The Shinjo Festival is a 260-year-old summer festival in Yamagata and is recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. The festival is best known for its parade of 20 giant floats, called “Yatai,” which recreate dramatic scenes from Kabuki plays and Japanese mythology using life-sized dolls. What makes the festival especially unique is that the floats are completely rebuilt every year by local residents, meaning no design is ever repeated. Rather than being created by professional artists, these massive handmade floats are crafted over several months by the local community, making them true community-made masterpieces.

Ginzan Onsen: Visit one of Japan’s most picturesque hot spring towns, renowned for its nostalgic Taisho-era atmosphere. Lined with beautifully preserved wooden ryokan along a charming river, the town looks especially magical with its gas lamps, small bridges, and traditional architecture. Ginzan Onsen is said to have inspired scenes from famous Japanese animated films and offers visitors a chance to experience the timeless beauty of old Japan while strolling through its peaceful streets.