Yamagata City, the Center of Commerce and Industry

Yamagata City is the capital of Yamagata Prefecture. To the east lie the Zao Mountains and to the west is Mount Shirataka. Lining the street from Yamagata Station to Honcho Street, to Nanokamachi Street, and to Hatagomachi Street are modern buildings with businessmen and women busily moving about. This castle city, together with Sendai City, is called the "City of Forests." Having escaped the bombing by U.S. Forces in World War II, it still uses the old street names dating from feudal times. The city is popular with tourists all year round, with its cherry blossoms in Kajoh Park in spring, Hanagasa Festival in summer, crimsom foliage of the Risshakuji Temple in autumn, and skiing in the Zao mountains in winter. The Risshakuji Temple is an especially popular attraction, having been made famous by Matsuo Basho in his work "The Narrow Road to the Deep North."* It is said that he changed his travel route upon recommendations of the people of Ohanazawa, a village where he made his temporary residence, to see the old temple. Here he composed the famous haiku "In the utter silence of a temple, a cicada's voice alone penetrates the rocks." *
（*translated by Nobuyuki Yuasa）

Thanks to: Yamagata City Tourist Office

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