Last weekend I went to Yamagata and visited Uriwari Sekitei Park Takahata. Stone mining started during the Taishō Period (大正時代), and reached its peak in 1954 in Takahata, with numerous quarries all around. In fact, so popular and well-regarded was the Takahata stone that the name by which it was sold differed according to where it was mined.

Since I can`t read Kanji I did my research about this quarry.
One quarry that is still in operation today and can be explored is the Uriwari Sekitei Kōen. So named because of an old tale in which melons cooled in the water from the quarry split into two because of how cold the water was, a step into the quarry reveals a space surrounded by walls of Takahata stone, giving it an otherworldly field. The site was also formerly used as an outdoor concert hall and is nowadays used as a venue for imoni (芋煮), Yamagata`s soul food of beef and taros stewed in soy sauce.

That day when we came to Uriwari there were no other tourists, only us and a man playing flute and he was like offering his music and paying respect to the nature of Uriwari Park. Listening to his music felt like I was in an enchanted kingdom. It was soothing and relaxing you could feel the nature around you.
For those who would like to experience the history of Takahata up close, this quarry is not to be missed!
JOHN