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Coordinates: 38°15′19.5″N 140°20′22.6″E / 38.255417°N 140.339611°E / 38.255417; 140.339611
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{{About|the city in Japan|the prefecture with the same name where this city is located|Yamagata Prefecture|other uses|Yamagata (disambiguation)}}
{{Distinguish|Yamagata, Gifu}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->| name = {{raise|0.2em|Yamagata}}
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->| name = Yamagata
| native_name = {{lower|0.1em|{{nobold|{{lang|ja|山形市}}}}}}
| native_name = {{nobold|{{lang|ja|山形市}}}}
| official_name =
| official_name =
| settlement_type = [[Core cities of Japan|Core city]]
| settlement_type = [[Core cities of Japan|Core city]]
<!-- images, nickname, motto -->
<!-- images, nickname, motto -->
| image_skyline = Yamagata city downtown.jpg
| image_skyline = Yamagata Montage.jpg
| imagesize =
| imagesize =
| image_alt =
| image_alt =
| image_caption = '''Above''':View of [[:ja:霞城公園|Kajō Park]] and [[Mogami Yoshiaki|Statue of Yoshiaki Mogami]], '''Middle''':[[Yamagata Hanagasa Festival]], [[Yama-dera]] (Risshaku Temple), '''Bottom''':[[Zaō Onsen|Zaō Spa]], [[:ja:文翔館|Yamagata Prefectural Folk Museum]] (all items from left to right)
| image_caption = Downtown Yamagata, on the Yamagataekimae Ōdōri (Prefectural Road 16)
| image_flag = Flag of Yamagata, Yamagata.svg
| image_flag = Flag of Yamagata, Yamagata.svg
| flag_alt =
| flag_alt =
Line 55: Line 55:
<!-- area -->| area_magnitude = <!-- use only to set a special wikilink -->
<!-- area -->| area_magnitude = <!-- use only to set a special wikilink -->
| area_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| area_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| area_total_km2 = 381.58
| area_total_km2 = 381.30
| area_land_km2 =
| area_land_km2 =
| area_water_km2 =
| area_water_km2 =
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| elevation_m = <!-- population -->
| elevation_m = <!-- population -->
| population_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| population_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| population_total = 248772
| population_total = 242505
| population_as_of = February 1, 2020
| population_as_of = August 1, 2023
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_est =
| population_est =
| pop_est_as_of =
| pop_est_as_of =
| population_demonym = <!-- demonym, ie. Liverpudlian for someone from Liverpool -->
| population_demonym = <!-- demonym, i.e. Liverpudlian for someone from Liverpool -->
| population_note = <!-- time zone(s) -->
| population_note = <!-- time zone(s) -->
| timezone1 = [[Japan Standard Time]]
| timezone1 = [[Japan Standard Time]]
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| footnotes =
| footnotes =
}}
}}
[[File:Yamagata City Hall.jpg|right|270px|thumb|Yamagata city hall]]
[[File:220430 Yamagata City Hall Yamagata Yamagata pref Japan01s3.jpg|thumb|Yamagata city hall]]
[[File:Yamagata city downtown.jpg|thumb|Downtown Yamagata, on the Yamagataekimae Ōdōri (Prefectural Road 16)]]

{{Nihongo|'''Yamagata'''|山形市|Yamagata-shi|extra={{IPA-ja|jamaꜜɡata|lang}}}} is the capital [[Cities of Japan|city]] of [[Yamagata Prefecture]] located in the [[Tōhoku region]] of northern [[Japan]]. {{As of|2020|02|01}}, the city had an estimated [[population]] of 248,772 in 103,165 households,<ref>[http://www.city.yamagata-yamagata.lg.jp/kakuka/kikaku/kikaku/sogo/gazoufile/toukei/suikei/pf0510113703/b7k5if.pdf Yamagata City official statistics] {{in lang|ja}}</ref> and a [[population density]] of 650 persons per km². The total area of the city is {{convert|381.58|km²|0|abbr=out}}.
{{Nihongo|'''Yamagata'''|山形市|Yamagata-shi|extra={{IPA-ja|jamaꜜɡata|lang}}}} is the capital [[Cities of Japan|city]] of [[Yamagata Prefecture]] located in the [[Tōhoku region]] of northern [[Japan]]. {{As of|2023|08|01}}, the city had an estimated [[population]] of 242,505 in 103,165 households,<ref>[http://www.city.yamagata-yamagata.lg.jp/kakuka/kikaku/kikaku/sogo/gazoufile/toukei/suikei/pf0510113703/b7k5if.pdf Yamagata City official statistics] {{in lang|ja}}</ref> and a [[population density]] of 636 persons per km². The total area of the city is {{convert|381.58|km²|0|abbr=out}}.


==Geography==
==Geography==
Yamagata is located in the southern portion of the Yamagata Basin in southeast Yamagata Prefecture. The northern and northwestern parts of the city are flatland, and the eastern part of the city is occupied by the [[Ōu Mountains]]. The city includes [[Mount Zaō]] within its borders. The Mamigasaki River passes through the city, and the Tachiyagawa River forms the border between Yamagata and Tendō.
Yamagata is in the southern portion of the Yamagata Basin in southeast Yamagata Prefecture. The northern and northwestern parts of the city are flatland, and the eastern part of the city is occupied by the [[Ōu Mountains]]. The city includes [[Mount Zaō]] within its borders. The Mamigasaki River passes through the city, and the Tachiyagawa River forms the border between Yamagata and Tendō.


===Neighboring municipalities===
===Neighboring municipalities===
Line 118: Line 118:
**[[Kawasaki, Miyagi|Kawasaki]]
**[[Kawasaki, Miyagi|Kawasaki]]


==Demographics==
===Climate===
Per Japanese census data,<ref>[https://www.citypopulation.de/php/japan-yamagata.php Yamagata population statistics]</ref> the population of Yamagata has remained steady over the past 40 years.

{{Historical populations
| 1960 | 188,560
| 1970 | 204,127
| 1980 | 237,041
| 1990 | 249,487
| 2000 | 255,369
| 2010 | 254,244
| 2020 | 248,772
|align = none
| footnote =
}}

==Climate==
Yamagata has a [[Humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Dfa'') with large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. Precipitation is significant throughout the year, but is heaviest from July to September. The average annual temperature in Yamagata is {{convert|11.7|°C}}. The average annual rainfall is {{convert|1163|mm|in}} with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around {{convert|25|°C}}, and lowest in January, at around {{convert|-0.4|°C}}.<ref>[https://en.climate-data.org/asia/japan/yamagata/yamagata-5500/ Yamagata climate data]</ref> Yamagata city is part of the heavy snow area of Japan (Gosetsu chitai, {{lang|ja|豪雪地帯}}) with snowfall most days throughout the winter season.
Yamagata has a [[Humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Dfa'') with large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. Precipitation is significant throughout the year, but is heaviest from July to September. The average annual temperature in Yamagata is {{convert|11.7|°C}}. The average annual rainfall is {{convert|1163|mm|in}} with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around {{convert|25|°C}}, and lowest in January, at around {{convert|-0.4|°C}}.<ref>[https://en.climate-data.org/asia/japan/yamagata/yamagata-5500/ Yamagata climate data]</ref> Yamagata city is part of the heavy snow area of Japan (Gosetsu chitai, {{lang|ja|豪雪地帯}}) with snowfall most days throughout the winter season.


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{{Weather box
{{Weather box
|width = auto
|width = auto
|collapsed = Y
|location = Yamagata, Yamagata (1981-2010)
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
|single line = Y
|Jan high C = 3.1
|metric first = Y
|location = Yamagata (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1889−present)
|Feb high C = 4.0
|Mar high C = 8.4
|Jan record high C = 18.1
|Apr high C = 16.2
|Feb record high C = 17.3
|May high C = 22.0
|Mar record high C = 23.7
|Jun high C = 25.4
|Apr record high C = 33.3
|Jul high C = 28.4
|May record high C = 34.1
|Aug high C = 30.4
|Jun record high C = 37.5
|Sep high C = 25.2
|Jul record high C = 40.8
|Oct high C = 19.0
|Aug record high C = 39.0
|Nov high C = 12.2
|Sep record high C = 36.6
|Dec high C = 6.4
|Oct record high C = 32.3
|year high C =
|Nov record high C = 26.9
|Jan mean C = -0.4
|Dec record high C = 20.6
|Feb mean C = 0.1
|Jan record low C = -20.0
|Mar mean C = 3.5
|Feb record low C = -19.0
|Apr mean C = 10.1
|Mar record low C = -15.5
|May mean C = 15.7
|Apr record low C = -7.3
|Jun mean C = 19.8
|May record low C = -1.8
|Jul mean C = 23.3
|Jun record low C = 3.0
|Aug mean C = 24.9
|Jul record low C = 6.7
|Sep mean C = 20.1
|Aug record low C = 8.4
|Oct mean C = 13.6
|Sep record low C = 3.0
|Nov mean C = 7.4
|Oct record low C = -2.4
|Dec mean C = 2.6
|Nov record low C = -7.2
|year mean C =
|Dec record low C = -15.0
|Jan low C = −3.4
|Feb low C = −3.3
|Mar low C = −0.7
|Apr low C = 4.5
|May low C = 10.1
|Jun low C = 15.2
|Jul low C = 19.4
|Aug low C = 20.7
|Sep low C = 16.2
|Oct low C = 9.2
|Nov low C = 3.2
|Dec low C = −0.7
|year low C =
|precipitation colour = green
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 83.0
|Jan precipitation mm = 87.8
|Feb precipitation mm = 62.7
|Feb precipitation mm = 63.0
|Mar precipitation mm = 68.6
|Mar precipitation mm = 72.1
|Apr precipitation mm = 68.4
|Apr precipitation mm = 63.9
|May precipitation mm = 75.4
|May precipitation mm = 74.5
|Jun precipitation mm = 110.5
|Jun precipitation mm = 104.8
|Jul precipitation mm = 157.0
|Jul precipitation mm = 187.2
|Aug precipitation mm = 150.8
|Aug precipitation mm = 153.0
|Sep precipitation mm = 127.2
|Sep precipitation mm = 123.8
|Oct precipitation mm = 92.4
|Oct precipitation mm = 105.1
|Nov precipitation mm = 84.5
|Nov precipitation mm = 74.4
|Dec precipitation mm = 82.7
|Dec precipitation mm = 97.2
|year precipitation mm = 1206.7
|Jan snow cm = 148
|Feb snow cm = 125
|Jan mean C = -0.1
|Mar snow cm = 57
|Feb mean C = 0.4
|Apr snow cm = 3
|Mar mean C = 4.0
|May snow cm = 0
|Apr mean C = 10.2
|Jun snow cm = 0
|May mean C = 16.2
|Jul snow cm = 0
|Jun mean C = 20.3
|Aug snow cm = 0
|Jul mean C = 23.9
|Sep snow cm = 0
|Aug mean C = 25.0
|Oct snow cm = 0
|Sep mean C = 20.6
|Nov snow cm = 10
|Oct mean C = 14.1
|Dec snow cm = 77
|Nov mean C = 7.7
|Dec mean C = 2.4
|year mean C = 12.1
|Jan high C = 3.3
|Feb high C = 4.4
|Mar high C = 9.1
|Apr high C = 16.4
|May high C = 22.6
|Jun high C = 25.9
|Jul high C = 29.1
|Aug high C = 30.5
|Sep high C = 25.8
|Oct high C = 19.5
|Nov high C = 12.6
|Dec high C = 6.1
|year high C = 17.1
|Jan low C = -3.1
|Feb low C = -3.1
|Mar low C = -0.3
|Apr low C = 4.7
|May low C = 10.7
|Jun low C = 15.7
|Jul low C = 20.0
|Aug low C = 20.9
|Sep low C = 16.6
|Oct low C = 9.8
|Nov low C = 3.6
|Dec low C = -0.7
|year low C = 7.9
|Jan humidity = 81
|Jan humidity = 81
|Feb humidity = 77
|Feb humidity = 77
|Mar humidity = 69
|Mar humidity = 69
|Apr humidity = 62
|Apr humidity = 62
|May humidity = 65
|May humidity = 64
|Jun humidity = 72
|Jun humidity = 71
|Jul humidity = 77
|Jul humidity = 76
|Aug humidity = 75
|Aug humidity = 75
|Sep humidity = 77
|Sep humidity = 77
|Oct humidity = 77
|Oct humidity = 77
|Nov humidity = 78
|Nov humidity = 78
|Dec humidity = 80
|Dec humidity = 81
|Jan snow days = 26.6
|year humidity = 74
|Feb snow days = 22.2
|Jan sun = 79.6
|Mar snow days = 16.5
|Feb sun = 99.6
|Apr snow days = 2.5
|Mar sun = 140.4
|May snow days = 0
|Apr sun = 175.9
|Jun snow days = 0
|May sun = 196.5
|Jul snow days = 0
|Jun sun = 165.0
|Aug snow days = 0
|Jul sun = 144.5
|Sep snow days = 0
|Aug sun = 171.8
|Oct snow days = 0
|Sep sun = 136.6
|Nov snow days = 4.2
|Dec snow days = 18.5
|Jan sun = 84.8
|Feb sun = 98.9
|Mar sun = 140.3
|Apr sun = 176.1
|May sun = 191.5
|Jun sun = 158.8
|Jul sun = 143.7
|Aug sun = 178.4
|Sep sun = 128.7
|Oct sun = 132.1
|Oct sun = 132.1
|Nov sun = 99.2
|Nov sun = 102.2
|Dec sun = 80.7
|Dec sun = 73.8
|year sun = 1617.9
|source 1 = [http://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/nml_sfc_ym.php?prec_no=35&block_no=47588&year=&month=&day=&view= Japan Meteorological Agency ]
|Jan snow cm = 103
|Feb snow cm = 79
|Mar snow cm = 35
|Apr snow cm = 2
|May snow cm = 0
|Jun snow cm = 0
|Jul snow cm = 0
|Aug snow cm = 0
|Sep snow cm = 0
|Oct snow cm = 0
|Nov snow cm = 4
|Dec snow cm = 66
|year snow cm = 285
|unit precipitation days = 0.5 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 18.6
|Feb precipitation days = 14.9
|Mar precipitation days = 14.5
|Apr precipitation days = 11.2
|May precipitation days = 10.2
|Jun precipitation days = 11.1
|Jul precipitation days = 14.1
|Aug precipitation days = 11.5
|Sep precipitation days = 11.9
|Oct precipitation days = 11.9
|Nov precipitation days = 14.2
|Dec precipitation days = 17.8
|year precipitation days = 162.1
|source 1 = Japan Meteorological Agency<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/index.php?prec_no=35&block_no=47588&year=&month=&day=&view=
|script-title=ja:気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値）
| publisher = [[Japan Meteorological Agency]]
| access-date = May 19, 2021}}</ref>
}}
}}


==Demographics==
* Yamagata registered the highest temperature ever recorded in Japan ({{convert|40.8|C|disp=or}} on July 25, 1933) until the record was broken by two cities ({{convert|40.9|C|disp=or}} in [[Kumagaya, Saitama]] and [[Tajimi, Gifu]]) on August 16, 2007<ref>河北新報 (Kahoku Shimpō newspaper) page 1; August 17, 2007.</ref>
Per Japanese census data,<ref>[https://www.citypopulation.de/php/japan-yamagata.php Yamagata population statistics]</ref> the population of Yamagata has remained relatively steady over the past 40 years.

{{Historical populations
| 1960 | 188,560
| 1970 | 204,127
| 1980 | 237,041
| 1990 | 249,487
| 2000 | 255,369
| 2010 | 254,244
| 2020 | 247,590
|align = none
| footnote =
}}


==History==
==History==
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==Culture==
==Culture==

===Local events===
===Local events===
*{{nihongo|[[Yamagata Hanagasa Festival]]|花笠祭り|Hanagasa Matsuri}} - one of [[Tōhoku region|Tōhoku]]'s major summer festivals, is held in the city every August 5, 6 and 7. Yamagata also hosts the bi-annual [[Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival]]. An autumn tradition is ''Imoni-kai'' (taro potato party). Taro potatoes, thin-sliced meat, and vegetables are cooked in a large pot at picnic spots. The banks of the Mamigasaki River are popular. Once a year, on the first Sunday in September, the city government serves thousands of bowls from its giant iron pot, which is serviced by a building crane. In 2009, 30,000 servings were prepared and served, and still a crowd waited in line.<ref>Yamagata Shinbun Newspaper, Sept.7, 2009</ref>
*{{nihongo|[[Yamagata Hanagasa Festival]]|花笠祭り|Hanagasa Matsuri}} - one of [[Tōhoku region|Tōhoku]]'s major summer festivals, is held in the city every August 5, 6 and 7. Yamagata also hosts the bi-annual [[Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival]]. An autumn tradition is ''Imoni-kai'' (taro potato party). Taro potatoes, thin-sliced meat, and vegetables are cooked in a large pot at picnic spots. The banks of the Mamigasaki River are popular. Once a year, on the first Sunday in September, the city government serves thousands of bowls from its giant iron pot, which is serviced by a building crane. In 2009, 30,000 servings were prepared and served, and still a crowd waited in line.<ref>Yamagata Shinbun Newspaper, Sept.7, 2009</ref>
Line 309: Line 341:
* Kajo Park, located in the city center of town northwest of the train station, is the extensive grounds of castle keep of feudal warlord [[Mogami Yoshiaki]]. While most of the park is athletic fields and public function buildings, the rebuilt walls, eastern main gate, and surrounding moat of the former castle are impressive. The [[Mogami Yoshiaki Historical Museum]] nearby features items from the [[Edo period]], and information on these exhibits and the history of the castle town. It also contains a small public museum with displays of natural and social history.
* Kajo Park, located in the city center of town northwest of the train station, is the extensive grounds of castle keep of feudal warlord [[Mogami Yoshiaki]]. While most of the park is athletic fields and public function buildings, the rebuilt walls, eastern main gate, and surrounding moat of the former castle are impressive. The [[Mogami Yoshiaki Historical Museum]] nearby features items from the [[Edo period]], and information on these exhibits and the history of the castle town. It also contains a small public museum with displays of natural and social history.
*Yamagata Museum of Art.
*Yamagata Museum of Art.
*Mt. Zao, located just 40 minutes via bus from Yamagata Station is the massive mountain known as Mt. Zao. This is one of Japan's most famous places for skiing and snowboarding and also has many hiking courses to enjoy. There is also an onsen town here with many ryokan and public baths to soak in the water of Mt. Zao.
*Mt. Zao, located just 40 minutes via bus from Yamagata Station is the massive mountain known as Mt. Zao. This is one of Japan's most famous places for [[skiing]] and snowboarding and also has many hiking courses to enjoy. There is also an [[onsen]] town here with many [[ryokan]] and public baths to soak in the water of Mt. Zao.
*Bunshokan, the former prefectural office of Yamagata has now been remade as a museum that shows the history of Yamagata Prefecture and also is completely free for visitors to enter and look around.
*Bunshokan, the former prefectural office of Yamagata has now been remade as a museum that shows the history of Yamagata Prefecture and also is completely free for visitors to enter and look around.
*Chitosekan, is one of Yamagata's oldest and most famous ryotei restaurants and was built by the same designer who made the bunshokan office in the center of Yamagata City.
*Chitosekan, is one of Yamagata's oldest and most famous ryotei restaurants and was built by the same designer who made the bunshokan office in the center of Yamagata City.
*Hirashimizu is an artisans village located just 15 minutes from the center of Yamagata City and has many pottery shops and craft shops to explore.<ref>https://www.thehiddenjapan.com/hirashimizu</ref>
*Hirashimizu is an artisans village located just 15 minutes from the center of Yamagata City and has many pottery shops and craft shops to explore.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehiddenjapan.com/hirashimizu|title=Hirashimizu &#124; Yamagata &#124; the Hidden Japan}}</ref>


==International relations==
==International relations==
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==Notable people==
==Notable people==
*[[Yoshiharu Abe]], musician
*[[Yoshiharu Abe]], musician
*[[Yudai Igarashi]], racing driver
*[[Joji Kato]], speed skater
*[[Joji Kato]], speed skater
*[[Yoshitaka Kuroda (racing driver)|Yoshitaka Kuroda]], racing driver
*[[Yoshimi Niizeki]], [[professional golfer]]
*[[Ken Okuyama]], industrial designer
*[[Manami Hashimoto|Manami Hosokawa]], actress and gravure idol
*[[Yuko Oga]], basketball player
*[[Yuko Oga]], basketball player
*[[Ito Ogawa]], writer
*[[Ito Ogawa]], writer
Line 342: Line 379:
*[[Chihiro Suzuki]], voice actor
*[[Chihiro Suzuki]], voice actor
*[[Miyuki Takahashi]], volleyball player
*[[Miyuki Takahashi]], volleyball player
*[[Eriko Watanabe]], actress
*[[Ken Okuyama]], industrial designer
*Anna Penner, academic
*[[:ja:妻沼岩彦|Iwahiko Tsumanuma]], architect
*[[:ja:妻沼岩彦|Iwahiko Tsumanuma]], architect
*[[Eri Watanabe|Eriko Watanabe]], actress


==References==
==References==
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{{wikivoyage|Yamagata}}
{{wikivoyage|Yamagata}}
*[http://www.city.yamagata-yamagata.lg.jp/ Official Website] {{in lang|ja}}
*[http://www.city.yamagata-yamagata.lg.jp/ Official Website] {{in lang|ja}}
*[https://www.thehiddenjapan.com/yamagatacity English Travel Website] {{in lang|en}}

{{Yamagata}}
{{Yamagata}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

Revision as of 08:15, 12 April 2024

This article is about the city in Japan. For the prefecture with the same name where this city is located, see Yamagata Prefecture. For other uses, see Yamagata (disambiguation).
Yamagata
山形市
Core city
Above:View of Kajō Park and Statue of Yoshiaki Mogami, Middle:Yamagata Hanagasa Festival, Yama-dera (Risshaku Temple), Bottom:Zaō Spa, Yamagata Prefectural Folk Museum (all items from left to right)
Above:View of Kajō Park and Statue of Yoshiaki Mogami, Middle:Yamagata Hanagasa Festival, Yama-dera (Risshaku Temple), Bottom:Zaō Spa, Yamagata Prefectural Folk Museum (all items from left to right)
Flag of Yamagata
Flag
Official seal of Yamagata
Seal
Location of Yamagata in Yamagata Prefecture
Location of Yamagata in Yamagata Prefecture
Yamagata is located in Japan
Yamagata
Yamagata
 
Coordinates: 38°15′19.5″N 140°20′22.6″E / 38.255417°N 140.339611°E / 38.255417; 140.339611
CountryJapan
RegionTōhoku
PrefectureYamagata Prefecture
First official recorded690 AD
City SettledApril 1, 1889
Government
 • MayorTakahiro Satō
Area
 • Total381.30 km2 (147.22 sq mi)
Population
 (August 1, 2023)
 • Total242,505
 • Density640/km2 (1,600/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
- TreeJapanese Rowan
- FlowerSafflower
Phone number023-641-1212
Address2-3-25 Hatagomachi, Yamagata-shi, Yamagata-ken 990-8540
WebsiteOfficial website
Yamagata city hall
Downtown Yamagata, on the Yamagataekimae Ōdōri (Prefectural Road 16)

Yamagata (山形市, Yamagata-shi, Japanese: [jamaꜜɡata]) is the capital city of Yamagata Prefecture located in the Tōhoku region of northern Japan. As of 1 August 2023, the city had an estimated population of 242,505 in 103,165 households,[1] and a population density of 636 persons per km². The total area of the city is 381.58 square kilometres (147 sq mi).

Geography

Yamagata is in the southern portion of the Yamagata Basin in southeast Yamagata Prefecture. The northern and northwestern parts of the city are flatland, and the eastern part of the city is occupied by the Ōu Mountains. The city includes Mount Zaō within its borders. The Mamigasaki River passes through the city, and the Tachiyagawa River forms the border between Yamagata and Tendō.

Neighboring municipalities

Climate

Yamagata has a Humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfa) with large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. Precipitation is significant throughout the year, but is heaviest from July to September. The average annual temperature in Yamagata is 11.7 °C (53.1 °F). The average annual rainfall is 1,163 millimetres (45.8 in) with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 25 °C (77 °F), and lowest in January, at around −0.4 °C (31.3 °F).[2] Yamagata city is part of the heavy snow area of Japan (Gosetsu chitai, 豪雪地帯) with snowfall most days throughout the winter season.

Yamagata City is located in a wide central valley that can heat up quickly in spring and summer and is often grey and humid, while to the east in Miyagi Prefecture on the Pacific coast it is usually clearer and more temperate.

Climate data for Yamagata (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1889−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 18.1
(64.6) 		17.3
(63.1) 		23.7
(74.7) 		33.3
(91.9) 		34.1
(93.4) 		37.5
(99.5) 		40.8
(105.4) 		39.0
(102.2) 		36.6
(97.9) 		32.3
(90.1) 		26.9
(80.4) 		20.6
(69.1) 		40.8
(105.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 3.3
(37.9) 		4.4
(39.9) 		9.1
(48.4) 		16.4
(61.5) 		22.6
(72.7) 		25.9
(78.6) 		29.1
(84.4) 		30.5
(86.9) 		25.8
(78.4) 		19.5
(67.1) 		12.6
(54.7) 		6.1
(43.0) 		17.1
(62.8)
Daily mean °C (°F) −0.1
(31.8) 		0.4
(32.7) 		4.0
(39.2) 		10.2
(50.4) 		16.2
(61.2) 		20.3
(68.5) 		23.9
(75.0) 		25.0
(77.0) 		20.6
(69.1) 		14.1
(57.4) 		7.7
(45.9) 		2.4
(36.3) 		12.1
(53.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −3.1
(26.4) 		−3.1
(26.4) 		−0.3
(31.5) 		4.7
(40.5) 		10.7
(51.3) 		15.7
(60.3) 		20.0
(68.0) 		20.9
(69.6) 		16.6
(61.9) 		9.8
(49.6) 		3.6
(38.5) 		−0.7
(30.7) 		7.9
(46.2)
Record low °C (°F) −20.0
(−4.0) 		−19.0
(−2.2) 		−15.5
(4.1) 		−7.3
(18.9) 		−1.8
(28.8) 		3.0
(37.4) 		6.7
(44.1) 		8.4
(47.1) 		3.0
(37.4) 		−2.4
(27.7) 		−7.2
(19.0) 		−15.0
(5.0) 		−20.0
(−4.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 87.8
(3.46) 		63.0
(2.48) 		72.1
(2.84) 		63.9
(2.52) 		74.5
(2.93) 		104.8
(4.13) 		187.2
(7.37) 		153.0
(6.02) 		123.8
(4.87) 		105.1
(4.14) 		74.4
(2.93) 		97.2
(3.83) 		1,206.7
(47.51)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 103
(41) 		79
(31) 		35
(14) 		2
(0.8) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		4
(1.6) 		66
(26) 		285
(112)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.5 mm) 18.6 14.9 14.5 11.2 10.2 11.1 14.1 11.5 11.9 11.9 14.2 17.8 162.1
Average relative humidity (%) 81 77 69 62 64 71 76 75 77 77 78 81 74
Mean monthly sunshine hours 79.6 99.6 140.4 175.9 196.5 165.0 144.5 171.8 136.6 132.1 102.2 73.8 1,617.9
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[3]

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,[4] the population of Yamagata has remained relatively steady over the past 40 years.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1960 188,560—    
1970 204,127+8.3%
1980 237,041+16.1%
1990 249,487+5.3%
2000 255,369+2.4%
2010 254,244−0.4%
2020 247,590−2.6%

History

The area of present-day Yamagata was part of Dewa Province. During the Edo period, it was a castle town and the center of Yamagata Domain under the Tokugawa shogunate. The city of Yamagata was founded on April 1, 1889 as the capital of Yamagata Prefecture with the creation of the modern municipalities system. The city attained special city status on April 1, 2001. The city's status is then further elevated into a core city on April 1, 2019.[5]

Government

Yamagata has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 33 members. The city contributes nine members to the Yamagata Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Yamagata District 1 of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Education

  • Yamagata has 36 public elementary schools and 15 public middle schools operated by the city government and ten public high schools operated by the Yamagata Prefectural Board of Education. There are also four private high schools. The prefecture also operates three special education schools for the handicapped.

Universities

High schools

  • Yamagata East H.S.
  • Yamagata South H.S.
  • Yamagata West H.S.
  • Yamagata North H.S.
  • Yamagata Technical H.S.
  • Yamagata Central H.S.
  • Kajo-Gakuen H.S.
  • Yamagata Civic Commercial H.S.
  • Yamagata-Gakuin H.S.
  • Yamagata-Johoku H.S.
  • Tōkai University Yamagata Senior H.S.
  • Nihon University Yamagata Senior H.S.
  • Yamamoto-Gakuen H.S.
  • Yamagata-Meisei H.S.

Transportation

Railway

East Japan Railway Company - Yamagata Shinkansen

East Japan Railway Company - Ōu Main Line(Yamagata Line)

East Japan Railway Company - Senzan Line

East Japan Railway Company - - Aterazawa Line

Highway

Culture

Local events

  • Yamagata Hanagasa Festival (花笠祭り, Hanagasa Matsuri) - one of Tōhoku's major summer festivals, is held in the city every August 5, 6 and 7. Yamagata also hosts the bi-annual Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival. An autumn tradition is Imoni-kai (taro potato party). Taro potatoes, thin-sliced meat, and vegetables are cooked in a large pot at picnic spots. The banks of the Mamigasaki River are popular. Once a year, on the first Sunday in September, the city government serves thousands of bowls from its giant iron pot, which is serviced by a building crane. In 2009, 30,000 servings were prepared and served, and still a crowd waited in line.[6]

Local attractions

  • Yama-dera (Ryushaku-ji) lies within the city limits, 15 minutes by train from the center.
  • Kajo Park, located in the city center of town northwest of the train station, is the extensive grounds of castle keep of feudal warlord Mogami Yoshiaki. While most of the park is athletic fields and public function buildings, the rebuilt walls, eastern main gate, and surrounding moat of the former castle are impressive. The Mogami Yoshiaki Historical Museum nearby features items from the Edo period, and information on these exhibits and the history of the castle town. It also contains a small public museum with displays of natural and social history.
  • Yamagata Museum of Art.
  • Mt. Zao, located just 40 minutes via bus from Yamagata Station is the massive mountain known as Mt. Zao. This is one of Japan's most famous places for skiing and snowboarding and also has many hiking courses to enjoy. There is also an onsen town here with many ryokan and public baths to soak in the water of Mt. Zao.
  • Bunshokan, the former prefectural office of Yamagata has now been remade as a museum that shows the history of Yamagata Prefecture and also is completely free for visitors to enter and look around.
  • Chitosekan, is one of Yamagata's oldest and most famous ryotei restaurants and was built by the same designer who made the bunshokan office in the center of Yamagata City.
  • Hirashimizu is an artisans village located just 15 minutes from the center of Yamagata City and has many pottery shops and craft shops to explore.[7]

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Japan

Twin towns – sister cities

Yamagata is twinned with:[8]

Partner cities

Notable people

References

  1. ^ Yamagata City official statistics (in Japanese)
  2. ^ Yamagata climate data
  3. ^ 気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値）. Japan Meteorological Agency. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  4. ^ Yamagata population statistics
  5. ^ 山形市の中核市移行が決定しました！！. Official site of Yamagata (in Japanese). Retrieved April 7, 2019.
  6. ^ Yamagata Shinbun Newspaper, Sept.7, 2009
  7. ^ "Hirashimizu | Yamagata | the Hidden Japan".
  8. ^ "山形市の友好・姉妹都市について". city.yamagata-yamagata.lg.jp (in Japanese). Yamagata. Retrieved 2020-04-08.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Yamagata, Yamagata.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Yamagata.
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