Yamagata Prefecture is located on the Sea of Japan coast, with the Ou Mountains to the east and the Dewa Mountains to the west. The Dewa Hills stretch across the center, giving the prefecture a diverse topography. The prefecture is made up of three types of soil: volcanic ash soil, black soil, and diluvial soil, all of which are suitable for agriculture. Black soil in particular is well-suited to growing high-quality rice, and the prefecture is known as the birthplace of the famous brand rice "Hitomebore."
