The Hidden Japan

As the winter finally releases its snowy hold over Northern Japan, the most beautiful time of the year here is about to begin! From seeing sakura with snowy mountains in the background to mountain harvesting for wild spring vegetables experiences, Spring offers many of our favorite experiences here in Japan. One of our highest recommendations is a kayaking experience through a submerged forest with fresh green leaves on the lake of Shirakawa in the Okitama Region. See more about some of our Spring experiences below. https://thehiddenjapan.com/sunrise-kayak/

The Hanagasa Festival of Yamagata City See the city of Yamagata come alive during its annual Hanagasa Festival on August 5th, 6th, and 7th next month. As one of Japan's premier summer festivals, it is well worth the journey up to see as this region pours its heart and passion out in full display. Read more about this festival in our article below. https://thehiddenjapan.com/hanagasa-festival/

Special cultural opportunity this month. A picturesque hot spring town deep in the mountains of Yamagata called Hijiori Onsen will be hosting its Kaitosai Festival on July 14th and is looking for participants to take part in the rituals. Participants will dress into white shirosozoku robes and carry mikoshi (portable shrines) as they walk through the streets of the small town collecting donations and being splashed with hot spring water by the local residents. You will actively be a part of one of this small communities' most important festivals take part in the after party with food and drinks. Overall its an incredible local experience that our member Derek Yamash*ta has taken part in a few years ago and made this video. He describes it as one of his most special experiences in Japan where you will become a part of a lovely mountain community for a day. Its a day filled with meeting lovely people and a chance to see a side of Japan that even Japanese people may not see in their entire lives. This is open to both Japanese and international people and they asked us if there are any people who want to take part with the few spots they still have open. Please comment below or send us a message if you are interested! Participation fee is 3,500 yen for the rental robes and after party.

Glide through the submerged forests of Yamagata on a special kayaking event we are hosting with the Iide Canoe Club with English guides in April! This incredible phenomena is only available for about one month a year as melting snow builds up huge amounts of water that is later used to fill the vast rice fields in the valleys below. See the event details below. https://fb.me/e/2irGNspjE

In collaboration with Yamagata and Murayama City and its many talented local artisans, we have produced a series of videos showcasing the splendor of this beautiful region of Yamagata that we call home. We are launching a collection of new tours giving our guests the opportunity to work alongside the masters to experience the traditions they have carried and protected for centuries. Check back here for more information on these tours soon!

Some shots of the Hanagasa Festival in Yamagata City last night! This festival will be happening again tonight at 6pm, this is one of the must see attractions for all those who are living in Yamagata.

The 2022 Sakata Firework Festival will take place on August 6th from 7:30pm to 9:00pm in Sakata City. All viewing areas for this festival are reserved seating which must be made in advance. Ticket sales started last week and will sellout soon. The Hidden Japan is part of the event committee for this festival and have central seating reserved for international people living in Japan and Japanese people interested in meeting english speakers. Seats will be 3,000 yen per person and we have about 20 of these seats left. If you would like to reserve a spot here please be sure to make a reservation on the google form here. https://forms.gle/hqi5Lp7u7MpGhFTX7 Also please understand that refunds are not possible. We will be sending out a payment email at a later time. https://www.thehiddenjapan.com/sakatacityfireworkfestival

Looking for an amazing weekend plan? The submerged forests of Yamagata Prefecture feature one of the most beautiful kayak and canoe courses in all of Japan! Available only in the month of May for a short time, this is certainly an experience worthy of making a trip out here for. Look forward to many more adventure tourism posts as we enter into our favorite season here in Yamagata!

As part of our continued effort to make new and exciting tour plans for when Japan reopens, here is a look at our newest catch and cook experience in Tsuruoka City! We will be focusing on adventure tourism from here that brings together outdoor and cultural experiences into an action packed day experiencing Japan like a local. Join Yamagata fishing guide Derek Yamash*ta as he shows you what its like fishing and cooking your catch in the culinary capital of Tsuruoka City recognized as one of the best places in Japan to fish.

Since the start of 2022, we have been part of a team working to produce a documentary about the Yamabushi mountain priests and the sacred Dewa Sanzan Mountains of Yamagata Prefecture. These mountains have formed the backbone of nearly all of the tours we operate here in Northern Japan and are simply a must see for anyone hoping to immerse themselves in the spiritual serenity and soothing nature of this beautiful country. With all that the world has been through these past years, we hope you will consider visiting the Dewa Sanzan and spending time with the Yamabushi priests during your next visit. And before you do, we recommend that you watch the full documentary on Indieflix below. It is entirely free to watch as well! https://watch.indieflix.com/watch/channel/documentaries_movies/movie/cuTTbxoYsaPl-dewa-sanzan-who-will-save-the-sacred-mountains?t=0

Massive earthquake in Japan just now. Above a 7.0 Same epicenter as the 2011 earthquake. Be aware aftershocks are expected. Tsunami advisory in effect along the coastline of Miyagi and Fukushima Prefecture.

A beautiful look at Nachi Falls in Wakayama Prefecture last year in the early Spring. This waterfall has a beautiful 133 meter drop and is one of the highlights of the legendary Kumano Kodo pilgrimage path in Wakayama Prefecture. (Shot by The Hidden Japan with drone permission for the Tokyo Olympic Committee)

Atsumi Turnips in Tsuruoka City

Take a journey to the UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy of Tsuruoka and learn about its famed Atsumi Turnips grown deep in the mountains. In this tour we will be harvesting these turnips and learning about the incredibly specialized techniques needed to produce these one of a kind heirloom crops. We will also visit a tsukemono factory that is over 100 years old to see how they are prepared and finally we will cook them into some delicious fresh dishes! This event is co-led by the Hidden Japan and the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Los Angles, California. Comment at anytime during this live showing and we will be present to answer your questions!

As the fall season hits it peak here in Yamagata Prefecture, now is the perfect time to ride the ropeway up Mt. Zao to view its beautiful fall colors! See our full article on Mt. Zao below. https://www.thehiddenjapan.com/zao

Earlier this year we produced a special collaboration video with Anime Expo in America to introduce the beautiful port city of Sakata and the beautiful maiko teahouse here called Somaro. See our full video on our youtube channel below! https://youtu.be/eFPqD0kXmwU

Zao Onsen in Yamagata Prefecture

Fishing in Yamagata Prefecture

Catching yellowtail in the Port of Sakata. Yamagata is one of Japan's premier fishing destinations where you can catch a huge variety of prized fish right from the shore. Come try fishing here and enjoy your catch prepared by some of the famous chefs of Yamagata through our programs in the link below! https://www.thehiddenjapan.com/seatotable