Ginzan Onsen

A Taisho-era romantic hot spring town in Obanazawa, Yamagata Prefecture. Wooden ryokan from the Taisho and early Showa periods line both banks of the Ginzan River, and the evening gaslit scenery earns the title 'Japan's most romantic hot spring town.' Famous as a filming location for NHK drama 'Oshin,' the winter snow scene is fantastically beautiful.

A hot spring town where Taisho-era wooden ryokan line the Ginzan River. The snowy winter scenery lit by gas lamps — made famous as the setting of the NHK drama 'Oshin' — has gained international attention for its dreamlike beauty.

A hot spring resort in Obanazawa, Yamagata Prefecture, preserving Taisho-era architecture. Ryokan lining the Ginzan River create a distinctive landscape illuminated by gas lamps. Once thriving as a silver mining town, its structures are now protected as important cultural properties. Particularly enchanting in snow season, it has inspired numerous artworks.

One of Japan's premier hot spring resort areas, accessible in roughly 90 minutes from Tokyo. Boasting over 20 types of spring water alongside attractions such as Lake Ashi, Owakudani, and the Hakone Museum of Art, it welcomes approximately 20 million visitors annually.

A uniquely Japanese bathing culture built around natural hot springs born of volcanic geography. Cherished since ancient times for physical and mental healing as well as social bonding, onsen culture — together with ryokan hospitality and the charm of hot spring towns — has become an IP symbolizing the Japanese lifestyle.

One of Japan's oldest hot springs, mentioned in the ancient chronicle Nihon Shoki. The main bathhouse is a designated Important Cultural Property, famous as the setting of Natsume Soseki's 'Botchan.' It is also said to have inspired the bathhouse in Studio Ghibli's 'Spirited Away.'