Ginzan Onsen

銀山温泉

Ginzan Onsen is a hot spring town in the mountains of Obanazawa City. The area once prospered as a silver mine. Today old wooden inns line both sides of a small river, giving the town the feeling of Japan's Taisho era. Visitors walk along the river, see the gas lamps lit in the evening, and can use public baths.

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Visitor information

Opening hours: The public bath Shirogane-yu is open 9:00 to 17:00 and closes on irregular days.
Admission: Shirogane-yu public bath: adults 500 yen, children 200 yen.
Getting there: About 30 minutes by car from JR Oishida Station, or about 50 minutes by car from Yamagata Airport.

Hours and fees can change. Please check the official website before you go.

Good to know

Day visitors by car must park at the Joint Parking Lot or in front of Taisho Romankan; a shuttle bus costs 300 yen round trip.
Do not drive via Prefectural Road 29 (Back Aburi Pass); it is an extremely narrow mountain road.

Tips for Muslim visitors

If you prefer not to bathe with others, you can book a kashikiri session, a private bath used only by you and your companions for a set time.
There are foot baths along the streets, where you can enjoy the hot spring without undressing.
Winter is by far the most popular season to visit.
At most public hot springs in Japan people bathe naked, in baths separated by gender, and swimwear is usually not allowed. If you prefer privacy, look for a private bath (kashikiri-buro), an in-room bath or a foot bath.
Wash your body at the shower area before entering the bath. Many visitors who want to stay covered choose a foot bath instead.
Plan your visit around prayer times. Below are today's prayer times for Yamagata and the verified places to pray nearby.
Food stalls and shops near popular sights usually do not have halal certification. Check the ingredients, or choose from the verified places on this site.