I'd say this place is a bit overrated unless you're staying overnight. The location is so remote that it is difficult to reach and takes up to 2-3 hours from Yamagata station. The only public transport from the nearest train station is a bus that operates only once per 2 hours. Once you get there, the area is very small. Only took you 15 minutes to discover and nothing more. If you're staying overnight, there may be reasons to experience the great onsen that only accessible for overnight guests. Otherwise, it is too much of a sacrifice to reach this place.

The place is definitely scenic and good for a night stay ! However it's so much smaller than I thought (deceived by online photos shared by others haha) Definitely a place u need to go once in a lifetime. Come here during winter is the best so you can get the best view of the village! Check out my channel for more of my trips in Japan ! Look for me "Aerick Wanderland" in YouTube for more to come

Beautiful place in winter with snow ryokan and lights at night. Most ryokans about same except for 1 which is more exclusive but still priced reasonably. After exploring nearby Waterfall n gorge not much else to do apart from few soba restaurants and tiny Onsen at hotel or public. Only 1 or 2 shops with local souvenirs n cakes closed at night. 1 Italian restaurant part of hotel but no bars or night drinking holes. Near Waterfall there is a sake joint but close early in evening. Buses should run more frequently from nearest station instead of every 2 hrs. Worth the experience one time overnight for postcard scenery. There is also an eyesore at bottom end of street - a half completed building which abandoned for some time.

One of the most picturesque sights in Japan. If you want to stay here, make sure you book way in advance. Not easy to park close by, so park a little before the bus stop and it's very slippery in winter, so be sure to wear proper shoes.

Best time to come is in the winter but public transport is limited to a small bus so make sure to get to the bus stop from Oishida station early. Night views are the best but the last bus out is at 6pm so you might need to use a taxi or rent a car. Private cars you will need to park some distance away and the bus that takes you from the parking lot to Ginzan onsen.

12.02.2023 The ice has already begun melting so the town is not as gorgeous as it used to be with snow shower. Restaurants for lunch are limited, mostly having soba. We have been in Tohoku for 4 days, thus having enough soba for our lives so we just took some photos and run. The bus time is inconvenient so prepare to queue waiting for hours 🥲

Day trip from Yamagata: - Shinkansen to ōishida stations are not timed in sync with the bus to the onsen, hence there will be a lot of waiting time with nothing to do - there is nothing much to do at the station (ōishida) while waiting for the bus - the bus has really limited capacity (48 people) and some may have to stand. - would encourage tourists to check the timings and plan way beforehand - there isn’t much to do in Ginzan Onsen Village (old mining town), cafe shops and public baths. - the public baths don’t have an outdoor scenic component to them. - you could take your pictures and be done walking the entire length of the mining village in approx 30-45 mins. - would encourage time management and expect a lot of waiting time to get there, more than the time actually sight seeing.

Ginzan Onsen (銀山温泉). An inspiration location setting for the anime Spirited Away. This location is so picturesque and I hear it’s even more crowded during winter with the snow capped bathhouses here. Worth a visit and an overnight stay if you are a fan of the anime but buy some convenience store food as there are not many food options available here.

Extremely delicious pork soba, seriously the best soba I've ever had and was extra wonderful on a cold day. The flavors were so rich and the sliced porkbelly was so good. This is a popular place so it often has a wait and it's better to put your name down earlier than later. The service is excellent and they conveniently offer menus in English to make it easy to order. Highly recommend visiting here while in Ginzan Onsen!

Very beautiful in autumn with the foliage but also cold! Much colder than other places in the area. Most stores were closed unfortunately but the ones that were were very friendly. The watermelon daifuku were great! I wish it was a bit more accessible but the bus was on time and comfy. Be aware that the last bus back is the most crowded and you will have to call a taxi if you can't get on.