Japan’s hot spring culture is highly regarded around the world. One particularly attractive place among them is Ginzan Onsen. This beautiful hot spring resort is located deep in the nature of Yamagata Prefecture, and you can enjoy the retro townscape and relax.
The town is very compact
There are few inns and the total number of guests that can stay is limited, so it is known as a hot spring that is difficult to book. If you know the dates of your travel plan, make a reservation early early enough to stay at an inn in the hot spring town.
Famous as a filming location of TV drama “Oshin”
Many of the inns built in the Taisho era still retain the atmosphere of that time, and you can feel the history just by walking around.
The hot springs were discovered and developed in the area that originally flourished as a silver mine under the direct control of the shogunate. Ginzan Hotsprings began as a hot spring resort for the silver mines workers to refresh. It is a historic hot spring resort that dates back to the Edo period, and is a popular spot visited by many writers and painters.
The TV drama that made Ginzan Onsen famous overnight was “Oshin.” Ginzan Onsen was the setting for the drama. The morning drama aired for one year in 1983, garnering an average audience rating of 52.6%. It was broadcast in about 70 countries around the world and became very popular. As it is the setting of Oshin, that many overseas visitors are attracted to visit the area.
The inn we stayed
We stayed at Kosekiya Annex.
We stayed in a room on the river side facing the Ginzan Onsen hot springs. The Ginzan River flows right in front of us, and there is a foot bath area. Since it is all-inclusive, we were able to enjoy the ultimate experience of grabbing a beer from our room and relaxing in the foot bath.
A luxurious time
Open this shoji screen and you’ll find the hot spring town right there. At night, you can enjoy the soft glow of the gas lamps illuminating Ginzan Onsen from your room. This is a luxurious setting that you will love.
Shirogane Park
Located at the end of Ginzan Onsen town, Shirogane Park is home to the famous Shirogane Falls, a symbol of Ginzan. There are two waterfalls, one large and one small, with a drop of 22 meters. The spray is refreshing and makes a great summer cooling spot, and everyone enjoys dipping their feet in the water. It is also lit up at night.
Silver Mine Cave
Shirogane Park has a very pleasant walking path where you can walk among negative ions.
About a 15-minute walk upstream from Ginzan Onsen Town along the promenade along the valley, you will find the remains of the tunnels of the Nobezawa Silver Mine. Part of it is open to the public as the Silver Mine Cave, and you can also tour the tunnels.
Natsu-Shirazu (Cool Spot)
Our favorite spot is “Natsu Shirazu.” There is a cave beside the promenade, and mist-like fog always blows out of it along with a cold wind, making it a natural cooler. It is cool all year round, so it is called “Natsu Shirazu.” There is a bench in front of it, and it was cool♪
Ginzan Onsen is a wonderful hot spring town. And if you go a little further, you can enjoy the rich natural environment. I heard that the hot spring town is also wonderful in winter, so I would like to go in winter as well. Most inns start taking reservations two months before the month you plan to stay. Be careful because weekends and holidays in the winter season fill up quickly, make your plans early!
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Kosekiya Annex 417 Ginzan Onsen, Obanazawa, Yamagata
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