- 1,623View
- 17person answer
- Question publication date:2015/2/ 3
- Update date:2025/9/11
-
Zao Onsen's Bucket List Ryokan
Could you recommend a once-in-a-lifetime ryokan in Zao Onsen, Yamagata? I'm looking for a place with high-quality hot springs, impeccable service, and breathtaking views.
17Hotel rankings chosen by people
-
Experience the grandeur of one of Zao Onsen's largest and most atmospheric hotels. This is Japanese onsen at its most traditional: immerse yourself in Zao's famous milky-white sulfur spring, a powerful, aromatic water that captures the timeless spirit of hot spring culture.The location is just as impressive. Situated right on the ski slopes and near the ropeway, it offers perfect access to the renowned "Juhyo" (Snow Monsters) forest at the mountain's peak. We highly recommend this inn for an experience brimming with authentic onsen character and majestic mountain scenery. のむた's answer (Posted on:2015/2/11)
-
It's a nice, clean hotel with great hot springs.
- I stayed here last summer and was able to enjoy the hot springs of Zao at a beautiful Ryokan (Japanese inn). Since it is adjacent to the ski resort, it is a great location to warm up your body after skiing. Shabu Shabu(Japanese hotpot)-shabu dinner was also excellent. Please note that private baths are available on a first-come, first-served basis.かじゅある's answer (Posted on:2015/2/15)
-
Both the hot springs and the food are very satisfying
-
This hotel offers high satisfaction with both the hot springs and the food. The hot springs, which are especially effective for beautifying the skin, are gentle on the skin and leave a moist feeling, which felt really good. The hospitality of the hotel itself was also excellent, and the course meal using Zao beef was very satisfying. I would recommend this hotel as one to stay at least once.エイム's answer (Posted on:2016/4/25)
-
Recommended accommodation for sightseeing in Zao
- This hotel is easily accessible from the ropeway station and is also recommended for sightseeing of frost-covered trees. You can refresh yourself from the fatigue of your travels by bathing in the milky white hot springs, which 100% natural hot spring. You can enjoy delicious dishes made with Zao beef and other brand beef and seasonal ingredients.DERNIER's answer (Posted on:2017/7/ 5)
-
Overall recommended accommodation in Zao
- I highly recommend Zao International Hotel. Considering the hot spring town, the quality and quality of the accommodation plans, the deliciousness of the food, the spaciousness of the bathroom, etc., I think this hotel is the best choice. The view from the terrace where you can relax is also amazing.はなすけ's answer (Posted on:2017/7/26)
-
This is Ryokan (Japanese inn) where the hot spring 100% natural hot spring at Zao Onsen.
- How about Zao International Hotel? This is Ryokan (Japanese inn) with 100% natural hot spring in Zao Onsen, located in a lovely location surrounded by rich nature. The hot spring water is milky white, and you will be satisfied with the feeling of bathing in a famous hot spring. There are also private baths.ウイングチップ's answer (Posted on:2017/9/ 5)
-
The appeal is the abundance of baths and the ease of bathing around
-
For the true onsen enthusiast, might we suggest this incredible inn? Its greatest allure is the chance to enjoy nine distinct baths, all located right on-site. The standout experience is the open-air bath, or rotenburo, which is fed by the inn's own private spring, bubbling up from just behind the property. This water is served gensen kakenagashi style—100% pure and free-flowing, directly from the source.For a journey into history, a short walk leads to the "Choju-no-yu" public bathhouse, which retains its 200-year-old structure. Here, you can soak while feeling the deep sense of the past. Immerse yourself in the variety of baths and savor the celebrated waters of Zao to your heart's content.ナキウサギ's answer (Posted on:2025/9/11)
-
A charming inn with a historic and tasteful atmosphere
- Step into a living piece of history at this shinise (long-established) ryokan, with a legacy spanning 300 years since the Edo period. Walking through its halls is like traveling back in time. The profound, historic ambiance is palpable, and simply exploring the inn will create unforgettable memories as you feel the depth of its past.The onsen experience is just as authentic. Since its founding, the inn has used its own private spring source. You can soak in the powerful, acidic sulfur water—a Zao Onsen signature—across nine different baths. For those who wish to truly savor the charms of a traditional Japanese ryokan, this inn is an unparalleled choice.モモンガ's answer (Posted on:2025/9/11)
-
This is a hotel where every care has been taken.
- It's a little inconvenient because it's located at the back of the old hot spring town, but it makes up for it by giving you a taste of the atmosphere of a hidden hot spring! You park your car at the front and enter the hotel by climbing the stairs, and someone will come to help you with your luggage. If you stroll around the area of the public bath, you can experience the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese hot spring town, and it's the best scenery that makes you think, "This is Japan!" There are a lot of stairs inside the inn, but the baths were great, so I think it's worth going.nakko's answer (Posted on:2015/2/15)
-
Discover the rich quality of our hot springs and the pure fun of our bath tour.
-
For any true onsen lover, the high-quality waters of "Gokan-no-Yu Tsuruya" are an essential experience. The inn proudly features Zao's signature strong acidic sulfur spring, served 100% free-flowing directly from the source, in a thermal bath that will warm you to your very core.In addition to the main grand bath, a key attraction is the four private onsen, which can be used free of charge whenever they are vacant. Thanks to the inn's intimate and compact design, you can fully savor the essence of Zao Onsen simply by exploring the variety of baths available on-site.オコジョ's answer (Posted on:2025/9/11)
-
An inn boasting a truly immersive, multi-sensory onsen experience.
- True to its name, "Gokan-no-Yu (Inn of the Five Senses) Tsuruya" prides itself on an onsen experience that engages all the senses. A highlight is the four private-use baths, each with its own distinct character. In a wonderful touch, these baths require no reservations and can be enjoyed as often as they are available.This allows you to savor the milky-white, free-flowing spring water in complete privacy and at your own pace. Particularly exceptional are the bath enveloped in the fragrant aroma of wood, and the open-air bath where you can listen to the gentle sounds of nature. With its tranquil ambiance, the entire inn is a sanctuary for healing the senses, promising a truly high-quality stay.モモンガ's answer (Posted on:2025/9/11)
-
A romantic hot spring inn where you can enjoy hospitality and hot springs
- Step back in time at "Omiya Ryokan," a truly lovely inn brimming with the nostalgic charm of the Taisho Roman era. The entire building is lined with traditional tatami mats, inviting you to leave your slippers at the door and enjoy the soothing, relaxing feeling of walking barefoot.Here, you can immerse yourself in the authentic Zao Onsen experience, enjoying the characteristic sulfur-scented spring water in a variety of baths. From your room, gaze upon a panoramic view of the quaint onsen town and the mountains of Zao, whose beauty transforms with every season. At night, the romantic glow of the town's lights creates a scene of pure magic.オコジョ's answer (Posted on:2025/9/11)
-
This is the perfect place to fully appreciate the richness and purity of the onsen.
-
When in Zao Onsen, the hot springs at "Omiya Ryokan" are an essential experience. The inn features a potent, 100% free-flowing acidic sulfur spring. Its water is characteristically milky-white, with delicate yunohana (natural mineral deposits) floating within. Thanks to its reputed ability to whiten and smooth the skin, it has earned the nickname Bijin-no-Yu, or "Bath of the Beauties."Among its baths, the popular "Tamago-buro" (Egg Bath) is a true delight. Its unique egg shape and the comforting warmth of the wood create a deeply relaxing experience for both mind and body. Another fantastic perk is that the baths are open 24 hours a day. This is an authentic onsen inn that Zao can be proud of—an irresistible destination for any hot spring aficionado.モモンガ's answer (Posted on:2025/9/11)
-
There are plenty of open-air baths
- While this is a large-scale hotel, it also offers the traditional comfort of Japanese-style washitsu rooms. The true centerpiece, however, is its extensive selection of open-air baths (rotenburo). Here, you can relax and soak in the milky-white sulfur spring while taking in a grand panorama of the Zao mountain range.With several baths to choose from, each offering a unique ambiance, you can enjoy a varied and luxurious bathing experience. For your dining pleasure, the restaurant serves exquisite cuisine featuring Zao's finest local ingredients, perfectly paired with local sake. The melt-in-your-mouth Zao beef is an absolute must-try.ぽよよん's answer (Posted on:2015/2/11)
-
This hotel is clean and affordable, and you can also enjoy hot Visiting hot springs!
-
If you want to enjoy a hot spring to the fullest, this is the place to be. I stayed here last winter and it was clean and cheap. For dinner, you could choose between Shabu Shabu(Japanese hotpot)or sukiyaki, and it was all-you-can-eat. In addition to the baths in the building, you can also Visiting hot springs baths in the independent guest cottages baths and two sister baths for free. The difference in temperature in the cloudy water in the snow was exceptional. I recommend this place for lodging, but in terms of hot springs, I also recommend the large open-air baths on the course and the public baths (which are hot springs!) in the hot spring town.PP's answer (Posted on:2015/2/13)
-
The restaurant has a wonderful view.
- We highly recommend Zao Plaza Hotel, primarily for its spectacular scenery. Perched on the mountainside, it offers breathtaking views. From the dining hall, you'll be captivated by the sight of the mountains rising to your left and the world spreading out far below on your right—a view you could gaze at for hours.The open-air bath is exceptionally spacious, ensuring you'll have plenty of room to relax without it ever feeling crowded. One friendly tip: The spring water is famously potent due to its mineral quality. Please be mindful not to get it in your eyes, as it can cause a temporary sting.TS's answer (Posted on:2021/1/24)
-
A resort-style hotel with a welcoming atmosphere
- For a seamless nature retreat, we recommend this hotel, conveniently offering a complimentary shuttle from the Zao Bus Terminal. Perched in the highlands, it allows you to breathe in the crisp, clean mountain air and enjoy panoramic views of the natural landscape.The grand public bath is wonderfully comfortable and spacious enough to stretch out your legs and truly unwind. You'll also appreciate the authentic gensen kakenagashi onsen, with water flowing directly from the source. To complete the experience, the comfortable guest rooms feature their own stunning mountain views.はがせとうち's answer (Posted on:2023/12/ 3)
Related keywords
This hotel is located on the slopes!