Ginzan Onsen (銀山温泉), nestled in the mountains of Obanazawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, is a picturesque hot spring town in Japan. It is celebrated for its historic hot spring baths and traditional Japanese architecture, transporting visitors back to the Edo period (1603-1868).
Once a thriving silver mining town, Ginzan Onsen experienced a decline in the late Edo and Meiji periods as the demand for silver dwindled. However, in recent years, the town’s nostalgic atmosphere and breathtaking natural beauty have captivated tourists, making it a sought-after destination.
One of the main attractions of Ginzan Onsen is its hot spring baths, renowned for their therapeutic properties due to the high mineral content. Visitors can indulge in the warm waters of these baths housed in traditional wooden buildings while enjoying the scenic views of the surrounding mountains.
The town’s main street, a picturesque promenade lined with traditional ryokans (Japanese inns) and shops selling local crafts and souvenirs, showcases the well-preserved and restored architecture of the Edo period. Additionally, public baths and footbaths on the main street allow visitors to easily experience the rejuvenating hot springs.
Ginzan Onsen is also enveloped in natural splendor, boasting forests, waterfalls, and inviting hiking trails. Visitors can take leisurely strolls along the river that meanders through the town or embark on hikes along the nearby trails, leading to captivating viewpoints and cascading waterfalls.
Traffic and admission restrictions related to winter tourism
Period:
From December 20, 2024 to the end of March 2025.
Traffic Restrictions:
| Restricted area | Prefectural Highway 188 from the ruins of Jikkoichi Sekisho to Ginzan Onsen. |
| Hours | Every day from 16:00 to 10:00 the following day. Day-trippers are not allowed to pass during this time, but overnight guests are allowed to enter the parking lot of the inn. |
Admission Restrictions:
| Target | Day-trippers. |
| Restricted hours | Park-and-ride with no admission restrictions from 10:00 to 16:00. From 17:00 to 20:00, park-and-ride is available with a limit on the number of visitors. From 20:00 to 10:00 the following day, only authorized persons are allowed to enter. Limit: 100 people per hour between 17:00 and 20:00. Admission is ticketed and tickets will be sold online. |
Other:
Walking from the restricted area to the hot spring resort is prohibited. This is to prevent accidents involving human life.
Visitors with reservations for lodging and restaurants must register in advance and are exempt from admission restrictions.
Getting there
From Tokyo Station to Ginzan Onsen:
| Shinkansen and Bus | Tokyo Station ↓ Yamagata Shinkansen ↓ 2 hours 53 minutes (8 stops) Oishida Station ↓Ginzan Line ↓36 minutes (35 stops) Ginzan Onsen (Cost 13,650 yen) |
Ginzan Onsen Tourist Information Center
| Phone | +81 237-28-3933 |
| Address | 429 Ginzanshinhata, Obanazawa, Yamagata 999-4333 |
| Official Website | https://www.ginzanonsen.jp/index.html |