Around Hearth × Highly rated for dining at Hotel·Ryokan

I had a very comfortable 3-day, 2-night stay in a quiet setting. The meals were delicious, and the nightly mini concerts in the lobby were truly relaxing. As I was traveling solo, it wasn’t cheap, but the Facility and the quality of the cuisine more than justified it. If I had to mention one thing, the toilet paper in the Room was thin and a bit inconvenient to use. It was a wonderful and comfortable Hotel that will likely make me want to return again in summer.

This Hotel exceeded my expectations—wonderful in every way and an amazing value. All the staff welcomed us with great smiles, and everyone we met at check-in, at the restaurant during dinner, and at breakfast provided excellent service, making our trip to Zao truly pleasant. I was also happy to see their thoughtful attention, such as calling the elevator in advance when we were heading that way. When we entered our Room, there were tea snacks plus chilled sweets in the refrigerator—at this price, I honestly wondered if it was really okay for us to stay here. The Room was also very spacious. The Onsen was of course fantastic, and we were able to use the Onsen at affiliated Hotels as well, which was a real treat for us Onsen lovers. We would love to visit again. Thank you very much.

It was my first time in a while soaking in a bath with a strong sulfur scent, and it truly felt like, “I’m at an Onsen!!!” I was very satisfied. The front desk staff and the dinner service staff were also young, efficient, and excellent.

My first time at Zao Onsen. I love sulfur springs, and I thoroughly enjoyed both the indoor bath and the open-air bath. It was lightly raining, but they had a hat-like cover (like what Jizo statues wear) available so my head wouldn’t get wet. Thanks to that, I was able to relax in the open-air bath as well.\nThe meals were also excellent—Yamagata beef and all the other dishes were delicious. The rice was Tsuyahime, making for a high-quality dinner with local ingredients.\nThanks to the staff’s warm smiles and attentive service, I had a wonderful time.

This was my first stay here, and I was able to relax very comfortably. Not only were the meals and the Onsen wonderful, but the staff were also very courteous and attentive.

This was my first time visiting Zao Onsen. After considering several Onsen Accommodations, I chose a smaller Accommodation where I could truly relax. As I headed from Kaminoyama toward Zao, the temperature dropped, and after riding my motorcycle in the intense heat, the cool breeze felt wonderful. The Accommodation is an older building, but it was filled with many charming decorations that made me feel warm inside. The indoor Onsen was artificial, but it was pleasant and available 24 hours a day. Outside, in a separate building, there was a free-flowing hot spring bath fed directly from the source; it was strongly acidic and at a comfortable temperature, making it very enjoyable. Dinner dishes were all carefully prepared and included many local specialties from Yamagata Prefecture. It was great that each dish came with an explanation when served. The steamed dish in particular was outstanding. Breakfast also offered a wide variety of items, and I was very satisfied. All of the staff were kind and greeted us properly—I could really feel their hospitality. This is an Accommodation I would like to visit again.

Because it’s close to Zao, this was my first stay at this Accommodation. To put it mildly, it’s one of the best Accommodations I’ve ever stayed at. It’s fairly large, so the interiors and lobby are well appointed, but above all it’s quiet and comfortable. The large public bath with an open-air bath is excellent as well, and the teppanyaki cuisine was outstanding. There was nothing to complain about. The service struck just the right balance of attentiveness and distance, and everything was impeccably clean—I truly enjoyed my stay.

I have stayed here many times. Among the Onsen in Zao, the water quality is excellent, and Tsuruya’s baths suit me perfectly. There are also four types of private baths, so you can relax and enjoy them at your own pace. The food is incredibly delicious—every meat dish is generous in portion size and so tasty that you’ll want to eat it again right away. This time I had the Zao beef steak; it was very tender and wonderful with a variety of flavors such as lemon butter and wasabi. I will definitely visit again. A Multiple Night Stay is also recommended.

Japanese-style double Room with breakfast and dinner included. I also requested a pick-up from Yamagata Station. On the way back, I took the bus to Yamagata Station from the Zao Onsen Bus Terminal, just a few minutes’ walk away. I arrived early, but was able to leave my luggage and explore freely. The staff member who assisted me felt unexpectedly curt, which seemed different from the Reviews. The person who showed me to my Room also didn’t seem to notice a fairly large dead insect right by the door when it was opened. That was disappointing. I was very satisfied with the Room, meals, and baths. The entire building is covered with tatami mats and you take off your shoes, which feels great, and everything was well maintained. All staff were pleasant in both their service and greetings. Since the baths switch between men and women, you can use both areas; I enjoyed the warm feel of wood and traditional atmosphere. Some Reviews said it was small, but as a woman I didn’t find it cramped since there weren’t too many people using it at once. Both dinner and breakfast were delicious—I finished everything. The Yamagata beef shabu-shabu was truly excellent. There is a portable air conditioner in the Room (I think), but because its duct runs out through the window, the top of the window doesn’t close completely tight; I couldn’t help noticing that gap. I saw a similar setup in the lounge as well, so I assumed it’s installed as a measure against summer heat. There is no elevator—only stairs—which I actually liked very much. Around this time of year we could hear spring cicadas (maybe), which was soothing. From the entrance you can see a gentle slope leading down to the main road, along with steam rising from the Onsen—an impressive location. It’s a small but comfortable Accommodation with a warm atmosphere—thank you very much.

I enjoyed soaking in Zao Onsen’s strongly acidic, milky-white water with a distinct sulfur scent—this is what an Onsen should be like. Since it’s an old building, there are countless flaws if you start pointing them out, so I stayed while telling myself that’s just how it is. The staff work hard, but not at a level that truly impresses. The meals featured many local specialties and were good, but the rice—the most important part—was too firm at dinner and far too soft at breakfast. This Accommodation is recommended for those who love Onsen.

I chose Zao Onsen this time because I wanted to soak in Wald Berg’s open-air bath again after a long time. When I arrived at the Hotel, I felt the hospitality and service were better than before. At the front desk, they seemed to remember that I had stayed here previously. When I was shown to my Room, I appreciated that the air conditioning had already been set to a comfortable temperature. And then, the Onsen—Zao Onsen really is wonderful. Among all the baths in Zao Onsen, Wald Berg’s forest open-air bath is spacious and truly outstanding. Dinner was more than satisfying as well, and I was happy that even a solo guest receives a beer. I ended up enjoying the open-air bath four times—it was excellent. The only disappointment was that the riverside open-air bath was closed due to bear activity, so I couldn’t use it. In the past, my mother-in-law, my wife, and I came together and enjoyed our stay; this year my mother-in-law passed away, so it was just the two of us. As it is Obon season, we enjoyed Zao Onsen while remembering her fondly.

Second visit There is a welcome drink. The Room is clean. Dinner is delicious. The imoni stew in particular was excellent. This time we had the pork shabu-shabu, but it was not very good. I recommend the Genghis Khan or Yamagata beef Plan. The open-air bath is on the hot side. If you go to the baths at Lucent Takamiya first, you can enjoy it even more. On departure, the staff saw us off as well. We visited Zao three years in a row. We won’t be able to go next year, but we would like to stay again.

All of the meals were delicious. The Room had a wonderful view of the mountains and nature, which was very refreshing. All of the staff were kind and welcoming. The Room was thoroughly cleaned and very comfortable. The Onsen was great, but the changing area was hot because the air conditioning wasn’t working well. To get to the large public bath you need to go down a few stairs, so it would be nice if an elevator could take you right to the entrance. The welcome-drink coffee in the lobby was very tasty, but I would be even happier if it were free. The honey apple vinegar in front of the restaurant was freely available and very delicious. The ropeway is right in front of the Hotel, and there is also a Lawson convenience store and souvenir shops nearby, which made it very convenient. The hot spring water was excellent and offered great value for money—overall, it was a truly wonderful Hotel. Thank you very much!

A Room with an open-air bath, great views, and a wonderful atmosphere. We also appreciated being able to enjoy free drinks such as beer. Both dinner and breakfast were satisfying in both quantity and quality. The relaxed dining atmosphere was excellent! The staff’s thoughtful hospitality was also very pleasant.

To sum it up: absolutely worth the trip, even if it’s far! I was truly satisfied for the first time in a while!! From the initial phone call, the staff were kind and courteous. Even just looking at the photos of members of the Imperial Family, I could enjoy an atmosphere that reflects many years of history. Only the restrooms have been updated to a clean, modern style, which made me feel how much care and effort has gone into maintaining this place. The Room reminded me of my grandmother’s home in the early Showa era—so nostalgic. It’s perfect for simply relaxing and unwinding. The Onsen is a hot, free-flowing natural spring! The volume of water is incredible, and after soaking slowly, my body stayed warm for ages—spa therapy complete. I regretted not staying at least two nights to visit all the nearby public baths. I really hope you will aim to become an Accommodation where small dogs are welcome. Thank you very much. I’ll be back when I want to relax again.

This time I took the Shinkansen to Sendai and used the free Shuttle Service bus from Sendai Station for a round trip. After arriving, I had a beer, and at dinner I ate and drank as well. I also got to use the pool, so I was very satisfied. Since I was traveling alone, my Room was a single and felt a bit small, but next time I'd like to go with friends and try staying in a larger Room. I'd like to visit again.

It was a truly wonderful Onsen. Not only was the water quality excellent, but with one indoor bath and two open-air baths, I never got tired of soaking no matter how many times I went in. There was also a free beer event, and I was very pleased with this unexpected service. Because a typhoon made landfall on the day of my stay, I couldn’t go out to eat in the Onsen town at night, which was disappointing—but thanks to this service, I was able to enjoy drinks in the lobby instead. The Room was thoroughly cleaned and the entire building was kept spotless, so I rated my overall satisfaction as 5. I would definitely like to stay again (next time for winter skiing...).

In conclusion, we stayed with two meals included, and it was absolutely the right choice. This is Hoshidare Accommodation. From the compact exterior, you enter using the password sent in advance by email, and you’re greeted by a wonderful entrance with white gravel! There are handwritten message cards from the manager everywhere, and although you don’t meet anyone in person, it really feels like a warm welcome. The Room was just the right size, and it also had a washer-dryer and a humidifying air purifier. Amenities included loungewear, yukata robes, and bathrobes—and it was my first time ever having two bath towels per person. Meals are self-serve for heating and plating, so we fumbled a bit at first, but preparing everything while chatting was fun too. The presentation was gorgeous, and there was more than enough food. I was worried about how many drinks would be available, but there were plenty as well. They even put a name label on our bottle of sparkling wine. I was impressed by how delicious the tap water was—smooth with no harshness at all. The bath is an alkaline hot spring with free-flowing source water; it was so amazing that I went in again and again. The hair dryer is Dyson—definitely exciting—and they also provided various face masks and lotions. The good-quality ice cream after dinner was pure bliss. Even the main dish at breakfast—the homemade Sendai beef stewed curry—was incredibly delicious... Overall it was fantastic, so I’d absolutely like to stay again. If I had to mention one thing: the pre-stay email arrived late morning on the day before check-in, which made me worry whether my Reservation had gone through—but since the site clearly says they’ll email by the day before, it’s not an issue. Also, I wasn’t sure which plate to use for curry—I hesitated over that one! I definitely want to come back again.

Since it was self check-in, I didn’t have high expectations, but it was a Facility where I could relax comfortably, including the Room, Onsen, and relaxation room. The Onsen quality was excellent; although it was set up so you could visit other Onsens as well, there was no need. There are no meals provided, but just before heading up the mountain there is “Gutto Yamagata,” which offers a great selection of Yamagata food and everything from meals to alcohol. I would like to stay here again when I visit Yamagata.

Although it was slightly expensive due to the Obon season, it was still cheaper than nearby ryokans for a solo trip with two meals included. Being a public accommodation, I didn't have high expectations, but the onsen was flawless with natural flowing water, and all the staff provided warm and pleasant service. The room was a 6-tatami mat Japanese-style room where sounds from neighboring rooms could be heard, but the neighbors were quiet at night, allowing for a good night's sleep. Both dinner and breakfast were very delicious even without using luxurious ingredients (perhaps there is also a plan with more luxurious ingredients).