Ginzan Onsen, Yamagata, Japan | Heavy Snow Winter: Taisho Nostalgia in the Freezing Air Night Walk
I captured Ginzan Onsen in Obanazawa City, Yamagata Prefecture at night.
It is a beautiful place filled with Taisho Romance, but it becomes a harsh, heavy snowfall area in winter.
If you visit for a day trip thinking “everything will be fine,” it can turn into a nightmare.
Before you visit, please check these important tips and risks.
⚠️ Crucial Tips for Visiting Ginzan Onsen in Winter
🥶【Cold Weather & Footwear】
Temperature: It drops near -10°C (14°F) at night.
Clothing: Earmuffs, gloves, and heat packs (Kairo) are essential. There are no stores selling winter gear around the area.
Footwear: The stone pavements along the river freeze and become extremely slippery at night. Snow boots with good grip are required. Also, watch out for falling snow from the roofs.
⛔【Winter Night Entry Restrictions (Pre-booking Required)】
Entry restrictions are enforced during winter nights to control extreme overcrowding.
Time: From 17:00 to 20:00, only overnight guests or day-trippers with a pre-booked entry ticket can enter the area.
Parking: The public parking lot near the hot spring town is closed in winter. You must park at “Taisho Roman-kan” (2.5 km away) and take a shuttle bus.
Note: Without an entry ticket, you cannot board the night shuttle bus or enter the town. Walking in the dark is extremely dangerous due to sudden whiteouts.
🚌【The Trap of the Last Bus and Gas Light Timing (Ginzan Onsen ⇒ Oishida Station)】
Bus Timetable: 10:35 / 13:05(*) / 13:25 / 14:55 / 16:10(*) / 16:35 / 18:10(*) / 18:21 (Last Bus)
*(Winter extra buses operate from Dec 1 to Mar 31)
Delays: In heavy snow, buses are often delayed by over an hour or canceled.
Capacity Risk: In the past, too many tourists gathered for the last bus (18:21), and some were left behind in the freezing snow because the bus hit its capacity (40–50 passengers). No extra buses will be dispatched, so it is safer to take an earlier bus.
🚖【Taxis】
The local Obanazawa Taxi company supports Uber and DiDi, but the number of cars is extremely limited.
Since tourists compete for a few available taxis, they often decline requests or the phone line gets busy. Booking well in advance is mandatory if you plan to use one.
With the pre-booking system, the dangerous panic of being left behind has improved, but you should still plan your time with plenty of flexibility.
💬 My Real Experience
When I filmed this video, the last bus was delayed by over an hour in freezing weather. I thought I would freeze to death, but luckily a taxi passed by, and I managed to get back by sharing a ride with other tourists.
Because of these risks, I highly recommend staying overnight at a ryokan inside Ginzan Onsen rather than taking a day trip.
The tips listed here are just a few examples.
The local weather and transport conditions change very quickly, and unexpected trouble can always happen.
Please make sure to check the latest official information on your own and make a solid plan before heading out.
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