Maruike-sama Pond and Ushiwatari River

Head toward the Minowa Salmon Hatchery in the town of Yuza, Yamagata Prefecture, and find Maruike-sama Pond quietly surrounded by trees. If you look at the transparent pond, you can see the spring water bubbling out from the bottom of the pond. Because the water is so clear and the spring water is constantly circulating, even fallen trees at the bottom of the water are not rotten. When the sun shines on the pond, the emerald green pool sparkles mysteriously. Maruike-sama Pond has been cherished since ancient times as an object of worship of Maruike Shrine located adjacent to the pond.

Many waterfalls of varying sizes can be found at the foot of Mount Chokai. The Tamasudare Falls in Sakata City, adjacent to Yuza Town, is the highest waterfall in Yamagata Prefecture at 63 meters, creating an astounding scenery of water falling from a precipitous cliff. It was once a training ground for mountain worshippers, and Mitake Shrine is enshrined in front of the waterfall. Also, the Juni Falls, which consists of 12 large and small waterfalls, creates a cool, pleasant landscape with different imagery for each waterfall. From a 28-meter-long, 1.2-meter-wide suspension bridge, you can enjoy the entire view of the 12 waterfalls.