In the weekend event information, we are posting what is scheduled to be held at the moment, but it is possible that the contents will change or that events are cancelled. Please check the official website for the latest information before planning to go.
* Information as of 9:00 on December 27 (Tue.)

Murayama area

1. Yamagata City

・Snow Monsters Light-up

Zao in winter is know for its Snow Monsters, the soft rime ice covered trees found at the top of the mountains.

When lit up they appear fantastically, are just like monsters.

Please enjoy the atmosphere that is a little different from the daytime.

*You may not be able to see the Snow Monsters depending on the weather conditions at the time of your visit.

Date
December 24 (Tue.), 2022 to February 27 (Mon.), 2023
Held during 45 days within that period, please see the detailed information in the link below for the schedule

Hours
17:00~21:00

Ropeway fare
Zao Sanroku Station ⇔ Jizo Sancho Station [round trip]
Adult: 3,500 yen
Child: 1,800 yen

・Rime Fantasy Corridor Tour in a Night Cruiser

Ride a special vehicle with heating, the snowcat vehicle called the Night Cruiser, and experience the lit-up night frost (in winter) and hoarfrost up close on the Rime Fantasy Corridor Tour.

Be sure to take a look at the powerful frost-covered trees approaching.

*You may not be able to see the Snow Monsters depending on the weather conditions at the time of your visit.

Period
December 24 (Tue.), 2022 to February 27 (Mon.), 2023
Held during 45 days within that period, please see the detailed information in the link below for the schedule

Departure time
① 17:00
② 18:00
③ 19:00
*Meet at least 20 minutes before departure

Duration
About 75 minutes (cruiser boarding time is about 30 minutes)

Course
Depart from “Juhyo Kogen Station” ⇒ Turn back at “Top of Sancho Line No. 4 pillar” ⇒ Return to “Jihyo Kogen Station” *Does not go to Jizo Sancho Station

Fee
Adult: 5,500 yen
Child (1 year old to elementary school student): 4,600 yen

* Advance reservation is required

・Former Chitosekan Light-up ~Winter Lights~

The former Chitosekan building is a Japanese-style restaurant that opened in 1876.

The current building was built in 1915 after it was destroyed in the Yakushi Great Fire of Yamagata City.

The restaurant closed in 2021 and is currently managed by Yamagata City.

The old Chitosekan building full of Taisho romance will be lit up in the evening from December 23 (Fri.) to January 10 (Tue.).

Please take a look at this wonderful building which appears fantastically in the snow light.

Period
December 23 (Fri.), 2022 to January 10 (Tue.), 2023

Hours
16:00~23:00

Venue
The front of the old Chitosekan building and the garden
*You cannot enter the building or the garden.

2. Kaminoyama City

・Kaminoyama Castle Climb on New Year's Day

Would you like to see the first sunrise of 2023 from the castle tower of Kaminoyama Castle?

Around 7:30, the sun rises from Mt. Miyoshi, one of the 100 famous mountains in Yamagata.

The first 200 people will receive a commemorative gift (finished as soon as it runs out).

In the museum, a new year’s special exhibition “Calligraphy exhibition of the Kaminoyama feudal lord Fujii Matsudaira family head” is also being held. Please enjoy it together.

Date
January 1 (Sun.), 2023

Hours
7:15~16:00 (last admission 15:30)

Venue
Kaminoyama Castle Local Museum

Admission
Adult: 420 yen
High school and university students: 370 yen
Elementary & junior high school students: 50 yen

* The sunrise is scheduled around 7:30
* Please note that the sunrise may not be visible due to weather

3. Higashine City

・The 6th Higashine WINTER FESTIVAL

The Higashine WINTER FESTIVAL is where sparkling illuminations color the winter sky of Higashine City.

The Christmas Market, which is held every Saturday from December 3 (Sat.) to 24 (Sat.), offers a warm food menu and cute miscellaneous goods, creating a fun time leading up to Christmas.

Please invite your loved ones and go out as many times as you like.

Period
December 3 (Sat.), 2022to January 9 (Mon.), 2023

Illumination hours
17:00~21:30

Venue
Manabia Terrace

Event details
・Illumination
・Christmas Market
・Fruit Kingdom Higashine Passport

4. Sagae City

・The 11th Jionji New Year's Eve Fireworks Festival Setsugetsuka

On the night of New Year’s Eve, winter fireworks will soar over Jionji Temple.

There will be an Instagram photo contest this year.

One grand prize winner will receive goods worth 10,000 yen, and three excellent prize winners will receive goods worth 5,000 yen.

Please come enjoy the festivities!

Date
December 31 (Sat.), 2022

Fireworks launch time
23:40~

Venue
In front of Jionji Activation Center

Event contents
✤ Waka Hanaoka concert
21:50~ & 22:40~

✤ Fireworks Photo Contest
Theme: Photos taken at the 2022 Jionji New Year’s Eve Fireworks Festival
(photos were the fireworks are shown, or taken around the venue)

Submission period
December 31 (Sat.), 2022 to January 10 (Tue.), 2023

Winners announcement
Announced on the official account around the end of January. Direct mail will be sent to the winners individually.

Application
① Come to Jionji New Year’s Eve Fireworks Display
② Use the Instagram app to search for “Jionji New Year’s Eve Fireworks Display” or “zionnji_hanabi” and follow the official account

・Winter events at Jionji Terrace

Winter events that children can enjoy will be held at Jionji Terrace at the Jionji Temple in Sagae City.

There will also be a hands-on experience making popsicle soap and a glowing fan, as well as a collaboration project with “KIDS DOME SORAI” in Tsuruoka City in January.

Cherin will come to Jionji Terrace on December 24 (Sat.), 2022.

Please come enjoy the festivities with your whole family.

Period
December 17 (Sat.), 2022 to March 5 (Sun.), 2023

Hours
9:00~17:00

Venue
Jionji Temple Terrace

Event details
① Challenge from Cherin vol.03
② Winter manufacturing
③ Collaboration project with KIDS DOME SORAI [From January 14, 2023]
④ Plan to open snow play area [scheduled for January]

Temple soba/temple café
✤ Winter limited menu ✤
・ New sweets limited sale on January 7, 8, 14 and 15, 2023
・Limited soft-serve ice cream
・Collaboration menu with Cherin

・Yamagata Sound and Light Fantasia 2022

This year’s Yamagata Sound and Light Fantasia is based on the theme of Forest of Light, and features a 7.5m tall light tree and 600,000 light-emitting flowers.

In addition, colorful photos are also available!

On the event days (December 24, 2022, January 15, 2023 and February 12, 2023), there will be various projects held such as shops, fireworks, and bread festival!

In addition, kitchen cars will open in the venue on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays during the exhibition.

Enjoy the illumination while warming your body with a hot meal.

Period
November 26 (Sat.), 2022 to February 12 (Sun.), 2023

Hours
17:00~22:00

Venue
Mogami River Furusato Comprehensive Park

~ Events during the exhibition ~
Period: November 26 (Sat.) to February 12 (Sun.)
✤ Yamagata Central Exploration Stamp Rally
✤ Yamagata Sound and Light Fantasy 2022 Photo Contest
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Sub Venues
You can enjoy the illumination at the sub-venues as well.
[Sagae City] Road Station Sagae Cherry Land
[Kahoku Town] Benihana Onsen Hinanoyu
[Nishikawa Town] Roadside Station Nishikawa
[Asahi Town] Road Station Asahimachi Apple Forest
[Oe Town] Therme Hakuryo Health Spa Center

Okitama area

5. Yonezawa City

・Roadside Station Yonezawa New Year's first market

Roadside Station Yonezawa will hold its first market of the New Year.

In addition to the annual lucky bag sale, Yonezawa beef and mikan will be sold at a special New Year price.

In addition, amazake will be served from 11:00 and 13:00 each day, limited to 100 people each time.

Please enjoy.

Period
January 1 (Sun.) to January 3 (Tue.), 2023

Venue
Roadside Station Yonezawa

Contents
✤ Free Amazake
Every day from 11:00~ & 13:00~
Limited to 100 people each time
(At the rest space in the center of the building)
****************************************

✤Limited number of fun lucky bags! 
✤ Yonezawa Beef Special Sale! (At the product corner)
✤ Mikan 980 yen per box! (3 days, limited to 100 boxes)

Shonai area

6. Sakata City

・Sakata Yume-no-Kura 2023 New Year's sale event

At Sakata Yume-no-Kura Hananoyakata, you can experience the production at the New Year’s sale event.

In addition to the popular mini tatami decoration table making experience and hina decoration sweets making experience held every year, a new original kokeshi doll painting experience at Posca has been added.

Please come have fun!

Period
January 3 (Tue.) to January 8 (Sun.), 2023

Venue
Sakata Yume-no-Kura, Sankyo Warehouses

Event contents
◎ Experience making a mini tatami decoration stand
◎ Experience painting an original kokeshi doll at Posca
◎ Making decoration sweets for hina dolls

7. Yuza Town

・The 129th Yuzatto Light Truck Market “Toshi-no-Ichi”

Yuzatto Plaza (Yuza Station) will hold the Yuzatto Light Truck Market “Toshi-no-Ichi” at a special booth.

In addition to selling New Year’s soba and agricultural products, sweets and desserts are also sold.

There will be a lottery drawing for customers who purchase more than 500 yen worth of goods.

Date
December 29 (Thu.), 2022

Hours
9:30~10:30

Venue
Yuzatto Plaza (Yuza Station) special booth

Contents
・Fun lottery
・Sales of agricultural products, side dishes, desserts, etc.

8. Recommended activities

9. News from the editorial department

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