Ginzan Onsen

Ginzan Onsen
Silver Mine Hot Springs
Map
Coordinates38°34′11″N 140°31′52″E / 38.56972°N 140.53111°E / 38.56972; 140.53111
Elevation399m / 1,309 feet
Typegeothermal, volcanic
Ginzan Onsen is located in Japan
Ginzan Onsen
A winter day in Ginzan Onsen
Shirogane-no-Taki Falls

Ginzan Onsen (銀山温泉) is an onsen (hot spring) area in Obanazawa, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. Its name means "silver mine hot spring". Ginzan Onsen's economy grew due to silver mining and production and eventually transitioned to tourism when it opened dozens of hot spring resorts and ryokan along the central river that runs through the town.[1] The mountains that surround this town yield rich hot spring water that is used both in the private hotels and public baths in the city center.[2]

The center of town is a pedestrian-only district. After nightfall, the bridges and streets are lit by gaslight. In the winter Ginzan Onsen receives heavy snow. On the far side of town a 22-foot waterfall, Shirogane-no-Taki Falls,[3] emerges from the mountains not far from the old silver mine, Nobesawa Ginzan.[4][1] Internationally, this town saw a sharp rise in foreign tourism thanks to the famous snow-covered sights in the winter.[2] There are no modern buildings within the town, the architecture is constructed from bare timber framing and white plaster, that were built during the Taisho Era (1912-1926).[5][1]

There are two secluded public bathhouses (rotenburo), one of which was designed by Kuma Kengo, and a foot bath (warashiyu). Additionally some of the local ryokan permit non-lodging guests to use their indoor hot spring baths.[4][5] There is a doukutsu (cave hot spring) at one of the establishments in town.[6]

  1. ^ a b c "Ginzan Onsen: The Authentic Thermal Village in Yamagata". Kanpai Japan.
  2. ^ a b "Ginzan Onsen: 10 Things to Do & Where to Stay in One of Japan's Most Beautiful Hot Springs Towns". LIVE Japan. 17 May 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  3. ^ "Ginzan Onsen: Things to Do & Where to Stay in One of Japan's Most Beautiful Hot Springs Towns". Live Japan. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Ginzan Onsen". Japan Guide. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Ginzen Onsen". Japan Travel. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference Matcha was invoked but never defined (see the help page).