Ginzan Onsen, located in Yamagata Prefecture, is a retro hot spring town where wooden inns line both sides of the Ginzan River. The charm lies in strolling through the townscape and staying at unique inns, offering new discoveries no matter which season you visit: spring, summer, autumn, or winter. In this article, we will introduce recommended accommodations in Ginzan Onsen, as well as must-see sightseeing spots and transportation information.
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Where is Ginzan Onsen? A Hot Spring Town Lined with Retro Wooden Architecture
Ginzan Onsen, nestled in the mountains of northeastern Yamagata Prefecture, is a historic hot spring town with old wooden inns lining the riverside, exuding a retro atmosphere reminiscent of a movie set.
History and Geography of Ginzan Onsen
Located at the foot of the Ou Mountains in northeastern Yamagata Prefecture, Tohoku region, this hot spring town sits in a mountain valley. The hot spring was discovered by miners working at the Nobesawa Silver Mine (one of Japan's great silver mines), and during the Edo period, it flourished as a therapeutic hot spring resort. Its history spans roughly 500 years to the present day.
Highlights and Attractions of Ginzan Onsen
The charm of Ginzan Onsen lies in its nostalgic scenery, with Western-style multi-story wooden inns built from the late Taisho to early Showa periods lining the streets. At dusk, gas lamps are lit, enveloping the entire town in a magical atmosphere. In spring, you can enjoy fresh greenery; in summer, lush foliage; in autumn, colorful leaves; and in winter, snowy landscapes. Each season offers a completely different view.
Recommended Season to Visit Ginzan Onsen
The best season to visit Ginzan Onsen is winter, when you can enjoy a snow-viewing bath while watching the snow fall quietly. Ginzan Onsen is located in a heavy snowfall area, and from December to February, traffic and entry restrictions may be enforced, so be sure to check in advance before visiting.
5 Recommended Accommodations in Ginzan Onsen | Famous Inns Including Notoya Ryokan
The official Ginzan Onsen website features 13 inns lining the hot spring town. Here, we introduce five particularly recommended accommodations.
Notoya Ryokan
Founded in 1892 (Meiji 25), Notoya Ryokan is a historic inn representing Ginzan Onsen, featuring a three-story wooden building with a watchtower, built in the traditional Japanese irimoya-zukuri (hip-and-gable roof) style.
The main building, dating back to the Taisho era, and the calm annex both feature spacious Japanese-style rooms where you can relax in comfort. Built in 1921 (Taisho 10), the main building is designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan, and the interior still retains the atmosphere of that time.
The hot springs feature water flowing directly from the source, allowing guests to enjoy a variety of baths, including a large public bath, an open-air bath overlooking Shirogane Waterfall (closed from December to around April due to snow), and a private cave bath.
Meals feature local ingredients such as Obanazawa beef and carp, allowing you to enjoy the rich flavors of the region's traditional cuisine.
- Address: 446 Ginzan Shinhata, Obanazawa City, Yamagata Prefecture
- Number of rooms: 15 Japanese-style rooms
🔍 Check room availability at Notoya Ryokan
Fujiya Ryokan
Fujiya Ryokan is an inn that stands out for its sophisticated design by architect Kengo Kuma. In the lobby, you'll find a delicate bamboo screen known as Sumushiko, and the windows are adorned with pale green stained glass, creating a unique beauty that harmonizes with the traditional streetscape of Ginzan Onsen.
Inside, there are five private baths, each with a unique ambiance, including bamboo, cypress, and stone options, making this inn popular with travelers who want to enjoy a quiet soak at any time of day or night.
All guest rooms face the Ginzan River, and the walls are decorated with handmade Echizen washi paper.
- Address: 443 Ginzan Shinhata, Obanazawa City, Yamagata Prefecture
- Number of rooms: 8
🔍 Check room availability at Fujiya Ryokan
Kosekiya Annex
The Kosekiya Annex is part of Kosekiya, one of Ginzan Onsen's most iconic ryokan, and is notable for its traditional architecture, with a roofline that preserves the style of historic Japanese houses.
There are two types of guest rooms: river-facing rooms overlooking the hot spring town, and quiet mountain-side rooms. The Roman Guest Room on the 5th floor is a spacious Japanese-Western style suite with two adjoining rooms, featuring a tatami-mat area and beds.
For dinner, you can enjoy dishes made with local specialties such as imoni (Yamagata-style taro and beef stew), seasonal fruits, and Yamagata beef. The in-house drink bar also offers a variety of beverages, including alcoholic options, available at any time.
There are two hot spring baths: Hokkori-no-Chikayu and Nukkuri-no-Kintaro-yu. Both baths alternate between men and women on a rotating schedule, so you can experience both during your stay.
- Address: 417 Shinbata, Ginzan, Obanazawa City, Yamagata Prefecture
- Number of rooms: 14
🔍 Check room availability at Kosekiya Annex
Takimi-kan: The Inn of Waterfalls and Soba
Takimi-kan is a scenic inn located on a quiet hilltop surrounded by trees.
From the open-air panoramic bath, designed to blend seamlessly with nature, you can gaze down at Shirogane Waterfall and relax to the soothing sound of the falls as you soak in the hot spring.
Meals are kaiseki-style, featuring seasonal ingredients and the unique flavors of Yamagata. The inn's specialty is its homemade hand-cut soba noodles, made from locally grown Obanazawa buckwheat flour and freshly prepared: ground, kneaded, and boiled right before serving.
In the newly established exclusive lounge, you can enjoy a variety of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, whenever you like.
- Address: 522 Shinbata, Ginzan, Obanazawa City, Yamagata Prefecture
- Number of rooms: 18
🔍 Check room availability at Takimi-kan: The Inn of Waterfalls and Soba
Senkyo-no-Yado Ginzanso
Ginzanso is one of the largest inns in Ginzan Onsen, making it relatively easy to book and a popular choice among visitors.
In guest rooms with semi-open-air baths, you can take your time and enjoy a private soak in the hot spring.
Inside the inn, you’ll find not only open-air and indoor baths, but also a "roten neyu" (open-air reclining bath) where you can gaze up at the night sky while soaking, as well as a stone sauna facility called “Tarsanal.” This makes for a truly fulfilling hot spring experience as you tour the various baths.
The cuisine centers around dishes such as roast Yamagata wagyu beef, served as part of a traditional kaiseki meal featuring local ingredients. For your dining style, you can choose between a tatami room with chairs or a traditional low table with zabuton floor cushions.
- Address: 85 Shinbata, Ginzan, Obanazawa City, Yamagata Prefecture
- Number of rooms: 40
🔍 Check room availability at “Senkyou-no-Yado Ginzanso”
Access to Ginzan Onsen
Here’s how to get to Ginzan Onsen from Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka. Since Ginzan Onsen is located in the mountains, it’s important to check transportation options in advance.
Access from Tokyo
Tokyo Station → Yamagata Shinkansen (Tsubasa) (approx. 3 hours 15 minutes) → Oishida Station → Oishii Yamagata Airport Tourist Bus to Ginzan Onsen (approx. 35 minutes) → Ginzan Onsen
Access from Osaka
Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport) → Flight (approx. 1 hour 10 minutes) → Yamagata Airport → Oishii Yamagata Airport Tourist Bus to Ginzan Onsen (approx. 1 hour 15 minutes) → Ginzan Onsen
Access from Fukuoka
Fukuoka Airport → Flight via Haneda Airport (approx. 4 hours 30 minutes) → Yamagata Airport → Oishii Yamagata Airport Tourist Bus to Ginzan Onsen (approx. 1 hour 15 minutes) → Ginzan Onsen
About Bus Operations
From Oishida Station, the Oishii Yamagata Airport Tourist Bus bound for Ginzan Onsen operates year-round. Additionally, during winter only, a shuttle bus requiring advance reservations operates from Taisho Roman-kan for crowd control and safety measures.
Winter Traffic Restrictions
From December to February each year, private car access to Ginzan Onsen is restricted. During busy periods or heavy snowfall, entry may be regulated as well.
Recommended Restaurants and Must-Try Local Foods in Ginzan Onsen: Top 3 Picks
Here are three local specialties you should definitely try when visiting Ginzan Onsen.
Haikara-san’s Curry Bread
Haikara-san’s Curry Bread features a crispy, fragrant exterior and is filled with piping hot, flavorful curry. Made with Yukichikara, a wheat flour produced in Yamagata Prefecture, this popular snack is perfect for enjoying as you stroll around Ginzan Onsen. The retro-style wrapping paper, unique to Ginzan Onsen, adds to the travel atmosphere. You can purchase it at Ginzan Onsen Meiyu-an and Taisho Roman-kan.
Tofu and Nama-age from Nogawa Tofuya
Located at the entrance of Ginzan Onsen, this long-established tofu shop sells firm tofu made with pure spring water and locally grown Yamagata soybeans. Their Standing Yudofu (hot tofu enjoyed on the spot) is soft and silky, while their Standing Nama-age (freshly fried tofu) is known for its crispy exterior and tender interior. Both are popular snacks, perfect for a quick bite during your stroll.
Fried Eggplant Oroshi Soba from Izu no Hana
At Izu no Hana, you can enjoy their specialty, Fried Eggplant and Grated Daikon Soba, featuring handmade soba noodles prepared daily using Obanazawa-grown buckwheat flour called Mogamiwase. The rich flavor of the buckwheat noodles is perfectly complemented by the savory fried eggplant, making this a popular spot to stop by during your stroll. Generous amounts of grated daikon radish are served on the side, allowing you to enjoy a refreshing combination with the chilled soba noodles.
🍴 See information about Izu no Hana (Tabelog)
Tourist Spots Around Ginzan Onsen
In addition to exploring the hot spring town, here are some must-visit attractions such as waterfalls and lakes in the area.
Shirogane Falls
Located in Shirogane Park at the end of a riverside walking path along the Ginzan River, this waterfall boasts a drop of about 22 meters. Its appearance changes with each season, making it a beloved symbol of the hot spring town. You can walk right up to the basin for an impressive view, and there is also an observation deck on the opposite bank.
Lake Tokura
Located about 20 minutes by car from Ginzan Onsen, Lake Tokura is an artificial reservoir built for irrigation during the Taisho era. In spring, around 100 cherry trees bloom along the banks, and in winter, the lake is well known for the arrival of migratory swans. Facilities such as hot springs, campgrounds, and a children's playground line the lakeshore, making it a popular spot to enjoy fresh greenery in spring and colorful foliage in autumn.
Summary: Check Availability for Accommodations in Ginzan Onsen
Ginzan Onsen offers unique charms in every season, and accommodation availability can vary greatly depending on the time of year. When planning your trip, it’s recommended to check availability early on JAPANiCAN.
👉 Book your stay in Ginzan Onsen on JAPANiCAN
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