✨ Highlights
Located in a secluded mountain area, this hidden hot spring is filled with charming Taisho romantic style. It serves as the backdrop for the TV drama "Ashin" and Hayao Miyazaki's animated film "Spirited Away." The walls of the inn are beautifully decorated with colorful reliefs known as "kake-e." Surrounding attractions include the Shirakawa Falls and the Enzawa Silver Mine ruins, among many other wonderful sights. If you plan to take public transportation, please check the bus schedule in advance.
📜 Content
Ginzan Onsen is a historic hot spring town that has traversed the long river of history alongside the once-prosperous Ginzan Silver Mine, which thrived during the Edo period due to silver mining. After the silver mine was closed, the hot spring street became a famous health resort, but it was destroyed by a major flood in 1913 (the second year of the Taisho era). In the early Showa period, with the assistance of the local business community, various inns were remodeled into Western-style wooden multi-story buildings, restoring the area to a landscape close to what we see today. The wooden inns of the hot spring town line both sides of the Ginzan River, creating a uniquely charming and nostalgic scenery.
The elegant and stylish inn exteriors are adorned with colorful reliefs known as kakejiku, which can be appreciated while strolling through the streets. Stepping into the hot spring street, reminiscent of scenes from "Spirited Away," visitors find themselves surrounded by quaint historical buildings. As night falls, the entire hot spring town transforms into a dreamy world akin to anime. Within the hot spring street, there are foot baths and public baths where visitors can soak and relieve the fatigue of their journey. The hot spring water is a slightly salty sulfur spring, said to have certain therapeutic effects for skin diseases, women's ailments, and improving blood circulation.
Nearby Ginzan Onsen, visitors can also explore attractions such as "Shirogane Falls" and the "Ginzan Silver Mine Ruins." Every weekend from May to October, the wooden bridge in the hot spring street serves as a stage for free performances of Yamagata's traditional dance, "Hanagasa Odori" (this event may be canceled in case of bad weather).
Since it is a hidden hot spring located deep in the mountains, it is advisable to check the transportation options to the area in advance. If using public transportation such as the Shinkansen or trains, you can get off at JR "Oishida" Station and transfer to a bus. However, bus services are limited, with only five departures a day, so please confirm the schedule in advance. Additionally, some inns offer free pick-up services for guests, so it is recommended to contact the inns directly.