5 Photogenic Scenic Spots in Yamagata | Recommended Instagrammable Natural Landscapes

Yamagata Prefecture is a treasure trove of breathtaking scenery created by its magnificent nature. The landscapes that change their expression with each season are full of moments that make you want to press the shutter. This time, we have carefully selected and present 5 breathtaking spots that are guaranteed to be Instagrammable!

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(1) Zao Okama | A Mystical Crater Lake of Emerald Green

The crater lake "Okama," nestled near the summit of the Zao mountain range, overwhelms onlookers with its mystical emerald green. Because the color of the lake changes from moment to moment depending on the weather and the angle of light, it is a one-of-a-kind breathtaking view where you can never take the same photo twice.

Shooting tips The morning hours on a clear day, when light streams onto the surface of the lake, produce the most beautiful colors, and the water surface sparkles like a jewel. An overhead composition with the surrounding crater rim in the background is recommended. In autumn, the contrast with the autumn leaves is also exceptional.

Access: About 40 minutes by car from the "Yamagata Zao IC" on the Yamagata Expressway, via the Zao Echo Line.

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(2) Yamadera (Risshakuji) | A Fantastical Temple Landscape Spreading Across the Cliffs

Yamadera, where the poet Matsuo Basho composed the verse "Ah, the silence; sinking into the rocks, the cicadas' cry," boasts a stunning visual of temple buildings clinging to a steep rocky mountain. You can capture photogenic shots that make you feel as if you have wandered into another world.

Shooting tips The view looking down from the "Godaido" hall, located halfway up the mountain, is the most breathtaking of breathtaking views. In the early morning, mountain mist drifts about, enveloping the scene in a fantastical atmosphere. The fresh greenery of May and the autumn leaves of October are especially breathtakingly beautiful. Capturing the rock face and buildings in a vertical composition adds to the impact.

Access: About a 5-minute walk from "Yamadera Station" on the JR Senzan Line.

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(3) The Submerged Forest of Lake Shirakawa | A Phantom Scenic View That Appears Only in Spring

At Lake Shirakawa, the water level rises every spring during the snowmelt season, and a "submerged forest" appears, where the trees along the lakeshore look as if they are growing from beneath the water. This sight is a topic of conversation on social media, truly a miraculous scene.

Shooting tips The hours when morning mist appears, from late April to early May, offer peak beauty. A low-angle shot from directly to the side, aiming for the "reflection" of the trees mirrored on the water surface, is the gold standard of photogenic photos. A calm, windless morning is the prime target!

Access: About 30 minutes by car from the "Iide Chuo IC" on the Yamagata Expressway.

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(4) Mount Chokai and Tobishima | A Magnificent Panorama Floating on the Sea of Japan

Also known as "Dewa Fuji," Mount Chokai is one of Yamagata's foremost breathtaking spots, rising against the backdrop of the Sea of Japan. The evening view of Mount Chokai seen from the coastline of Sakata City, where the orange-tinted sky and sea overlap, is so beautiful it gives you goosebumps.

Shooting tips A composition viewing Mount Chokai from near the Jurokurakan rock formations at dusk is popular. A horizontal composition capturing the rocks, the mountain, and the setting sun in a single frame creates an overwhelming presence. From autumn to winter, you can shoot with even clearer air.

Access: About 10 minutes by car from "Kisakata Station" on the JR Uetsu Main Line (toward Kisakata Beach).

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(5) Ginzan Onsen | A Nighttime Streetscape Full of Taisho Romanticism

The finale just has to be here! Ginzan Onsen, with its gas lamps glowing fantastically in the snowscape, has an atmosphere as if you have jumped into the world of an anime. Nighttime photography is especially popular, and it is a place you will want to visit again and again.

Shooting tips The standard approach is to aim head-on at the cluster of inns along the river during the "blue hour" from after sunset until around 9 p.m. During the snowy season in winter, the white of the snow and the orange light match exquisitely, making for an extraordinary shot. Try using a tripod with a slow shutter to express the murmuring of the river as well.

Access: About a 40-minute bus ride from "Oishida Station" on the JR Ou Main Line.

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What did you think of the breathtaking scenery woven by Yamagata's great nature and history? Please come visit in person and capture your very own "photogenic shot." (sparkles)

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\ Hashtags You Can Use for Social Media Posts /

`#YamagataScenery` `#YamagataTravel` `#ZaoOkama` `#Yamadera` `#LakeShirakawaSubmergedForest` `#GinzanOnsen` `#MountChokai` `#YamagataInstagrammable` `#BreathtakingViewsOfJapan` `#GirlsTrip` `#ScenicTrip` `#ConnectWithTravelLovers` `#ConnectWithPhotoLovers` `#TabitabiJAPAN`