Ginzan Onsen 銀山温泉
Hot spring town in the mountains
In the eastern mountains of Yamagata prefecture and originally a silver mining town, Ginzan Onsen (Silver Mountain Hot Springs) is now one of Japan's prettiest onsen towns with historic ryokan lined up along the river.
Pedestrian-only in the centre of town, it’s particularly nice in the evenings when the ryokan are all lit up and the streets and bridges are illuminated by gas lights.
There’s a nostalgic atmosphere here, with guests strolling about town in yukata in the warmer months, and snow plastering rooftops and walkways in winter.
Definitely worth the effort to get to.