Ginzan Onsen

Ginzan Onsen is reached by taking a bus about 40 minutes from JR Oishida Station and getting off at “Ginzan Onsen.” After the closure of the Nobesawa silver mine, which once flourished as one of Japan’s three major silver mines, its value as a therapeutic hot-spring resort drew attention and it became widely known. The scenery is otherworldly: bright gas lamps illuminate the Ginzan River, and wooden ryokan buildings reflect on the water’s surface. Along both banks of the river, Taisho-romantic wooden ryokan line the street, creating a nostalgic atmosphere as if a slice of the Taisho era has been preserved intact. A must-see detail is the splendid “kote-e” found on features like the shutters (tobukuro) of the ryokan—decorative exterior plaster art drawn by plasterers using trowels and pigment-mixed plaster, historically regarded as a symbol of wealth. Around a dozen ryokan, the “Waraku Footbath,” and a public bathhouse let visitors enjoy Ginzan Onsen’s waters, considered among the highest-quality springs even within hot-spring-rich Yamagata. Soaking in the sulfate spring helps relieve everyday fatigue and provides a relaxing time; in addition to bathing benefits, its drinking cure (insenkouka) is also popular and said to be effective for lifestyle-related diseases.