Ginzan-so

Ginzan Onsen is often described as a must-visit destination, but in reality it feels overhyped, and that popularity has clearly pushed accommodation prices up. I stayed at Ginzanso and paid around ¥78,000 for a standard Japanese-style room that included dinner and breakfast. The room itself was reasonably spacious, especially compared to Tokyo hotels, but sleeping on the floor was not particularly comfortable. The pillows provided were small, beaded, and surprisingly heavy, and there were no alternatives offered for this room type. The bathroom would require some deep cleaning to rid the mold on the soap bottles and in the gaps. Since this was already the cheapest option available, and booking was done via a lottery system, the stay felt more frustrating than relaxing. The food was the strongest part of the experience. Dinner and breakfast were both tasty and filling, and the fixed dining schedule was fine. That said, breakfast ended very early at 8:30 a.m., and by 8:45 most of the buffet had already been cleared, which felt unnecessarily rushed. If you’re visiting in winter, be aware that the walk down to the old town involves a fairly steep slope that can be slippery. Bringing shoe spikes or proper winter footwear is a good idea. Overall, Ginzan Onsen is charming to see, but the high cost of staying overnight is hard to justify. A day trip is probably enough, as you can walk through the old town and take photos within a couple of hours.

Absolutely incredible experience! The room was massive and so comfortable. The staff was EXTRA NICE! There is self service coffee machine and free alcoholic/non-alcoholic drinks the whole day, until 11PM. The bath tubs in the room and views were gorgeous. The dinner was absolutely delicious. We stayed two nights and we will definitely be back. The only drawback was the breakfast, which was very traditional Japanese and the food was cold. So we didn’t eat it, but there are cafes in the little town to go for breakfast.

We planned a one-night stay at Ginzanso so we could properly explore Ginzan Onsen and also take our time with a photoshoot in this small but iconic onsen town. Rooms in Ginzan Onsen sell out very quickly and are certainly not cheap, but after staying here, we felt the experience was genuinely worth it. The room was spacious, beautifully maintained, and extremely comfortable. After a full day out in the cold, returning to such a warm and well-appointed space made a huge difference. The quality of sleep was excellent, and everything from the bedding to the room amenities felt thoughtfully prepared. What really stood out was the location. Staying right in the heart of Ginzan Onsen allowed us to experience the town at different times of the day, especially in the early morning and evening when the crowds thin out and the atmosphere becomes truly magical. The onsen facilities were relaxing and well managed, offering a peaceful way to unwind. Service throughout the stay was attentive and professional, without feeling intrusive. Ginzanso delivers comfort, quality, and access to one of Japan’s most atmospheric onsen towns. For a special stay and a true Ginzan Onsen experience, this is a place we would happily recommend.

Beautiful & fully equipped. A pleasant surprise is that the room has 2 private onsens where you can soak while enjoying the snowy scenery- truly a wonderful experience! The accommodation includes dinner & breakfast, and the food is exquisite & delicious! The only minor drawback is that it's a 5 minute walk away from the famous amazing main street. But traveller who prefer a quieter environment won't mind!

Absolutely beautiful, I had a great time at my stay here in the private onsen room. The view was magical and the staff were very friendly throughout my stay. Hotel is a 5min walk away from the main Ginzan Onsen picture taking location. Food was good, tasty yet healthy. Sashimi was to die for.

We got upgraded to a suite!! The room was HUGE - super clean, sleek, and modern (with a touch of tradition). I loved the Sakura mural in our room. The public onsen also has a variety of pools! You have the sit down onsen, lie down onsen and a standing onsen~

Amazing stay at the most gorgeous onsen town. Food was 10/10 and I'm a picky eater. Indoor outdoor bathhouse with a standing area about 4 feet deep and a laying down area as I saw shooting stars go by. The staff is 10/10 and made our trip exceptional!

We went from yamagata station to oishida station. Waited around 45mins for the bus to head to Ginzan onsen. Pls take note of the schedule before departure. Price is roughly 1,000yen per person. You can also book a 11 person taxi to head there which will cost you -1,100yen per person