State of Colorado - Yamagata Prefecture
The State of Colorado and Yamagata Prefecture have maintained a Sister State relationship since 1986, when Governor Romer of Colorado and JASC Founder Bill Hosokawa visited the prefecture and concluded a sister state agreement.
Sister State celebrations
Photos from the 1991 five-year anniversary celebration at the State Capitol.
Governors of Yamagata and Colorado were present and exchanged gifts. JASC facilitated the event.
Photos from the 2001 fifteen-year anniversary celebration.
Leaders from Colorado, Yamagata, and Japan America Society of Colorado were present.
Some interesting facts about Yamagata
yamagata rice tsuyahime (つや姫）
Glossy (Tsuya) and tasty rice, Tsuyahime, even when cold
The original prefectural rice variety "Tsuyahime(つや姫)" was selected with a rare probability of 1 in 100,000, based on comprehensive scientific research and the insatiable pursuit of the variety development team, and was born as a result of the concerted efforts of Yamagata Prefecture, a rice-producing region.
imoni (芋煮）
One of the local dishes of the Tohoku region is Imoni (stewed potatoes). of course, in Yamagata Prefecture, they continue to be loved by the people. Recipes vary slightly from region to region, but in Yamagata Prefecture alone, there are four main types of Imoni.
Okitama Region
The Okitama region has long been famous for its Yonezawa beef. The meat is seasoned with soy sauce, but a little miso is added as a secret ingredient. In this region, carrots and radishes are added in abundance, and ito-konnyaku (konnyaku with threads) is used.Murayama Region
The standard dish in the Murayama area is sweet soy sauce flavored with taro, beef, green onions, and konnyaku. After enjoying Imoni, some people add udon or curry to the dish.Shonai Region
The Shonai region is rich in ingredients such as pork, taro, green onion, mushrooms such as shimeji mushrooms, and thick fried bean curd. Because of the proximity of the Shonai beach, Imoni parties are often held at the beach as well as at the riverbank.Mogami Region
In the Mogami region, Imoni is similar to that of both Shonai and Murayama due to their location. The seasoning is soy sauce, and pork is used as the meat. They also add a lot of mushrooms such as beech mushrooms and maitake mushrooms, which are local specialties.
Yamagata: a City of Films
The Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival is held every other October and attracts many films from around the world. In 2018, the festival was accredited by the U.S. Academy Awards for Best Documentary Feature Films, attracting attention from around the world.
Ginzan onsen
Founded over 400 years ago, Ginzan Onsen is one of the most famous hot springs town in Japan. Located in Obanazawa, Ginzan(銀山) directly translates to “Silver Mountain”, which derives from the silver mine that thrived off the mining industry when founded. It is also said that this town was used as an inspiration for the famous movie “Spirited Away.”
zao onsen ski resort
Nestled between the mountains of Yamagata and Miyagi, Zao Onsen is a popular ski and hot spring resort area known for its mineral-rich water which helps relieve fatigue and beautify the skin. The resort offers activities year-round such as Forest bathing and trekking in the green season, skiing/snowboarding/apres-ski in the winter, and their Juhyo “snow monster” festival from December to February.
Hanagasa festival
The Yamagata Hanagasa Festival is a dancing parade held on a midsummer evening, spanning three days and involving over 10,000 dancers. The festival includes 4 different performances and a final “Jump into the Parade” opportunity to participate in the “Hanagasa Dance.”
explore Yamagata
Yamagata offers a great number of spots to explore. Pictured here is the Yamadera(山寺) temple, which directly translates to Mountain Temple. With nearly 1,000 steps to reach the top, this trail makes it worth the effort with a fabulous view of the area.
Yamagata and Boulder Relation
Since 1994, Boulder has been recognized as the official Sister City of Yamagata City. This relationship fosters cultural exchange, cooperation, and mutual growth through shared experiences in food, work, dance, and news, with Boulder Channel 8 and Yamagata Broadcasting Company exchanging local television footage. This partnership was brought to light when Yamagata donated to support numerous Daycare Centers during the 2013 Boulder Floods.