Discover 4 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Kurikoma Quasi-National Park (Japan). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Nuruyu Bansho Site, Ginzan Onsen, and Takanoyu Onsen. Also, be sure to include Mogami in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Kurikoma Quasi-National Park (Miyagi).
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Nuruyu Bansho Site
The Nuruyu Bansho Site is the location of a former barrier gate and guard post between Sendai Domain and Kubota Domain under the Tokugawa shogunate of Edo period Japan. It is located within what is now the city of Kurihara in Miyagi Prefecture. The site has been protected by the central government as a National Historic Site since 1963.[1]
Ginzan Onsen
Also known as: 銀山温泉
Spa town in Obanazawa, Japan. Ginzan Onsen is an onsen area in Obanazawa, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. Its name means "silver mine hot spring". Ginzan Onsen's economy took off thanks to its booming silver production and eventually transitioned over to tourism when it opened up dozens of hot spring resorts along the central river that runs through the town. The mountains that surround this town yield rich hot spring water that is used both in the private hotels and public baths in the city center.
Ginzan Onsen became nationally famous as it was featured in the popular television drama Oshin. Each year this onsen village sees hundreds of thousands of domestic Japanese visitors.
Internationally, this town saw a sharp rise in foreign tourism thanks to the famous snow covered sights in the winter. It has since been featured on international travel sites and agencies across the world. CNN has even suggested that this onsen town may be "Japan's most charming winter village".
Fossils from the Miocene era have been found in the vicinity.
Access to this town requires riding a bus or taking a short taxi ride.
Lodging at Ginzan Onsen can be difficult due to limited availability of rooms in this small town. Guests are advised to make reservations one year in advance if they wish to stay here during the months of January or February.[2]
Takanoyu Onsen
Also known as: 鷹の湯温泉
Japanese inn with hot spring in Yuzawa, Japan. Takanoyu Onsen is one of several hot springs in the Akinomiya Hot Springs area of the city of Yuzawa, in southern Akita Prefecture. The onsen is nestled in a small gorge along the banks of the Yakunai River. Because of its secluded location, it is referred to as a Hitou, or hidden hot spring.[3]
Mogami
Also known as: 最上町
Town in Japan. Mogami is a town in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. As of 29 February 2020, the town has an estimated population of 8,441 in 2848 households, and a population density of 26 persons per km2. The total area of the town is 330.27 square kilometres.[4]