Home › All Activities › Discover Japan › Welcome to Yamagata City

Welcome to Yamagata City

Posted on by Junko

Located in the Tohoku region, in the northern part of Japan, Yamagata City was established as the capital of Yamagata Prefecture on 1 April 1889. The city is surrounded on all sides by magnificent mountains, and a variety of rich resources and regional culture have been cultivated to date. 

In Yamagata, you can enjoy attractions of the city in every season: viewing the cherry blossoms in full bloom at the historical castle in spring, the traditional Yamagata Hanagasa festival where people dance along the main street in summer, Imoni (taro and beef soup) festival on the riverbanks watching beautifully coloured leaves in autumn, and winter sports amid the Jyuhyo – famous Zao snow monsters – in winter.

You can enjoy its unique natural beauty, delicious local foods and the traditional culture of Yamagata City all year round.
In addition, the city can be described as a hot spring capital because there are many hot spring spots that you can enjoy during any season. Yamagata City is truly a hidden gem in Japan, as a place to eat, play and rest. Yamagata City sincerely wishes people in Australia and New Zealand would come to visit one day.

▪ 40th Anniversary of sister city relationship
In 1980, Yamagata City formed a sister city relationship with Swan Hill City in Victoria, Australia. Since then, the two cities have been conducting friendly exchanges. After a few years’ halt due to the pandemic, the two cities resumed mutual exchanges by residents of each other’s cities in 2024 and celebrated the 40th anniversary of their relationship. When a delegation from Swan Hill visited Yamagata City in April, the cherry blossoms were in full bloom just in time for them, and participants were able to experience the Japanese tradition of viewing cherry blossoms while eating dango – a traditional Japanese dessert – and rice balls.
They also deepened their relationship through additional activities such as Japanese flower arrangement, tea ceremony, Haiku, wearing Samurai armour, and a hot spring foot bath. Yamagata City also hosted an event – An Evening with Australian Wine – where people from the two cities met and greeted each other while enjoying a special dish of Australian lamb and carefully selected Australian wines. It was a great opportunity to strengthen the bond at the local level.
In October, a delegation led by Yamagata City Mayor visited Swan Hill Rural City, and they spent a meaningful time experiencing the Australian daily life and culture through the exchange programs featuring inspections of large-scale farms, Australian food, and dancing Hanagasa dance all together with the hosting party.

▪ Yamagata Garden
The Swan Hill Yamagata Garden on the bank of the Little Murray River in Swan Hill Rural City was opened to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the sister city relationship. The garden was architecturally designed and built by Swan Hill Rural City with some advice from Yamagata City, and includes a couple of elements resembling the essence of Yamagata City in honour of the relationship between the two cities. For example, almond trees are used to represent the Yamagata cherry blossoms, and the history of the sister cities is expressed in the Japanese-style stone pathways.

During this visit, Yamagata City presented Swan Hill Rural City a plaque which is specially made with Yamagata Imono – traditional metal casting, and the plaque was placed in the garden. Yamagata metal casting is made of copper which will age nicely with rustic colours, and it is said to last a thousand years. Please check out the garden and the plaque if you have a chance to visit Swan Hill.

▪ Cross-generational exchange
The main exchange is the short-term school exchange program with homestays for high school students. Over 600 students from both cities have experienced daily life and the culture of each other’s city to date. Some of them even chose careers in international relations because of this experience, which shows that this program due to their sister city relationship has an important role in the education field of Yamagata City and contributes to cultivating global awareness amongst the people of Yamagata City.

Moreover, there are exchanges that go beyond generations, for example, some members of the host families for the program later participated in the residents’ delegation visits. In fact, the current mayor of the Swan Hill Rural City Council was one of the students who took part in the exchange program and stayed in Yamagata City before.

▪ Yamagata City is looking forward to your visit!
Yamagata City, having a close relationship with Australia as mentioned above, wishes that the friendship with Swan Hill Rural City will further deepen through the continuation of the sister city exchange, and is committed to hand over this wonderful international bond to the next generation.
Yamagata City also hopes that people visiting Japan extend their visit to explore Yamagata. You can surely encounter the beautiful natural scenery which changes colours in every season, delicious cuisine and warm-hearted people in Yamagata City who have cherished the international friendship with Swan Hill.

[Video] The Many Monsters of Yamagata (English)

Yamagata Tour Guide Book (English)

 

 

Posted in Discover Japan

Uncategorised

  •  On 1 June, we joined Burwood Council for a study session. These sessions have been held annually since 2024, making this the third exchange between our organisations.
     
    Representatives from the JLGC Sydney Office first introduced a project being implemented in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture, which is the home municipality of one of our Assistant Executive Directors. Under this project, high school students collaborate with local businesses to develop specialty products. Burwood Council participants showed particular interest in how participating businesses are selected and were eager to learn more about this aspect of the project. We then introduced Japan’s local government mascots, commonly known as yuru-chara, which play an important role in enhancing regional recognition and brand value, as well as communicating government initiatives in an accessible and engaging way. The participating Assistant Executive Directors introduced mascots from their respective local governments and organisations and explained the characters’ backgrounds, roles and activities. In response, Burwood Council participants asked a range of questions, including how mascot designs are submitted and how the final designs are selected.
     
     
     
    Burwood Council then provided an overview of its future-oriented urban development initiatives. Located approximately 15 minutes by train from central Sydney, Burwood currently has a population of around 45,000, which is expected to double over the next decade. In anticipation of this growth, as well as the planned opening of a new metro station in 2032, the Council outlined its approach to promoting high-density urban development alongside the enhancement of high-quality public spaces. Specific initiatives include the development of a new cultural facility that will serve as a hub for arts and culture, the installation of public art, and measures to stimulate the night-time economy and create a vibrant urban environment. The Council also explained its efforts to incorporate community input into urban planning through advisory committees made up of local residents and online consultation platforms that enable broad public participation.
     
     
     
    Following the discussion, we joined Burwood Council staff on a site visit to observe projects aimed at enhancing public spaces through public art and promoting the night-time economy. With development and revitalisation projects underway across many parts of the city, we were able to gain valuable insights into Burwood’s ongoing urban transformation.
    We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone at Burwood Council for providing us with this valuable learning opportunity.
     
         
  •  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    ～Grand Prize – ¥500,000～
    SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN for the 15th Annual Manga Kingdom Tottori International Comic Art Contest!
    （Deadline: August 31st）
    ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
    The 15th edition of the Manga Kingdom Tottori International Comic Art Contest is now officially accepting entries – including the special ‘U-15 Youth Manga Artist Prize’ for entrants aged 15 and under. The contest is open to artists worldwide and submissions are accepted in any language!
    This year’s theme is ‘Clothing’.
    Entries will be accepted until Monday August 31st (JST).
    The Grand Prize winner will receive a cash prize of ¥500,000, and selected artists will be invited to Tottori Prefecture for the award ceremony. Winning works will be compiled into a professionally published collection. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this prestigious international celebration of comic art – get your entries in before the deadline!
    Website:

  • The latest issue of our correspondence is released.

    View this correspondence in PDF.

  • Newsletter No.201

  • Ehime Prefecture is located along Japan’s Seto Inland Sea and is home to approximately 1.27 million people. It is known for its warm climate and outstanding scenic beauty, along with its long history of citrus cultivation. The prefecture is made up of many islands, with the unique landscape of the Seto Inland Sea spreading throughout. In recent years, Ehime has become increasingly popular as a tourist destination, welcoming many domestic and international visitors all year round.

       

    In 2027, Ehime Prefecture will host “Velo-city,” an international bicycle conference, for the first time in Japan. Velo-city is one of the largest academic conferences, bringing bicycle companies, researchers, and experts together from around the world. While discussing various topics including tourism, safety, and urban planning, participants can enjoy the cityscape of Matsuyama through a bicycle parade and will also be able to visit other parts of the prefecture via ‘technical visits’ (explained below).

     

    In recent years, Ehime Prefecture has become one of the leading centers of bicycle culture in Japan. Many local residents begin riding bicycles at a very young age, and the majority of high school students commute to school by bike. Furthermore, the prefecture boasts Japan’s highest helmet-wearing rate, demonstrating strong safety awareness throughout the community. This well-established environment, which allows people of all ages to use bicycles safely on a daily basis, positions Ehime Prefecture as a  center of Japan’s bicycle culture.

    Technical visits are guided tours that allow participants to explore various locations throughout the prefecture during Velo-city, featuring multiple courses with different themes. There is a course to learn about the infrastructure and scenery of the “Shimanami Kaido,” Japan’s representative maritime cycling route; a course to study safety education initiatives in schools by observing Japan’s typical morning school commute; and a course to experience the “Henro,” a pilgrimage to Buddhist temples, by bicycle. By participating in these technical visits and experiencing the local atmosphere, participants can gain valuable insights into the prefecture’s bicycle policies firsthand.

     

    On the second day (Wednesday, 26 May 2027), a spectacular bicycle parade will fill the city center. While showcasing the prefecture’s appeal as an international model bicycle city, the event will provide a chance for all participants to experience and share how bicycles act as a catalyst for regional revitalisation, bringing new possibilities for future urban space allocation, health, a sense of purpose in life, and friendship.

    During the four-day event, approximately 80 plenary breakout sessions will be held at the venue, with discussions centered around key themes and priorities. The conference program content will be determined by selecting proposals submitted during the abstract submission period, which begins in September. To encourage active exchange of diverse perspectives, Ehime welcomes a large number of submissions. Participants are invited to apply and help make this event a success.

  • Recently, I had the opportunity to attend an awards ceremony recognising outstanding achievement in Japanese-related studies, hosted by the Australia-Japan Society of NSW (AJS-NSW).

    On the day, certificates were presented to seven outstanding students nominated by seven universities[1] in the Greater Sydney region, and each recipient delivered a speech.

    All of the award recipients shared reflections along similar lines, such as: “Thanks to studying Japanese, I’ve had incredible experiences, like studying at a Japanese university through an exchange program and making friends from diverse backgrounds, that have truly changed my life.” Another common sentiment was: “Looking ahead, I hope to pursue a career related to Japan or possibly live there in the future, so I will continue to work hard to achieve these goals.”

    Learning and mastering a language other than one’s mother tongue is by no means an easy task. First and foremost, I would like to express my deep respect to the award recipients for their dedicated commitment to studying Japanese.

    I am also delighted that their language studies have sparked such a strong interest in Japan and a genuine desire to deepen their understanding. I was deeply impressed by their determination to maintain a connection with Japan long after graduation.

    On a personal note, I moved to Sydney last July, my first time living abroad, and I must admit that I still find speaking English challenging at times. However, seeing the dedication of the award recipients has inspired me to renew my own efforts. By conversing and connecting with others in English, I hope to further deepen my understanding of the local people, culture, and values in this region.

    [1] The seven universities were Macquarie University, The University of Newcastle, University of New England, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), The University of New South Wales (UNSW), The University of Sydney, and Western Sydney University.

  •  On Thursday, 21 May, representatives from Yamagata City, who came to Australia to exhibit at the Snow Travel Expo held in Melbourne and Sydney, paid a visit to CLAIR Sydney Office.
    During their visit, we outlined the role of our office and provided an overview of Australia’s society and economy, as well as the current state of inbound tourism to Japan.
     
    This led to an engaging discussion on the differences in industry structure between Japan and Australia and recent trends in inbound tourism.
     
     
     
    CLAIR Sydney also supports a wide range of initiatives undertaken by Japanese local governments in Australia and New Zealand. If you require assistance with your activities, please feel free to contact us.
     
     
  •  On 24 May, the Japan Festival 2026 was held in the City of Whitehorse, located approximately 15 km east of Melbourne.
    Around 100 booths and stalls lined the venue, offering Japanese goods and crafts as well as Japanese cuisine such as sushi and okonomiyaki. Visitors could also enjoy cultural activities including origami and shogi (Japanese chess). There were also a variety of stage performances, including taiko drumming, the Soran Bushi folk dance, and Tsugaru shamisen music, as well as kimono and cosplay contests. According to the organisers, the festival attracted approximately 5,500 visitors.
     
     
     
    CLAIR Sydney also hosted a booth, promoting the attractions of regions across Japan through tourism brochures and other materials. Among the visitors to our booth were people planning cruise trips to Japan, as well as others who said they had visited the country more than ten times, reflecting the enduring appeal of Japan as a travel destination. We also spoke to visitors who had started learning Japanese after their travels and were hoping to move there in the future, highlighting a strong interest in Japanese culture and way of life.
     
     
     
    This year marks the 55th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between the City of Whitehorse and Matsudo City in Chiba Prefecture. It is the longest-running Japan–Australia sister-city relationship in the state of Victoria. As part of the exchange program, the venue also displayed letters with hand-drawn illustrations created by residents of Matsudo , offering visitors a glimpse into the strong bond between the two cities.
     
  • On Tuesday, 12 May, the Australia-Japan Society of NSW (AJS-NSW) held an awards ceremony to recognise outstanding achievement in Japanese-related studies. Certificates were presented to seven students, each nominated by a university across the Sydney metropolitan area.
     
     
    Following the presentation ceremony, each award recipient delivered a speech, some in Japanese, reflecting on what inspired them to begin studying the language, its appeal, , the challenges they encountered during their studies, and their future aspirations. Their stories varied widely, ranging from students who began learning the language with the dream of working for a Japanese game company to those whose exchange experiences at Japanese universities enabled them to build friendships with people from around the world.
     
    Many of the students reflected on how learning Japanese had expanded their horizons and future possibilities and expressed their hope to continue taking on new challenges connected to Japan, including working or living there in the future.
    Learning and mastering a language other than one’s mother tongue is never easy. We were deeply moved by the speeches of these students, who spoke passionately about maintaining their connection with Japan even after graduation.
     
    CLAIR Sydney will continue to work closely with Japanese language education institutions and related organisations, further strengthening people-to-people exchanges through Japanese language and culture, and contributing to the ongoing development of Japan-Australia relations.

  • The latest issue of our correspondence is released.

    View this correspondence in PDF.