Wakamatsuya

9.1

This Ryokan has an overall rating of 9.1/10, based on 670 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 Current ryokan	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	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

Mountain Setting Hot Spring Town Snow Landscape Private Onsen Public Onsen Open-Air Bath

Location

990-2301 Yamagata, Zaō Onsen, Zao Onsen 951-1, Japan

Staff 9,4/10

Facilities 9,2/10

Cleanliness 9,3/10

Comfort 9,1/10

Value for money 8,8/10

Location 9,0/10

Zao Onsen SettingSet in Zao Onsen village, close to baths, shops, and resort attractions.

Mountain ViewsUpland location gives many guests wide mountain scenery and a strong alpine feel.

Varied Onsen BathsOffers indoor and open-air hot spring baths, plus private bath options.

Traditional CuisineJapanese-style meals feature seasonal ingredients and are a recurring guest positive.

Warm HospitalityReviews consistently praise attentive, polite service across front desk and dining.

Convenient ArrivalShort walk from Zao Onsen bus terminal, with shuttle support by reservation.

Recommended stay1-2 nightsOnsen-town setting is the main driver: arrive by afternoon, soak before dinner, enjoy the ryokan meal, take breakfast, then use the village baths, ropeway, or ski area before moving on. A second night works if you want a slower bath-and-mountain rhythm or a full ski day.

Trip-planning verdict: Best used as a 1-2 night onsen stay in Zao Onsen for baths, seasonal mountain scenery, skiing or ropeway access, not as a long sightseeing base.

Know before booking

Limited long-stay depthZao Onsen is strong for baths, ropeway, and snow-season activities, but not dense enough for many sightseeing-heavy days without extra transit.

Mountain access logisticsYou still need the bus up from Yamagata Station, so this is less efficient for travelers minimizing transfers or moving with heavy luggage.

Season matters a lotWinter is the clearest fit; outside ski and snow-monster periods, most travelers should keep the stay short unless they specifically want onsen downtime.

Private Dining (on-site)

on-site

Seasonal kaiseki dinner and Japanese breakfast at the ryokan.

Okumura Soba (nearby)

nearbyvery short walk

Well-placed soba stop in central Zao Onsen.

Robata (nearby)

nearbyshort walk

Popular Zao Onsen spot known for jingisukan grilled lamb.

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 Yamagata Station by rail, then continue to Zao Onsen by local bus to Zao Onsen Bus Terminal and take a short walk or taxi with luggage. If flying, Yamagata Airport is the most practical airport because it has direct access options to Zao Onsen, while Sendai Airport is better treated as a secondary gateway via onward rail or highway bus connections.

Mokichi Kinenkan-mae Stationstation
8.3 kmKaminoyama, Yamagata, Japantoo far to walk comfortablyabout 20–30 min by taxinot usually the simplest route for first-time visitors
Nearby local station on the rail side of the mountain, but generally less convenient than Yamagata Station unless you have a prearranged pickup or taxi plan.
Zau0001 Stationstation
9.9 kmYamagata, Yamagata, Japantoo far to walk comfortablyabout 20–30 min by taxiusually less convenient than via Yamagata Station; best checked locally
Physically closer than Yamagata Station, but usually less useful for most visitors because onward access to the onsen area is more limited; consider mainly for taxi transfer.
Kaminoyama-Onsen Stationstation
11 kmYarai, Kaminoyama, Yamagata, Japantoo far to walk comfortablyabout 25–35 min by taxipossible with transfers, but usually less straightforward than via Yamagata Station
Useful as an alternate Shinkansen-access station south of the ryokan, especially if coming from that direction and planning to continue by taxi.
Yamagata Stationstation
11 kmKasumi-cho, Yamagata, Yamagata, Japantoo far to walk comfortablyabout 35–50 min by car in normal conditionsabout 40–50 min by bus to Zao Onsen, then short walk or taxi
Best overall rail gateway because it is the main regional station with Shinkansen and local rail connections, plus direct buses onward to Zao Onsen.
Zao Onsen Bus Terminalbus
270 m708-1 Zao Onsen, Yamagata, Yamagata 990-2301, Japanabout 3–8 min on foot depending on slope and luggageabout 1–3 min by taxi
Best local drop-off point for most bus arrivals into Zao Onsen; a good final transfer point if you prefer not to walk uphill with luggage.
Sendai Airportairport
46 kmNatori, Miyagi, Japanabout 1 hr 40 min to 2 hr 20 min by carcommonly around 2–3 hr via rail or bus connections, best checked locally
A workable secondary airport with wider flight options, but it usually requires a longer onward journey than Yamagata Airport.
Yamagata Airportairport
64 kmHigashine, Yamagata, Japanabout 50–70 min by car depending on conditionsabout 60–90 min depending on seasonal airport bus timing and local transfer conditions
Most useful airport for this ryokan; choose this airport first if flight schedules work for your trip.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points

Excellent Zao Onsen locationThe ryokan sits at 951-1 Zao Onsen, placing you right in the heart of the resort area with very easy access to the bus terminal and nearby ski facilities. It works especially well if you want to explore the onsen town on foot.
Distinctive poetic atmosphereThis property is not just a generic inn: its identity is built around waka poetry, with displays and cultural touches throughout the building. That gives the stay a more memorable sense of place than a standard mountain hotel.
Appealing traditional roomsThe ryokan offers Japanese-style rooms and some mixed-style options, making it a good fit for travelers who want tatami ambiance without giving up too much comfort. Some rooms also emphasize mountain-facing views and a quieter retreat feel.
Carefully presented local cuisineMeals are a major part of the experience here, with a strong focus on refined kaiseki-style dining and Yamagata ingredients rather than buffet convenience. This makes it a better match for travelers who see dinner as part of the destination.
Good base for ski-and-onsen tripsIts position near Zao Onsen Ski Resort makes it convenient for combining snow time with a ryokan stay, especially in winter. You can enjoy a more classic hot-spring lodging atmosphere instead of staying in a purely ski-oriented hotel.

5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs

Not ideal for budget staysThis is a full ryokan-style experience with dinner-focused plans and a more curated atmosphere, so it may feel expensive if you mainly need a simple place to sleep near the slopes. Value is strongest when you fully use the meals and onsen stay style.
Traditional style may feel formalThe poetic theme, kaiseki dining format, and classic ryokan setting can feel more structured than a casual resort hotel. Travelers who prefer a relaxed, contemporary, no-rules vibe may find it less easygoing.
Limited appeal for nightlife seekersThis is better suited to quiet evenings, baths, and meals than to travelers looking for late-night entertainment inside the property. If your priority is lively bars or a social resort scene, the experience may feel too subdued.
Less practical without interest in Japanese mealsA meaningful part of the stay is tied to the cuisine, so guests who do not enjoy multi-course Japanese dinners may not get the full benefit of choosing this ryokan. In that case, a simpler lodging option could make more sense.
Mobility convenience may be unevenAs a traditional inn in a hilly onsen area, it may be less seamless for travelers who want fully modern, barrier-free hotel convenience everywhere. Guests carrying heavy luggage or needing the simplest access should check room and facility layout carefully.

Current position: 11th out of 47 ryokans in Yamagata.

Rank	Ryokan	Rating	Reviews
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 Current ryokan	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