Tendo Onsen is a compact and walkable town. Between the sessions of TeVPA 2026, we encourage you to explore the local culture, art, and the unique Japanese nightlife just a short walk from the venue.
Art & Culture
Dewazakura Museum of Art (出羽桜美術館)
This museum is housed in a beautiful traditional Japanese residence built in the late 19th century. It features an impressive collection of ceramics, crafts, and tea ceremony utensils. The serene atmosphere and the well-preserved architecture offer a profound look into Japanese aesthetics.
📍 Approx. 10 min walk from the venue.
Hiroshige Museum of Art, Tendo (広重美術館)
This is a premier destination for fans of Ukiyo-e. The museum celebrates the legacy of Utagawa Hiroshige, a master whose landscapes—such as his famous "Hundred Famous Views of Edo"—deeply inspired Western Impressionists like Vincent van Gogh.
Beyond these world-renowned prints, the museum is also home to a rare collection of original hand-painted works, offering a rare glimpse into his personal technique.
Ukiyo-e pigments are extremely sensitive to light. To preserve these delicate colors, works are rotated frequently and exhibited for limited periods.
📍 Approx. 8 min walk from the venue. Official Site (Japanese) ↗
Nature & Views
Tendo Park / Mt. Maizuru (天童公園)
Mt. Maizuru is the symbol of the city. A short hike to the summit offers a panoramic view of the Tendo area and the distant Ou Mountains. It is famous for "Ningen Shogi" (Human Chess), where professional players use people as chess pieces on a giant board.
📍 The trail entrance is about a 15 min walk from the venue.
Yamadera Temple (山寺 / Risshaku-ji)
A historic temple complex founded in 860 AD, clinging to the side of a steep mountain. It is one of the most famous scenic spots in Tohoku. To reach the iconic Godaido hall at the top, visitors climb 1,015 stone steps through a beautiful forest.
Take the JR Ou Main Line to Uzen-Chitose Station (approx. 10 min), then transfer to the JR Senzan Line bound for Yamagata/Sendai and get off at Yamadera Station (approx. 10-15 min).
Photos of Yamadera ／ Risshaku-ji Temple (https://yamagatakanko.com/en/attractions/detail_2352.html)
Photos by the editor
📍 Located in the neighboring area (approx. 45 min by train).
