Brazil
Antarctica
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Bermuda
Canada
the United States
Greenland
Mexico
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Egypt
Australia
Fiji
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Before you go
Your trip to Obanazawa.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Obanazawa – Yamagata Destination Ginzan Onsen and Yamadera about 43 km from Yamagata
How to get there
-
Aeroporto de Yamagata (GAJ) Higashine · 24 km
-
Estação de Oishida Oishida · 4 km
Approximate distances. Check flights and bus, train or boat schedules before you travel.
Oishida Station on the Tsubasa shinkansen is about 3h15 from Tokyo and 45 minutes from Yamagata. Buses run from there to Ginzan Onsen in about 40 minutes. Yamagata Airport is about 25 km from Obanazawa’s center.
How many days
Half a day is enough to walk Ginzan’s street and reach the mine. Ideally, spend one night in an inn to see the village with the lamps and without the daytime crowds.
When to go
From December to February, snow and the lamps give Ginzan its best-known image, with visitor rules in winter. In spring and summer the valley turns green and quieter; October brings the foliage. Obanazawa records some of the highest snowfall among Yamagata’s towns.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
No. Buses connect Oishida Station to Ginzan Onsen, and inns usually pick up guests at the station. Ginzan’s main street is pedestrian only. In winter, visitor cars can be barred at the village entrance, with parking and shuttle buses outside.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Obanazawa
-
Afternoon
Ginzan Onsen street
Arrive by bus from Oishida and walk Ginzan’s street from end to end, crossing the bridges and admiring the wooden facades.
-
Late afternoon
Shirogane waterfall and the mine
Climb to the Shirogane waterfall at the end of the village and follow the trail to the entrance of the old Nobesawa silver mine.
-
Evening
Lamps and bathing
Return to the street when the lamps are lit, take a hot-spring bath at your inn or at one of the public bathhouses, and dine on Obanazawa soba.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
Is Ginzan Onsen in Obanazawa?
Yes. The hot-spring village belongs to Obanazawa and lies in a narrow valley east of the town center. Train access is via Oishida Station in the neighboring town.
How do I get to Ginzan Onsen?
Take the Tsubasa shinkansen to Oishida Station and then a bus of about 40 minutes. Many inns pick up guests at the station; confirm when you book.
Are there rules for visiting Ginzan in winter?
In recent winters, the village has restricted visitor cars and limited entry in the early evening, with shuttle buses and reservations at certain times. Rules change each season; check before you go.
Can you take a hot-spring bath in Ginzan without staying overnight?
Yes — at the village’s public baths during set hours, and there are foot baths along the street. Some ryokan also accept day visitors; confirm in advance.
Beyond the guide
