The Nihon Geinou Shrine, located on the premises of Atago Shrine, will be holding its yearly festival and Tamagaki Fence Unveiling Ceremony on 18th June 2023 (Sunday).

Kimura Tosuke, an art dealer from Yonezawa who set up the Hagurodou art gallery in Tokyo in 1936, believed in using the arts to connect with the future, and that a shrine needed to be constructed in Yonezawa not only for that purpose, but for those who share the same beliefs as well. Ban Junzaburo, a fellow Yonezawa-born talent, echoed his sentiments and in 1976, they established the Nihon Geinou Shrine in the Atago Shrine’s premises which overlooks the streets of Yonezawa city.
This was the same shrine where Uesugi Yozan himself once performed a rain dance. Befitting its creators’ sentiments, the Nihon Geinou Shrine’s name means “Japanese Arts Shrine”.

Tamagaki Fence Unveiling Ceremony

Date: 18th June 2023 (Sunday)
Time: 10:00 am

The festival, consisting of a cleansing ritual, will begin after the Unveiling Ceremony concludes.

Venue

Atago Shrine

1479-1 Toyama-machi, Yonezawa-shi, Yamagata
TEL: 0238-23-3268
 

The Onogawa Onsen Firefly Festival is starting very soon! If you’re here for the summer, make sure not to miss out on this absolute highlight of the night! You can see different types of fireflies depending on when you visit, so keep your eyes peeled when you stop by!

Firefly Viewing Period

Mid-June to Mid-July

Time: 8:00 pm ~ 9:00 pm

Venue: Onogawa Onsen Firefly Park

Notes for Viewing

-    Do not use flash photography or lights
-    Do not capture or touch the fireflies
-    Take any rubbish back with you
-    Keep quiet, do not be noisy

Firefly Guides

A tour guide from the onsen town will guide you to the prime viewing spots for fireflies.

Duration: 30 minutes
Available Days: 17th June 2023 ~ 17th July 2023, every Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Time: 8:00 pm onwards

* Firefly guide services will be closed on 2nd July (Sunday) for the Firefly Festival.

Firefly Festival

Date: 2nd July 2023 (Sunday)
Time: 6:00 pm ~ 9:00 pm

The comedy duo, Slim Club, are guest stars for the festival.

Food Truck availability

If you need to grab a bite while you’re out, make sure to stop by on these dates!

Dates: 24th June (Saturday), 25th June (Sunday), 1st July (Saturday), 8th July (Saturday), 9th July (Sunday)

Venue: Firefly Park

For more information, check out this poster (Japanese)
 

Born in Yonezawa, Imaizumi Atsuo (1902-1984) was an art critic who served as the first deputy director of the Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo and the first director of the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto in his lifetime. This exhibit features his many illustrious achievements through the works of artists with connections to him and his very own comments.

Exhibition Period

8th July 2023 (Saturday) ~ 20th August 2023 (Sunday)

* Closed on 26th July 2023 (Wednesday)

Opening Hours

9:00 am ~ 5:00 pm (Last entry at 4:30 pm)

Entry Fees

Regular – 490 (390) yen

High school and University students – 340 (270) yen

Elementary and Middle school students – 240 (190) yen

* Prices in brackets apply to groups of 20 people or more.

Gallery Talk (Registration not required)

Explanation of the exhibition by the curator in charge

Date: 8th July 2023 (Saturday)

Time: 2:00 pm

Venue: Special Exhibition Room

* You must pay for entry to the exhibit.

Lecture (Free Registration Required)

Title: Recalling the Memories of My Father, Hourin, and Imaizumi Atsuo

Speaker: Fukuoji Kazuhiko

Date: 15th July 2023 (Saturday)

Time: 2:00 pm ~ 3:30 pm

Venue: Denkoku no Mori Grand Meeting Room (2nd Floor)

Capacity: 120 people

* Registration begins from 6th June 2023 (Tuesday), 9:00 am.

Night Tour (Registration required)

A leisurely guided night tour through the exhibit, complete with explanations!

Date: 28th July 2023 (Friday)

Time: 7:00 pm ~ 8:30 pm

Capacity: 20 people (A parent/guardian must accompany participants of middle school age and below)

Participation Fee: 500 yen

* Registration begins from 28th June 2023 (9:00 am)

Contact

Yonezawa City Uesugi Museum

〒992-0052

1-2-1 Marunouchi, Yonezawa-shi, Yamagata

TEL: 0238-26-8001

FAX: 0238-26-2660
 

Camp in the great outdoors 1,350 m above ground! Kick back and feast your eyes on mesmerizing natural views the likes of which you’ve never seen exclusive only to the adventurous spirits who make their way up Tengendai Kogen!

Unequipped for the journey? Fret not, because all required camping equipment is included in the camp packages! You can even rent additional trekking equipment and book a guided trek for your trip if you’d like to explore the mountain routes!

Camp spaces are limited, so make your bookings early to avoid any disappointments!

Promotion Period

17th June 2023 (Saturday) ~ 22nd October 2023 (Sunday)

For more information (rental prices, camp package prices etc.) please refer to this website.

* Free for children below elementary school age
* Ropeway and lift tickets are sold separately.

Contact

Tengendai Kogen (Japanese)

〒992-1461
Shirabu Onsen Tengendai, Yonezawa-shi, Yamagata

TEL: 0238-55-2236
FAX: 0238-55-2127
 

The Yakushi Triad is a common sculptural depiction of the Buddha, Yakushi Nyorai, as the central figure accompanied by his attendants, Nikko Bosatsu and Gakko Bosatsu, on his right and left respectively. Yakushi Nyorai is said to ward off any and all forms of disease, and he is distinguished by his signature medicine jar in his left hand.

This particular triad once belonged to Dainichiji temple, one of four temples located at the historically revered Mount Yudono. It was relocated in an effort to evade destruction from the anti-Buddhist movement (haibutsu kishaku) in the Meiji period. The triad will be available for public viewing for the first time in over a hundred years from June to September 2023!

Stop by, make a prayer, and maybe take a dip in the nearby hot springs at Onogawa Onsen too!

Viewing Period

1st June 2023 (Thursday) ~ 30th September 2023 (Saturday)

Visiting Hours: 9:00 am ~ 4:00 pm

* Please approach the reception counter if you wish to view the Yakushi Triad

Location

Kinoene Daikokuten Honzan Hojuji Temple

2580 Onogawa-machi, Yonezawa-shi, Yamagata

Fees

Individuals – 300 yen
Groups (15 pax and above) – 200 yen

Free entry for children of middle school age and below

Goshuin Information

Goshuin are stamps that were traditionally handwritten by the shrine or temple monks for the visitor as proof of their visit.

A limited edition goshuin drawn using gold ink will be distributed during this period. It also provides the visitor with blessings of longevity and good health.

Special Night Viewing – Benevolence Bathed in Lights

Stop by at night on the following weekends for a wholly illuminated view of the sculptures!

Viewing Days (Weekends)

15 and 16 July, 29 and 30 July, 5 and 6 August, 19 and 20 August, 2 and 3 September, 16 and 17 September, 30 September

Visiting hours: 7:00 pm ~ 9:00 pm

Fees

Individuals – 500 yen

Groups (15 pax and above) – 300 yen

Free entry for children of middle school age and below

Goshuin Information

A limited edition goshuin drawn using silver ink will be distributed only on night viewing days. Like the gold version, it provides the visitor with blessings of longevity and good health.

Contact

Kinoene Daikokuten Honzan Hojuji temple

〒992-0076
2580 Onogawa-machi, Yonezawa-shi, Yamagata
TEL: 0238-32-2929 (Japanese)

Check out the webpage (Japanese) for more information.