Spring In Spring when yellow flowers of Japanese witch hazels are at their best, fatsia sprouts and butterbur sprouts are shooting Yonezawa Ski Park has turned into Golf Course of 9 holes (915 yards). There are also tennis and basketball courts to appear for free of charge. Cherry blossoms come into full bloom and Uesugi Festival, Typical spring event in Yonezawa, begins on 29th April; the ritual for Uesugi army to go to battle field on 2nd of May; Samurai Warriors in historical armors march in procession in the city on 3rd; Climaxed with Battle of Kawanaka, originating in Civil War Period about 350 years ago at the riverbed on 5th. Edible wild plants such as Kogomi (a kind of edible fern), osmunds, or bracken can be picked up at the end of April.

Summer Yamagata Prefecture is so-called a Kingdom of Fruits. From the beginning of June to July, you can enjoy the cherry fruits harvest. In August peaches and grapes are at their best for the harvest. Summer in Yonezawa is colored by a natural illumination with fireflies. At the end of July a lot of fireflies are flying near Pension Village at night.

Autumn In autumn when leave of trees are tinged with autumn color and there held on 4th Saturday of September Uesugi Yozan Festival to commemorate the great reformer in feudal period about 250 years ago. He has drawn a great deal of attention because of the similarity between the times in those days and Japan at present. Nobody can deny that "Imonikai" is the must and typical event of autumn in Yamagata. In mountains or dry riverbeds there "Imonikai" party are held everywhere. Japanese taroes, thinly sliced beef, Tofu, long green onions, Konnyaku or jelly-like food, burdocks, etc. are boiled in a big pan outdoors, and seasoned by soy sauce, Japanese wine or Sake, and sugar. Sometimes miso or salty bean paste is added according to taste. Plain taste is the secret to make a delicious delicacy for the party. In October an enjoyable harvest for apples and chestnuts begins. In the yard of Pension Scrooge there are chestnut trees, so you can enjoy chestnuts harvest. From the dining room the scenery colored by autumn color makes us feel relaxed and at home.

Winter In December long-waited snow season has begun. Pension Scrooge is located on the hill of Yonezawa Ski Park, the best place to enjoy skiing or snow boarding. Winter snow season lasts till the end of March. On the 2nd Saturday of February there is "Yuki Toro Matsuri" or Snow Lantern Festival. After skiing or snowboarding enjoy the fantastic Festival which illuminates a snowy night in Yonezawa.

Hot Spring

Namekawa Hot Spring (30 min.)
Open air hot spring beside the mountain stream. There are Namekawa Great Fall and Alpine Plants Botanical Garden.

Ubayu Hot Spring (45 min.)
Cross the suspension bridge to reach the open air hot spring located in the most secluded place.

Fishing

Mizukubo Dam (10 min.)
A little-known but good place for black bass fishing

Other Sightseeing Places

Uesugi Shrine (20 min.)
Enshrined is Uesugi Kenshin, the ancestor of Uesugi Family and the great feudal lord

Uesugi Memorial Museum (20 min.) Old Uesugi Residence

Japanese wine or Sake brewery of Toko (25 min.)
Exhibition of tools of Sake brewery

Takahata Winery (35 min.) Visitors are welcome for tastings.

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