Onsen in Yamagata

Is Ginzan Onsen or Zao Onsen better ? This is in terms of scenery, accommodation choice and access from Sendai. Need some advice from fellow travellers.

Both are worth going – in the winter.

Ginzan Onsen with snow is beautiful. There are only about a dozen or so ryokans on either side of the stream which are connected by toy-liked bridges. The scene is romantic when the village is lit up at night. There is not much to do except to take a stroll in the area and enjoy an onsen experience in one of the ryokans. You have to spend a night there to fully apprehend its beauty.

Zao Onsen has a bit more to offer. You can of course enjoy onsens at the foot of the mt., but from January to March, people make special trip up the mt. to see the impressive Juhyo “snow monsters”. And if you are into skiing, you can ski among them.

From Sendai, it is 1 hr. JR to Yamagata where there is a 40 min bus to Zao Onsen. During skiing season there are 2 daily 90 min direct buses from Sendai to Zao Onsen. To get to Ginzan Onsen, another 30 min. JR from Yamagata will bring you to Oishida from where there is a 40 min bus to the village. Ryokans there can arrange free shuttle pick-up from Oishida JR station.