Yamagata Extends Direct Bus Services From Sendai Airport

Monday, March 18, 2024

The Yamagata Prefectural Government has announced the resumption of direct bus services between Sendai Airport and Yamagata Prefecture for the cherry blossom season. These services, operated by Yamako Bus Co. Ltd. and Shonai Kotsu Co. Ltd., will also include routes to Shonai (Sakata city) in Yamagata. This development is aimed at providing travelers entering Japan through Sendai Airport with convenient access to Yamagata Prefecture, known for its many famous cherry blossom-viewing spots.

With the cherry blossom season approaching, travelers are encouraged to use these direct bus services to visit Yamagata Prefecture. The prefecture boasts a wealth of stunning cherry blossom-viewing spots, making it an ideal destination for those looking to experience the beauty of Japan in spring. Whether exploring the picturesque landscapes or immersing oneself in the local culture, Yamagata Prefecture offers a memorable experience for visitors during this enchanting season.

Kajo Park ,Yoshiaki Mogami, one of prominent feudal lords in northeastern Japan during the country’s warring states period, played a pivotal role in the construction of “Yamagata Castle.” The castle was designated as a national historic site in 1986 and recognized as one of Japan’s top 100 castles in 2006. It is Yamagata City’s pre-eminent cherry blossom-viewing spot where about 1,500 cherry trees bloom in spring. The “Kajo Cherry Blossom Festival” coincides with the blooming of cherry trees that are lit up at night.

The cherry blossom-viewing season typically spans from early April to mid-April.

“Eboshiyama Park,” overlooking the Okitama Basin, is in the Akayu Onsen hot-spring town, where visitors can enjoy local scenery and views for all four seasons — appreciating cherry blossoms in spring, green leaves in summer, and colored leaves in autumn. The “Akayu Onsen Cherry Blossom Festival” is held from early April to late April every year, with cherry blossoms lit at night. Visitors can leisurely enjoy cherry blossom viewing from the hot spring town while staying there overnight as they can look up at cherry blossoms from the town.

The cherry blossom-viewing season typically occurs from mid-April to late April.

“Hiyoriyama Park,” where the sunset over the Sea of Japan stirs up travelers’ sentiment, is a popular destination for cherry blossom viewing. The “Sakata Hiyoriyama Cherry Blossom Festival” is held every year in mid-April when about 400 cherry trees such as the “Somei-yoshino” variety are in full bloom, with “bonbori” paper lanterns lit up at night. In the park, there is one of the oldest wooden hexagonal lighthouses in Japan, a direction stone, and a half-size replica of a “sengokubune” cargo ship that used to be active in bygone years, among others, creating the atmosphere of a port town.

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