Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Puglia Italy - Matera
Italy • 8 days, 7 nights
Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia
from
Turkmenistan Gates of Hell Darvaza crater
Turkmenistan • 10 days, 9 nights
Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations Â»

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places Â»
Pinal Airpark
Note the chrysanthemum crests.
Hachiman Bridge
Clarendon War Memorial.
Clarendon War Memorial
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Chefs Aruss Lerlerstkull and Atcharaporn Kiatthanawat lean into regional traditions.
Charmgang
The khao soi at Gedhawa comes with a rich, coconutty broth.
Gedhawa
At Nai Mong Hoi Thod, the oyster omelet is worth waiting for.
Nai Mong Hoi Thod
In this deceptively simple dish, top-quality ingredients are paramount.
Kor Panich
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
All Japan Yamagata

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Yamagata

3 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Yamagata, Japan

Updated October 31, 2024

Email
Attractions
Trips
Map
Leaderboards
Hotel Deals

Unusual Attractions in Yamagata

Yamadera, the mountain temple of Yamagata.

Yamagata, Japan

Yamadera Temple Complex

The Buddhist temples of Yamadera, built into a mountain side, feature a viewing deck with sweeping views.
One of the most scenic, yet lesser-visited sights in Yamagata.

Yamagata, Japan

Tarumizu Sanctuary

A sacred place for ascetic training, set in a honeycomb-walled cliffside cave deep in the woods.

Yamagata, Japan

Night-Crying Sumo Wrestlers

A quartet of temple guardian statues that allegedly cry at night for being forbidden from wrestling.
Are we missing something unusual?
Add it!
A closer look at the stone

Shiroishi, Japan

Shinseki Shiroishi (God Stone of Shiroishi)

A town's namesake rock has served as a spiritual matchmaker for hundreds of years.
23 miles from Yamagata
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Hidden Japan: Sado Island, Nara & Kyoto

Explore a different side of Japan.

Book Now

Explore Yamagata, Japan

Temples 2
Buddhism 2

Yamagata Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. Fred Cherrygarden
    2
  2. easydistance
    1
Join the Ranks!
Add an unusual place to Yamagata.

Places Edited

  1. Fred Cherrygarden
    3
  2. Rachel
    1
  3. easydistance
    1
  4. mrarfarf
    1
  5. thegroovenger
    1
Join the Ranks!
Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

  1. Fred Cherrygarden
    3
  2. Forkanature
    2
  3. triplegem
    1
  4. daveyyoung
    1
  5. Shanab327
    1
Join the Ranks!
Visit a place in Yamagata.

Recent Yamagata Activity

  • Forkanature

    has been to Tarumizu Sanctuary

  • jpmarx1995

    wants to go to Night-Crying Sumo Wrestlers

  • johangourdin94

    has been to Tarumizu Sanctuary

  • toochickens

    wants to go to Yamadera Temple Complex

  • toochickens

    wants to go to Tarumizu Sanctuary

Become an Atlas Obscura Member

Join our community of curious explorers.

Learn More

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.