by for a quick drink near the station 🍶

If you’re visiting Yonezawa, why not enjoy a good drink before your bullet train (Shinkansen) departs?

Near Yonezawa Station, you’ll find a variety of places:
restaurants serving local Yonezawa specialties, lively spots where you can drop in casually,
and bars where you can relax with music in a more relaxed atmosphere.

This time, we went bar hopping around the station area ourselves.

We’ll be introducing each of these spots in upcoming posts as well, so stay tuned! ✨

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🏠 JR Yonezawa Station
📍 Ekimae 1-chome, Yonezawa, Yamagata
🚅 Tokyo Station ⇄ Yonezawa Station (About 2 hours by the Yamagata Shinkansen Tsubasa)
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17/02/2026

Experience the essence of Yonezawa in a single day.
The 2026 Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival ❄️

Held over two days on February 14 and 15.
The Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival returned once again.

Compared to last year, when the event took place in heavy snowfall.
This year was blessed with clear weather on both days ☀️
It was so warm that some of the snow lanterns even began to melt.

Even so, the area around Uesugi Shrine was lively with visitors throughout the day and night.
Some had come all the way from overseas 🌏

Thanks to the pleasant weather, one of the biggest highlights was the food at the street stalls and the tent-village market 🍲

We enjoyed local favorites like
imoni, a hearty taro and beef stew, and tama-konnyaku, soy-simmered konjac balls.

There were also Yonezawa beef croquettes.
We also tried special drinks made with safflower and ukogi.
These plants have long been part of the local food culture 😋

As evening fell, candles were lit inside the snow lanterns.
Rows of candles and bamboo lights across the venue began to glow all at once 🕯️

While walking through the grounds, we even met “Koiki-san.”
A mascot inspired by the snow monsters of Mount Zao ⛄

Snowy scenery, a historic shrine, and local gourmet treats.
The festival offers all the charms of Yonezawa in one place.
It was a truly memorable winter experience ✨

Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the festival.
Why not experience the winter of Yonezawa at one of Tohoku’s most iconic winter events ❄️

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❄ The 49th Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival
📍 Uesugi Shrine Grounds and Matsugasaki Park Area
📅 February 14 (Sat), 2026, 11:00–21:00.
February 15 (Sun), 2026, 11:00–20:00.
IG) https://www.instagram.com/snowlantern.fes.yonezawa/

🚌 About 10 minutes by bus from Yonezawa Station.
🚅 Tokyo Station ⇄ Yonezawa Station.
About 2 hours by Yamagata Shinkansen “Tsubasa”.
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08/02/2026

Shichirin smoke so thick you can’t see ahead??
Enjoy fresh offal at “Shuppa” 🥩

This time we visited “Shuppa.”
A hidden gem in Yonezawa that offal barbecue lovers will adore.

The atmospheric sign and noren curtain give the place a nostalgic feel. 🏮
Inside the tatami floors and sunken kotatsu-style seating create a simple and relaxing space.

Here you grill everything at your own pace over a shichirin charcoal grill. 🔥
Since it was our first visit the staff kindly showed us how to grill and the best ways to enjoy each cut.

Once the meat hits the grill white smoke rises in thick clouds.
A savory aroma spreads through the air.
Watching the room slowly fill with smoke is part of the fun at this place. ☁️

The specialty here is their white offal.
Each piece is carefully hand-washed and prepped for four hours.
This keeps the fat from rendering out too much and preserves the rich flavor.

The recommended way to eat it is to grill the surface until it turns crispy.
With every bite the savory flavor spreads gently. 😋

Another standout was the liver.
They use carefully selected pork processed within three days.

It was juicy with absolutely no unpleasant smell.
Even people who usually don’t like liver may find it easy to enjoy.

The sauce is also something special.
Their original sauce mixed with strong-flavored green garlic pairs perfectly with the offal. 🧄

If you like spicy flavors the spicy miso is also recommended. 🌶️
It is fairly hot, so it’s best to add it little by little and adjust to your taste.

Sitting around the shichirin and grilling offal beyond the veil of smoke.
We spent a wonderfully warm time.

Even in this season when the cold reaches your core. ♨️

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🏠 Shuppa
📍 1-1-30 Omachi, Yonezawa, Yamagata
🕔 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
📅 Irregular holidays. Monthly schedule announced on Facebook.
FB) https://www.facebook.com/horumonyakiniku/

🚗 About 5 minutes by car from Yonezawa Station
🚅 Tokyo Station ⇄ Yonezawa Station. About 2 hours by Yamagata Shinkansen Tsubasa.
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01/02/2026

More than just seeing snow or taking photos!
How to enjoy the Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival ❄️

A winter tradition you can’t miss in Yonezawa.
That is the Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival.
Held on Feb 14 (Sat) and 15 (Sun) 📅

At the venue, many snow lanterns handmade by local residents line the paths.
They are made using freshly fallen snow.
Each one is lit, one by one, with a small candle flame 🕯️

This view is the festival’s biggest highlight.
A winter scene unique to snow-covered Yonezawa spreads out before you ✨

Not only the snow lanterns, but also candles and illuminations.
Beautifully designed bamboo lights also appear throughout the venue 🎋
The entire site is wrapped in a gentle glow.

During the festival, a memorial ceremony is also held.
It honors the spirits of those who died in war and prays for peace.
If you take part in the candle offering, you can also enjoy amazake and tamakonnyaku 🍶🍢

After walking around the venue, why not grab something warm at the tent village or food stalls 🍜
You’ll find local favorites from Yonezawa, plus tasty food from all over Japan.

There are also workshops hosted by local residents.
Plus stage programs such as taiko, Noh, singing, and dance performances 🥁🎭

A winter festival made possible by Yonezawa’s deep snowfall ❄️🏮

Last year, record snowfall affected transportation, including the Shinkansen.
This year, we hope the festival can be held safely, and that many of you can enjoy it 🙏

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❄ The 49th Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival
📍 Uesugi Shrine Grounds and Matsugasaki Park Area
📅 February 14 (Sat), 2026, 11:00–21:00.
February 15 (Sun), 2026, 11:00–20:00.
A snow lantern pre-lighting will be held on Friday, February 13, starting at 17:30.
IG) https://www.instagram.com/snowlantern.fes.yonezawa/

🚌 About 10 minutes by bus from Yonezawa Station.
🚅 Tokyo Station ⇄ Yonezawa Station.
About 2 hours by Yamagata Shinkansen “Tsubasa”.
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24/01/2026

Discovered in the quiet winter of Yonezawa 🔍
A hidden-away restaurant, "REHAYU"

Tucked away in the suburbs of Yonezawa, far from the bustle around the station and busy dining areas.
This restaurant quietly opened here last autumn.

Inside, the atmosphere feels calm and unhurried 🌿
A comfortable space to enjoy a meal with family or close friends.

Beyond the large windows, open fields stretch out into the distance.
On the day we visited, there was still snow on the ground ❄️

Lunch is served as a course 🍽️
It begins with appetizers, soup, bread, and salad, followed by a choice of pasta.
Dessert and a drink are included as well ☕

For pasta, we chose a tomato-based sauce made with house-crafted sausage 🍅
The fresh pasta had a pleasantly chewy texture.

Dinner is available by reservation, with courses featuring fish and meat dishes.

Seasonal, handmade dishes, enjoyed at a quiet and relaxed pace.

Perfect for an everyday lunch, or a slightly special occasion.
A place you’ll want to return to.

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🏠REHAYU
📍 2-1-38-11 Ota-machi, Yonezawa, Yamagata
🕕 Lunch: 11:00–14:30 (L.O. 14:00)
　 Dinner: 18:00–21:00 (L.O. 20:30)
📅 Closed on Mondays
　 (If Monday is a public holiday, closed the following day)
IG) https://www.instagram.com/rehayu_a/

🚗 About 10 minutes by car from Yonezawa Station
🚅 Tokyo ⇄ Yonezawa
　 (Approx. 2 hours by Yamagata Shinkansen “Tsubasa”)
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