Major city · Japan
Shirabu Onsen
Spend a half‑day to a full day in Shirabu Onsen; one night if you want a ryokan stay and ski at Tengendai.
Shirabu Onsen is a tiny hot‑spring village in Yamagata Prefecture with three ryokan, a ski resort and easy foot‑traffic. A day covers the baths and ski; an overnight lets you enjoy the onsen after the lifts close.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Dec–Feb for snow, Apr–Oct for milder weather
- avoid Jul–Aug (rainy season, limited ski)
- Airport
- SDJ
- 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
Emergency numbers for Shirabu Onsen110 ▾
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 Shirabu Onsen, 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
- SafetyShirabu Onsen is generally safe; watch for icy sidewalks in winter and limited mobile coverage on hills.
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.
- AirportSDJ Sendai Airport (Nearest major airport, about 2 h by train to Yonezawa).
- Getting aroundAll sights are within walking distance; the village is compact.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedRyokan room (2‑person), a night, per room¥12,000 (≈ US$85)
- Mid-range bedRyokan room (2‑person), a night, per room¥18,000 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedRyokan room (2‑person), a night, per room¥25,000 (≈ US$170)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥5,000 (≈ US$35) · Mid ¥8,000 (≈ US$55) · High ¥12,000 (≈ US$85)
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
- SDJ Sendai Airport (Nearest major airport, about 2 h by train to Yonezawa)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Feb
Best
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Care
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Care
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
Best
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct, Dec–Feb. Mixed: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C) low), wettest Jun (13 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Shirabu Onsen: 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
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
8 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
7 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
9 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
12 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
13 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
13 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
8 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
9 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
All sights are within walking distance; the village is compact.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Onogawa Onsen
goDoor to door: ≈30 min
Car or local bus, about 10 km (6.2 mi)Car or local bus, about 6.2 mi (10 km)
Another small onsen nearby
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.
Higashiya Ryokan
East inn, rebuilt traditional style
Nakaya Bekkan Fudokaku
Center inn, survived 2000 fire
Nishiya Ryokan
West inn, original thatched roof
Azumaya Ryokan (Shin‑Takayu)
Rustic lodge 20 min up the hill, 5 outdoor baths
Minshuku Shirabuya
Cheapest, basic accommodation
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
- ¥5,000–8,000 (≈ US$35–55) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥8,000–12,000 (≈ US$55–85) excl. bed
- High
- ¥12,000 (≈ US$85)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Ryokan room (2‑person)1 × 1 night × ¥18,000 | ¥18,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ¥8,000 | ¥16,000 |
| Yonezawa → Shirabu bus (round‑trip)2 × ¥840 · check | ¥1,680 |
| Tengendai ski lift ticket (full day)2 × ¥4,200 · check | ¥8,400 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥4,410 |
| Trip total≈ ¥24,250 per person per day, bed included | ¥48,490≈ US$350 |
From ¥11,700/person (Azumaya) to higher‑end ryokan
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Watch out
Safety
- Bus Yonezawa → Shirabu runs 7‑8 times daily, about every 90 min from 08:05 to 18:30; check the latest timetable.Bus Yonezawa → Shirabu runs 7‑8 times daily, about every 90 min from 8:05 AM to 6:30 PM; check the latest timetable.
- Mobile coverage becomes spotty on hills near Shin‑Takayu.
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.
Shirabu OnsenShirabu Onsen
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; other embassies in Tokyo
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Yonezawa → Shirabu bus: ¥840 (≈ US$6), about 40 min (check)
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)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- バス停はどこですか？ — Where is the bus stop? (basu tei wa doko 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 Shirabu Onsen. 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 for snow, Apr–Oct for milder weather · avoid Jul–Aug (rainy season, limited ski) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 5 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Shirabu Onsen
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