[Yamagata | Zao Onsen] Ryokan recommendations with private onsen (private bath)?

• 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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