The Uesugi Snow Lantern Fesitival 2021 will be held from February 13-14. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there will be entry gates for the festival that visitors must go through before entering. In order to avoid large crowds forming near the gates, we have introduced a reservation system for the festival this year.

There will be two locations that the festival is held at: the first is the area around Uesugi Shrine, and the second is near NaseBA Library.

Instructions in English for how to register can be found here.

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1. Uesugi Shrine (Snow Lanterns)

Make your reservation here -> 

2. NaseBA Library (Bamboo Lights and Candle Zone)

Make your reservation here -> 

- Additional Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival Events -

3. Oshiri Tantei Show: February 14 (Sun.), two performances, held at Yonezawa Community Center (米沢市民文化会館)

Make your reservation here -> 

4. Bushotai and Taiko Performance: February 14 (Sun.), two performances, held at Denkoku no Mori Okitama Cultural Center

Make your reservation here -> 

Inquiries: Please contact tourism@city.yonezawa.yamagata.jp for any inquiries in English. 

Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival Executive Committee Telephone Number: 0238-22-9607

As a sign of good things to come at the ski resort, there has been much snowfall recently. The ski slopes are blanketed in snow and ready for visitors!

Open Hours:

Day skiing: December 26, 2020 - March 28, 2021 (every day)
8:30 - 17:00

Night skiing: December 26, 2020 - February 28, 2021 (every day)
17:00 - 21:00

Times may change due to weather and other unpredictable situations.

Prices:

Day pass:
Adults - 3900 yen
High school students, college students, disabled visitors, and seniors - 3300 yen
Children: 2900 yen

Half-day pass:
Adults - 3600 yen
High school students, college students, disabled visitors, and seniors: 2900 yen
Children: 2500 yen

Night pass:
Adults - 2400 yen
High school students, college students, disabled visitors, and seniors: 2100 yen
Children: 1600 yen

Long night pass:
Adults - 3600 yen
High school students, college students, disabled visitors, and seniors: 2900 yen
Children: 2500 yen

Rentals are also available for skis and snowboards.

Inquiries:
Yonezawa Snow World
Yamagata-ken, Yonezawa-shi, Banseicho, Kariyasu, Tochidaira Michishimo 24266-1
Phone number: 0238-28-2511

Please check the Yonezawa Snow World website for more information. (Japanese)

Thank you for your patience! The Tengendai Ski Resort is open as of December 5 (Sat.)! The Ski Resort will be holding many events this year as well, so please take a look below.

• Winter Mountain Safety Prayer Festival
Time: December 4 (Fri.), starting at 10:00
Location: Tengendai

* The ski slopes will open after the commencement of the festival!
* A special fee on the ropeway/lifts during the day of the festival only!

• Winter Sports First-Timers Campaign
Time: Every day from the opening of the Ski Resort until December 18 (Fri.) 

* Every visitor who is skiing or snowboarding for the first time will receive a present! The Resort will be giving a 20% off coupon valid for the next ski/snowboarding session to first-timers at Yumoto Station (where the ropeway is located).

• Tengendai Kogen Snowshoe Tour
Time: Every day during December 12 (Sat.) - February 28 (Sun.)

* Participants in this tour will go to an elevation of 1350 meters! Visitors can trek the snow fields of Tengendai in snowshoes and enjoy the panoramic view of Yamagata’s Five Famous Mountains and Yonezawa Basin.

• New Year Countdown and a Visit to Tengendai Shrine
Time: December 31 (Thurs.) (Participation is free!)

A countdown celebration for those staying the night at a lodging near Ropeway Tengendai Kogen Station. Participants who visit Tengendai Shrine will be provided with sake and tama konnyaku, and a talisman lottery drawing will be held.

• New Year Celebration Event
Time: January 1 (Fri., holiday) - January 3 (Sun.)
(Participation is free!)

Visitors can enjoy mochi pounding and a treasure hunt at this event. Tama konnyaku and local specialties will be available for guests to eat as well! Additionally, lucky bags (fukubukuro) filled with quality Yonezawa products will be available for purchase at Yumoto Station.

• Introducing Snow Tractor Tours!
Time: January - February, every Saturday and Sunday
Saturday nights (besides January 2): Azuma Snow Monster Night Tour
Sunday mornings (besides January 3): Powder Run! Tsugamori Eastern Wall Area Tour

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Inquiries: 
Tengendai Kogen
Shirabu Onsen Tengendai, Yonezawa-shi
Phone number: 0238-55-2236

* For more information, please visit the Tengendai official website (Japanese)
* Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, contents may be subject to change, and entry restrictions may be put in place

Michi no Eki Yonezawa will be holding Customer Appreciation Days in order to show gratitude toward visitors! These days will be from November 21 (Sat.) to November 23 (Mon., holiday).

From November 21-23, a raffle will be held at the produce/goods register, as well as at Gyubitei and each store at the food court. Upon making a purchase, visitors will have the chance to pull a raffle ticket for a food coupon or souvenir. (And the best part -- every raffle ticket is a winner!)

Please visit Michi no Eki Yonezawa during the raffle period and give it a shot!

Time: November 21 (Sat.), 22 (Sun.), 23 (Mon., holiday) 9:00-18:00

Inquiries: Michi no Eki Yonezawa
Phone number: 0238-40-8400

* For further information, please check the Michi no Eki Yonezawa website.

Autumn colors are on display again this year at Tengendai and Nishi Azuma! Come enjoy a relaxing walk while viewing the beautiful colors.

The information regarding viewing times will be updated accordingly.

For more information, please visit the Tengendai website.

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Tengendai / Nishi Azuma Autumn Colors Calendar (As of October 27)

1 - Not yet

2 - Has begun

3 - Full autumn colors

4 - Leaves have fallen, best viewing time has passed

Note: The ropeway will run until November 3 (Tues.). The Summer Mountain Lift has stopped its service.

Locations:

Nishi Azuma (2035m)

Ningyo-ishi (1964m) - 4.

Hokubodai (1820m) (Summit lift) - 4.

Naka Azuma Viewing Area (1450m) (Myodosawa Valley) - 4.

Hinohoe Waterfall Viewing Area (1350m) (Tengendai) - 4.

The view of the foot of the mountain from Tengendai is recommended.

Ropeway (1126m) (Shin Takayu Onsen) - 3.

The view of the foot of the mountain from Tengendai is recommended.

Shirabu / Yumoto Station (920m) (Shirabu Onsen) - 3.

Best Viewing Time Forecast: Now!