American publishing large Nationwide Geographic revealed its annual “Better of the World” journey locations final week, and this yr’s checklist contains just one location in Japan. Whereas readers might initially assume that the choice was someplace internationally well-known for its historical past and conventional tradition akin to Kyoto or Nara, the selection is way extra unassuming: Yamagata Prefecture, in Japan’s northeastern Tohoku area.
Yamagata, whose identify is written with kanji which means “mountain form” (山形), was additionally solely certainly one of three areas chosen in Asia–the opposite two being Beijing and Manila. One of many causes it was chosen was as a result of whereas different areas of Japan are presently grappling with overtourism by worldwide guests within the wake of a weak yen, Yamagata stays an off-the-beaten-path vacation spot largely untouched by each home and world vacationers, regardless of being chock-full of breathtaking pure surroundings particularly.
▼ True to its identify, you’ll be able to see mountains from just about anyplace inside the prefecture – together with the capital, Yamagata Metropolis.
One of many prefecture’s hottest localities is the Yamadera mountain temple complicated, the place you’ll be greeted by panoramic vistas if you may make it up the 1,000+ stone steps within the midst of an historical cedar forest.
Mount Zao’s ski resorts, that are house to an uncommon meteorological phenomenon that leads to “snow monsters,” are additionally usually cited together with its pure scorching springs.
Whereas already fairly well-known, Ginzan Onsen skilled some added recognition when it was identified that the Swordsmith Village of standard anime “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” bears fairly some resemblance to it. The recent springs city, with its surviving Taisho period (1912-1926) structure, makes it ethereal at any time of the yr.
The prefecture can also be identified for attracting practitioners of the Shugendo Buddhist folks faith characterised by mountain ascetic practices on the Dewa Sanzan three sacred mountains, which incorporates Mount Haguro’s elegant five-storied pagoda.
That’s nonetheless solely the tip of the iceberg, as a result of there are loads extra causes to go to the prefecture as properly.
Representatives from Yamagata Prefecture have formally responded to Nationwide Geographic‘s choice by stating that they look ahead to extra worldwide vacationers visiting because of the itemizing. As longtime followers of Yamagata Prefecture ourselves, we’re glad to see the rise in long-overdue recognition.
Supply: YBC Yamagata Hoso by way of Yahoo! Japan Information
All photographs © SoraNews24
Learn extra tales from SoraNews24.
— Japan’s submerged forest will get much more stunning with Lake Shirakawa spring light-up occasion【Pics】
— Take pleasure in fall to the fullest by absorbing a splash of colour with autumn leaves and onsen
— Free literal forest bathing in Hokkaido is a scorching spring expertise you’ll always remember【Pictures】
- Exterior Hyperlink
-
https://soranews24.com/2025/10/28/national-geographic-names-yamagata-prefecture-on-its-best-of-the-world-2026-travel-destinations/
© SoraNews24
