Tsuruoka (Shonai) Travel Guides

The Shonai area offers tourist attractions such as Kichijoji Temple, Itsukushima Shrine, and Mt. Daisen; sightseeing events such as the Hana Matsuri (Flower Festival), Daruma Market, and Hachisaku Festival; and local delicacies such as soba noodles, sake lees soup, and pickled vegetables.

Located on the Sea of Japan side of Yamagata Prefecture, Tsuruoka City and Sakata City are representative of the Shonai region, where visitors can enjoy swimming in the beaches along the Sea of Japan where the Mogami River flows into the city, and inland, the city is rich in nature with the three mountains of Dewa and the 2,236-meter-high Chokai Mountain.

The most famous landmarks in Tsuruoka City are Gassan Shrine, Dewa Shrine, and Yudenyama Shrine, which are located on the three mountains of Dewa (Mt. Gassan, Mt. Haguro, and Mt. Yuden). Dewa Shrine in particular has the five-story pagoda of Mt. Haguro, which is a national treasure; Shozenin Golden Hall, an important cultural asset; Sanjin Gosai-den, a shrine for the three gods, and its bell tower; and Mentor Sugi, a natural treasure.

In addition, the Rokujurikoshi Highway, which winds around the three mountains, offers beautiful views of nature, including Nanatsu Falls, selected as one of the top 100 waterfalls in Japan, and the sacred mountain Mt. From spring to fall, trekking can be enjoyed, and in winter, these mountains are used as ski resorts and are crowded with tourists all year round.

Along the sea, six beaches, including Yunohama Beach and Kamo Rainbow Beach, and the Kamo Aquarium, recognized by the Guinness Book of Records for its variety of jellyfish, will show you the splendor of Tsuruoka's sea.

The Shonai region developed along the Japan Sea and the Mogami River, and the nature surrounding the Shonai Plain will show tourists not only the recreational activities such as skiing, camping, swimming, and hot springs, but also the beautiful scenery and the history and culture of Shonai that are integrated with nature.