Cafe

Ginzan Onsen

Experience the romance of the Taisho era! 5 popular gourmet foods at Ginzan Onsen, Yamagata Prefecture

Ginzan Onsen is a hot spring resort located in the mountains, a short distance from the city center of Obanazawa, Yamagata Prefecture.
It is a famous hot spring resort known nationwide for being the setting of the NHK morning drama series "Oshin."

Ginzan Onsen

Photo by ume-y – Ginzan Onsen (2012) / Size-adapted.

This charming hot spring town feels like a time slip back to the Taisho era.
Wooden buildings with three or four stories, constructed between the Taisho and Showa periods, still line the streets today.

At night, the hot spring town is illuminated by gas lamps, creating an even more charming atmosphere.
The warm light soothes the eyes of tourists, and the old-fashioned hot spring town of Ginzan Onsen is still there.

Photo posted by Mayumi Watanabe (@allo_mayumi) –

The densely packed hot spring town is lined with a variety of shops, including inns, souvenir shops, and restaurants, and recently a retro Japanese-style cafe has also opened, making the town even more lively

We'll introduce you to some of the most popular gourmet foods in Ginzan Onsen town!

Nogawa Tofuya

Photo posted by yoshiyuki ito (@yoshiyuki_ito) –

Nogawa Tofu Shop is located right at the entrance to the Ginzan Onsen hot spring resort area.
You might think, "Tofu as a gourmet food!?", but Nogawa Tofu Shop's tofu is affectionately known as "standing-only tofu" and is very popular with tourists!

Photo posted by yoshiyuki ito (@yoshiyuki_ito) –


The most popular item is the standing tofu (170 yen)
The tofu is slightly warm and fluffy and melts in your mouth
It has a smooth texture and a strong soybean flavor, making it highly rated and delicious!
This is a delicious dish that can be enjoyed without adding soy sauce or anything else

One way to enjoy Ginzan Onsen is to take a break in the foot bath across from the shop and enjoy some delicious tofu!

Photo posted by seko. (@seko705) –

This stand-up tofu shop is so popular that it sometimes sells out by around 3 PM!
In addition to regular tofu, they also serve piping hot deep-fried tofu.
It's perfect for a light snack while strolling around!

Haikara-san

Photo posted by Mie Kido (@mie.kido) –

The red building of "Haikara-san" is eye-catching, and
the curry bread sold at the storefront of "Haikara-san" is a famous local delicacy in Ginzan Onsen.

Photo posted by Rome (@rome_chae) –

The bread dough is made with Nebarigoshi wheat from Yamagata Prefecture and is filled with spicy curry. Be careful, though, as the crispy fried curry bread sells out by the afternoon!

Sake Cafe Crea

Photo posted by Honoka (@___hnrin) –

Look for the red postbox to find Crea

Photo posted by Megumi (@coromegg) –

Crea, where you can enjoy the view of Ginzan Onsen from the second floor seats, is a cafe popular with people of all ages and genders, with its modern retro atmosphere

Photo posted by mi (@_mi_148_) –


A popular item is the roasted cocoa topped with roasted marshmallows (600 yen)
The mildly sweet cocoa is topped with melted marshmallows for just the right amount of sweetness
One sip will warm your body and soul

Photo posted by Sake & Tea House Kuri (@ginzan_) –


It's also popular among young people, as it serves stylish cafe food you wouldn't expect to find in a hot spring town, such as hot sandwiches and special chicken curry!
In addition to lunch and cafe menus, Crea is also a spot where you can enjoy drinks in the evening

Photo posted by Ryo Nishijima (@nishijimaryo) –

There is a wide variety of alcoholic beverages available, making this a particularly recommended spot for guests staying overnight

Flowers of Izu

Photo posted by Ami Saito (@ami1202_7) –


Deep-fried eggplant and grated daikon radish soba (1,200 yen)

Izu no Hana is a long-established soba restaurant founded in 1952.
Yamagata Prefecture is one of the leading soba-producing regions in Japan.
Among them, Obanazawa City, where Ginzan Onsen is located, boasts one of the largest soba cultivation areas in the prefecture.

Photo posted by Kosuke Irie (@k.irie.1101) –

Izu no Hana uses their proud "110% buckwheat soba" which is made from 100% buckwheat flour and 10% binder, so you can enjoy the original aroma and flavor of buckwheat

Photo posted by maeda (@rai_chee) –

Apparently, many customers also order soft-serve ice cream made with buckwheat flour as a dessert.
It's definitely something I'd like to try.

Takibikan

Takimikan is a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) located on a hill in a secluded area of ​​Ginzan Onsen.
It also offers day-use bathing.
And, as its name suggests, it's a popular restaurant where you can enjoy a meal while overlooking nature from a hilltop location.

Photo posted by KeN (@kenken5454) –

Our 100% buckwheat soba boasts a simple yet delicious flavor, made
with freshly ground, freshly kneaded, and freshly boiled buckwheat. In addition to the dipping sauce, water is provided on the tray, so why not try the first bite as soba with water to enjoy the natural sweetness and aroma of the buckwheat?

Photo posted by tomom1020 (@tomom1020) –

Come and experience the romantic atmosphere of the Taisho era at Ginzan Onsen, which changes with the seasons

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