Ginzan Onsen to Oishida Station by bus

Hopefully someone can help me with this clarification.

I've planned a trip to Ginzan Onsen for next February and I've been looking at the bus timetable from Ginzan Onsen to Oishida Station.
Ideally, I would like to catch the 18:58 Yamagata Shinkansen, so that I can connect onto the Senzan Line at Yamagata Station and be back in Sendai by 21:10.

The 18:21 bus won't arrive at Oishida Station till 18:55, and I am doubtful that 3 minutes would be enough to catch the 18:58 Shinkansen.
But I have seen an additional special timetable that runs from December 1st - March 31st. And there is a bus that leaves 11 minutes earlier at 18:10. Can anyone confirm whether this is the case?

https://www.hanagasa-bus-taisei.co.jp/base.html

Obviously, I know that there could be delays due to snow. But if that bus departure time does exist and there are no delays. I know that I would be able to comfortably catch the shinkansen on time. Otherwise I'll be taking the local JR lines and getting into Sendai for just after 22:00.

Thank you for your time and help.

Ginzan onsen will put some restrictions on day trippers between December and March: https://www.ginzanonsen.jp/blog/archives/87
You will need to make an advance reservation if you want to enter/leave after 5pm (details not published yet).

According to the link above, they are also planning to run direct shuttles between Ooishida and Ginzan onsen, which will include admission into the town. Details will be announced in November. Maybe you will have more options then!

Thank you for answering my question, especially with the new information on the entry restrictions. This trip was planned before the announcement and I was totally unaware till just now. So, I am glad that I asked this question.

I've looked more into it and I see that capacity limits will be put in place. 100 people per hour from 4pm onwards. Though till we get more information in the coming weeks, there will be a few questions that I now have that will hopefully be answered. If the bus leaves Oishida Station at 09:50am (with the restrictions ending at 10:00am), will I still have to book in advance to enter? In the evening once the 100 people per hour restrictions are in place, will I have to leave after that 1 hour is up? Just a few questions that I will have to wait and hopefully have answered by next month.

I understand why they will now be wanting to bring in restrictions. As I am aware of how much more popular Ginzan Onsen is now and the safety issues surrounding it - and it would be good to enjoy the area without the overcrowding. I just have to now hope that it doesn't all book out and I won't miss out. Because I won't be in that area again during the winter for quite some time after next year.

good morning

大石田駅~銀山温泉 Oishida Station to Ginzan Onsen
is a notorious bus line that is always packed. it is extremely important to arrive before the scheduled time to ensure you secure a space at the front of the queue and on the designated bus :)

moreover there are often reported troubles with international visitors so 3 minutes is definitely a stretch for JR transit unless all stars line up (not to mention the uncertain weather conditions)

great news is YES there are special winter express buses scheduled during Dec~Mar
departing from 銀山温泉 Ginzan Onsen at 18.10 as detailed in
https://www.hanagasa-bus-taisei.co.jp/base.html

as a plan B please find below for your consideration
not ideal but always nice to have a plan B while travelling in winter
大石田 19:36発 ~ 羽前千歳 20:18着 Oishida Station to Uzen-Chitose Station
羽前千歳 20:41発 ~ 仙台 22:03着 Uzen-Chitose Station to Sendai Station
2時間27分 1,690円

MOST importantly
please note that recently 銀山温泉 Ginzan Onsen has imposed a restriction on the number of daytime visitors during winter from 2024. please book in advance to secure an entry to the area as a non hotel residents
https://www.ginzanonsen.jp/blog/archives/87

ps. it is SO refreshing to meet someone that is kind enough to include a relevant URL in relation to the question.. i am almost in tears of gratefulness upon seeing it :)

thank you so much and have a wonderful trip~

In the evening once the 100 people per hour restrictions are in place, will I have to leave after that 1 hour is up?

I don't think so. 100 is probably an arbitrary number, or the number of people they think they can check in one hour.

You could also book a night in hotel/ryokan in Ginzan onsen and enjoy it properly. You really don't need to spend the whole day there on a day trip. 2 hours would be more than enough, 4 at most if you want to soak in an onsen and have lunch/drink.

Anastasia - Thank you for your response.

From my past research, I already knew that I should get to the bus stop early (though that probably won't apply going forward if reservations are needed) and was planning on getting to the bus stop 30+ minutes before it's departure time.

I already had that alternative route as my Plan B option (though transferring onto the Senzan Line at Kita-Yamagata Station). I also have a Plan C option lined up. But I really hope that that option doesn't have to happen, otherwise I won't be getting into Sendai for just after 23:00pm.

--

Mellye -

Unfortunately, I already have my accommodation in Sendai booked and paid for (this is also already quite an expensive trip) and an itinerary that won't make an overnight stay work.
Sat 15th I arrive in Sendai from Aomori. Sun 16th I plan on visiting Ginzan Onsen and Mon 17th I will be leaving Sendai for Tokyo (after a visit to Yamadera).
It all originally would've work out on the old information... If the decision and announcement was made sooner, though, then I most likely would've tried to find a way of making it work. The next time I visit Ginzan Onsen, though, I will be making an overnight.