Shirataka, town in Nishiokitama district, Yamagata prefecture, Japan
Shirataka is a small town in Nishiokitama district, Japan, known as the country's leading safflower producer accounting for over 60 percent of national supply. The town features traditional paper making dating to the 1600s, silk weaving workshops, and sits in a river basin surrounded by the Asahi Mountains with the Mogami River flowing through its center.
Shirataka originated as part of the ancient Dewa Province and became an official municipality in 1889, later expanding through consolidations in the 1950s. Safflower farming declined after the Pacific War, but farmers preserved seeds to revive the tradition, making the town a leader in safflower production today.
The town has built its identity around safflower cultivation, a practice dating back centuries that remains central to local pride and community life. Traditional paper making and silk weaving workshops continue to operate today, keeping ancient techniques alive as part of everyday work rather than museum exhibits.
The town is served by a local train line connecting it to other areas, with main roads accommodating cars and buses for travel. Walking is the preferred way to explore neighborhoods, particularly around markets and parks, allowing visitors to move at a leisurely pace through quiet streets.
The Arato Railway Bridge is one of Japan's oldest functioning railway bridges, built over a century ago and still carrying trains across the Mogami River. Visitors often stop at a nearby lookout point to photograph passing trains and enjoy the quiet river and mountain backdrop.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
