JP · Yamagata Prefecture · 38.57°N 140.53°E

ginzan onsen

Wooden ryokan along a river, gas lamps glowing in the snow. Straight out of a Ghibli film.

Best time
Winter (December to February) for the famous snowy scenes, which is also when it's most crowded. Summer and autumn are much quieter, with green or red hills around the village.
How long
1 day, or 1 night at a ryokan
Getting there
Fly to Tokyo (about 7 hours from KL), take the Yamagata Shinkansen to Oishida (about 3–3.5 hours), then a bus to the village (about 40 minutes).
Save postcard
JP · Yamagata Prefectureginzan onsen38.57°N 140.53°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Wooden ryokan along a river, gas lamps glowing in the snow. Straight out of a Ghibli film.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingGinzan OnsenJP, Yamagata Prefecture
KLginzan onsen
≈ 5,564 km from KL, as the crow flies
銀山温泉 Ginzan Onsen

Photo: ume-y · CC BY 2.0

1 / 5

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A tiny hot spring village in the mountains of Yamagata, where tall wooden ryokan from the early 1900s line both banks of a narrow river. At night the gas lamps come on, and in winter, with snow piled on the roofs, it looks like an old postcard.

Makan

  1. Yamagata sobaThick, firm buckwheat noodles. Obanazawa and the area around it are known for soba.Map ↗
  2. ImoniYamagata's taro and beef stew, a favourite in autumn.Map ↗
  3. Yamagata cherriesYamagata grows most of Japan's cherries. Look for them in June.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. The river street at nightWalk the riverside lane when the gas lamps are lit. This is the view everyone comes for.Map ↗
  2. Shirogane FallsA waterfall at the top end of the village, a short walk from the ryokan.Map ↗
  3. Nobesawa Silver MineThe old silver mine the village is named after, with part of its tunnels open to walk through.Map ↗
  4. Public baths and foot bathTwo small public bathhouses and a foot bath by the river.Map ↗
  5. YamaderaA temple clinging to a cliff, up about a thousand stone steps, on the way to or from Yamagata city.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Rooms are few and winter dates book out many months ahead.
  • In winter, day-trippers have faced evening entry limits and private cars can't drive in. Check the latest rules before you go.
  • Wear boots with good grip. The riverside paths get icy.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.