[Yamagata] Ginzan Onsen, a popular hot spring area with a Taisho romance

Ginzan Onsen is a popular hot spring area with a touch of Taisho romance.

Ginzan Onsen (Obanazawa City), located about an hour by car from Yamagata Airport, is one of the most popular hot springs in Yamagata Prefecture, which has many hot spring resorts. The name dates back to the Edo period and comes from the Nobesawa Ginzan, which flourished as a large silver mine at the time. It is also famous for being the setting for the TV drama "Oshin," and you can still see the Taisho romantic atmosphere.

(C) Yamagata Pref.

The cityscape shows different faces depending on the season.

You can see spectacular scenery in spring, summer, fall, and winter, but winter is when this hot spring area looks most romantic. As it is a mountainous area, the season is cold and snowy, but the gas lamps lit in the hot spring town create a warm atmosphere and make the snowy world look nostalgic. Since vehicles are not allowed, guests must park their cars in the inn's parking lot and explore the hot spring town on foot, but the lack of traffic allows for a leisurely stroll.

In addition to traditional inns, the hot spring town also has restaurants, souvenir shops, public baths, and footbaths, which you can use to take a break between walks. The building is a three- and four-story wooden balcony structure, giving it a somewhat nostalgic, old-fashioned atmosphere. Although it is not an easy place to get to, it is a hot spring resort where you can experience the four seasons precisely because it is located in the mountains.

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