Around Zao Raiza World × Stays Popular For Snow-View BathsHighly rated Hotel·Ryokan

To visit the "Hyappappo no Yu," I wore boots and a bench coat available in the lobby. While it felt like a bit of effort, soaking in the sulfur onsen while enjoying the view of snow-covered scenery in the open-air bath was absolutely amazing. On my way back to the hotel after wa

The Room was spacious and had a relaxing atmosphere. Most of all, the natural flowing Onsen was amazing and enjoyable. There were juices, coffee, and some snacks available, allowing us to relax in the lounge after multiple visits to the Onsen. We rested for a while before headi

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.

We arrived early and really enjoyed taking our time soaking in the group’s open-air baths—it was wonderful. The hotel’s indoor bath was also spacious and comfortable. Our room had a lovely atmosphere with a great view, and it felt very refreshing. One small downside was that the heat-insulating film on the glass seemed to have deteriorated, making it look slightly cloudy.

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.

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.

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.

From check-in to check-out, everything felt wonderful. Even during Silver Week, the price for three people for one night was reasonable, and we were very satisfied. The Room and Facility are a bit old, but they were clean and there were no issues at all. The Onsen was my favorite sulfur spring! The small bath actually added to the atmosphere and was great. We also used the private open-air bath; the water was quite hot and warmed us up thoroughly. For dinner, I was surprised at how tender the beef in the hot pot was. The pork miso soup was also delicious (personally a highlight). All of the staff (front desk, housekeeping, restaurant—everyone) were kind and left a very positive impression. I definitely want to come again!

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.

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.

Although the building feels a bit dated, the Hotel is kept very clean, and since it’s not ski season, it’s a great location for a quiet and relaxing stay. It was also nice to be able to see the city night view from the Room. The meals (not buffet-style) were served promptly by the staff at just the right timing, and there was more than I could finish. They also took photos for us, and the service was excellent. There are a few minor inconveniences (I won’t go into details), but personally I think it’s a good place. If you’re looking for every possible amenity in a Hotel, you can always choose to stay somewhere more expensive.

Both dinner and breakfast were absolutely delicious, and we were very satisfied!! The baths are divided into a large public bath and a natural hot spring bath; both were very relaxing, and the kids loved them. We’d love to visit again if we have the chance!

We stayed with two dogs. Some parts of the Facility feel a bit dated, but our Room had been renovated and was clean. The baths—both the indoor bath and the private open-air bath—had great water quality, temperature, and atmosphere, and we were able to fully enjoy Zao’s Onsen. We could also enjoy our meals together with our dogs and truly appreciated the warm hospitality.