Yamagata Prefecture

Yamagata Prefecture 山形県
Prefecture
Japanese transcription(s)
• Japanese	山形県
• Rōmaji	Yamagata-ken
Ginzan Onsen Snow monsters of Mount Zaō Yama-dera Mount Haguro Kamo Aquarium
Flag Symbol
Anthem: Mogami gawa
Country	Japan
Region	Tōhoku
Island	Honshu
Capital	Yamagata
Subdivisions	Districts: 8, Municipalities: 35
Government
• Governor	Mieko Yoshimura
Area
• Total	9,325.15 km2 (3,600.46 sq mi)
• Rank	9th
Population  (August 1, 2023)
• Total	1,028,055
• Rank	35th
• Density	110/km2 (290/sq mi)
• Dialects	Nairiku・Shōnai
GDP [1]
• Total	JP¥ 4,337 billion US$ 39.8 billion (2019)
ISO 3166 code	JP-06
Website	www.pref.yamagata.jp
Symbols of Japan
Bird	Mandarin duck (Aix galericulata)
Fish	Cherry salmon (Oncorhynchus masou)
Flower	Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius)
Tree	Cherry

Yamagata Prefecture (山形県, Yamagata-ken) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku region of Honshu.^[2] It has a population of 1,005,926 (1 February 2025) and an area of 9,325 km² (3,600 sq mi). Its neighbours are Akita Prefecture to the north, Miyagi Prefecture to the east, Fukushima Prefecture to the south, and Niigata Prefecture to the southwest.

The capital and largest city is Yamagata, with other major cities being Tsuruoka, Sakata and Yonezawa.^[3] The prefecture is located on Japan's western Sea of Japan coast and its borders with neighboring prefectures are formed by various mountain ranges, with 17% of its total land area being designated as Natural Parks. Yamagata Prefecture formed the southern half of the historic Dewa Province with Akita Prefecture and is home to the Three Mountains of Dewa, which includes the Haguro Five-story Pagoda, a recognised National Treasure of Japan.