Yamagata Prefecture · Japan
Where to stay in Yonezawa
Yonezawa is a city in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan, home to about 81,000 people. This guide covers 1 hotel in Yonezawa.
- Places to stay in this guide
- 1
- Nearest airport
- GAJ59 km · Yamagata Airport
- Currency
- JPYyen
- Time zone
- Asia/Tokyo
- Language
- Japanese
About
About Yonezawa
Yonezawa (米沢市, Yonezawa-shi) is a city in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 February 2020, the city had an estimated population of 81,707 in 33,278 households, and a population density of 150 persons per km2.
Yonezawa may be an unassuming rural town today, but it was once a grand castle town home to the Uesugi Clan (上杉氏 Uesugi-shi), one of the most powerful families during Japan's Muromachi and Sengoku periods (14-17th century). Legendary warlord Date Masamune, the "One-Eyed Dragon", was born here in 1567.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Yonezawa
See
- Uesugi Shrine
- Yonezawa Castle
- Uesugi Museum
- Toko Sake Museum
Do
While central Yonezawa has no hot springs, there are seven within easy striking distance, the best known being Onogawa Onsen (20 min by bus) and Shirabu Onsen (50 min by bus).
- Yonezawa Uesugi Festival
- Nasebanaru Autumn Festival
- Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Places to stay in Yonezawa
1 place to stay from the chains this guide covers, each linked to its own website.
| Place to stay |
|---|
| Toyoko Inn Yonezawa Ekimae hotel |
Where to stay
Which part of Yonezawa to stay in
Yonezawa is famous for its onsen, such as Onogawa Onsen and Shirabu Onsen. While none are near the town center, they can be reached by public transport or car.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
More hotels in Yonezawa
2 hotels within 25 km of the centre, as recorded in Wikidata. Each name links to its encyclopedia article where there is one.
| Hotel | Opened | From centre |
|---|---|---|
| Akayu Onsen Gotenmori | 15.0 km | |
| Morinoyu | 14.7 km |
When to go
The best time to visit Yonezawa
Yonezawa has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. August is the warmest month, with average highs of 28 °C; July is the wettest, with about 202 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Yonezawa: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Yamagata Airport (GAJ), about 59 km from the city centre in a straight line; Sendai Airport (SDJ, 74 km) and Fukushima Airport (FKS, 82 km) are also within reach.
Getting around
Yonezawa is surprisingly spread out, and the train station is on the wrong side of the river 2 km away from the city core. If you're not in the mood to walk, grab one of the infrequent buses, almost all of which head to the city (ask for Uesugi Jinja).
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
GAJ · Yamagata Airport
SDJ · Sendai Airport
FKS · Fukushima Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Yonezawa
Eat
Yonezawa is known throughout Japan for its beef (米沢牛 yonezawa-gyū), an expensive delicacy, and there are three beef speciality restaurants right outside the station competing for your attention plus countless more in the city itself. Just don't fall into the trap of eating the cheapest bento boxes, made from gristly leftovers: instead, sample a course at a ryokan or speciality restaurant. With diminutive steaks easily costing ¥8,000 per head, most visitors will find stews like sukiyaki the tastiest and most cost-effective option, but locals also prize their meat raw!
Drink
Yonezawa is sake country and the best-known local tipple is Tōkō (東光). Appointed to supply the Uesugis, the "East Light" has been brewed in Yonezawa since 1597 and is run by the 23rd generation of the same family, so they must be doing something right. Their sake comes in a vast constellation of grades, from the proletarian fūtsūshu (¥1600/1.8L) to the top-of-the-line daiginjō (¥12,000/1.8L), and is available everywhere in town. See "See" section for details on the Toko Sake Museum.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Yonezawa: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Yonezawa?
Yonezawa has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. August is the warmest month, with average highs of 28 °C; July is the wettest, with about 202 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Yonezawa?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Yamagata Airport (GAJ), about 59 km from the city centre in a straight line; Sendai Airport (SDJ, 74 km) and Fukushima Airport (FKS, 82 km) are also within reach.
What currency is used in Yonezawa?
yen (JPY).
Nearby
Destinations near Yonezawa
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.