Is Yamagata city worth visiting?

Hello!

On my trip to Japan I will be visiting Yamadera and wanted to know if Yamagata city is worth visiting. I will be traveling to Yamadera from Sendai (and planning to take a shinkansen to Tokyo in the evening) and am torn between going back or visiting Yamagata.

Thank you!

It depends on when you are going and your interests, as anywhere. Like you, I previously went to Yamadera from Sendai and continued onwards. I didn't find anything really noteworthy in Yamagata City, but I went in July and further northwards I went to the Higashizawa Rose Garden in Murayama City - which was simply wonderful. There are a couple of festivals in Yamagata City, in early August as well as early Sept. They might be good if you are there at the time, but it would likely mean you'd get to Tokyo very late or unable to return the same day.

As Ken stated - it really depends on what you like to do and which season you visit. I've visited Yamagata twice and find it a nice secondary destination in the correct season.

It does not have any real major attractions - but the castle can be pretty in the correct season and it's easy to get around (aka - walkable)

https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-1004

Honestly half a day in Yamadera and potentially Matsushima for another half a day would be good but also very long.

There is also Tendo. Which I personally have missed when I went to Yamadera, but it looks interesting:

https://www.japan-guide.com/blog/solo-female-travel/190421.html

It will be worth when you buy transportation pass.Only walking or one way ticket will not give you full impression of Yamagata prefecture. So
Yamako bus 1 day pass for weekdays=1200 yen,weekend=800 yen
Yamagata railway or flower Liner 1 day pass=1000 yen
JR Yamagata 1 Day pass=2720 yen

Thanks everyone! I am planning to go in late October - early November and am mostly interested in gardens and sightseeing. Would 2.5 hours be enough for Matsushima? I am a bit worried that I won't be able to manage both Yamadera and Matsushima in one day and I have strong preference for the former.

I am also planning to use JR East Tohoku Area pass, so transportation won't be a problem

Matsushima for me pretty much took the whole day - including the bay boat tour, island hikes, Zuiganji and Entsuin. They were all great.

In Yamagata prefecture, you can visit yonezawa city.
1 way bus cost=210 yen
1 day bus pass=520 yen
Commuter pass= 5880, 16750, 31750 yen(1,3,6 month)
Student commuter pass=5040, 14360,27720 yen(1,3,6 month)

just curious: what are the main attractions for yonezawa city?

@Glimpigumpi My guess? Yonezawa beef

Yonezawa, well there is a famous shrine, which left me unimpressed. And then there is Yonezawa beef, which was great:

http://bicycletraveljapan.blogspot.com/2017/10/day-21-yamagata-through...

Yonezawa: https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-1003

Agree that the shrine was boring - but the clan mausoleum was interesting but a good walk from the centre of town

Regarding Yonezawa - I've actually tried the beef the last time I was in Tokyo (delicious indeed), but I am not sure if the city itself has anything to offer apart from that.

I think I'll just go Matsushima - it seems like I will still be able to roam for a bit and take the cruise and I won't have to carry my luggage across the whole of Japan.

Thanks everyone for great advice!

I strongly recommend you to buy Tohoku highway bus pass
2 Day pass=6000 yen 3 Day pass=8000 yen for unlimited ride
Tsuruoka 1 day bus pass=500 yen by shonai kotsu,Yamagata kanko
Yamagata Loop bus 1 way=100 yen , 1 day=300 yen
Free shuttle bus: green echo no okama of zao
You can visit ginzan onsen

After coming, you can visit following:
Yamagata castle ruin kajo park
Yamagata Marugoto kan beni no kura
Nanokamachi goten sluice
Bunshokan
Mogami yoshi aki historical museum

Thank you Dona, very helpful!
Do you maybe also know very good restaurants?