Ginzan Onsen in Obanazawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, is a popular hot spring town that everyone wants to visit. However, since Ginzan Onsen is located deep in the mountains, many people may feel anxious thinking it might be far and difficult to reach. Long drives can be a bit tiring, even during a much-anticipated trip.

This time, I enjoyed a day trip to Ginzan Onsen by car, but upon researching, I found that there are route buses from the nearest JR Oishida Station, and it is also accessible from Yamagata Airport, making it easy to visit even without a car. The convenience of being able to go easily is a big appeal for a day trip! This time, I would like to share a report of such a trip to Ginzan Onsen.

What is the Taisho Romantic Ginzan Onsen?

“Ginzan Onsen,” renowned as a dream hot spring destination, is a charming hot spring town lined with nostalgic wooden ryokan. At dusk, the gas lamps softly illuminate the streets, creating a scene reminiscent of a moment from a movie or anime.

While the snow-covered winter scenery is particularly famous, you can also enjoy the beauty of each season: fresh greenery in spring, cool clear streams in summer, and colorful autumn leaves in fall.

Winter tends to get crowded with tourists, making it difficult to secure accommodations, but Ginzan Onsen in summer is also highly recommended. Yamagata experiences hot summers and snowy winters, with a significant temperature difference, which is precisely why the unique appeal of each season stands out.

If you plan your trip leisurely according to the season and weather, you can enjoy the pleasant time.

No car needed! How to access Ginzan Onsen

Access to Ginzan Onsen is surprisingly convenient. The nearest station when using the train is JR Oishida Station. Since the Yamagata Shinkansen also stops there, you can easily visit even from distant locations.

For flights, Yamagata Airport is the closest, and from there you transfer to a route bus heading to Ginzan Onsen. If you transfer to the shuttle bus at the “Ginzan Tourist Center / Taisho Roman-kan” located just before the hot spring town, you can smoothly reach the onsen town.

Additionally, some accommodations offer shuttle services, so it’s reassuring to check in advance. Furthermore, though limited to winter, there are direct day-trip sightseeing bus tours from Tendo Onsen, which is slightly south.

Depending on your travel style, making good use of taxis and other transport options can make the journey to Ginzan Onsen a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

Map

By Train

Get off at JR Oishida Station → Take the Hanagasa Bus bound for Ginzan Onsen.

By Air

From Yamagata Airport → Take the Hanagasa Bus bound for Ginzan Onsen.
Or,
From Yamagata Airport → Take the Airport Liner directly to Ginzan Onsen. (※Advance reservation required.)

By Bus from the Sendai Area

From JR Sendai Station → Take the Yamakō Bus “for Shinjo (48 Liner)” → Get off at Obanazawa Waiting Area → Transfer to the Hanagasa Bus bound for Ginzan Onsen.

Shuttle Bus Stops: Ginzan Tourism Center & Taisho Roman Hall

Shuttle bus pick-up and drop-off point. It’s less than a 10-minute ride to the hot spring town from here. There are also souvenir shops and a restaurant inside the facility, making it convenient to stop by before or after your walk.

Took a Stroll Through Ginzan Onsen in the Midsummer

This time, I visited during the daytime in the height of summer, in August. The temperature that day was around 32°C. Since there are fewer tourists in summer, I was able to enjoy the streets at a leisurely pace.

Along the street, watermelons were being chilled, and eggs for hot springs were soaking—such a nostalgic scene. Taking photos with the retro buildings in the background while listening to the murmur of the river creates a special memory.

Bathe in the negative ions at the Shirogane Falls

Shirgane Falls is a 22-meter waterfall located deep within the hot spring town. You can enjoy its appearance in every season, and it’s full of negative ions.

This time, I crossed the river and observed it from directly in front. The cave of Kishimojin behind the falls lets natural cool air flow through, which feels incredibly refreshing. It was truly like a natural air conditioner.

Carefully appreciating the artisan skills in Kote-e plasterwork

Kote-e =鏝絵（こてえ）is a type of decorative craft that uses plaster materials such as stucco =漆喰（しっくい）, where letters, landscapes, and patterns are embossed and finished with a plastering trowel =左官用の鏝（こて）.

In Ginzan Onsen, you can often see these kote-e on the walls and under the eaves of wooden ryokan and buildings that make up the hot spring town, serving as “decorations for the streetscape” and coloring the scenery of the town.

The kote-e are colorful yet blend naturally with the town, making it enjoyable to look for them while walking around. I became so absorbed in checking one after another that I completely forgot about the heat.

Enjoy Taisho Era Costumes at “Rental Costumes Airasugena”

At “Rental Costumes Airasugena,” located in the Kosekiya Annex in the middle of Ginzan Onsen Town, you can wear retro Taisho-era costumes. Strolling through this hot spring town, lined with Western-style buildings full of Taisho romantic charm, in vintage attire really lifts your spirits.

The staff provide careful assistance with dressing, so even beginners can feel at ease wearing a kimono. You can capture that quintessential Ginzan Onsen photo that you’ll want to take again and again.

However, it was unfortunate that I couldn’t experience it on the day I visited, as it was a holiday.

Since they are open during the winter season as well, my desire to “walk around in costumes amidst the snowy scenery” has grown stronger. Because it is especially popular during the winter, I would like to contact them in advance and make a reservation before visiting.

A must-do when strolling around Ginzan Onsen is, of course, gourmet food hopping. You can definitely enjoy trying Yamagata’s specialty dishes, as well as sweets and light snacks that can only be tasted here, all in a walk-and-eat style. Here, I’ll introduce the shops I visited.

Enjoy Hand-Made Soba at “Soba & Sake Place Izu no Hana”

When it comes to Yamagata, soba is a must. The aromatic soba grown in the region’s climate with significant temperature differences is exquisite. Soba & Sake Place Izu no Hana is a shop where you can enjoy soba, coffee, and alcohol inside a building that has been renovated from a traditional house over 140 years old.

Enjoy Local Gourmet Cuisine in Ginzan Onsen Town

Of course, you can enjoy handmade soba made with stone-ground buckwheat flour “Mogami Wase” from Obanazawa, but in the hot summer, we also recommend soba soft serve ice cream and Yamagata’s specialty, “cold ramen.” Be sure to try the ramen at a soba restaurant as well.

Ordering different dishes and sharing them to compare tastes is also one of the joys of a trip.

Adorable Polar Bear Shaved Ice at “Yukemuri Shokudo Shirogane”

During our walk, we succumbed to the heat and went to a café that serves shaved ice. The interior had a retro atmosphere, and the air conditioning made it pleasantly cool.

We ordered a visually cute, realistic “Shirokuma” shaved ice. The portion for one person was huge! But we devoured it easily, and it cooled us down and refreshed us.

In addition, the hot spring town also has shops that serve light meals such as tofu and Japanese sweets, and there are plenty of souvenir options. Restrooms are available in cafés and other restaurants, so you can feel at ease.

Turn Your Travel Memories into Art with a Pottery Experience! “Uenohata-yaki Pottery Center”

Next to the Roman-kan, located just before the hot spring town, is the “Ueno Hatayaki Pottery Center,” where you can paint or hand-make Yamagata’s traditional pottery, “Ueno Hatayaki.” Drawing or making matching teacups with friends and taking home a memento of the trip is a unique pleasure of a girls’ trip.

This time, we didn’t have much time, so we just watched the work and bought souvenirs. We’ll save the hands-on experience for our next visit.

・Pottery Class: Shaping clay by hand
1 person / 2,600 yen (1kg)
Duration: About 1 to 1.5 hours
・Painting Class: Painting on pre-made pieces
Teacup / 1,000 yen, Plate / 1,300 yen, Bowl / 1,200 yen
Duration: About 30 minutes to 1 hour
(*Experience classes require advance reservation by phone due to irregular holidays)

Ginza Onsen at night, illuminated by gas lamps, is also recommended!

Ginzan Onsen at night shows a completely different face from what you see during the day. As the sun sets, the lights of the wooden inns lining the hot spring town and the gas lamps are all lit at once, enveloping the entire street in a soft glow.
This enchanting scene feels as if you have traveled back in time to the Taisho era. The lights reflected in the river and the orange glow reflected on the snow blend together, creating breathtaking beauty.
People strolling around in yukata add a unique charm that can only be experienced in Ginzan Onsen. Along with the quiet murmur of the hot spring town, the sound of shamisen and the steam rising from the inns create a heartwarming atmosphere.

In contrast to the lively daytime scenery, Ginzan Onsen at night is a world of ‘healing and romance.’ If you forget your daily life and walk slowly, guided by the lights, you will surely understand why this place continues to be loved by so many people.

This time, I couldn’t see the night view, so I’m looking forward to it next time.

Summary

This summer trip mainly focused on strolling and sightseeing around the town, but even that was enough to fully appreciate the charm of Ginzan Onsen. If time had allowed, I would have liked to experience the natural coolness at Shirogane Park’s ‘Gin Kodo’ and ‘Natsu Shirazu Mine.’

Next time, I want to visit in winter, try renting traditional costumes and pottery-making experiences, stay at a ryokan to enjoy their famous hot springs and meals, and leisurely savor the illuminated hot spring town at night.

One of the charms of Ginzan Onsen is its ever-changing beauty through the seasons, making you want to visit again and again. Since there are some uneven areas and slopes, be sure to wear comfortable shoes and relaxed clothing so you can enjoy a safe and wonderful girls’ trip.

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