Nakagawa Station (Yamagata Prefecture) × Stays Popular For Snow-View BathsHighly rated for customer service and hospitality at Hotel·Ryokan

I had been looking forward to my time in Akayu. I was worried because of the heavy rain, but as soon as we arrived, the warm hospitality put us at ease, and I was able to spend a truly peaceful time with my mother. The meals were beautifully prepared—something to enjoy with all five senses—with gentle, comforting flavors. Above all, thanks to the heartfelt care of the staff, we were able to create wonderful and lasting memories. The Akayu hot spring soothed both body and mind—it was exceptional. This is a ryokan I would love to visit again. Thank you very much.

Both the indoor bath and the bath in our Room were fed directly from the source, and we were able to relax and fully enjoy the free-flowing hot spring water while taking in the gentle scent of sulfur—it was incredibly soothing for both body and mind. The atmosphere of the Accommodation was wonderful, and we truly enjoyed every aspect of this long-established Onsen inn. All of the dishes were delicious. In particular, the Yonezawa beef nigiri we had at dinner was so exceptional that we ended up ordering more. We were also impressed by how kind and attentive all of the staff were. The meat served with our meal was so good that when we asked for a recommended local butcher shop, they kindly gave us detailed information—thanks to them, we were able to stop by on our way home and buy some as souvenirs!

Thank you for taking care of us during our Multiple Night Stay. I was once again impressed to see the owner leading the way and working hard from early in the morning. The soba was truly delicious, and I was disappointed that I couldn’t have it for dinner on the second night. To the person who kindly accommodated my request as someone who likes sweet alcoholic drinks, I was really looking forward to enjoying them on the second night. The freshly cooked rice was wonderful! The soy sauce with an egg-like flavor is becoming a staple in our home. This is an Accommodation we’re excited to visit again. Thank you very much.

This is my favorite Accommodation. It had been far too long since my last visit, but it’s still just as wonderful. The food was exceptional as well. I’ll come back again in a different season. The sake tasting set, matsutake mushroom hot pot soup, imoni (taro stew), udon, and hassun platter were all outstanding.

The Accommodation is pleasantly small, making it convenient to get to the restaurant and the baths. A fireplace welcomes you in both winter and summer. The free space on the second floor is stylish, and the Room is clean and beautiful. The meals are always enjoyable and delicious. For me in my 60s, it’s just the right size, with just the right amount of food—an exceptionally comfortable Accommodation.

I had trouble choosing a Ryokan. I had made a Reservation at an affiliated Hotel, but somehow I ended up booking the same dates twice and didn’t realize it was a double booking. Koyo kindly called to let me know—thank you so much. The location was very easy to find with navigation, and even though it was my first time there, I arrived without getting lost at all. We were welcomed with warm smiles and cheerful greetings, and the explanations were clear and easy to understand. The baths were spacious and wonderful. There were many types of shampoo to choose from. We also booked a private Onsen, where we could relax fully—and it was so much fun chatting while soaking. And the hair dryer was that luxury model! My hair loved it. After the bath, we could take our time before dinner. Everything we tried was delicious. Breakfast was buffet-style with lots of local specialties, and you could really see the thoughtful touches. It wasn’t a bed but futons—and they were incredibly comfortable. The pillow was excellent too. It was a truly satisfying trip: great food, great sleep, and total relaxation. When we left, everyone saw us off, and they took a commemorative Hanagasa photo for us in front of the entrance—such a lovely memory. The building wasn’t brand-new by any means, but it felt clean and bright. Also, there seemed to be many younger staff members. That probably means it’s an easy place to work—and their positive energy made us feel great as guests. Thanks to Koyo, my first trip to Yamagata was genuinely enjoyable. It became a place I’d definitely love to stay at again. And that toilet… quite unique. It gave us something to laugh about!

Because we moved our trip home forward at short notice, we ended up making a Reservation the day before. From welcome to farewell, everyone at the Accommodation greeted us with warm smiles throughout. The meals—both dinner and breakfast—were just the right portions for us as a couple in our 60s, and everything was delicious. We especially enjoyed the local cuisine, steak, local sake, and local wine—it was wonderful. The younger staff also chatted with us while explaining the dishes, and our Room was quiet and relaxing, making it a great memory. If I had to mention anything, it would be nice to have two Room keys, and I would have preferred a lighter down comforter. Thank you very much.

I was impressed by the staff’s drive to improve. I was especially amazed by the chef’s thorough attention to detail—even down to the choice of serving dishes. I was also struck by the president’s wonderful spirit when I previously stayed at Takinami, and it’s simply incredible that an even more upgraded Accommodation has been created. I would love to visit again and enjoy your outstanding, carefully crafted cuisine. Thank you very much.

I visited with a friend who loves traveling. This was my third stay, and as always, the food was excellent, and the Onsen was amazing. My friend, visiting for the first time, also enjoyed it and went to the bath twice. Thank you for a wonderful stay!

I stayed at Hayamakan in Kaminoyama Onsen for one night from September 22. It is an older building, but it was thoroughly cleaned down to every corner, making it a very pleasant Accommodation. Both breakfast and dinner were delicious, and I was truly impressed. At dinner, the staff member who assisted us was a woman from Nepal and new to the job, but she explained everything with a smile and left a wonderful impression. If I could make one suggestion: I couldn’t find the large public bath on the 3rd floor and ended up walking back and forth. It felt like a hidden room, which was interesting, but I think it would be easier to find if there were noren curtains or clearer signage. There were five of us (all men), and everyone commented with smiles that it was truly a great Accommodation. Each of us would like to return again with our families. Thank you very much.

This was our first trip traveling with our dog. We were a bit anxious, but when we arrived, even though our dog barked, the staff greeted us with warm smiles and no sign of displeasure, which really put us at ease. Everyone—from the front desk to the dining staff—provided pleasant service, and there wasn’t a single moment that felt uncomfortable.　 The Room had tatami flooring, and it was very clean, spacious, and comfortable. The food was delicious; I even ended up eating six pieces of mochi for breakfast! The hot spring water was my favorite type, and the temperature was perfect—not too hot. I just wish the shower pressure had been a bit stronger. We had a wonderful trip.

The service was courteous, and the meals were excellent. I especially enjoyed the simple yet Western-style pot-au-feu and would love to have it again. The bath was also very good (I soaked four times). As someone who usually stays at Business Hotels, this reminded me how great an Onsen Accommodation can be.

It’s conveniently located for sightseeing, and the spacious Room is a real highlight. Even though it’s a tatami-style Room, the chairs and table are set at a comfortable height, making it perfect for getting work done on a business trip! The bath was wonderfully warming as well. Among the private baths available, the open-air bath with the best view is on the rooftop. Since there is no indoor bath, it may be quite challenging to use in winter—it takes some courage. That said, it offers a beautiful snowy-view bath experience. I think it has its own charm that’s different from summer scenery.