Yamagata city

Yamagata City, the capital of Yamagata Prefecture—the only destination in Japan featured on National Geographic’s “Best of the World 2026” list—is a city with many charms. It has farms tucked between houses and houses nestled between mountains. In summer, it hosts the Hanagasa Festival, a celebration lasting several days. In winter, snow piles up so high that simply getting around can become a challenge. Having lived here for more than a year, I can confidently say that, of all the things this city is, boring is not one of them.