Kinosato, auberge gastronomique à Zaō Onsen

9.1

This Ryokan has an overall rating of 9.1/10, based on 316 reviews.

Rank	Ryokan	Rating	Reviews
🥇 1st	Sakaeya Hotel	10.0/10	118
🥈 2nd	Hohoemino Kuyufu Tsuruya	9.4/10	965
🥉 3rd	Shouhakutei Azumaso	9.3/10	179
4th	天童荘 TENDOSO	9.6/10	29
5th	Takamiya Ryokan Miyamaso	9.2/10	1,267
6th	Hayamakan	9.2/10	730
7th	Tendo Hotel	9.2/10	539
8th	Tamonkan	9.2/10	313
9th	Hagurokan	9.2/10	90
10th	Zao Onsen Omiya Ryokan	9.2/10	89
11th	Wakamatsuya	9.1/10	670
12th	Kinosato, auberge gastronomique à Zaō Onsen Current ryokan	9.1/10	316
13th	Tsukinoike	9.3/10	38
14th	Uesugi no Miyu Gotenmori	9.1/10	64
15th	Tendo Onsen TAKINOYU	9.0/10	436
16th	Kameya Hotel	9.0/10	207
17th	Takasagoya Ryokan	9.0/10	196
18th	Zao Shiki no Hotel	8.9/10	749
19th	Tachibanaya	8.9/10	182
20th	YuiLocalZao	9.6/10	5
21st	Arimakan	8.9/10	42
22nd	Yūsuitei Isagoya	8.8/10	639
23rd	Ichiraku tendo spa & brewery	8.8/10	480
24th	Oyado Morinone	8.8/10	255
25th	Yura Onsen Yaotome	8.8/10	141
26th	Matsukaneya Annex	8.8/10	35
27th	ShirabuOnsen Higashiya	8.8/10	32
28th	Tsukasaya Ryokan	8.8/10	7
29th	Namegawaonsen Fukushimaya	8.6/10	70
30th	Saikatei Jidaiya	8.6/10	304
31st	Takamiya Hotel Lucent	8.6/10	1,662
32nd	Yuuyu No Sato Yusa	8.5/10	85
33rd	Bankokuya	8.5/10	178
34th	Ikkyu -Seaside Hotel-	8.2/10	8
35th	Takamiya Ryokan Sagiya Sansorai	8.2/10	13
36th	Yumorinoyado Sannozyou	7.9/10	6
37th	Ringoya, Zaō Onsen	8.2/10	25
38th	Senso Yutagawa	8.2/10	37
39th	Meitoya So	8.3/10	1,390
40th	onogawaonsen azumasou	8.2/10	169
41st	Senkeien Tsukioka Hotel	8.1/10	56
42nd	Kansyokan	8.1/10	78
43rd	Kami no yama Azumaya	8.0/10	675
44th	Tofuya Ryokan, Onogawa Onsen, Sauna, Barrier-free	7.3/10	31
45th	Takamiya Bettei Kuon	7.4/10	643
46th	Hotel Tetora Resort Tsuruoka	7.2/10	191
47th	Keyaki no Yado, source ambrée	4.1/10	25

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

Hot Spring Town Forest Surroundings Mountain Setting Quiet Village Hot Spring Bath Open-Air Bath

Location

990-2301 Yamagata, Zaō Onsen, Zaoonsen1271-1, Japan

Staff 9,4/10

Facilities 8,7/10

Cleanliness 9,0/10

Comfort 8,9/10

Value for money 8,6/10

Location 8,8/10

Cuisine-Focused StayKnown as a gastronomic auberge, with meals repeatedly praised as plentiful and delicious.

Zao Onsen LocationSet in Zao Onsen, convenient for hot-spring town walks and mountain resort sightseeing.

Near Ropeway AccessA short drive from the Zao ropeway area for year-round mountain access.

Acidic Hot SpringGuests highlight the strongly acidic Zao onsen water and relaxing bath atmosphere.

Warm HospitalityReview patterns emphasize kind, attentive staff and thoughtful personal touches.

Traditional CalmJapanese-style ambience delivers a quiet, tranquil ryokan feel suited to relaxing stays.

Recommended stay1-2 nightsDining is a major reason to stay here: arrive by mid-afternoon, use the baths before dinner, enjoy the kaiseki-style meal and breakfast, then walk the onsen town or ride the ropeway the next day. A second night works if you want a slower Zao stay with hiking, ropeway views, ski time, or another bath-focused evening.

Trip-planning verdict: A quiet food-and-onsen ryokan on the edge of Zao Onsen, best used for a restorative 1-night stop or a calm 2-night seasonal stay rather than a long sightseeing base.

Know before booking

Not a long baseZao Onsen supports a short nature-and-onsen stay, but the immediate area is too limited for many sightseeing-heavy days.

Detached outdoor bathThe sulfur onsen bath is in a separate bath building across the parking area, so it is less convenient in bad weather.

Access is multi-stepPublic transport usually means Yamagata Station, bus to Zao Onsen, then the ryokan shuttle from the bus terminal.

Kinosato Dining Room (on-site)

on-site

Main in-house dining room for seasonal Japanese kaiseki and breakfast.

Coffee Corner (on-site)

on-site

Small on-site coffee area for light drinks.

Yunohana Chaya (nearby)

nearbynear the ryokan

Useful nearby stop for soba, rice bowls, snacks, and drinks.

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 at JR Yamagata Station and continue by bus to Zaō Onsen Bus Terminal, then take a short taxi ride or walk if traveling light. Yamagata Airport is the most useful nearby airport, while Sendai Airport is a workable backup for wider flight choices.

JR Zaō Stationstation
7.2 kmtoo far to walk comfortablyabout 20–30 min by taxipossible but usually less convenient than via Yamagata Station
Nearest JR station by area, but generally not the easiest arrival point unless you are arranging a taxi pickup.
JR Yamagata Stationstation
11 kmtoo far to walk comfortablyabout 40–50 min by car in normal conditionsabout 40–50 min by bus to Zaō Onsen, then a short walk or taxi
Main rail gateway for the ryokan and usually the simplest transfer point from the Shinkansen and regional trains.
Zaō Onsen Bus Terminalbus
540 mabout 8–15 min on foot depending on luggage and slopeabout 3–5 min by taxi
Best local drop-off point for most visitors arriving by bus from Yamagata Station; taxi is preferable with luggage or in snow.
Zaō Ropeway Sanroku Stationbus
820 mabout 10–20 min on foot depending on route and luggageabout 3–5 min by taxibest checked locally
Helpful landmark transfer area within Zaō Onsen, especially for winter sightseeing or ropeway users, but not as universal as the bus terminal for first arrival.
Yamagata Airportairport
28 kmabout 55–75 min by car depending on seasonusually via Yamagata Station, then bus onward to Zaō Onsen
Most useful airport for this ryokan if you want the closest regional air access.
Sendai Airportairport
46 kmroughly 2–2.5 hours by car in good conditionstypically around 2.5–3.5 hours via rail or bus connections through Yamagata
Useful backup airport with broader flight options, but it involves a longer transfer than Yamagata Airport.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points

Excellent food focusThis ryokan is especially known for its culinary identity, with multi-course meals centered on Yamagata ingredients such as local beef and seasonal produce. It feels designed for guests who see dinner as a major part of the stay, not just an add-on.
Peaceful setting near the resortKinosato sits in a quieter part of Zao Onsen, beside the busier hot spring area rather than in the middle of it. That gives it a calmer, more retreat-like atmosphere while still keeping the onsen town within easy reach.
Classic milky sulfur onsenThe baths use Zao Onsen's strongly acidic, sulfur-rich cloudy water, which is one of the area's signature experiences. If you specifically want that authentic white sulfur bath feel, this ryokan delivers the right style of soak.
Spacious traditional roomsSome rooms are notably generous in size, including larger two-room layouts that suit couples wanting extra space or travelers staying more than one night. The overall style leans traditional rather than business-hotel compact.
Good fit for ski staysThe property includes practical features for winter travelers, including a ski drying room, making it convenient for guests using Zao Onsen as a ski base. It works well for those who want ryokan comfort after a day on the mountain.

5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs

Not ideal for nightlifeBecause it is in a quieter spot, it may feel less convenient if you want to step straight into the livelier center of town at night. Travelers looking for a bustling onsen-street atmosphere at the doorstep may prefer a more central property.
Traditional style over modern luxuryKinosato is more about classic ryokan comfort and cuisine than sleek design or cutting-edge amenities. If you want a highly contemporary resort feel, this may come across as understated.
Sulfur water is not for everyoneZao's highly acidic sulfur baths are memorable, but the smell and water strength can be intense for some guests. Travelers who prefer softer, neutral hot springs may find the bathing style too strong.
Accessibility may be limitedThe property appears to have some physical barriers despite having an elevator, so it may not be the easiest choice for travelers with significant mobility needs. Guests who need step-free movement throughout should be cautious.
Experience depends heavily on meal interestA big part of this ryokan's appeal is its elaborate dining, so travelers who do not care much about kaiseki may not get full value from the stay. It makes more sense for guests who plan to enjoy the inn itself, not just use it as a place to sleep.

Current position: 12th out of 47 ryokans in Yamagata.

Rank	Ryokan	Rating	Reviews
7th	Tendo Hotel	9.2/10	539
8th	Tamonkan	9.2/10	313
9th	Hagurokan	9.2/10	90
10th	Zao Onsen Omiya Ryokan	9.2/10	89
11th	Wakamatsuya	9.1/10	670
12th	Kinosato, auberge gastronomique à Zaō Onsen Current ryokan	9.1/10	316
13th	Tsukinoike	9.3/10	38
14th	Uesugi no Miyu Gotenmori	9.1/10	64
15th	Tendo Onsen TAKINOYU	9.0/10	436
16th	Kameya Hotel	9.0/10	207
17th	Takasagoya Ryokan	9.0/10	196