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Winter Scenery · Tohoku

Ginzan Onsen

Ginzan Onsen & ObanazawaHot spring town❄ Best season: Mid Dec – Early Mar✦ Illumination
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Overview

Overview

A hot spring town in Obanazawa, Yamagata, with multistory wooden inns lining both banks of the Ginzan River. In winter, gas lamps light up the snow-covered Taisho-romance buildings, and the prefecture’s official tourism site describes snowy nights as the most photogenic season. In winter there are traffic restrictions for day visitors, so planning ahead is essential.

Address
Ginzan Shinhata, Obanazawa, Yamagata
Time needed
About 1 hour to stroll the hot spring town (on the winter shuttle you generally return on the bus 1 hr 20 min after your outbound bus)
Official website
https://www.ginzanonsen.jp/
Official website (English) ↗
Peak Time

When to Go

Best seasonWinter (the winter traffic restriction period usually runs from December to early March)
December
January
February
March

Snowfall depends on each year’s weather. Check the winter access guide on the official website for details of the winter traffic restrictions and how to book

Seasons are typical guides. Snow, ice and drift ice depend heavily on each year’s weather.

Highlights

Highlights

The biggest highlight is the contrast between the gas lamps lit at dusk and the snow piled on the roofs and railings. At the far end of the town is Shirogane Falls, 22 m high, and at the entrance, on the bank of the Ginzan River, is the Waraku Ashiyu footbath, open to anyone.

📷 Best views
Hot spring town along the Ginzan River

The classic view of wooden inns on both banks, snow and gas lamps

Shirogane Falls

A 22 m waterfall at the far end of the hot spring town

Waraku Ashiyu

A footbath at the entrance to the town, on the bank of the Ginzan River

Illumination

Illumination & winter lights

Period
Year-round (lit at dusk)
Hours
From around 16:30 in the winter schedule (November–May)

The gas lamps of the hot spring town. Especially magical on snowy nights

Hours

Opening hours

Gas lamps litFrom around 16:30

Approximate time in the winter schedule (November–May)

In winter, hours can change and services can be suspended because of the weather. Check the official website before you go.

Admission

Admission & fares

Winter shuttle round trip (2026–27 winter, planned)Departures 9:00–10:40 ¥1,300, 11:00–13:40 ¥1,000, 14:00–18:00 ¥1,500

Departs from Taisho Roman-kan. Reservations required (booking link being prepared on the official website); very few same-day seats are planned

Prices may change. Check the official website before you go.

Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓The winter shuttle requires advance booking. Check the official website early once your travel date is set
  • ✓From the first snowfall until the mountain opening in spring, you cannot go up toward the old mine tunnels at the back of the town
  • ✓If you have a hotel reservation, the traffic restrictions do not apply to you. Follow your inn’s instructions
Access

Getting there

Nearest station / bus stop
  • Oishida Station (Yamagata Shinkansen)About 40 min by bus from the station
From major stations & airports
  • Oishida Station: Local bus (About 40 min)
  • Furukawa IC (Tohoku Expressway): Car (About 1 hr 15 min)
Driving & winter roads
The shared parking lot in the hot spring town is closed in winter. In the 2026–27 winter (planned for December 2026 to early March 2027), day visitors driving must park at Taisho Roman-kan and take the shuttle bus. National Route 347 from the Furukawa side is closed in winter
Getting back
  • Return shuttles run on assigned departures (generally 1 hr 20 min after your outbound bus), so plan backward from your return train or bus times
Open in Google Maps ↗
Crowds

Crowds & best times

Busiest
Winter evenings and nights, when the gas lamps are lit
Quieter times
Early winter shuttle departures
Weather

Temperature & staying warm

Typical temperatures
January normals for Obanazawa: high 1.7°C, low -4.1°C; February: high 2.7°C, low -4.3°C (Japan Meteorological Agency)
What to wear & bring
This is a heavy-snow area. Wear a heavy down jacket, gloves and a hat, plus waterproof, non-slip snow boots
☁ Tohoku weather by month
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Rules

Rules & safety

  • !Do not walk from Taisho Roman-kan to the hot spring town (in winter there is no usable sidewalk and you would have to walk on the road, which is dangerous)
  • !Day visitors may not drive private cars or rental cars into the hot spring town (during the winter traffic restriction period)
  • !Keep quiet and respect the privacy of residents and hotel guests
Facilities

Facilities

Toilets
At Taisho Roman-kan and near Shirogane Falls (none partway through the town or near the entrance)
Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Ginzan OnsenPR

PRSee more places to stay near Ginzan Onsen on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Winter Scenery

Winter Scenery in Tohoku

Snowy village

Ouchi-juku in Snow

Tohoku ・ Aizu-Wakamatsu & Ouchi-juku

❄ Best season: Early Jan – Late Feb

Frozen waterfall & icicles

Oirase Gorge Ice Falls

Tohoku ・ Lake Towada & Oirase

❄ Best season: Late Jan – Late Feb

✦ Illumination
See all winter scenery spots →

Seasons, hours, prices and access are based on official sources such as the spot’s own website, local governments and tourism associations. Winter weather often causes suspensions and road closures, so check the official website before you go.

Last checked: 2026-10-06

PRKlookGinzan Onsen & Zao Snow Monsters Day Tour from SendaiA group tour from and back to Sendai. In winter there is a plan visiting the rime ice (snow monsters) on the Zao Ropeway and Ginzan OnsenView