Kashiwaya Gassan

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Check-in from 3:00 PM / Check-out until 10:00 AM

Mountain Setting Forest Surroundings Hot Spring Town Quiet Village Public Onsen Hot Spring Bath

Location

990-0734 Yamagata, Nishikawa, Shizu 4, Japan

Staff 0,0/10

Facilities 0,0/10

Cleanliness 0,0/10

Comfort 0,0/10

Value for money 0,0/10

Location 0,0/10

Shizu Onsen BaseLocated in Shizu Onsen, a practical base for Mt. Gassan area sightseeing.

Mountain EscapeSurrounded by mountain scenery, giving the stay a quiet alpine retreat feel.

Hot Spring BathsPublic baths use local Gassan Shizu Onsen hot spring water.

Japanese MealsJapanese breakfast and regional-style ryokan dining are a recurring guest highlight.

Traditional AtmosphereClassic ryokan styling suits travelers seeking a more traditional Japanese stay.

Family-Friendly RoomsFamily room availability makes it easier for small groups and multi-guest stays.

Recommended stay1-2 nightsScenery and onsen-town setting are the main stay driver here: arrive in the afternoon, soak, eat the mountain-focused dinner, sleep early, and either hike, ski, or make a short local stop before moving on. A second night works if you want a slower bath-and-nature rhythm or seasonal walking around Mt. Gassan and the Shizu area.

Trip-planning verdict: Best as a 1-night mountain onsen stay or 2-night seasonal nature break in Shizu Onsen, not as a broad sightseeing base.

Know before booking

Remote mountain baseUseful by car or with deliberate transport planning, but inconvenient for fast regional sightseeing or frequent station transfers.

Limited town activityShizu Onsen is quiet and small, so travelers wanting shops, cafes, or nightlife may feel stranded after dinner.

Simple bath setupVerified as a small onsen inn with shared bathing rather than a resort-style spa stay.

Do not overstayTwo nights is usually enough unless your trip is specifically built around Mt. Gassan hiking, skiing, or winter scenery.

Dining Room (on-site)

on-site

Seasonal Japanese set meals at the ryokan; breakfast and dinner plans are offered.

Tsutaya (nearby)

nearbyabout 6 min walk

Nearby ryokan lunch spot known for mountain vegetable soba.

Dewaya (nearby)

nearbynear the ryokan

Well-known local inn where meal-only dining is available in the area.

Distances are approximate and calculated from the ryokan coordinates. Travel times may vary depending on route, traffic and schedules.

Useful access points Stations, stops, airports and practical travel advice.

Best way to arrive For most travelers, arrive first at Yamagata Station or Yamagata Airport, then continue toward Nishikawa and Shizu Onsen by local bus or taxi depending on season and luggage. If you prefer the simplest final approach, a taxi for the last mountain segment is usually the most practical option.

Aterazawa Stationstation
21 km876-18 Aterazawa, Oe, Yamagata 990-1101, Japanabout 45-60 min by car or taxiusually longer with bus connections and best checked locally
A regional JR station that can work for travelers already moving around inland Yamagata, but it is not the simplest arrival point for most visitors.
Yamagata Stationstation
39 kmYamagata, Yamagata Prefecture, Japanabout 60-80 min by car depending on seasonoften about 90-120 min with bus or transfer, depending on timetable
The main rail gateway for most visitors, especially those arriving by Shinkansen from Tokyo or other major cities.
Shizu Bus Stopbus
40 mabout 1-3 min on foot if you arrive at the central Shizu Onsen stopabout 3–5 min by taxilocal bus access is available but service frequency should be checked locally
This is the most useful final public transport stop for the ryokan area; best for travelers already coming in by regional bus.
Nishikawa IC / Nishikawa transfer area bus stopbus
9.6 kmtoo far to walk comfortablyabout 20-30 min by taxi depending on road and weatheroften used as a bus transfer point toward Shizu; timing should be checked locally
Useful if arriving by highway or regional bus and changing onward toward Shizu Onsen.
Yamagata Airportairport
34 kmHigashine, Yamagata Prefecture, Japanabout 70-90 min by taxi or private cartypically requires transfer via Yamagata city side or regional bus links; best checked locally
The most practical airport if you want to reduce overall overland travel within Yamagata Prefecture.
Shonai Airportairport
40 kmSakata / Tsuruoka area, Yamagata Prefecture, Japanabout 90-120 min by car depending on route and weatherpossible but usually more cumbersome than via Yamagata side
A secondary airport option that may suit some itineraries, especially if combining the trip with Shonai or Dewa Sanzan areas.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points

Strong Mt. Gassan baseThe ryokan sits in Shizu Onsen at the foot of Mt. Gassan, making it a practical base for hiking, ski-season outings, and exploring the Dewa Sanzan area. If your trip is built around mountain nature, the location is a real advantage.
Local mountain cuisineMeals are a standout here, with handmade dishes centered on mountain vegetables, river fish, hot mountain-style stew, and Yamagata beef. This feels more region-specific than a standard ryokan dinner.
Traditional stay with room choiceYou can choose between Japanese-style rooms and a Western twin, which is useful if not everyone in your group wants to sleep on futons. That flexibility is helpful for couples, families, or mixed-age travelers.
Hot spring after outdoor daysThe in-house hot spring is well suited to guests returning from cold-weather sightseeing, trekking, or skiing around Gassan. It adds real comfort to what is otherwise a rugged mountain-area trip.
Atmospheric winter settingIn snow season, the inn is especially attractive because the Shizu area hosts the Snow Inns' Lights event right in front of the property. That gives winter stays a distinctly local, memorable atmosphere.

5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs

Remote without a carAccess is not especially easy: the ryokan is about 50 minutes by car from Aterazawa Station and around 1 hour from Yamagata Station or Yamagata Airport. Travelers relying on trains and simple transfers may find it inconvenient.
Limited room inventoryThis is a small ryokan with only a few room types, so choice is narrower than at larger onsen properties. If you want many categories, private baths, or upscale suite options, it may feel restrictive.
Best for nature-focused tripsThe appeal is tied closely to Mt. Gassan, Shizu Onsen, and seasonal outdoor activities rather than city sightseeing or nightlife. If you want shops, urban dining, or lots to do on foot nearby, this may feel too quiet.
Seasonality matters a lotThe experience changes heavily with weather and season, especially in winter when snow conditions affect the area and even local events. That can be wonderful, but it also means the trip needs more planning than a casual ryokan break.
More simple than luxuriousThe property appears oriented toward warmth, local food, and practicality for mountain travelers rather than high-end pampering. Travelers expecting a refined luxury onsen retreat may find it modest.

Current position: out of 47 ryokans in Yamagata.

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