Major city · Japan
Tendo天童
Spend a half day in Tendo to see the Shogi Museum and Hiroshige Museum; add a quick onsen visit if time allows.
Tendo is a small city in Yamagata known for shogi piece production. The main sights are within walking distance of JR Tendo Station, so a half‑day covers the museums and a bite; an extra night lets you enjoy the onsen hotels.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jan–Feb (heavy snow)
- Airport
- GAJ
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Tendo110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Tendo, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyTendo is a low‑crime town; typical precautions apply, especially at night on quiet streets.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckGAJ Yamagata Airport (Domestic flights; bus ~1 h to Tendo (check schedule)).
- Getting aroundAll attractions are within a 10‑minute walk from JR Tendo Station; no public transport needed.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Shogi)¥300 (≈ US$3)
- Budget bedTakinoyu Hotel double room, a night, per room¥9,000 (≈ US$65)
- Mid-range bedTakinoyu Hotel double room, a night, per room¥13,000 (≈ US$90)
- High-end bedTakinoyu Hotel double room, a night, per room¥18,000 (≈ US$130)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥5,000 (≈ US$35) · Mid ¥8,000 (≈ US$55) · High ¥12,000 (≈ US$85)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GAJ Yamagata Airport (Domestic flights; bus ~1 h to Tendo (check schedule))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Dec
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: Apr–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Feb (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tendo: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
6 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
5 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
7 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
10 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
12 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7 rd
Nov
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
6 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
All attractions are within a 10‑minute walk from JR Tendo Station; no public transport needed.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Yamagata City
goDoor to door: ≈ 45 min total
JR Yamagata Shinkansen, about 20 min from Tendo
City centre, castle ruins and hot springs.
Shinjo
goDoor to door: ≈ 1 h total
JR Ou Main Line, about 30 min north
Historic streets and the Sakata River walk.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Comfort Hotel Tendo
Business hotel next to the station; easy access for museum visits.
Takinoyu Hotel
Onsen hotel east of station; rooms have private onsen.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥5,000–8,000 (≈ US$35–55) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥8,000–12,000 (≈ US$55–85) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Comfort Hotel Tendo single room1 × 1 night × ¥6,000 | ¥6,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × ¥5,000 | ¥5,000 |
| JR Yamagata Shinkansen ticket (Tokyo‑Tendo round‑trip)1 × ¥18,000 · check | ¥18,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥2,900 |
| Trip total≈ ¥31,900 per person per day, bed included | ¥31,900≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in yen; transport and accommodation excluded.
Prices of common things
| Shogi piece (single, basic) | ¥1,000–2,000 (≈ US$7–14) |
| Shogi piece (hand‑carved, high grade) | ¥20,000–80,000 (≈ US$140–550) |
| Museum entry (Shogi) | ¥300 (≈ US$3) |
| Museum entry (Hiroshige) | ¥600 (≈ US$5) |
| Meal at a local restaurant | ¥800–1,500 (≈ US$6–11) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Shogi Museum closed Tue‑Thu; check opening days before you go.
- Hiroshige Museum hours change seasonally; verify current times.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Tendo天童
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
US consulate in Sendai (check address); Japanese embassy in Tokyo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- JR Tendo Station → city centre (walk): 0 ¥, 0 min (walk)
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- 博物館はどこですか？ — Where is the museum? (hakubutsukan wa doko desu ka)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Tendo. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jan–Feb (heavy snow) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Tendo
Loading…