The Location of Yamagata Prefecture

Yamagata Prefecture is located on the Sea of Japan side in the Tōhoku region of Japan. It is surrounded by beautiful mountains, many of which are listed in the 100 Famous Mountains of Japan, and the Mogami River, often referred to as the "Mother River," flows through a vast basin and plains, making it a land rich in natural beauty.
The prefecture is well known for producing around 70% of the nation's cherries (sakurambo), along with other fruits, Yamagata beef, soba (buckwheat noodles), and rice. Tendo City is also famous for producing over 90% of the shogi pieces (Japanese chess pieces) in Japan.
In winter, Yamagata experiences a cold climate with heavy snowfall. However, Mount Zao is famous for its frost-covered trees created by the seasonal winds that blow snow onto the trees, forming ice sculptures known as "Juhyo." At Zao Onsen Ski Resort, visitors can ski or snowboard surrounded by these stunning ice-covered trees, attracting many visitors every year.

Zao Snow Monsters, frost-covered trees in Zao.

Like other prefectures, Yamagata is facing challenges related to a declining birthrate and an aging population, which is expected to lead to labor shortages. Currently, the number of foreign workers in Yamagata is not very high, but the majority come from Vietnam, China, and the Philippines. About half of these workers are employed in manufacturing, while others work in construction and service industries.
In terms of residency status, nearly half are technical interns, making this the largest group. There are also many workers with residency based on familial or personal ties. These foreign workers play an important role in supporting Yamagata’s labor market across various sectors.