[Shonai region, Yamagata prefecture] Travel back in time during summer vacation! Relax on the movie location set and plateau in Shonai, and find a hot spring nearby?

The film location set in the Shonai region of Yamagata Prefecture is just like a period drama, and is said to give the feeling of having traveled back in time, making it a hot topic

The location is surrounded by nature, and there is a plateau nearby where cows graze leisurely

There are also campgrounds and hot spring facilities in the surrounding area, and we will introduce you to a theme park where you can spend a day of your summer vacation feeling like you are traveling back and forth between the present and the past

Please read to the end.

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See the locations used in period dramas and other TV dramas right before your eyes!

Taking advantage of the vast Shonai Plain, film sets have been relocated and are open to the publicThe theme park, Studio Sedic Shonai Open Set, is a set that was actually used in the filming of movies such as "Oshin," "Departures," "Rurouni Kenshin," "Lord, It's Interest," "Super High-Speed ​​Sankin Kotai," "Fuurinkazan," and "Nobou no Shiro."You can see the scenery and get the illusion of having traveled back in time to that era

There are photo panels of the works photographed and costumes available for rental, so you can enjoy dressing up as the characters in photos

There are also other play areas such as a cardboard maze, a large drumming game, and an archery game, which are all popular with visitors

Many movies and TV dramas have been filmed hereThe largest film studio in JapanStudio Sedetteku Shonai, which is open to the public, is dotted with areas reminiscent of Japan's original landscapes, including post towns, farming villages, mountain settlements, and fishing villages, all scattered amongst the great outdoors, evoking scenes from TV dramas and other dramas

To get around the vast park, we recommend using the shuttle bus (fees apply)

INFORMATION

• Name: Studio Sedic Shonai Open Set
• Address: 102 Higashimasukawayama, Kawashiro, Haguro-cho, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture
• Phone number: 0235-62-4299
• Official URL: https://openset.s-sedic.jp/

GOOGLE MAP

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The nearby plateau is covered in sunflowers!

Since 2010, they have started cultivating sunflowers in an effort to prevent the Gassan Plateau, which was once a pastureland, from turning back into a field of pampas grass

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The endless yellow carpet of sunflowers on the plateau, with a close-up view of the sacred Mt. Gassan, provides a breathtaking sight

INFORMATION

• Name: Gassan Plateau Sunflower Field
• Address: Gassan Highlands Fureai Center, 368-2 Higashimasukawayama, Kawashiro, Haguro-cho, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture
• Best time to see: Early to late August every year
• Size: 4.3 hectares (distributed in four locations, maximum 2 hectares) Number of trees: Approximately 1 million
• Parking: Please use the parking lot at the nearby Gassan Kogen Ranch
• Directions: 30 minutes by car from the center of Tsuruoka City
  30 minutes by car from Shonai Asahi Interchange on the Yamagata Expressway
  10 minutes by car from Studio Sedic Shonai Open Set
• For inquiries, please contact the Tsuruoka City Haguro Town Tourism Association
• TEL: 0235-62-2500
• Website: http://hagurokanko.jp/

GOOGLE MAP

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There are also rustic hot spring inns that feel just like home!

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Tsukisawa Onsen at the foot of Mt. Gassan has an acidic spring source, one of only three in the prefecture, where you can soak in a bath that will warm both your body and soul
You're sure to feel refreshed as you gaze upon the beautiful, open scenery that is unique to the majestic Mt. Gassan, including fresh greenery, autumn leaves, and snowscapes
It is also popular as a base camp for climbing Mt. Gassan, and apparently has many visitors from overseas

You can of course stay overnight, but you can also take a day trip to the baths and use the rest room, and towels are provided (for a fee), so you can visit anytime

Name of hot spring: Tsukisawa Onsen.
Spring quality: Simple acidic cold mineral
spring. Source temperature: 22.4 °C

Drinking: Not permitted
None.
Benefits: Chronic skin diseases, neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, frozen shoulder, motor paralysis, stiff joints, bruises, sprains, chronic digestive diseases, hemorrhoids, sensitivity to cold, recovery from illness, fatigue recovery, and health promotion.

Furthermore, the acidic springs are said to be effective for many conditions, including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis vulgaris, diabetes, epidermal suppuration, neuralgia, and sensitivity to cold

Source: https://kitagassanso.navishonai.jp/

INFORMATION

• Name: Tsukisawa Onsen Kitatsuki Sanso [Official]
• Address: 1-67 Nishiyama, Tanizawa, Shonai-cho, Higashitagawa-gun, Yamagata Prefecture
• Phone number: 0234-59-2137
• Official URL: https://kitagassanso.navishonai.jp/

GOOGLE MAP

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summary

Even if you're not a movie fan, you've probably heard of the morning drama "Oshin," which is set in Yamagata, and the live-action version of the popular manga "Rurouni Kenshin." I hear that many people visit as part of a pilgrimage to these locations, as they can see the sets used in the filming of these shows

The surrounding area, including the theme park, is surrounded by magnificent nature. You can gaze upon the sunflowers as they bloom and take in the beautiful sunset, or take a short walk to relax in the hot springs

It might be nice to spend a relaxing day in the natural treasure trove around Mt. Gassan

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