All Reviews of Ginzan Onsen

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.

Ginzan Onsen in winter is insanely gorgeous. Snow falling over the old street and those wooden ryokan—it's like a Japanese drama playing out in real life.

When it snows in winter, it’s honestly unreal—couldn’t stop taking photos.

Once the lights come on at night, it’s so beautiful it doesn’t even feel real. Day and night feel completely different, and nighttime is definitely the winner.

The hot spring street still keeps its Taisho-era architecture. Walking around here really feels like stepping back in time.

Feels like Tokyo style in Japan.