Ginzan Onsen, a historic hot spring village in Yamagata, transforms each winter into a scene reminiscent of a Studio Ghibli film as heavy snow blankets the multi-storey Taisho-era wooden ryokan lining a narrow river gorge. Gas lanterns glow softly along the riverbanks each evening, reflecting in the stream and casting warm light across the snow. Special snow lantern evenings feature additional candle-lit snow sculptures throughout the village. Staying overnight in one of the riverside ryokan offers an immersive and deeply restorative winter onsen experience.
- Type
- Experience
- Category
- Snow/Winter
- Season
- Winter
- Month
- January–February
- Region
- Tohoku
- Prefecture
- Yamagata
- City
- Obanazawa
Highlights
- ◆Iconic Taisho-era wooden ryokan draped in heavy winter snow
- ◆Softly glowing gas lanterns reflected in the river each evening
- ◆Special candlelit snow lantern events during peak winter
- ◆Outdoor and indoor hot spring baths with snow views
- ◆Often likened to a real-life Spirited Away setting