What is Yamagata like?

[Senbee]

Hi everyone. This summer I am going on a 3 week Japanese exchange. We will be staying half a week in Tokyo, half a week in Kyoto and the other 2 weeks on the country side of Yamagata. I wonder if anyone has been there or heard of Yamagata. I would really appreciate to hear about what you think of it.

Thank You

Senbee

[Nagoyankee]

I've been to Yamagata a few times. Like many other prefectures of Japan, Yamagata has a few larger cities and many small towns. If you go to the City of Yamagata, it's like other big cities all over Japan. On the country side, however, it's basically mountains, rice paddies, and orchards. Yamagata is known as the 'fruit heaven' to the rest of Japan. It produces excellent cherries, pears, apples, peaches, etc. as well as a popular brand rice named Hitomebore.

People there may be a bit more reserved than in Tokyo or other prefectures in central Japan. But they are very nice and friendly in general. They speak with a huge accent when they talk to each other. But they will talk to you in near-standard Japanese (if you speak any Japanese).

I'm pretty sure that you will have an easier time making friends in Yamagata than in , say, Tokyo. Time somehow flows more slowly there, and people seem to have more time to spend with one another.

[Raisthlin]

i havent been there yet. but im leaving in a week for a whole month and im planning 2-3 days around Yamagata. Make sure to check out Yamadera and Dewa-senzan which are both temple complex built on mountain. Yamadera main hall is even supposed to be carved directly in the rock. Other then that i dont know about the locals or the life there. seeya!

[Senbee]

Wow thanks a lot for the help. It sounds great. I am going to the country side so I am very glad to see a different aspect of Japan. I speak a little Japanese so I will probably have to communicate with my hands somehowe\ haha.

Thanks a lot for the descriptions of Yamagata

Senbee