Shinjo City is located in the northeastern part of Yamagata Prefecture. Surrounded by the Ou Mountains and Dewa Mountains, it once flourished as a castle town and post town on the Ushu Kaido road. It is a region harmonious with beautiful nature. Blessed with a diverse natural environment, the city offers beautiful scenery throughout the seasons. Local specialties include the long-loved "Shinjozuke," made by pickling daikon radish and cucumber in miso, and famous chicken offal ramen. Shinjo City is also home to many traditional crafts, including Shinjo Kameayaori (a traditional Japanese weaving technique) and Higashiyamayaki (pottery making), which has been around since 1841. The annual "Shinjo Festival" held in late August is one of the traditional festivals of the Tohoku region, attracting over 500,000 visitors.