ShirabuOnsen Higashiya

8.8

This Ryokan has an overall rating of 8.8/10, based on 32 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	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 Current ryokan	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

Mountain Setting Forest Surroundings Hot Spring Town Quiet Village Snow Landscape Public Onsen

Location

992-1472 Yamagata, Yonezawa, 大字関１５３７, Japan

Staff 8,8/10

Facilities 8,7/10

Cleanliness 8,8/10

Comfort 8,8/10

Value for money 8,5/10

Location 8,7/10

Historic Shirabu SettingLocated in Shirabu Onsen, a long-established hot spring area in Yonezawa.

Flowing Natural OnsenFeatures continuously flowing natural hot spring baths with a classic local bathing feel.

Open-Air BathingOpen-air baths add a more relaxing soak amid the surrounding mountain atmosphere.

Yonezawa Beef MealsDinner highlights locally famous Yonezawa beef alongside simple regional mountain cuisine.

Near Tengendai AccessWell placed for Tengendai Ropeway access, useful for hiking and winter ski trips.

Traditional Ryokan MoodThe inn emphasizes a warm, old-style Japanese stay rather than modern luxury.

Recommended stay1 nightOnsen and dinner are the strongest stay driver here: arrive mid-afternoon, soak in the historic waterfall bath and open-air bath, eat on-site, walk the small onsen area next morning, then continue onward. A second night makes sense only if you want Tengendai hiking or skiing, scenic driving, or a slower mountain break.

Trip-planning verdict: Best as a quiet mountain onsen stay in Shirabu Onsen for travelers who want baths, Yonezawa beef dining, and light nearby nature rather than city sightseeing convenience.

Know before booking

Remote food optionsThere are no convenience stores nearby and the nearest one is about 20 minutes away by car, so meal planning matters.

Not a sightseeing hubShirabu Onsen is quiet and small, so travelers focused on dense sightseeing may feel finished after one night.

Access takes timeExpect roughly 45 minutes by bus from Yonezawa Station or about 30 to 35 minutes by car, so late arrivals are less convenient.

Some rooms use shared bathingVerified room types include rooms without in-room baths, so choose this for communal onsen use rather than private bath expectations.

Dining Room (on-site)

on-site

Main meal venue for dinner courses centered on Yonezawa beef and seasonal local dishes.

Breakfast Dining (on-site)

on-site

Japanese breakfast with local soy and mountain-side staples.

Meal Plan Courses (on-site)

on-site

Bookable dinner variations, including steak and lighter set menus; drinks may pair well with beef dishes.

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 Yonezawa Station first, then continue by local bus to Shirabu Onsen or by taxi if carrying luggage. For air access, Yamagata Airport is the most practical regional airport, but rail via Yonezawa is usually the clearest final approach.

Yonezawa Stationstation
14 kmabout 35–50 min by taxi or carabout 40–50 min by bus, best checked locally
Primary rail gateway for the ryokan, including Yamagata Shinkansen connections; the most useful transfer point for most visitors.
Shirabu Onsen Bus Stopbus
40 mabout 1–5 min depending on exact drop-off pointabout 3–5 min by taxidirect bus stop for the onsen area
Best final public transport stop for reaching the ryokan; suitable if you want to avoid a taxi from Yonezawa Station.
Tengendai Ropeway Yumoto Stationbus
720 mabout 10–20 min, uphill in placesabout 3–8 min by taxivery short local transfer or best checked locally
Useful landmark stop near the ropeway base and upper Shirabu area; practical mainly for visitors combining the ryokan stay with mountain sightseeing.
Fukushima Airportairport
67 kmabout 2 hr to 2 hr 40 min by cartypically slower and transfer-heavy for this ryokan
Possible alternative airport, but generally less convenient than arriving by train to Yonezawa or using Yamagata Airport.
Yamagata Airportairport
74 kmabout 1 hr 30 min to 2 hr by car depending on conditionsusually requires transfer via Yonezawa or another hub; best checked locally
Most useful nearby airport for domestic arrivals into this part of Yamagata Prefecture, but expect onward ground transport and likely a rail or road transfer.
Sendai Airportairport
81 kmabout 2 hr to 3 hr by carusually via Sendai and Fukushima or Yonezawa, best checked locally
Useful mainly for travelers needing broader flight options; practical only if flight schedules outweigh the longer onward transfer.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points

Iconic waterfall bathIts signature Takiyu bath features hot spring water falling from about 3 meters into a long-used stone tub, giving the bathing experience a dramatic feel you will not get in an ordinary ryokan.
Deep historical characterThis inn is tied to Shirabu Onsen’s 700-year history, and even its main stone bath is presented as having been used for centuries. The stay feels rooted in local heritage rather than staged for tourists.
Excellent for Tengendai tripsAt the foot of Tengendai, it works especially well if you want hiking, ropeway access, alpine scenery, or winter snow activities built into your stay.
Strong Yonezawa food appealMeals highlight local specialties such as Yonezawa beef, with options like sukiyaki, shabu-shabu, or steak, alongside regional countryside dishes. It is a good fit if food is a major part of why you book a ryokan.
Traditional stay with updatesThe inn has kept its classic atmosphere while renovating guestrooms, the dining area, lobby, changing spaces, and shower facilities. That balance can be appealing if you want old-world charm without everything feeling worn out.

5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs

Remote mountain accessIt is in Shirabu Onsen outside central Yonezawa, so getting there is less convenient than staying near a station. This can feel restrictive if you want easy sightseeing by foot or spontaneous evening outings.
Not ideal for mobility issuesThe building has three floors but no elevator, so stairs are part of the stay. That may be a real drawback for guests with heavy luggage, knee issues, or reduced mobility.
Bath facilities are partly old-styleSome bath areas are intentionally traditional, and not all of them have the full modern shower setup you might expect. If you prefer polished spa-style convenience, the bathing experience may feel rustic.
Small room inventoryWith only 13 rooms, availability can be limited and room types are not extensive. If you are picky about layout, views, or specific in-room features, your options may be narrow.
Better for quiet than varietyThe appeal here is hot springs, mountains, and a calm atmosphere rather than nightlife, shopping, or a large resort-style facility list. Travelers wanting lots of on-site entertainment may find it too low-key.

Current position: 27th out of 47 ryokans in Yamagata.

Rank	Ryokan	Rating	Reviews
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 Current ryokan	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