20 Museums in Yamagata worth your time

Explore historic Meiji-era buildings and a National Historic Site, offering a glimpse into local history.

What it is

• A cultural memorial hall in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture.
• Designated Yamagata Prefectural Tangible Cultural Properties.
• Grounds are a National Historic Site.
• Located within Fujishima Historical Park.

What to see

• Three historic buildings, including a district office and assembly hall.
• Old Higashitagawa District Office, rebuilt in 1887.
• Old Higashitagawa District Assembly Hall, renovated in 1903.
• Old Higashitagawa Electric Power Cooperative Warehouse, built around 1924.
• Warehouse now serves as an exhibition room.

When to go

• Admission is free.
• Closed on Mondays and during New Year holidays.

Official site

www.city.tsuruoka.lg.jp

Read more about Higashitagawa Culture Memorial Hall

Sōmarō is a historic geisha house in Sakata, offering traditional dance and art.

What it is

• Tourist facility in Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture.
• Opened in 2000, operated by Hirata Farm.
• Registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property in 1996.
• The wooden main building was built after the Shōnai earthquake.

What to see

• Traditional teahouse inside the facility.
• Performances by Sakata Maiko.
• Takehisa Yumeji Museum opened in 2008.
• Former kitchen is a practice area for Sakata Maiko.

When to go

• Closed on Wednesdays.
• Closed during Obon holidays.
• Closed during New Year's holidays.

Getting there

• Short walk from Kotobuki-cho bus stop.

Address

山形県酒田市日吉町1丁目2-20 Map

Official site

www.somaro.net

Read more about Sōmarō

Explore samurai history and national treasures at this museum dedicated to the Uesugi clan.

What it is

• A municipal museum in Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture.
• Opened in 1967 on the grounds of Uesugi Shrine.
• Merged with Okitama Culture Hall in 2001.
• Primarily exhibits items related to the Uesugi clan.

What to see

• Exhibits related to the Date clan and Kofun.
• National treasure "Rakuchu Rakugai-zu" by Kano Eitoku.
• 2,018 documents of the Uesugi family, a national treasure.
• Okitama Culture Hall with a 500-seat capacity.
• Movable Noh stage inside the culture hall.

Getting there

• Located near Matsugasaki Park.
• Located near Uesugi Shrine.

Address

山形県米沢市丸の内1-2-1 Map

Official site

www.denkoku-no-mori.yonezawa.yamagata.jp

Read more about Yonezawa City Uesugi Museum

This museum showcases local history, art, and the Mogami River's shipping heritage.

What it is

• A museum in Oishida-machi, Yamagata Prefecture.
• Exhibits materials on Mogami River shipping.
• Displays works by local artists and writers.
• Houses Saito Mokichi's former residence.

What to see

• Exhibits on Mogami River shipping history.
• Works by poet Matsuo Basho.
• Works by poet Saito Mokichi.
• Works by painter Kanayama Heizo.
• Works by painter Komatsu Hitoshi.
• Chokin Shooku, Saito Mokichi's residence.

When to go

• Open from 10:00 to 16:30.
• Closed on Mondays.

Getting there

• A 10-minute walk from Oishida Station.

Read more about Ōishida Town Museum of History and Folklore

Chidō Museum preserves historical buildings and folk materials from the Shonai region.

What it is

• A registered museum in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture.
• Named after the former Shonai Clan school, Chidōkan.
• Founded in 1950 by the Ibun-kai Foundation.
• Collects and exhibits folk materials from the Shonai region.

What to see

• Relocated historical buildings on the museum grounds.
• 8 types of important tangible folk cultural properties.
• Sakai-shi Teien, a National Place of Scenic Beauty.
• Former Nishitagawa District Office, completed in 1881.
• Former Tsuruoka Police Station, an Important Cultural Property.
• Former Shibuya Family Residence, built in 1822.

Address

〒997-0036　山形県鶴岡市家中新町10-18 Map

Official site

www.chido.jp

Read more about Chidō Museum

Explore Shinjō's history and culture, featuring festival floats and local art.

What it is

• A museum in Shinjō City, Yamagata Prefecture.
• Dedicated to the history of the Shinjō region.
• Features a folk museum for snowy regions.

What to see

• Two floats from the Shinjō Festival.
• Works by Living National Treasure Mineishi Okuyama.
• Works by painter Zenjiro Chikaoka.
• Items related to the Tozawa family.
• Higashiyama ware and stone tools.
• Six rooms with 10,000 folk tools.

When to go

• Open daily from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Shinjō Station.

Official site

www.city.shinjo.yamagata.jp

Read more about Shinjō Furusato History Center

Yoneori Kaikan is a museum showcasing Yonezawa-ori textiles and history, offering unique cultural experiences.

What it is

• A museum in Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture.
• Dedicated to Yonezawa-ori textiles and their history.
• Founded in 1922, originally as a building.
• Also serves as an office for the Yonezawa Textile Council.

What to see

• The Yonezawa Textile History Museum.
• Exhibits on the history of Yonezawa-ori textiles.
• A preserved reception room visited by Emperor Showa.
• The building itself, constructed in 1922.

What to do

• Shop for Yonezawa-ori products.
• Participate in hand-weaving experiences.

Read more about Yoneori Kaikan

Miyasaka Museum showcases samurai armor and historical artifacts from the Yonezawa Domain.

What it is

• A registered museum of Yamagata Prefecture.
• Houses over 700 archaeological, historical, and folk materials.
• Collection includes cultural properties of the Yonezawa Domain.

What to see

• Armor of Uesugi Kagekatsu is on display.
• Armor of Naoe Kanetsugu is exhibited.
• Armor of Maeda Keijiro is shown.
• Seventeen spears of the Uesugi family.
• Yonezawa-zutsu matchlock guns made in Yonezawa.
• Chainmail from the Akō Rōshi incident.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from JR Yonezawa Station.

Address

〒992-0026　山形県米沢市東1-2-24 Map

Official site

www.miyasakakoukokan.com

Read more about Miyasaka Museum

Kaisendo was an art museum in Kaminoyama City, showcasing Japanese swords and Chinese lacquerware.

What it is

• Former art museum in Kaminoyama City, Yamagata Prefecture.
• Housed 4,000 art and craft items.
• Closed at the end of August 2025.
• The building was the former residence of Kenzo Hasegawa.

What to see

• Main exhibits were Japanese swords and Chinese lacquerware.
• Displayed photographs and films by Kenzo Hasegawa.
• Two Chinese lacquerware pieces from the Song dynasty.
• One important cultural property: a Chinese Ming dynasty cabinet.
• The exhibition hall is a registered tangible cultural property.

Official site

www.kaisendo.jp

Read more about Kaisendō

Explore Yamagata's industrial heritage, especially its famous casting, for free.

What it is

• A museum in Yamagata City.
• Dedicated to local industries like Yamagata casting.
• Managed by the Yamagata Casting Industrial Park Cooperative.

What to see

• Exhibits on local industry history and manufacturing.
• Displays of kettles, iron teapots, and iron pots.
• Various local crafts are on display.

When to go

• Open from 9:00 to 17:00.
• Closed on 2nd and 4th Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
• Closed during year-end and New Year holidays.

Official site

www.city.yamagata-yamagata.lg.jp

Read more about Yamagata City Industrial History Museum

Explore a preserved Edo-period townhouse and learn about Matsuo Basho's visit.

What it is

• A museum in Obanazawa City, Yamagata Prefecture.
• Dedicated to poet Matsuo Basho and Suzuki Seifu.
• Commemorates Basho's 10-day stay during his Oku no Hosomichi journey.

What to see

• Relocated and restored former Maruya Suzuki Yahei family store.
• Main house conveys an Edo period townhouse.
• Exhibits related to Matsuo Basho and Suzuki Seifu.

When to go

• Closed every Wednesday.
• Closed for New Year holidays, December 28 to January 4.

Address

山形県尾花沢市中町5-36 Map

Official site

www.city.obanazawa.yamagata.jp

Read more about Bashō-Seifū Historical Museum

Bunshōkan is a restored British Renaissance building, notable for its architecture and historic clock.

What it is

• Nicknamed Bunshōkan, officially Yamagata Prefectural Hometown Museum.
• Current brick building completed in 1916 after 1911 fire.
• Designed in the British Renaissance style.
• Designated a National Important Cultural Property in 1984.

What to see

• The British Renaissance style brick architecture.
• The mechanical clock, second oldest in Japan.
• A filming location for movies and TV dramas.

When to go

• Lit up from sunset until 9:30 PM.

Read more about Bunshōkan

Explore Matsuyama's history and local figures at this cultural heritage museum.

What it is

• A museum dedicated to Matsuyama's cultural heritage.
• Opened in 1982, with a new building added in 1998.
• Located within Matsuyama Historical Park.

What to see

• Historical materials from the Matsuyama Domain.
• Exhibits on achievements of local figures.
• A special exhibition room in the new building.
• The Keiji Mashimo Memorial Room displays his works.

When to go

• Open 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
• Closed on Mondays and New Year holidays.

Address

山形県酒田市字新屋敷36-2 Map

Official site

matuyama-net.com

Read more about Matsuyama Cultural Heritage Museum

Explore Jomon-period life and artifacts at this free archaeological museum in Nagai City.

What it is

• A museum in Nagai City, Yamagata Prefecture.
• Collects and exhibits archaeological materials.
• Materials excavated from Nagai City.
• Admission is free.

What to see

• Earthenware and stone tools from the Jomon period.
• Reconstructed pit dwellings.
• Panels introduce Jomon period life.

When to go

• Open from mid-April to mid-December.
• Closed on Mondays.

Getting there

• 15-minute drive from Nagai Station.

Official site

www.city.nagai.yamagata.jp

Read more about Kodai no Oka Museum

See a historic Japanese villa, garden, and art collection at this post-war private museum.

What it is

• A registered museum in Yamagata Prefecture.
• Opened in May 1947 as Japan's first post-war private museum.
• Exhibits items collected by the Homma family.
• Operates under a Public Interest Incorporated Foundation.

What to see

• Seienkaku, a Kyoto-style Japanese building built in 1813.
• Tsurumai-en garden, a National Place of Scenic Beauty.
• Homma ware folk crafts made in a kiln in the garden.
• Homma family art and historical collections.

Address

〒998-0024　山形県酒田市御成町7-7 Map

Official site

www.homma-museum.or.jp

Read more about Homma Museum of Art

This museum, housed in a silkworm warehouse, tells the tale of Tsuru no Ongaeshi and local sericulture.

What it is

• A museum in Nanyo City, Yamagata Prefecture.
• Housed in a three-story silkworm cocoon warehouse.
• Dedicated to the folk tale Tsuru no Ongaeshi.
• Also exhibits local sericulture history.

What to see

• Multi-slide show of Tsuru no Ongaeshi.
• Materials related to sericulture.
• Displays on Junji Kinoshita's play Yūzuru.

When to go

• Open 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
• Closed every Monday.
• Closed during New Year holidays.

Official site

www.city.nanyo.yamagata.jp

Read more about Yūzuru no Sato Museum

This small museum showcases local history and woodblock art, a quick stop near Mamurogawa Station.

What it is

• A museum in Mamurogawa-machi, Yamagata Prefecture.
• Exhibits tools related to mountain forests.
• Displays work of woodblock artist Nakagawa Mokurei.

What to see

• First exhibition room.
• Second exhibition room.
• Exhibition hall.

When to go

• Open April 1st to October 31st.
• Open 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from Mamurogawa Station.
• Parking available for 100 cars.

Official site

www.town.mamurogawa.yamagata.jp

Read more about Mamurogawa-machi Folk Historical Material Hall

Explore Yamagata's oldest Western-style building, a former government office and museum.

What it is

• A museum in Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture.
• Completed in 1879 as Higashi-Murayama County Office.
• Designated a Yamagata Prefectural Tangible Cultural Property.
• Opened in 1986 as a municipal museum.

What to see

• Three-story wooden Western-style building.
• Tiled roof with a cupola.
• Oldest pseudo-Western style wooden building in Yamagata.
• Over 240 items exhibited inside.
• Second floor room where Emperor Meiji rested.

Official site

tendo-gunyakusyo.jp

Read more about Tendō Municipal Former Higashi-Murayama County Office Building Museum

See 2000 watercolor paintings by Shuin Naito, chairman of the Japan Watercolor Society, for free.

What it is

• A museum in Amarume, Shonai Town, Yamagata Prefecture.
• Exhibits watercolor paintings by Shuin Naito.
• Naito was chairman of the Japan Watercolor Society.
• Opened in 1992 as an art storage facility.

What to see

• Approximately 2000 watercolor paintings.
• Paintings donated to the town in 1987.
• Museum is adjacent to the public library.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from JR Amarume Station.

Official site

www.town.shonai.lg.jp

Read more about Shūin Naitō Museum of Watercolor

Explore a memorial hall dedicated to Hirosuke Hamada, featuring his birthplace and unique garden.

What it is

• A municipal memorial hall in Takahata Town, Yamagata Prefecture.
• Opened on May 25, 1989.
• Dedicated to Hirosuke Hamada, a children's literature author.

What to see

• Exhibition room displaying works and artifacts.
• Small library with about 3,000 children's books.
• Relocated birthplace from the late Edo period.
• Garden with stone statues of red and blue demons.
• Pond named after 'Tears of the Dragon's Eye'.

Address

〒992-0334　山形県東置賜郡高畠町大字一本柳2110 Map

Official site

www.takahata.or.jp

Read more about Hirosuke Hamada Memorial Hall