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The hot spring resort in Taisho Romanticism.
This hot spring resort was developed along with the Nobesawa Silver Mine which prospered in the Edo Period. After the mine was closed, it was turned into a therapeutic onsen resort until a flood destroyed it in 1913. By early Showa Period, local businesses have helped restore the village close to the current landscape with western-style wooden multi-story buildings on either side of Ginzan River.
Classic inns' exterior is graceful with Kote-e (trowel decoration). The resort has a foot bath and a public bath house. The sulfurous spring has a slight salty taste, effective for skin diseases, female ailments and chills.
There are many sights to see in the surrounding area, such as Shirogane Waterfall and Nobesawa silver mine ruin. Every weekend from May through October, the traditional Hanagasa Odori (Flower Hat Dance) is performed on the bridges in the resort. (May be canceled sometimes)
Since the hot spring is deep in the mountains, pay attention to the public transportation schedule. There is a bus from Oishida Station, but the train comes once an hour both ways and the bus is 5 runs a day. Some inns have a shuttle service for the guests. Ask the inn you are staying at.
Snowfall in the quiet hot spring resort
Foot bath at the heart of the hot spring resort
One of the traditional inns, Kozankaku
Shirogane Waterfall with lovely fall colors
At its peak, Nobesawa Silver Mine was one of Japan’s three major silver mines
Some reviews are AI-translated.
The classic snowy scene of heavy snow falling around the red wooden bridge always comes to mind, but as a traveler who doesn't like crowds, I decided to take a side trip to Ginzan Onsen in Yamagata while visiting Sendai in the summer.
The journey itself was a fascinating adventure. First, I had to travel from Yamagata to Oishida Station, then transfer to one of the infrequent buses going up the mountain. This is probably one of the most appealing parts of independent travel. When I finally stepped into this dreamlike mountain town, I instantly fell deeply in love with it.
Ginzan Onsen in summer was free of noise and bustle, with only a few visitors and the soothing sound of the flowing stream. I chose a traditional soba restaurant, quietly admiring the quaint streets outside the window while sampling local food. In the afternoon, I walked farther into town to the waterfall and took in the fresh forest air, then leisurely enjoyed a cup of coffee on the way back. Best of all, I was able to photograph the “Spirited Away red bridge” in front of Notoya with no passersby at all and enjoy the ultimate tranquility.
Although it didn't have the romance of a snow-covered landscape, its quiet beauty, unique to summer, left a deep impression on my heart and became one of my most treasured scenes from the journey.
Strolling through Ginzan Onsen, with its romantic Taisho-era atmosphere, feels like traveling through time into a fairy-tale world! Walking along the clear Ginzan River, you'll see rows of beautifully crafted wooden ryokan buildings on both sides. The charming tanuki stone statues out front complement the old-fashioned streets, and every snapshot looks like a gorgeous postcard.
Follow the path deeper into the hot spring town, and you'll also find the magnificent Shirogane Falls. The cascading water and lush green mountains fill the air with negative ions, making it fresh and refreshing. Whether you want to soak up the nostalgic atmosphere, sample local food, or simply stroll and enjoy the scenery, Ginzan Onsen is Yamagata Prefecture's most worthwhile dreamlike destination!
Ginzan Onsen in the middle of heavy snowfall really looked like a movie scene. The whole street was wrapped in snow. It was so cold I was shivering, but it was so beautiful that I didn’t want to leave.
Ginzan Onsen in winter is the ultimate, most perfect expression of Taisho Romance.
As night falls, thick snow settles over the rooftops of the rustic three- and four-story wooden inns, forming marshmallow-like caps of snow. In an instant, the whole hot spring town transforms into a dreamy silver-white world, completely set apart from everything else.
It felt like I stepped right into a Hayao Miyazaki movie. So beautiful.
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