Perfect for Solos: Which Zao Onsen Ryokan Offers a Private Bath to Enjoy the Sulfur Spring?

• The Best Private Onsen Experience: 100% Pure Source Water

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• If you're looking for a kashikiriburo (private, reservable bath), I highly recommend the Zao Kokusai Hotel. The water here is a strongly acidic sulfur spring, which is unique to the Zao area. You'll know it by its classic cloudy white appearance. The hotel has three different types of private baths that you can reserve for an extra fee. The best part is that all of them are gensen kakenagashi—meaning they are filled with 100% pure, free-flowing water straight from the source (no extra water added or recycled). The main public bath (daiyokujo) can get pretty crowded at peak times. But with a private bath, you get to have that amazing, high-quality water all to yourself in peace and quiet. It's also a great hotel for solo travelers, so you can feel completely comfortable staying there on your own.​​​​​​​​
  KenFuku (Early 40s Male)'s answer (Posted on:2025/10/31)

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• There are three different types of private baths

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• Located right next to the Yokokura slopes, this lovely Ryokan (Japanese inn) has a classical, calming atmosphere and is recommended for solo travelers. onsen(hot spring) offer a sense of spaciousness and spaciousness, with a warm wooden feel, and can be enjoyed both indoor and outdoor baths. There are three types of private baths available: granite, cypress, and barrier-free. The soaking experience while enjoying the mountain and river views is exceptional. The locally produced Yamagata beef dishes are also delicious, and I was able to fully enjoy the best of onsen(hot spring).
  エイム's answer (Posted on:2022/4/ 2)

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• A private bath makes for a luxurious solo trip

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• At "Yaemon-no-Yu Zao International Hotel," you can stay alone and there are three types of private baths. You can also enjoy natural hot springs in the indoor bath with free-flowing water from the source and the open-air stone bath at the hot spring building of Yaemon-no-Yu. For dinner, you can choose your main dish from Yamagata beef dishes and dishes that make use of seasonal ingredients from Yamagata.
  ゆうてん's answer (Posted on:2021/7/17)

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• A luxury Ryokan (Japanese inn) in Zao with private baths

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• This is Ryokan (Japanese inn) where you can enjoy 100% natural sulfur hot springs unique to Zao. You can relax and refresh yourself while looking at nature. There is also a private bath, which is spacious and very comfortable. The rooms can accommodate even one person, and are recommended as they are packed with Yamagata flavors, including Yamagata beef.
  わらびもち's answer (Posted on:2021/6/24)

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• A lodging facility with private baths in Zao Onsen

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• This inn has three types of private baths: cypress, granite, and barrier-free. The hot springs are acidic, sulfur-containing, aluminum sulfate, and chloride hot springs, and are expected to be effective on cuts and burns. As for meals, you can eat kaiseki（a traditional Japanese multiple course meal ）that emphasizes the seasonal flavors of Yamagata. The hotel's original cold sake, "Hachiemon," is especially delicious.
  うまき's answer (Posted on:2020/11/ 6)

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• Both the private bath and the large communal bath are excellent.

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• This is a popular, long-established hotel in Zao Onsen. There are three private baths, each with a different atmosphere: a cypress bath, a stone bath, and a barrier-free bath. The shared large bath and open-air bath also had a Japanese atmosphere, which was nice. What impressed me most was that I stayed in a Japanese-style room, which was spacious and had a view of nature from the room. Also, the Yamagata beef Shabu Shabu（Japanese hotpot）for dinner was soft, voluminous, and very delicious.
  ササラ's answer (Posted on:2020/11/ 2)

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This hotel's reviews(47View items

• The Ultimate Luxury: A Private Gensen Kakenagashi Bath

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• If you're an onsen enthusiast, you have to try the private bath (kashikiriburo) at Miyamaso Takamiya. The Zao hot spring is famous for its cloudy white, strongly acidic sulfur water. It's honestly considered one of the absolute best water qualities in all of Japan. Here’s the real highlight of this ryokan: It's not just the main public bath—even the private, reservable baths are gensen kakenagashi. This means you get to enjoy the real, authentic onsen in total privacy. No tap water is added to dilute it, and the water isn't recycled or circulated. It's 100% pure, fresh-from-the-source water. The public bath is great too, but if you're the kind of person who wants to quietly and truly appreciate the pure water itself, then having one of these private baths all to yourself is the ultimate luxury.​​​​​​​​​​
  MasaK (Late 40s Male)'s answer (Posted on:2025/10/31)

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• A Historic Inn Steeped in 300 Years of History

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• For those seeking a kashikiriburo (private, reservable bath), I highly suggest Miyamaso Takamiya. It is one of the most historic ryokan (traditional inns) in Zao Onsen, boasting a history that spans nearly 300 years since its founding. The wooden architecture is incredibly atmospheric (this is known as omomuki in Japanese). You get a special feeling just walking through the halls. The inn features a unique private bath called "Kibitaga-yu," which is beautifully crafted from ceramic. For a solo traveler, the time spent enjoying Zao's famous hot spring all to yourself in the private space of this historic inn will surely become a cherished memory.​​​​​​
  RetiredTraveller (Early 60s Male's answer (Posted on:2025/10/31)

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• Great for Solo Travelers: "Solo Plans" and a Private Onsen

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• If you're traveling solo to Zao Onsen, I think Miyamaso Takamiya is a really comfortable choice. This ryokan actually offers specific "Solo Traveler Plans," so they have a very welcoming atmosphere for people traveling alone. I really appreciated their consideration at mealtime. They seat you away from large groups, so you don't feel awkward or out of place eating by yourself. They also have a kashikiriburo (private, reservable bath) available for a fee. It features a unique ceramic bathtub, and you can take your time enjoying Zao's incredible hot spring water without worrying about anyone else around. It's the perfect inn for anyone who just wants to relax quietly on their own.​​​​
  RyotaTraveler (Late 30s Male)'s answer (Posted on:2025/10/31)

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• A relaxing time in a hidden hot spring village

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• This inn is surrounded by nature, and while you can feel the charm of traditional wooden architecture, you can also enjoy modern comforts. It has nine natural hot springs, and some rooms have open-air baths with natural spring water. You can enjoy a private bath while surrounded by Zao's clear air and the murmuring of the river. The meal was a Japanese kaiseki meal made with local seasonal ingredients, but there were also upgrade plans available, such as a Zao beef sukiyaki kaiseki meal. At this long-established Ryokan (Japanese inn), which was founded more than 300 years ago, we were able to experience the hospitality that has been cultivated over its history.
  たけやん's answer (Posted on:2024/6/15)

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• A long-established Ryokan (Japanese inn) in Zao that was founded over 300 years ago

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• Dinner is a Japanese multi-course meal, and breakfast is also a Japanese meal, so you can enjoy Japanese cuisine to your heart's content. There are a total of nine baths. What's more, there are many other inns in the same hotel chain in the surrounding area, all of which are free to use. This is a long-established Ryokan (Japanese inn) that was founded over 300 years ago, and you can feel the romance from the moment you approach. Not only does the purely Japanese-style wooden architecture look good on the outside, but the building is filled with nostalgia from the lobby to the corridors, rooms, and baths. If you're traveling alone, you'll be able to relax in a 10-tatami Japanese-style room with a wide veranda, with two meals included.
  Shinryuken's answer (Posted on:2022/4/10)

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This hotel's reviews(12View items

• A Private Open-Air Bath with Breathtaking Views All to Yourself

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• I think Zenshichinoyu is perfect for solo travelers who want to enjoy an onsen in peace. The views from the kashikiriburo (private, reservable baths) are just fantastic. This inn has seven different private baths, but the open-air ones named "Ebisuten" and "Hoteison" are in the absolute best locations. They offer panoramic views overlooking the entire Zao Onsen town and the distant mountains. And, of course, they are completely free for staying guests. The main public baths can sometimes feel crowded and not very relaxing. But here, you get to have both the incredible Zao scenery and the wonderful hot spring water all to yourself. It’s a truly luxurious experience.​​​​​​​​
  Hideki52 (Early 50s Male)'s answer (Posted on:2025/10/31)

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• For the Onsen Purist: A Private Bath with Exceptional Water Quality

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• If you're looking for a kashikiriburo (private, reservable bath) in Zao Onsen, you should definitely check out Zenshichinoyu. This is an inn that prides itself on its 100% gensen kakenagashi (pure, free-flowing) water and its meticulous quality management. You get to savor the incredible, strongly acidic sulfur spring all by yourself. You can even order sake (Japanese rice wine) for an extra fee to enjoy right in the private bath. They bring it to you floating in a large wooden bucket (ooke), which is a fantastic touch that really lets you savor the classic, authentic pleasure of an onsen. I highly recommend this place for anyone who wants to quietly and truly appreciate the pure quality of the water itself.​​​​​​​​
  KankoNavi49 (Late 40s Male)'s answer (Posted on:2025/10/31)

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• A hotel with seven private baths

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• This onsen(hot spring) Ryokan (Japanese inn) has seven private baths, including one for dogs. (Currently, there are four private baths, with the remaining ones in preparation.) You can gaze out at the starry sky from the spacious private open-air bath. Exclusively for private baths, you can enjoy onsen(hot spring) while sipping a little alcohol. The large public bath also has a garden open-air bath that is filled with a sense of openness. You can enjoy local cuisine, such as Yamagata beef kaiseki, and the nature of Zao, and this hotel is also welcoming for single guests.
  hahata's answer (Posted on:2024/7/15)

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This hotel's reviews(8View items

• A cheap hotel where you can enjoy Zao Onsen

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• Lucent Takamiya is a relaxing inn perfect for solo travelers, offering affordable plans and easy-going services. There are private baths, a large indoor bath with the scent of wood, and an open-air stone bath. The rooms are spacious, with both Japanese-style and Western-style rooms, and offer a modern atmosphere.
  ヤギヌマ's answer (Posted on:2020/11/ 2)

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This hotel's reviews(6View items

• Do Your Own Private "Onsen Hopping" Tour—All Inside the Hotel!

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• I think Gokan no Yu Tsuruya is a great place for solo travelers who want to make the most of their onsen experience. They have four different types of named kashikiriburo (private, reservable baths). Each one is unique—some are made of stone, others of wood—so they all have a completely different vibe. The main public bath is nice, but if you're traveling solo, the real highlight is "hopping" between all these different private baths. As long as one is vacant, you can use them as many times as you want, completely free of charge. The best part is getting to have your own private "yu-meguri" (onsen hopping) experience without ever having to leave the inn. That's the biggest draw!​​​​​​
  Yusuke33 (Early 30s Male)'s answer (Posted on:2025/10/31)

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This hotel's reviews(3View items