Japan's Famous Ginzan Onsen to Enforce Visitor Caps and Traffic Controls This Winter

Written by: LIVE JAPAN's editorial team

Date published: 7 October 2024

Ginzan Onsen in Yamagata Prefecture is a popular hot spring destination year-round, but it sees a surge in visitors from autumn to winter. However, with heavy snowfall during the winter season, travel to the area can become hazardous. To ensure safety, Ginzan Onsen has announced traffic restrictions and limits on day-trip visitors from December 20, 2024, to late March 2025. In this article, we'll explain the reasons behind these measures and provide details on the restrictions.

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Table of Contents

What Are the Risks of Visiting Ginzan Onsen in Winter? The Reasons Behind Traffic Restrictions and Visitor Limits
Overview of Traffic Restrictions and Day-Trip Visitor Limits
Be Sure to Check Restrictions Before Visiting Ginzan Onsen in Winter

What Are the Risks of Visiting Ginzan Onsen in Winter? The Reasons Behind Traffic Restrictions and Visitor Limits

Ginzan Onsen, a popular tourist destination in Yamagata Prefecture, sees a significant increase in visitors from autumn through winter. However, the area experiences heavy snowfall during winter, leading to risks such as slips on icy roads and vehicles getting stranded due to deteriorating road conditions.

According to a press release from Ginzan Onsen Association, which manages Ginzan Onsen, there’s a persistent belief that "everything will work out" when visiting the area, even in dangerous conditions. Many visitors push forward with risky travel plans, leading to accidents that often require local staff to engage in rescue operations from early morning until late at night.

In response to these conditions, Ginzan Onsen has decided to implement traffic restrictions and limit the number of day-trip visitors during the winter season. The goal is to prevent risky travel and ensure that tourists can enjoy their visit safely.

Overview of Traffic Restrictions and Day-Trip Visitor Limits

The announced traffic restrictions and day-trip visitor limits will be in effect during the following period:

Period: December 20, 2024–March 31, 2025 (End date subject to change)

If you're planning a trip to Ginzan Onsen during this time, please review the details below carefully when making your travel plans.

Traffic Restriction Details

The traffic restrictions are as follows:

Applicable to:: Day-trip visitors

Restricted Area: Prefectural Route 188, from Jūbuichi Sekisho ruins to Ginzan Onsen

Restriction Hours: Daily from 4 PM to 10 AM the following day

If you plan to enter Ginzan Onsen outside of the restricted hours, please keep the following points in mind.

While there are no restrictions during the daytime, please use the park-and-ride system (parking at a designated lot and taking a bus to the onsen area).
Walking from the restricted area to the onsen district is strictly prohibited for safety reasons, as it poses a serious risk to life.

Please note that visitors with restaurant or accommodation reservations are exempt from the entry restrictions, as their names will be pre-registered by the reserved facility. Those with accommodation reservations may also drive directly to their lodging’s parking area without needing to use the park-and-ride system.

Details of Visitor Limits (Planned)

The entry limits will apply to day-trip visitors. These restrictions are intended to reduce overcrowding and ensure a more enjoyable experience for all tourists.

Applicable to:: Day-trip visitors

Restriction Hours:: 5 PM–8 PM (with capacity limits)

Visitor Limit:: 100 people per hour

Entry Method:: Advance ticket purchase required

Tickets are expected to be available for advance purchase online. Further details will be announced at a later date.

Be Sure to Check Restrictions Before Visiting Ginzan Onsen in Winter

Additional details regarding the traffic restrictions and visitor limits will be announced in early October 2024. We will update this information on LIVE JAPAN as soon as it becomes available.

If you’re planning a trip, make sure to stay updated and create a safe, well-prepared travel itinerary.

(Note: The information in this article is current as of October 7, 2024. Please check the official website for the latest updates.)

Ginzan Onsen

銀山温泉
- Address Yamagata Prefecture Obanazawa City Yamagata Large Ginzan Shinhata, 999-4333
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- Nearest Station Oishida Station （Ou Line / Yamagata Shinkansen）
- Phone Number 0237-28-3933
View Details

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Written by:

LIVE JAPAN's editorial team

LIVE JAPAN's editorial team is a multicultural mix of native editors who have lived in Japan for over five years, alongside Japanese editors with a deep passion for travel. We're devoted to sharing the wonders of Japan. From cultural insights and history to events, practical travel tips and coupons, we're here to help make your journey unforgettable!

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