Ginzan Onsen Ryokans

There is no greater feeling in the world than planning a trip to a foreign country. The anticipation and excitement that go through you while you’re researching hotels is a unique experience. However, sometimes doing research and organizing a trip can get stressful. With all the information on the internet, deciding is like looking for a needle in a haystack. There are just too many options.

That’s why, for all travelers looking to visit Japan, we have compiled this article to help you with your choice. We will introduce you to a lovely town called Ginzan Onsen, and then we will show you some of the best Ryokans in the area. If you’re interested in visiting Ginzan Onsen, keep reading.

About Ginzan Onsen

Ginzan Onsen is a small onsen (hot spring) in Obanazawa, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. Its name means “silver mine hot spring”, as it was originally built around a silver mine. Today, the village is famous as one of the prettiest onsens in Japan with its rich history and an extensive collection of original ryokans.

The town is home to wooden hot spring inns lining on each side of the Ginzan River and creates a nostalgic scenery when gas lamps light up at night. The village was used as a location of NHK’s popular TV drama series “Oshin”, a massive hit in 1983.
All in all, Ginzan Onsen is one of the most photogenic villages in Japan.

What is a ryokan?

The most well-known tourist attractions in Ginzan Onsen are definitely the historic ryokans. But what exactly is a ryokan?

Ryokans are Japanese-style inns found throughout the country, especially in hot spring resorts. A Ryokan is a perfect place to experience the traditional Japanese lifestyle and hospitality. You will see the traditional tatami floors, futon beds, Japanese-style baths, and local cuisine. If you are going to stay at a Ryokan, book early because they are popular with both Japanese and foreign tourists alike.

How to get to Ginzan Onsen

If you’re traveling from Tokyo, your best route is to take the JR Yamagata Shinkansen to Oishida Station for 12,00 yen (the ride is around 3 hours and 20 minutes). After that, you can catch a bus to Ginzan Onsen for 720 yen (a 35-minute trip). The train can be covered by the Japan Rail Pass, but plan a budget for the bus ride. Keep in mind that buses only depart from Oishida Station every 60-90 minutes.

And if you wish to visit by car, you will be required to park at a designated parking area outside the town center as the city’s heart is a walk-only area.

Best Ryokans Near Ginzan Onsen

Now that we introduced you to Ginzan Onsen, it’s time to show you our selection of some of the best ryokans in the town. Here is our list of the top 7 ryokans in Ginzan Onsen:

Ginzanso

Ginzanso is a five-story ryokan hotel at the entrance of the village. It has 46 Japanese-style guest rooms, and each guest room has a private bath and toilet. There are both indoor and outdoor hot spring baths, and at night the outdoor spring bath gets lit up. This night scenery is the best way to end your day. The cost for Ginzanso ranges from 15,000 to 30,000 yen/night, depending on the season. Parking and food are available at the hotel.

Notoya-Ginzan

Notoya-Ginzan is the perfect hotel for anyone looking to experience authentic Japanese ryokan accommodation. There are 15 Japanese-style guest rooms which include a private toilet for each room. The cost for Notoya-Ginzan is anywhere between 19,000 and 25,000 yen a night, depending on the season.

Showakan

This traditional ryokan is in the heart of Ginzan. Its 11 guest rooms and outdoor hot spring baths are the perfect options for anyone who wishes to experience the Japanese inns first hand. If you decide to stay there, plan a budget for 18,000-20,000 yen/night, depending on the season.

Ginzan Fujiya

Ginzan Fujiya Ryokan is a three-story hotel with a beautifully designed interior full of stained glass and bamboo screens. However, the best feature of this place is not the interior. In Ginzan Fujiya, you can enjoy one of five hot spring baths as well as a parking lot. The cost for this hotel is between 20,000 and 40,000 yen/night, depending on the season.

Kosekiya Bekkan

Kosekiya Bekkan is located in the heart of the town, which makes for beautiful scenery in all rooms of the hotel. You can either get a mountainside room or a river one and enjoy the serene noise of the water running just outside your room. The cost for this hotel is between 15,000 and 25,000 yen/night, depending on the season.

Takimikan

Standing high on the hills surrounding Ginzan Onsen, Takimikan is a traditional ryokan that offers you a beautiful view, traditional cuisine, and the comfort of hot spring baths. In Takimikan, you get a top-notch experience in a classical Japanese setting. The price, however, is on the higher end standing at 30,000 to 50,000 yen/night, depending on the season.

Shakunagesou

The last ryokan on our list is the option for those who wish to dabble into Japanese cuisine a bit deeper. Shakunagesou offers a rich selection of traditional Japanese meals, which will give you a sense of what food is like in Japan. It is also a good option if you’re traveling by car as it provides a parking spot for every room. The price for this hotel can be anywhere between 20,000 and 30,000 yen/night.

Conclusion

Booking.com

Japan is one of the most advanced countries in the east. Famous for its technological achievements and a great educational system, you would think that you can only visit if you want to see robots. However, Japan has a long and colorful cultural history that affects your experience as a tourist. A unique piece of Japanese culture you can access pretty easily is the ryokan. Above we went through some of the best ryokans in Ginzan Onsen, and we know those choices are the best.

You can learn about my personal Ginzan experience here.