Major city · Japan
Obanazawa
Spend 1 night in winter for snow‑covered Ginzan Onsen or a day in summer; a single night or day covers the main sights.
Obanazawa is a small Yamagata‑prefecture city famous for heavy snowfall, Ginzan Onsen hot‑spring village and local beef. A half‑day covers the onsen and town; winter snow lovers should stay one night to enjoy evening festivities.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Dec–Feb, Jun–Aug
- avoid Mar–May (cold but little snow, limited activities)
- Airport
- GAJ
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Obanazawa110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Obanazawa, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe; watch for icy sidewalks in winter and keep an eye on bus schedules.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGAJ Yamagata Airport (Bus 50 min, ¥1,000 (≈ US$7) to Ōishida Station).
- Getting aroundTake the Yamagata Line to Ōishida Station, then local bus (5‑7 times/day) to Ginzan Onsen (≈40 min, ¥710).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥400–¥600 (≈ US$3–5)
- Budget bedRyokan room (incl. meals), a night, per room¥14,000 (≈ US$95)
- Mid-range bedRyokan room (incl. meals), a night, per room¥18,000 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedRyokan room (incl. meals), a night, per room¥25,000 (≈ US$170)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥6,000 (≈ US$45) · Mid ¥9,000 (≈ US$65) · High ¥13,000 (≈ US$90)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GAJ Yamagata Airport (Bus 50 min, ¥1,000 to Ōishida Station)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
Best
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Mar
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
not flagged
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
Best
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Best: Jun–Aug, Dec–Feb. Avoid: Mar–May. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C) low), wettest Jul (12 rain days), driest Feb (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Obanazawa: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
6 rd
Feb
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
5 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
7 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
11 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
7 rd
Dec
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Take the Yamagata Line to Ōishida Station, then local bus (5‑7 times/day) to Ginzan Onsen (≈40 min, ¥710). Walk the town; winter snow may require crampons.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Natagiri mountain pass
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Bus from Ōishida Station, about 30 min
Scenic drive, free
Shirogane Falls
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Bus to Ginzan, then walk 10 min
Free, illuminated in summer
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Shōwakan
From Ōishida Station, check‑in 15:00, price from ¥14,190 (¥8,790 without meals)From Ōishida Station, check‑in 3:00 PM, price from ¥14,190 (¥8,790 without meals)
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥6,000–9,000 (≈ US$45–65) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥9,000–13,000 (≈ US$65–90) excl. bed
- High
- ¥13,000 (≈ US$90)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Ryokan room (incl. meals)1 × 1 night × ¥18,000 | ¥18,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ¥9,000 | ¥18,000 |
| Bus Ōishida → Ginzan Onsen (round trip)2 × ¥710 · check | ¥1,420 |
| eSIM, 1 week data2 × ¥2,500 · check | ¥5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥4,240 |
| Trip total≈ ¥23,330 per person per day, bed included | ¥46,660≈ US$350 |
Shōwakan example
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ¥400–¥600 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Obanazawa beef bowl | ¥900–¥1,200 (≈ US$7–9) |
| Bus Ōishida → Ginzan Onsencheck | ¥710 (≈ US$5) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bus schedules are limited in winter; check times in advance.
- Heavy snow can block mountain roads in January–February.
- English signage is scarce; basic Japanese helps.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ObanazawaObanazawa
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
US consulate in Osaka; Japanese police 110, fire 119.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Yamagata Airport → Ōishida (bus): ≈¥1,000, 50 min
- Ōishida → Ginzan Onsen (bus): ¥710 (≈ US$5), 40 min
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- バス停はどこですか？ — Where is the bus stop? (basu tei wa doko desu ka?)
- いくらですか？ — How much is this? (ikura desu ka?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Obanazawa. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Feb, Jun–Aug · avoid Mar–May (cold but little snow, limited activities) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add night in Shōwakan for winter snow festivals.
- Include bus timetable link for Ginzan Onsen.
Sources
Ask about Obanazawa
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