Geography
The topography of Yamagata is more vertical than horizontal. The Ou Range, including Mt. Zao with its famous ski resorts and other peaks over 1,000 meters high, the Echigo Range, and the Dewa Region that includes Dewasanzan and other majestic, and sacred, mountains, comprise some 70% of the land area. There are numerous hotsprings throughout the region. Most of the arable land is along the Mogami River that winds through the Shonai Plain to the Japan Sea.
Climate
The mountains catch the cold air from Siberia, resulting in heavy snowfall over most of Yamagata. The annual average temperature is 12.4°C, with 900mm of precipitation. | 
