Nestled among the majestic mountains of Yamagata Prefecture, about 420 km north of Tokyo, the hot spring town of Ginzan Onsen is like a precious gem, attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. With unique traditional wooden architecture, small cobblestone streets and the poetic and murmuring Ginzan River, Ginzan Onsen brings an ancient and strangely peaceful beauty. Especially in winter, when the snow covers the town, it becomes even more magical, like a vivid ink painting.
Established in the 17th century, Ginzan Onsen is not only famous for its hot springs but also carries a strong historical imprint. The name "Ginzan" means "silver mountain", originating from the discovery of a silver mine in this area in 1456. Coming to Ginzan Onsen, visitors can not only relax in the warm onsen baths but also have the opportunity to explore traditional Japanese culture. Ancient wooden houses, local festivals and specialty dishes will bring you unforgettable experiences.
Ginzan Onsen, a hot spring town, a gem of Japan with ancient architecture and poetic scenery
The ancient wooden houses of the Edo period in Ginzan Onsen are not only a precious architectural heritage but also an endless source of inspiration for artists. It is the magical, fairy-tale beauty of these houses that made the famous director Hayao Miyazaki choose Ginzan Onsen as one of the inspirations for the animated film "Spirited Away" - a work that has captivated millions of audiences around the world.
However, the growing popularity of Ginzan Onsen has also brought about some unwanted consequences. The increasing number of tourists has made the once peaceful town become noisy and chaotic. The noise, garbage and invasion of private living space have made many residents feel pressured and tired. There have even been many reports of tourists being careless, littering, destroying the landscape and causing public disorder.
The town faces many challenges, the most prominent of which is overcrowding, especially during peak seasons.
"We are grateful for the love of visitors for Ginzan Onsen, but we also hope that visitors can respect the local culture and work together to protect the inherent beauty of the town," a local government representative shared.
Starting January 7, 2025, those who want to enter the hot spring town after 5 p.m. will have to buy a ticket, according to the Ginzan Hot Spring Information Center. Visitors without reservations at local hotels will not be able to stay after 8 p.m. The ticket price, which includes a bus fare, is 1,150 yen (about $7).
These things seriously affect the lives of local people and destroy the natural beauty of the town.
Those who drive themselves will have to park at a nearby tourist center and take a shuttle bus into town. Hiroyuki Ishii of the Ginzan Onsen Overtourism Prevention Project Office told CNN that many day trippers who drive themselves often get stuck on snow-covered roads, causing traffic jams and hindering ambulance access.
"The photo area is narrow, sometimes tourists argue with each other, telling each other to get out of the way. Sometimes they bump into each other and almost fall into the river," Hiroyuki added. Ginzan Onsen is one of Japan's famous tourist spots that has limited the number of visitors amid a boom in recent months.
