At 63 meters, Tamasudare Fall is the highest waterfall in Yamagata Prefecture. It is located near Sakata City and to the south of Mt. Chokai, the second tallest mountain in the Tohoku Region. About 1,200 years ago, the waterfall was named by Kobo Daishi who was a monk and the founder of Shingon, a branch of esoteric Buddhism in Japan. Tamasudare means "beaded hanging screen" and it is said that the fall hides a statue of Buddha behind its veil of water. The fall is also said to be a "power spot" because of the special atmosphere around it. During Golden Week in early May and during Obon season in mid August the fall is illuminated after dark (until 10pm).