Ginzan Onsen (銀山温泉)

About

Ginzan Onsen (銀山温泉) is a Silver Mountain hot spring town located in the mountains of Obanazawa City, Yamagata Prefecture. The area originally developed around a silver mine. However, these days it is better known as one of Japan’s prettiest onsen towns with historic ryokan alongside river.

Travel back in time to classical Japan in Ginzan Onsen. The town is home to wooden hot spring inns. Whole town is lining alongside of the Ginzan River. However, nostalgic beauty while night time during winter. When streets illuminated at by gas street lamps. The night view of the town covered in snow beneath the warm streetlights is particularly photogenic during winter.

Ginzan is popular among travellers mainly for small, quaint towns and cozy inns. The term onsen-kyo is associated with small towns. It offers accommodation, food and hot spring bathing.

As weekend retreats, they are popular with all age groups, from young families to retirees. This cherished aspect of travel in Japan often goes unnoticed by foreign visitors, so live like a local and dive into onsen-kyo culture.

The area is a car-free town centre with no modern buildings in sight. However, Having checked into one of the town’s many inns, visitors walk the streets without the usual concern of cars zipping past to beat the traffic light.

Beautiful buildings surrounded by an unspoiled rural setting ensure that Ginzan Onsen is pleasant all year round.

Ginzan Accommodation

Even though Ginzan is hidden spot however recommend to book Ginzan Onsen Ryokan and Hotel in advance. Ginzan onsen in winters are more crowded compared to Ginzan Onsen in Autumn. Having said that, ginzan onsen accommodation can be little expensive however it will be worth spending and stay over night.

If you visit Japan, Ginzan Onsen is one of most beautiful places in Japan.

Gallery
How to get there
Cost
Important Links/Websites

Gallery

Receive monthly updates in your email about new destination, travel tips, landscape photography, photo-editing and existing freebies details.

Click here to sign-up for newsletter.

How To Get There

Address

By Train

From Tokyo to Ginzan Onsen:

Take the JR Yamagata Shinkansen from Tokyo to Oishida Station (four stops north of Yamagata Station).

The one way ride takes about 3 hours 20 minutes and costs around 12,000 yen.

From there, buses depart for Ginzan Onsen every 60-90 minutes. The bus ride takes about 35 minutes and costs 720 yen one way.

The train portion of the journey is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass, and JR East Tohoku Area Pass, but the bus ride is not covered.

By Car

My suggestion is choose a rental car or your own car, it will be convenient for exploring the area.

Rental car outlets are available at stations along the Yamagata Shinkansen such as Murayama, Shinjo and Yamagata stations, as well as at Yamagata Airport.

Parking is available at parking lots a 5-10 minute walk outside the town center. Many ryokan will pick up their guests from the parking lot.