Ginzan Onsen
Go for a snowbound hot spring town where wooden inns line a river and the streets are lit by gas lamps at night.
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Ginzan Onsen is a hot spring town in Obanazawa, in Yamagata Prefecture in the Tohoku region of northern Japan. It sits in a narrow valley along the Ginzan River, and its center is a row of wooden inns, called ryokan, built in the Taisho era (1912 to 1926) with several floors rising above the water. The hot spring baths are the main draw. Reach it by train to JR Obanazawa Station, then by bus.
The town is best known in winter, when snow fills the valley and the gas lamps along the river glow in the evening. Autumn colors the hills. The center is small enough to walk end to end, so one or two nights gives you time for the baths, a walk along the river and the evening lamps. Expect quiet streets, early nights and a slower pace than a city trip.
Ginzan Onsen in five
- Carry yen cash for small shops and food stallsSome small shops and food stalls take cash only, so check before you order. Withdraw yen before you reach the village.Money and costs
- Set up data before you leave the stationMaps, bus times and translation apps need data, and signal can be patchy in the valley. Activate an eSIM or data plan before you travel.Phones and eSIM
- Take the bus from JR Obanazawa StationGinzan Onsen is reached from JR Obanazawa Station by bus. Check the last bus back before you go out for dinner.Getting around
- Wash before you soak in the bathsWash at the shower area before you enter the bath, and leave swimsuits at home. Many baths also restrict guests with visible tattoos.
- Book a ryokan early for winterMost inns here are traditional ryokan. Book early for winter weekends, and check meal and bath times before you arrive.Where to stay
Need to know
- Currency
- Yen (JPY)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports; check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs list Read more
- Emergency
- 110 police, 119 fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+9, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryDeep snow, cold
- FebruaryDeep snow
- MarchSnowmelt, muddy
- AprilThaw, mild
- MayFresh green
- JuneRainy season
- JulyRain, humid
- AugustObon crowds
- SeptemberClear, cooling
- OctoberAutumn color
- NovemberCold, quiet
- DecemberSnow arrives
Right now in Ginzan Onsen
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
9
- Feels like
- 7°
- Humidity
- 80%
- Wind
- 13 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 92%
Ginzan Onsen
07:39 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today13°5°92%Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High 13°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 92%.
- Wed16°5°2%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Thu13°11°99%Thursday: Rain. High 13°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Fri17°7°93%Friday: Drizzle. High 17°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 93%.
- Sat7°4°100%Saturday: Snow. High 7°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sun8°4°57%Sunday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 57%.
- Mon9°2°49%Monday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 49%.
Updated 04:55 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 157.5 JPY
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Yamagata cityabout 1 hour by bus and trainThe prefectural capital, with shops and restaurants.
- Yamaderaabout 1.5 to 2 hours by train and busA hillside temple complex reached by climbing many stone steps, best done early.
- Obanazawa townabout 30 min by busThe rail gateway for the village, with the station and the bus stop you will use.
Before you go to Ginzan Onsen
Rules for Ginzan Onsen, checked
- Many nationalities can enter Japan visa-free for short stays. Check the current list at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you book.Source
- Bathing rules are set by each bath and inn. Wash before entering, keep towels out of the water and follow the posted signs.
- The legal drinking age in Japan is 20. Shops and inns may ask for passport ID.
Plan around Ginzan Onsen
Regions, rail links and the rest of the route north from Tokyo
Read the guideGetting to the villageTrains to Obanazawa and the bus up to the onsen village
Read the guideRyokan and guesthousesWhat inns include, bath types and where to base yourself
Read the guideCash, cards and pricesWhat to carry in yen and what a night and a meal cost
Read the guideVisas and entry rulesWho can enter visa-free and what to check before you fly
Read the guideData for a rural stayeSIM options for maps and bus times in the valley
Read the guideGinzan Onsen FAQ
How do you get to Ginzan Onsen?
Take a train to JR Obanazawa Station, then a bus to the village. Check the current train and bus times before you travel.
How many days do you need in Ginzan Onsen?
One night lets you walk the village street in the evening, when the gas lamps are lit, and again in the morning. Two nights give you a slower day and a second bath.
When is the best time to visit Ginzan Onsen?
May and October to November are the easiest months, with fresh green in spring and autumn color in fall. Winter brings deep snow and is the choice for snow scenes.
Do you need a car in Ginzan Onsen?
No. Reach the village by bus from Obanazawa Station, and walk the village street once you arrive.
Can you visit Ginzan Onsen with tattoos?
Many public baths refuse guests with visible tattoos. Ask your ryokan before you book whether it has a private bath or allows tattoos in its bath.