Yamagata 2-Day, 1-Night Model Itinerary: Rediscover the Region’s Charm: Ginzan Onsen and Tendo, the City of Shogi

This hot spring town prospered as a silver mining site during the Edo period, and after the mines closed, it became a lively destination for therapeutic bathing.
Along both banks of the Ginzan River, a retro-modern streetscape of Western-style, multi-story wooden buildings creates a picture-perfect view—one reason it’s such a popular place to visit.

Once you arrive at Ginzan Onsen, it’s time for the best part: lunch. We’re heading to “Izu no Hana,” a cafe and dining spot set in a 140-year-old traditional home renovated for use, quietly standing along the Ginzan River.
The specialty here is soba made with locally produced “Mogami Wase” buckwheat flour from Obanazawa, Yamagata, using a method passed down since the shop first opened in 1957. For lunch, we’ll go for the value set featuring “Agenasu Oroshi Soba,” topped generously with deep-fried eggplant.

After filling up on Yamagata’s famous soba, head to today’s accommodation, Notoya Ryokan. It’s a relaxed Approx. 20-minute walk from Izu no Hana.
The three-story wooden main building by the hot spring river is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property. With only around 15 rooms, it’s an inn that needs to be booked early. The interiors also feel wonderfully Taisho-era, and you can take a break first in a calm, traditional guest room.

After resting at the inn, enjoy a soak at a classic public bath in the hot spring town. We’re visiting “Shirogane-yu,” about a 15-minute walk from the inn. Designed by architect Kengo Kuma, its retro-modern building blends right into the townscape.
Enjoy the sodium chloride sulfur hot spring water luxuriously as free-flowing hot spring water, warming you to the core.

After your bath, stop by the nearby costume rental and cafe “Airasuge-na” and change outfits!
Here, you can try the “Haikara-san style,” a popular Taisho-era look pairing a women’s hakama with a kimono. For men, there’s also a Taisho-era student style with a shirt and kimono—perfect for strolling a hot spring town full of Taisho romance.
Feel like you’ve time-traveled back to the Taisho era, and let’s go explore!

After changing, head to the free public footbath “Waraku Footbath” near the entrance of the Ginzan Onsen town.
For a break from walking, soak your feet and enjoy a cozy moment. Sit on the wood-deck bench and take in the Ginzan River flowing in front of you and the charming hot spring town scenery around you—relaxing with your feet in the hot spring water will wash away any tiredness from exploring.

After enjoying a stroll through the hot spring town, return your outfit at Airasuge-na and head back to the inn.
For dinner, enjoy a kaiseki meal lavishly made with local ingredients, including dishes you can only taste in Obanazawa, like Obanazawa beef shabu-shabu.
You can also further enjoy the hot springs with two open-air baths and a cave bath in addition to the large communal bath. Savor your hot spring ryokan stay to the fullest.

After breakfast, take a morning walk to “Shirogane Falls.” Follow the walking path maintained around the hot spring town a little farther in.
You’ll visit “Shirogane Falls,” located at the entrance to nature-rich “Shirogane Park.” Enjoy two falls, one large and one small, with a 22-meter drop. You can also walk close to the basin, so it’s well worth stopping by.
For a full view of the falls, head to the observation deck on the opposite bank. With scenery like a painting, why not take a memorable photo?

After checking out of the ryokan, take the Obanazawa city bus Ginzan Line bound for Oishida Station from the Ginzan Onsen bus stop to Oishida Station. From there, take the Yamagata Shinkansen, and you’ll arrive at Tendo Station in Approx. 19 minutes.

After arriving in Tendo City, start at the “Tendo City Shogi Museum.”
Tendo produces over 90% of all shogi pieces, making it a true shogi mecca. Located on the first floor of Tendo Station, this museum features a wide range of exhibits where you can learn about the history and roots of shogi—plenty to see!
There’s also a museum shop with lots of shogi-themed items, so you can start souvenir shopping right away.

After learning all about shogi, you’ll be starving.
While exploring around town, head to the long-established soba restaurant “Teuchi Suisha Namazoba” to try Tendo’s local specialty, “Tori Chuka.”
Marked by the large waterwheel out front, this is a long-running soba shop with over 160 years of history. It’s a renowned spot, praised for delicious soba made using traditional methods.
What we’ll have this time is their other specialty: ramen known as “Tori Chuka.” It originally started as a staff meal, but became so popular that it’s now a celebrated dish known as “Yamagata’s Tori Chuka.”

After trying Tendo’s local specialty, Tori Chuka, enjoy ukiyo-e prints at the “Hiroshige Museum of Art,” just a short walk from Teuchi Suisha Namazoba.
This museum exhibits works by ukiyo-e artist Utagawa Hiroshige, known for “The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido,” and displays ukiyo-e woodblock prints by the first through fifth generations of Hiroshige across various themes.
The museum shop also carries ukiyo-e goods, so after viewing the works closely, enjoy picking out souvenirs.

After leaving the Hiroshige Museum of Art, head to “Eishundo,” a live demonstration and sales shop for shogi pieces located about a two-minute walk away.
Inside, you can watch skilled artisans carve characters into shogi pieces up close, and you can also buy shogi piece-related products and souvenirs.
Here you’ll try making a shogi piece. On one Approx. 9 cm decorative piece, you can freely write characters or draw a picture to create your own original shogi piece. Participation is by reservation only, so don’t forget to book in advance.

Tendo City is actually also famous as a fruit town—so you can’t end the trip without trying some. From Eishundo, head to the fruit salon “Fruittier,” about a 15-minute walk away.
“Fruittier” is a fruit salon run by a fruit shop. The photogenic parfaits served at the fruit bar inside are hugely popular. We’ll wrap up this trip with a delicious fruit parfait.