Yamagata Prefecture

is a prefecture of Japan. It is part of the Tōhoku region on the island of Honshu. Its capital is Yamagata.

## History

The aboriginal  people once lived in the area now known as Yamagata.

Yamagata was part of Dewa Province until the Meiji Restoration.

This area was called "Yamagata" for the first time in the Heian period. However, different characters were used to write it. The reason why this area was called Yamagata is not clear. In the Nanboku-chō period, Yamagata was written in the same kanji that it is today.

## Geography

Yamagata Prefecture is located in the southwest corner of Tōhoku. It faces the Sea of Japan. It borders Niigata Prefecture and Fukushima Prefecture on the south, Miyagi Prefecture on the east, and Akita Prefecture on the north.

The Mogami and the Zaou are the two major rivers in the prefecture.

### Cities

Thirteen cities are located in Yamagata Prefecture:

### National parks

National parks cover about 17% of the total land area of the prefecture. They include:
- Bandai-Asahi National Park

## Shrines and temples

_Ōmonoimia jinja_ is the main Shinto shrine (_ichinomiya_) in the prefecture.

## Economy

Yamagata is a farming area. It grows the most cherries and pears in the country. Over 70 percent of cherries in Japan are grown in Yamagata. Growing apples is important around the city of Yonezawa. The safflower is a symbol of Yamagata Prefecture. The number of farms growing safflower have steadily decreased since the 18th century. Yonezawa beef is bred in Yonezawa city. It is one of the most famous varieties of beef in Japan. Yonezawa is also known for its soba noodles.

Shogi (Japanese chess) pieces are made in the city of Tendo. The pieces are carved from wood.

## Festivals

Hanagasa festival has been held since 1963 and is one of the major festivals in the Tohoku region. At the festival, the dancers dance with "Hanagasa" which is a hat decorated with red flowers. Uesugi snow lantern festival is held on the second weekend of February. The candles in more than 300 snow lanterns and 3,000 snow lamps are lit up.

## Related pages

- Provinces of Japan
- Prefectures of Japan
- List of regions of Japan
- List of islands of Japan
- Montedio Yamagata

## Other websites

- http://www.pref.yamagata.jp/ou/shokokanko/110012/kokusai/english/eindex.html ; [http://www.pref.yamagata.jp/ ]
- Weather in Yamagata City
- Yamagata Museum of Art
- Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival
- Japan Guide

## Infobox (settlement)

- **name**: Yamagata
- **native name**: 山形県
- **native name lang**: ja
- **settlement type**: Prefectures of Japan, Prefecture
- **translit lang1**: Japanese
- **translit lang1 type**: Romaji
- **translit lang1 info**: Yamagata-ken
- **image flag**: Flag of Yamagata Prefecture.svg
- **image seal**: Emblem of Yamagata Prefecture.svg
- **seal type**: Symbol
- **image map**: Map_of_Japan_with_highlight_on_06_Yamagata_prefecture.svg
- **map caption**: Location of Yamagata in Japan
- **subdivision type**: Country
- **subdivision type1**: Regions of Japan, Region
- **subdivision name1**: Tōhoku region, Tōhoku
- **subdivision type2**: Island
- **subdivision name2**: Honshu
- **seat type**: Capital
- **seat**: Yamagata, Yamagata, Yamagata
- **leader title**: Governor
- **leader name**: Mieko Yoshimura
- **area total km2**: 9,323.34
- **area rank**: 9th
- **population as of**: October 1, 2012
- **population total**: 1,151,863
- **population rank**: 35rd
- **population density km2**: auto
- **iso code**: JP-06
- **blank name sec1**: Prefectural flower
- **blank info sec1**: Safflower (_Carthamus tinctorius_)
- **blank1 name sec1**: Prefectural tree
- **blank1 info sec1**: Cherry
- **blank2 name sec1**: Prefectural bird
- **blank2 info sec1**: Mandarin duck (_Aix galericulata_)
- **blank3 name sec1**: Prefectural bird
- **blank3 info sec1**: Oncorhynchus masou, Cherry salmon (_Oncorhynchus masou_)
- **blank name sec2**: Number of districts
- **blank info sec2**: 8
- **blank1 name sec2**: Number of municipalities
- **blank1 info sec2**: 35
- **website**: [http://www.pref.yamagata.jp/english/index-e.html http://www.pref.yamagata.jp/
english/]