Obanazawa 尾花沢市

Obanazawa is amongst Japan's top three snowiest cities. Famous for its hot spring resorts, delicious beef, and beautiful natural scenery, stop by to relax and play in the snow.

Obanazawa is accessible by train then bus.

Take the JR Yamagata Shinkansen from Tokyo to Oishida Station. From there, take the bus for Ginzan Onsen, about 35 minutes away.

In summer, grab some juicy and delicious watermelon, locally cultivated at hundreds of farms around the region. And any time of year, try some tender and rich Obanazawa wagyu beef in the form of yakiniku, shabu shabu, or sukiyaki.

Traveling to the Ginzan Onsen district is like stepping back in time with its romantic streets lined with traditional Japanese inns. Through the winter season, the town experiences high levels of snowfall which give the inns a cozy atmosphere.

You will find steam rising from the river meandering through the town center, with the wafting scent of the sulfuric natural springs and the impressive Shirogane Waterfall fiercely gushing from the mountains above. In summer, you can head into the mountains alongside the waterfall to explore Shirogane Park .