🏮✨ Summer Weekend at Ginzan Onsen: A Hidden Valley Retreat

#summervacay
Perfect for romantics • photographers • hot spring lovers

🌿 DAY 1: Time-Travel to Taishō-Era Japan

🚄 2PM: Yamagata Shinkansen → Oishida Station → Taxi (30min)
🏨 4PM: Check into Notoya Ryokan (wooden balconies over the river)

🌉 5PM:

Stroll the lantern-lit riverwalk (golden hour glow on wooden inns)
Photo hack: Stand on Shirogane Bridge for perfect reflections
♨️ 7PM:

Private outdoor onsen booking (try Notoya’s moon-view bath)
Kaiseki dinner with local sakura trout
🌌 9PM:

Night exploration: Fewer crowds after day-trippers leave
Star-gazing from Obanazawa Shrine steps
💦 DAY 2: Waterfall Hikes & Secret Spots

🌄 6AM:

Morning mist photos (empty streets + steaming baths)
Breakfast: Warabi mochi with mountain herb tea
🥾 9AM:

Ginzan River Trail (1hr hike to Fukuroda Falls)
Hidden gem: Nishi-no-Kawara (abandoned onsen ruins)
🍱 12PM:

Bento lunch by the river
Soba-making workshop at Fujiya
🎎 3PM:

Obanazawa Town visit (15min drive):
Hamanasu Summer Festival (July)
Murakami Tsunemitsu Art Museum
🚆 6PM: Twilight train back to Tokyo

📸 Must-Capture Summer Moments:

Wooden ryokans mirrored in the river
Steam rising from outdoor baths at dawn
Stone lanterns glowing at dusk
Water striders on crystal-clear river
💡 Summer-Specific Tips:
✔️ July 20-22: Ginzan Bon Festival (lantern floating)
✔️ Light yukata recommended (daytime 30°C+)
✔️ Bug spray for evening walks

#ginzanonsen #hiddenjapan #summerryokan #taishoromance

♨️ “Where time flows slower than the hot spring waters”