Ginzan Onsen

The city is home to ryokans bordering on each side of the Ginzan River, and the place is nostalgic when it is lit at night by gas streetlights. The view reminds visitors of scenes from Hayao Miyazaki’s famous film “Spirited Away”. The city served for the shooting of the television series “Oshin” (NHK) a monumental success of 1983. The night view of the city covered with snow under the lights is particularly photogenic.

History

Ginzan Onsen is located in a mountainous region about 12 km from the Oshu motorway. At that time, it was a narrow and rugged road, and it took a day from Obanazawa. After the decline of Nobesawa Ginzan, the population declined sharply, but in Senboku, which was cut off from the world, people lived in hostels and small businesses linked to hot spring tourism.

The Nobesawa Ginzan site was designated a national historic site in 1985. The spa town has since been striving to preserve the tradition of baths and tourist reception, which has been increasing since the expansion of the shinkansen in 1999.

Historical centre

The city centre of Ginzan Onsen is a pedestrian area ( few parking spaces are available nearby). It is particularly nice to stroll there in the evening when the ryokans are all illuminated and the streets and bridges are illuminated by gas lamps. In winter, the landscape is enhanced by abundant snow that clings to roofs and alleys. During the warmest months, the Ryokan guests walk around the city in their yukata, giving a picturesque atmosphere to Ginzan onsen.

Onsen foot Warashi Yu

Warashi-yu is a free public foot bath located along the Ginzan River at the entrance to the hot springs area. Visitors can take the opportunity to admire the surrounding mountains, and the multi-storey wooden inns built in a western style reminiscent of the Taisho period (1912-1926). Water, which would be effective against neuralgia, rheumatism and skin diseases, flows directly from a hot source. The benches are arranged so that visitors can sit and chat with each other, making it a good place to meet and exchange.

Shirogane Park

Located in the Ginzan onsen spa, it is possible to walk around the park in about an hour thanks to the hiking trail. At the entrance to the park are Shirogane Falls at a height of 22 metres. The water that breaks in these waterfalls is worth a visit. Visitors can see all the splendor of the waterfall from the point of view on the other side. The park also houses the ancient well of the silver mine that once flourished, as well as the Senshin and Choda gorges, where visitors can enjoy the beautiful landscapes and sounds of mountain streams.

Hiking trails

http://www.ginzanonsen.jp/sansaku/pdf/yuttaransaku.pdf

http://www.ginzanonsen.jp/sansaku/pdf/ginkodosansaku.pdf

http://www.ginzanonsen.jp/sansaku/pdf/takimisansaku.pdf

Go to Ginzan Onsen

Take JR Yamagata Shinkansen from Tokyo to Oishida station (four stops north of Yamagata station). The one-way drive takes about 200 minutes and costs about 12,000 yen. From there, buses depart for Ginzan Onsen every 60 to 90 minutes. The bus trip takes about 35 minutes and costs 720 yen one way. The train portion of the trip is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass, the JR East Tohoku Area Pass and the JR East South Hokkaido Pass, but the bus ride is not covered.

Ginzan onsen is a charming little town that strives to live its history and traditions. A step from one to two nights will discover how rural Japanese live.

Ginzan onsen is a charming little town that strives to live its history and traditions. A step from one to two nights will discover how rural Japanese live.

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