Yamagata Prefecture, Prefecture in Tohoku Region, Japan
Yamagata is a prefecture in the Tohoku region of northern Honshu, stretching between mountain ranges and the Sea of Japan coastline. The terrain shifts from forested highlands to valleys dotted with rice paddies and coastal sections that open toward the west.
The current administrative area was formed in 1876 from parts of the old Dewa Province, when Japan reorganized its regions during the Meiji period. The change brought smaller territories under a single administration and tied them closer to the central government.
The name refers to an older provincial division and reflects the mountainous character of the region. People here maintain local festivals and craft traditions that follow the rhythm of the seasons.
The two airports, Shonai and Yamagata, offer flights to Tokyo, Osaka, and Sapporo and serve as gateways for traveling into the region. Buses and trains connect the larger towns, while renting a car makes it easier to explore remote valleys and coastal stretches.
A documentary film festival takes place here every other year and draws filmmakers from around the world who screen their work for an international audience. The event turns cinemas and halls into places of exchange and brings together people interested in the genre.
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