Yamagata Prefectural High School Bus Tour! Experience Nature, Culture, and Food!

Yamagata Prefecture will hold its prefectural high school bus tour, now in its third year, from late July to early August, with the aim of promoting the acceptance of students from outside the prefecture into prefectural high schools.

Tour Overview

The tour targets junior high school students and their guardians, visiting Yamagata prefectural high schools that accept students from outside the prefecture. Participants will interact with current students, tour accommodation facilities, and engage with local residents. The tour also incorporates Yamagata Prefecture's nature, scenery, history, traditional culture, tourist attractions, and food culture, allowing participants to fully experience the charm of Yamagata. Six courses are planned: Okitama A, Okitama B, Murayama/Mogami A, Murayama/Mogami B, Shonai A, and Shonai B. Through this tour, we hope to spark interest in prefectural high schools and Yamagata Prefecture, encouraging participants to deepen their understanding by attending information sessions and events organized by schools and municipalities, and ultimately promoting enrollment in Yamagata prefectural high schools.

About Prefectural High Schools Accepting Students from Outside the Prefecture

Yamagata Prefecture has been accepting students from outside the prefecture since fiscal year 2018, expecting to enhance educational effects through interactions among students with diverse values and to revitalize schools and local communities. For the entrance examinations for students entering in April 2026, 14 departments across 12 prefectural high schools are accepting applications from outside the prefecture, and one more school will be added in fiscal year 2027.

Yamagata Prefecture is undertaking initiatives to showcase the unique characteristics and attractions of its prefectural schools and municipalities. While these efforts can be viewed through internet searches and photos/videos, opportunities to directly visit, see, talk, and experience them are limited. This bus tour will visit two schools per course, providing an opportunity for participating students to experience things at Yamagata prefectural high schools that they cannot experience or learn in their home prefectures.

Schools and Departments Accepting Students from Outside the Prefecture

Yamagata Prefectural Yusa High School (General Studies)

Yamagata Prefectural Shonai General High School (Full-time General Studies)

Yamagata Prefectural Kamo Fisheries High School (Fisheries)

Yamagata Prefectural Shonai Agricultural High School (Agriculture)

Yamagata Prefectural Shinjo Kamuro Industry High School Kanayama Branch (General)

Yamagata Prefectural Shinjo Shiseikan High School Mogami Branch (General)

Yamagata Prefectural Murayama Industry High School (Agriculture, Industry, Commerce)

Yamagata Prefectural Yatsume High School (General)

Yamagata Prefectural Yamagata North High School (Music)

Yamagata Prefectural Nagai Technical High School (Engineering)

Yamagata Prefectural Oguni High School (General)

Yamagata Prefectural Okitama Agricultural High School (Agriculture)

Yamagata Prefectural Takahata High School (General Studies)

List of Schools Accepting Students from Outside the Prefecture

Target Participants

The target participants are junior high school 1st to 3rd graders and compulsory education school 7th to 9th graders from outside Yamagata Prefecture (hereinafter referred to as "out-of-prefecture junior high school students") who are considering advancing to a school in Yamagata Prefecture, and their accompanying guardians or other escorts (hereinafter referred to as "guardians, etc."). In principle, one guardian, etc., is allowed per out-of-prefecture junior high school student. The capacity is 30 groups (60 people), and applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Participation Fees

All costs incurred during the tour (meals, accommodation, experience fees, etc.) are free of charge. Not only out-of-prefecture junior high school students but also their guardians, etc., will have their costs covered. Furthermore, round-trip travel expenses to Yamagata Prefecture will be subsidized for both out-of-prefecture junior high school students and their guardians, etc. The subsidy rate is 1/2 per person, with a maximum of 10,000 yen. The subsidy for accompanying guardians is a rare initiative nationwide.

Bus Tour Course Schedule (subject to change)

Recommended Points of Schools Accepting Students from Outside the Prefecture

Yamagata Prefectural Yusa High School

This school has strong ties with the community and offers many attractive classes, such as "Dual Practice," a long-term internship program, "Community Design," which revitalizes the region through the power of design, and "Geopark Exploration" with external lecturers from the Chokai-san and Tobishima Geopark.

Yamagata Prefectural Shonai General High School (Full-time)

Students can deepen their specialized learning in three courses: "General Education," "Commerce," and "Industry." In addition to small-group, practical classes, there are ample opportunities to learn cooking, handicrafts, agriculture, and more from local professionals. The school also hosts many events, such as the Shonai-so Festival and ski/snowboard classes. The gymnastics club has participated in the Inter-High School Athletic Meet for 27 consecutive years, achieving individual event championships and top rankings.

Yamagata Prefectural Kamo Fisheries High School

Why not aim to become a marine specialist at the only fisheries department in the prefecture? The Japan Sea in front of the school building and the training ship "Chokaimaru" serve as the learning field. Practical training that utilizes the local area, such as "Introduction to Aquarium Studies" in collaboration with the Kamo Aquarium, is a highlight. Students learn about navigation, marine resources, and food processing, and are supported in obtaining qualifications such as maritime officers and small vessel operators. It is an environment where students can learn practically surrounded by the rich sea and with their peers.

Yamagata Prefectural Shonai Agricultural High School

With two departments, "Food Production" and "Food Science," this school cultivates specialists and coordinators in agriculture in a rich natural environment. Events include the Founding Commemorative Ekiden Race, Harvest Thanksgiving Festival, and school festivals involving the local community. The agricultural club's processing group (nicknamed the "Udon Club") makes "Phantom Shonno Udon," which is very popular locally!

Yamagata Prefectural Shinjo Kamuro Industry High School Kanayama Branch

This school provides careful support for each student's learning in a warm, small-group environment. The ski club is active at a national level, utilizing the high-quality snow in winter. Through "Kanayama Time," where local instructors teach classes, and participation in community events, students naturally deepen their connections with people. About 30% of the total student body are from outside the prefecture, and they enjoy a fulfilling school life with peers from all over the country.

Yamagata Prefectural Shinjo Shiseikan High School Mogami Branch

This school offers classes with a universal design perspective that cater to individual needs, and from the third year, students can choose specialized courses in advancement, general education, or welfare. The welfare course allows students to obtain certification as a certified care worker. The school has many events where everyone plays a leading role, such as the Grand Athletic Meet, Cultural Festival, and Marathon Competition. Community collaboration is also active, including participation in local festivals and snow-clearing volunteer work.

Yamagata Prefectural Murayama Industry High School

This school, with its "Agriculture," "Industry," and "Commerce" departments, is an evolving "moving school." The "Hana Hikari Project," which collaborates with local sake breweries to brew local sake, involves the agricultural department for sake rice, the industrial department for novelty items, and the commercial department for sales promotion activities, demonstrating inter-departmental cooperation. Furthermore, activities that pioneer the future with cutting-edge technology, such as the "Carbon Neutral Challenge," are highly regarded.

Yamagata Prefectural Yatsume High School

This school engages in unique activities, such as a canoe club that has produced national champions for 35 consecutive years and the incorporation of Gagaku, a court music tradition over 1000 years old, into its curriculum. They also focus on practical learning that contributes to regional revitalization, such as developing sake lees soap in cooperation with a brewery and activities in collaboration with the Kahoku Zoo.

Yamagata Prefectural Nagai Technical High School

This school has three departments: the Mechanical Engineering Department, where students learn design, processing, and control; the Electrical Engineering Department, where they study electricity, electronics, and robot control; and the Welfare Environment Department, a rare program nationwide, where they learn manufacturing with a focus on welfare. Through practical learning in collaboration with local companies and higher education institutions, students enhance their expertise and challenge themselves in various competitions and national certifications.

Yamagata Prefectural Oguni High School

As a community school, this school provides an environment where each student can shine with the support of the local community. Many students are from outside the prefecture, and in July, they hosted the "National High School Small School Summit" planned and managed by the students. In the research learning program "Shiroi Mori Future Exploration," students learn from people active in the community to deepen their self-understanding. They can also participate in training and exchange programs in Taiwan and short-term study abroad in the United States, and challenge themselves to obtain various qualifications, fostering independence and collaboration with the spirit of "Challenge, Together!"

Yamagata Prefectural Okitama Agricultural High School

This school provides practical learning on the largest farm in the prefecture. Starting in fiscal year 2026, it will operate with two departments: "Food Production Management" and "Agricultural Resource Utilization," cultivating human resources who can learn about food and agriculture from multiple perspectives and contribute to regional revitalization. They also focus on research activities and community collaboration, with national-level awards. Club activities are also vigorous, and students grow together with the community while achieving success in various fields.

Yamagata Prefectural Takahata High School

This school supports students' progression to and employment in various fields, including humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, childcare, welfare, agriculture, tourism, and nursing. As part of their research activities, the "Takahata Seminar" collaborates with the town and junior high schools to promote the town's attractions. They also have a sister school relationship with Singleton High School in Australia, where several students participate in training and exchange programs annually.