17 Parks in Yamagata worth your time

Higashizawa Rose Park offers 7 hectares of roses, a nationally certified 'Scent Scenery'.

What it is

• A rose park in Murayama City, Yamagata Prefecture.
• Opened in 1956 with 70 varieties and 700 roses.
• Certified as one of the '100 Scent Sceneries' in 2001.
• Designated a 'Lover's Sanctuary' in 2015.

What to see

• 7 hectares of rose gardens.
• 750 varieties of roses.
• Approximately 20,000 roses planted.
• The only rose garden with '100 Scent Sceneries' certification.

When to go

• Open daily from 8:30 to 18:30.
• Closed from November to March.
• Admission is free, except during the Rose Festival.
• Adult admission is 600 yen during the festival.

Read more about Higashizawa Rose Park

This modern sports park offers diverse athletic facilities, including an indoor walking course and artificial turf soccer field.

What it is

• An athletic park in Shonai Town, Yamagata Prefecture.
• It consists of six distinct sports facilities.
• Completed in May 2013, opened in July 2013.

What to see

• Shonai Town General Gymnasium with a training room.
• Indoor Multi-purpose Athletic Field has tennis and gateball courts.
• Hotaru Dome offers a free walking course.
• Shonai Town Soccer Field is artificial turf.
• Shonai Town Softball Field has night lighting.
• Multi-purpose Plaza can be used for baseball.

Getting there

• 5-minute drive from Amarume Station on the JR Uetsu Main Line.

Read more about Shonai Town Hachiman Sports Park

A historical park in Yamagata with a shrine, museum, and autumn leaves.

What it is

• A historical park in Takahata Town.
• It is in Higashiokitama District, Yamagata Prefecture.

What to see

• Hyuga Cave is within the park.
• Akutsu Hachiman Shrine is within the park.
• Yamagata Prefectural Ukitamu Fudoki-no-oka Archeological Museum is in the park.
• Azumaya is within the park.

When to go

• Enjoy autumn leaves in the fall.

Getting there

• About 1 hour by car from JR Yamagata Station.
• About 15 minutes by car from JR Takahata Station.
• National Route 113 is nearby.
• Roadside Station Takahata is nearby.

Read more about Mahoroba Inishie no Sato Historical Park

Kiyokawa Historical Park restores Edo-period guardhouses, offering a glimpse into a historic checkpoint and post town.

What it is

• Opened in 2019 in the Kiyokawa district of Shonai Town.
• Restores the Kawaguchi and Funami guardhouses of Kiyokawa Checkpoint.
• Kiyokawa Checkpoint site is part of a Japan Heritage designation.

What to see

• Kawaguchi guardhouse is a wooden single-story building.
• Funami guardhouse is a wooden two-story building.
• Kawaguchi guardhouse exhibits historical materials of the Kiyokawa area.

When to go

• The park is open from March to November.

Getting there

• Nearest station is Kiyokawa on the JR Rikuu West Line.

Address

山形県東田川郡庄内町清川字花崎1-1 Map

Official site

kiyokawa-historicalpark.navishonai.jp

Read more about Kiyokawa Historical Park

Hiyoriyama Park offers historic charm, panoramic views, and cherry blossoms, making it a scenic stop.

What it is

• One of Japan's Top 100 Urban Parks.
• One of Japan's Top 100 Historical Parks.
• One of Japan's Top 100 Sunset Views.

What to see

• Japan's oldest wooden lighthouse, completed 1895.
• Half-scale replica of a Sengokubune ship.
• 1.2 km promenade with 29 literary monuments.
• Views of Sakata Port and the Sea of Japan.
• Views of Mount Gassan.

When to go

• Mid-April for the Sakata Hiyoriyama Cherry Blossom Festival.
• Spring for cherry blossoms.
• Evening for sunset views.

Read more about Hiyoriyama Park

Tsuruoka Park is a historic site and top cherry blossom spot, offering a glimpse into Japan's past.

What it is

• A general urban park established in 1875.
• Built on the former site of Tsurugaoka Castle.
• One of Japan's Top 100 Historical Parks.
• Known as a top 100 cherry blossom viewing spot.

What to see

• Moats and stone walls from the old castle.
• Old cedar trees throughout the park.
• Goshirou Inari Shrine is located here.
• Shonai Shrine, founded in 1877.
• A treasure museum next to Shonai Shrine.

When to go

• Spring for cherry blossom viewing.

Official site

www.city.tsuruoka.lg.jp

Read more about Tsuruoka Park

Chōkai no Mori is a forest park offering panoramic views of the Shonai Plain and Sea of Japan.

What it is

• A forest park on hills 200-300m above sea level.
• Known as a viewing spot.
• Features accommodation facilities, campground, and ski resort.
• Houses an astronomical observatory.

What to see

• Views of Shonai Plain and Sea of Japan.
• Mount Chokai, Mount Gassan, and Tobishima are visible.

Getting there

• 15 minutes from JR Amarume Station by car.
• 35 minutes from JR Sakata Station by car.
• 40 minutes from Shonai Airport by car.

Address

山形県酒田市土渕 Map

Read more about Chōkai no Mori

Iimoriyama Park offers cultural exhibits, sports, and a large hydrangea garden.

What it is

• A general park in Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture.
• Development started in July 1979.
• Covers an area of 17.8 hectares.
• Has cultural, play, and sports facility zones.

What to see

• Photography exhibition hall for Ken Domon.
• Sakata City National Sports Festival Commemorative Gymnasium.
• Hydrangea garden with 122 varieties.
• Garden has 10,637 hydrangea plants.

Getting there

• 15-minute drive from JR Sakata Station.

Read more about Iimoriyama Park

Sakekawa Ecopark is a nature park offering camping and cottages, ideal for nature lovers.

What it is

• A nature park in Sakekawa Village, Yamagata Prefecture.
• Its theme is coexistence with nature.
• It includes cottages and a campsite.

What to see

• The forested area is called Kinoko-no-Mori.
• Kitsutsuki Cottages are available.
• Kurinoki Auto Camp has free and wood deck sites.
• Kinoko-kan is a facility within the park.
• Kinoko-no-Mori Center is a facility.

Getting there

• 15 minutes by car from JR Shinjo Station.

Read more about Sakekawa Ecopark

Bandai-Asahi National Park is Japan's second largest, offering diverse mountains and lakes.

What it is

• One of Japan's largest national parks.
• Designated on September 5, 1950.
• Spans Fukushima, Yamagata, and Niigata prefectures.
• Divided into three management areas.

What to see

• Dewa Sanzan, a general term for three mountains.
• Mount Gassan offers summer skiing.
• Mount Iide and Mount Asahi have alpine plants.
• Lake Inawashiro, Japan's fourth largest lake.
• Mount Azuma, a large volcanic group.
• Mount Adatara, an active volcano.

Official site

www.env.go.jp

Read more about Bandai-Asahi National Park

Seaside park with cliffs, a lighthouse, and cherry trees, offering scenic views.

What it is

• A seaside park in Chokai Quasi-National Park.
• Formed by lava flows from Chokai Mountain.
• Historically a difficult pass on the Ushu Hamakaido.

What to see

• Cliffs formed by ancient lava flows.
• Three distinct capes within the park.
• A promenade with stone pavement.
• Ugo Misaki Lighthouse, first lit in 1960.
• About 700 Someiyoshino cherry trees.

Getting there

• Located on National Route 7.

Read more about Misaki Park

Kajo Park is a historic urban park in Yamagata City, known for its castle ruins and cherry blossoms.

What it is

• An urban park in Yamagata City.
• Located on the site of Yamagata Castle.
• Opened to the public in 1949.
• A designated national historic site.

What to see

• Yamagata Prefectural Museum.
• Yamagata City Local Museum.
• East Otemon gate.
• Otebashi bridge.
• Koraibun and earthwork of Honmaru Otemon Masugata.

When to go

• Known for its cherry blossoms.

Official site

www.city.yamagata-yamagata.lg.jp

Read more about Kajō Park

Akagawa Kasen Ryokuchi is a riverside park with cherry trees and a famous fireworks festival.

What it is

• A park along the Akagawa River in Tsuruoka City.
• Maintained as Akagawa Kasen Ryokuchi Park.
• Site of the annual Akagawa Fireworks Festival.

What to see

• About 300 cherry trees along a 1.5 km lane.
• An imoni plaza for local gatherings.
• Grounds and multi-purpose open spaces.

When to go

• Mid-August for the Akagawa Fireworks Festival.

Read more about Akagawa Riverside Greenery Park

Kamo Aquarium is a unique facility in Yamagata Prefecture, renowned for its world-class jellyfish exhibits.

What it is

• Only aquarium in Yamagata Prefecture.
• Known for its jellyfish exhibits.
• Founded in 1930.
• New building opened in 2014.

What to see

• Over 50 species of jellyfish.
• About 140 types of fish from the Shonai region.
• Sea lion shows.
• Black-tailed gull feeding shows.

When to go

• Temporarily closed from November 1, 2025.

Official site

kamo-kurage.jp

Read more about Kamo Aquarium

Sakekawa Sports Park offers modern soccer facilities for all ages, funded by sports promotion subsidies.

What it is

• A sports park in Sakekawa Village, Yamagata Prefecture.
• Developed with sports promotion lottery subsidies.
• Received JFA soccer facility improvement subsidies.

What to see

• A large lawn area.
• One artificial turf soccer court for general use.
• Two artificial turf soccer courts for junior use.
• Four night lights for evening play.

Read more about Sakekawa Sports Park

A modern sports park in Nagai City, offering diverse facilities for athletics and recreation.

What it is

• A sports park in Nagai City, Yamagata Prefecture.
• Construction began in 2010 with national subsidies.
• Opened for public use in 2015.

What to see

• A track and field stadium.
• A large lawn area.
• A multi-purpose area.
• Walking courses.

When to go

• Open daily from 9 AM to 9 PM.
• Closed on Wednesdays.

Read more about Lifelong Learning Plaza Sports Park

A botanical garden in Yamagata City with 850 species of wild plants.

What it is

• A botanical garden in Yamagata City.
• Opened in April 1993.
• Covers 26 hectares.
• Operated by Yamagata City Urban Development Public Corporation.

What to see

• 850 species of wild grasses and trees.
• Six main zones.

When to go

• Closed on Mondays.
• Closed from December to March.

Address

〒990-2406　山形県山形市神尾832-3 Map

Official site

www.yasouen.jp

Read more about Yamagata Wild Flower Park