Stayed 12.10.2015 (Mon)
Reserved thru’ ryokan’s website.
Fulfilled. Ginzan Onsen 銀山温泉 is a popular hot spring town located in Obanzawa city 尾花沢市 in Yamagata Prefecture, well known for its well preserved wooden buildings which housed ryokan and shops. In addition to that, fans of the popular asadora 朝ドラ (morning drama), Oshin おしん, will be able to relate to Ginzan Onsen very well as this was the place where Oshin’s mother had to leave home for to work as a waitress in one of the ryokans. Being a fan of the drama myself, it was a dream come true for me to be able to visit Ginzan Onsen and even stay at Notoya 能登屋, the ryokan which was featured as her mother’s workplace in the drama, at the same time.
Knowing the immense popularity of Ginzan Onsen as well as Notoya, I began my accommodation reservation way in advance than usual and was able to secure a room at Notoya successfully. Opted for the ryokan's complimentary pick up service from Oishida JR Station 大石田駅 as well.
======
Highlights
Introduction. The four storey wooden building which the ryokan is housed in was constructed in 1921 and is strategically situated just beside Ginzangawa 銀山川, the main river that runs through the hot spring town. Guests occupying rooms facing the river are greeted with a picturesque scenery of the hot spring town, especially during evening time when the entire street gradually lights up. Right in front of Notoya, there is a bridge, with vermilion coloured railings, that crosses to the other side of the river. Was surprised to find a smaller version yet complementing vermilion coloured bridge on the first floor of the ryokan which connects the lobby to the elevator waiting area.
Rooms. There are a total of 15 guestrooms in Notoya. We were assigned a room named Kangetsu 観月 located on the second floor of the two storey annex building of the ryokan. The annex block is much newer in comparison and is located just behind the main building (therefore no street view could be enjoyed from the rooms in the annex block). The ground floor of the annex building is linked by a passageway to the fourth floor of the main building. Kangetsu is a traditional Japanese style room laid with tatami mats and we slept on futons prepared by the staffs after dinner. Though there is a bathroom attached to the room, we utilised the communal bathhouse with hot spring pools located on the first floor of the annex building (and that is usually the case when we stay in an accommodation equipped with hot spring facilities).
Meals. Dinner was kaiseki style and was served in our room. On the other hand, breakfast was served in the main dining hall (Ohiroma 大広間) located on the first floor of the annex block. Dinner was sumptuous and satisfying; one noteworthy point is that these dishes were created using ingredients sourced within the local region, such as Obanazawa beef and tsuyahime rice. Breakfast was Japanese style and equally amazing too. Grilled fish, tofu and an array of side dishes were served. All of us loved the daikon rice in particular - so delicious that I had to ask for additional helping of rice which I seldom do.
Dinner menu
Drink before meal / Shokumae sake 食前酒: Yamabudo wine 山ぶどう酒
Appetiser / Sakitsuku 先付け:
- Matsutake mushroom in chrysanthemum dressing 松茸重陽和え
- Fry simmering manchurian wild rice (makomodake) まこも茸揚げ煮
- Stir fry chocolate vine with miso あけび味噌炒め
Sashimi / Otsukuri お造り: Carp chilled in iced water 鯉洗い, salmon サーモン and greater amberjack 勘八
Oshinogi 御凌ぎ: Nameko (mushroom) soba なめこそば
Boiled dish / Nimono 煮物: Sweetened boiled carp 鯉の甘露煮
Small pot / Konabe 小鍋: Obanazawa beef cooked on hot plate 尾花沢牛陶板焼き
Grilled dish / Yakimono 焼物: Ayu (sweetfish) grilled with salt 子持ち鮎塩焼き
Steamed dish / Mushimono 蒸し物: Steamed unagi with sweet potato puree うなぎ養老蒸し
Vinegared dish / Sumono 酢物: Takikawa tofu 滝川豆腐
Rice / Gohan 御飯: Yamagata produced tsuyahime rice 山形県産つや姫, served with tsukemono
Dessert / Mizumono 水物: La France, shine muscat and pumpkin pudding ラフラス、シャインマツカット、カボチャプリン
Hot spring with a view. The communal bathhouses were separated by gender, each with both indoor and outdoor pools. The hot spring water contains sodium and sulfate salts, and is said to be beneficial in treating ailments such as neuralgia, rheumatism, wound pain, gynecological disorders and skin problems. In addition to the conventional ones, Notoya also offers two special hot spring facilities which require prior reservation to be made. One of them is actually located in a cave (accessed from the ground floor of the main building) which has been in existence since the ryokan started its operation a century ago! We utilised the other one which is found in a small hut and is remotely located in the woods, a short distance away from the ryokan. Was informed by the staff that we could enjoy this particular one without additional fee, therefore I placed a reservation to utilise it in the morning on the following day. From the second floor of the annex block, we climbed 85 steps to reach this secluded hot spring spot and were able to capture quite a good view of the town from here. My parents and I took turns to enjoy a moment of luxury, soaking in the warm, therapeutic waters here privately while surrounded by nature. Though it is a pity that we did not get to stay in a room located in the main building, Notoya was still excellent in various aspects and I will highly recommend a stay here.
======
Notoya 能登屋
山形県尾花沢市大字銀山新畑446
Check in: 1400 hrs
Check out: 1030 hrs
http://www.notoyaryokan.com/
How to get there?
(1) By complimentary pick up service from Oishida JR Station 大石田駅. Prior reservation is required, so do indicate your intent to utilise the pick up service during point of reservation.
(2) By bus.
- From Oishida JR Station 大石田駅, board Hanagasa Bus はながさバス heading for Ginzan Onsen and alight at the last stop. Bus journey takes approx 40 mins.
Bus schedule: http://www.hanagasa-bus-taisei.co.jp/base.html
- From Yamagata Airport 山形空港, board Hanagasa Bus はながさバス heading for Ginzan Onsen and alight at the last stop. There are only two round trips per day and bus journey takes approx 1.5 hr.
Bus schedule: http://www.hanagasa-bus-taisei.co.jp/base3.html
Reserved thru’ ryokan’s website.
3 pax / room inclusive of half board = 51,840 yen + 450 yen (Bathing tax = 150 yen/pax)
Fulfilled. Ginzan Onsen 銀山温泉 is a popular hot spring town located in Obanzawa city 尾花沢市 in Yamagata Prefecture, well known for its well preserved wooden buildings which housed ryokan and shops. In addition to that, fans of the popular asadora 朝ドラ (morning drama), Oshin おしん, will be able to relate to Ginzan Onsen very well as this was the place where Oshin’s mother had to leave home for to work as a waitress in one of the ryokans. Being a fan of the drama myself, it was a dream come true for me to be able to visit Ginzan Onsen and even stay at Notoya 能登屋, the ryokan which was featured as her mother’s workplace in the drama, at the same time.
Knowing the immense popularity of Ginzan Onsen as well as Notoya, I began my accommodation reservation way in advance than usual and was able to secure a room at Notoya successfully. Opted for the ryokan's complimentary pick up service from Oishida JR Station 大石田駅 as well.
======
Highlights
Introduction. The four storey wooden building which the ryokan is housed in was constructed in 1921 and is strategically situated just beside Ginzangawa 銀山川, the main river that runs through the hot spring town. Guests occupying rooms facing the river are greeted with a picturesque scenery of the hot spring town, especially during evening time when the entire street gradually lights up. Right in front of Notoya, there is a bridge, with vermilion coloured railings, that crosses to the other side of the river. Was surprised to find a smaller version yet complementing vermilion coloured bridge on the first floor of the ryokan which connects the lobby to the elevator waiting area.
Rooms. There are a total of 15 guestrooms in Notoya. We were assigned a room named Kangetsu 観月 located on the second floor of the two storey annex building of the ryokan. The annex block is much newer in comparison and is located just behind the main building (therefore no street view could be enjoyed from the rooms in the annex block). The ground floor of the annex building is linked by a passageway to the fourth floor of the main building. Kangetsu is a traditional Japanese style room laid with tatami mats and we slept on futons prepared by the staffs after dinner. Though there is a bathroom attached to the room, we utilised the communal bathhouse with hot spring pools located on the first floor of the annex building (and that is usually the case when we stay in an accommodation equipped with hot spring facilities).
Meals. Dinner was kaiseki style and was served in our room. On the other hand, breakfast was served in the main dining hall (Ohiroma 大広間) located on the first floor of the annex block. Dinner was sumptuous and satisfying; one noteworthy point is that these dishes were created using ingredients sourced within the local region, such as Obanazawa beef and tsuyahime rice. Breakfast was Japanese style and equally amazing too. Grilled fish, tofu and an array of side dishes were served. All of us loved the daikon rice in particular - so delicious that I had to ask for additional helping of rice which I seldom do.
Dinner menu
Drink before meal / Shokumae sake 食前酒: Yamabudo wine 山ぶどう酒
Appetiser / Sakitsuku 先付け:
- Matsutake mushroom in chrysanthemum dressing 松茸重陽和え
- Fry simmering manchurian wild rice (makomodake) まこも茸揚げ煮
- Stir fry chocolate vine with miso あけび味噌炒め
Sashimi / Otsukuri お造り: Carp chilled in iced water 鯉洗い, salmon サーモン and greater amberjack 勘八
Oshinogi 御凌ぎ: Nameko (mushroom) soba なめこそば
Boiled dish / Nimono 煮物: Sweetened boiled carp 鯉の甘露煮
Small pot / Konabe 小鍋: Obanazawa beef cooked on hot plate 尾花沢牛陶板焼き
Grilled dish / Yakimono 焼物: Ayu (sweetfish) grilled with salt 子持ち鮎塩焼き
Steamed dish / Mushimono 蒸し物: Steamed unagi with sweet potato puree うなぎ養老蒸し
Vinegared dish / Sumono 酢物: Takikawa tofu 滝川豆腐
Rice / Gohan 御飯: Yamagata produced tsuyahime rice 山形県産つや姫, served with tsukemono
Dessert / Mizumono 水物: La France, shine muscat and pumpkin pudding ラフラス、シャインマツカット、カボチャプリン
Hot spring with a view. The communal bathhouses were separated by gender, each with both indoor and outdoor pools. The hot spring water contains sodium and sulfate salts, and is said to be beneficial in treating ailments such as neuralgia, rheumatism, wound pain, gynecological disorders and skin problems. In addition to the conventional ones, Notoya also offers two special hot spring facilities which require prior reservation to be made. One of them is actually located in a cave (accessed from the ground floor of the main building) which has been in existence since the ryokan started its operation a century ago! We utilised the other one which is found in a small hut and is remotely located in the woods, a short distance away from the ryokan. Was informed by the staff that we could enjoy this particular one without additional fee, therefore I placed a reservation to utilise it in the morning on the following day. From the second floor of the annex block, we climbed 85 steps to reach this secluded hot spring spot and were able to capture quite a good view of the town from here. My parents and I took turns to enjoy a moment of luxury, soaking in the warm, therapeutic waters here privately while surrounded by nature. Though it is a pity that we did not get to stay in a room located in the main building, Notoya was still excellent in various aspects and I will highly recommend a stay here.
======
Notoya 能登屋
山形県尾花沢市大字銀山新畑446
Check in: 1400 hrs
Check out: 1030 hrs
http://www.notoyaryokan.com/
How to get there?
(1) By complimentary pick up service from Oishida JR Station 大石田駅. Prior reservation is required, so do indicate your intent to utilise the pick up service during point of reservation.
(2) By bus.
- From Oishida JR Station 大石田駅, board Hanagasa Bus はながさバス heading for Ginzan Onsen and alight at the last stop. Bus journey takes approx 40 mins.
Bus schedule: http://www.hanagasa-bus-taisei.co.jp/base.html
- From Yamagata Airport 山形空港, board Hanagasa Bus はながさバス heading for Ginzan Onsen and alight at the last stop. There are only two round trips per day and bus journey takes approx 1.5 hr.
Bus schedule: http://www.hanagasa-bus-taisei.co.jp/base3.html
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