Zao Shiki no Hotel

8.9
This Ryokan has an overall rating of 8.9/10, based on 749 reviews. ? Our score combines two signals: 50% based on traveler sentiment and guest feedback found online, and 50% based on our internal on-site evaluation plus ratings from verified travelers on our platform, who must provide proof of stay.
? This ranking compares properties in the same region. It is based on the overall rating and the number of reviews, using a weighted score so properties with more review data are ranked more fairly.
Check-in from 2:00 PM
Mountain Setting Forest Surroundings Hot Spring Town Public Onsen Open-Air Bath Indoor Bath
Staff 9,0/10
Facilities 9,0/10
Cleanliness 9,0/10
Comfort 9,0/10
Value for money 8,0/10
Location 9,0/10

Ryokan highlights

A quiet forest-side Zao Onsen stay known for sulfur hot springs, scenic baths, and easy ski-area access.

Forestside Zao SettingSet in a quiet wooded part of Zao Onsen for a calmer resort atmosphere.
Milky Sulfur OnsenKnown for its milky, free-flowing sulfur spring bath experience.
Scenic Open-Air BathsOpen-air baths pair hot spring soaking with broad Zao mountain scenery.
Ski Trip ConvenienceWell placed for enjoying full days of skiing and snowboarding in Zao.
Refined Kaiseki MealsMulti-course Japanese dinners are a standout for travelers seeking a ryokan-style stay.
Relaxed Highland AmbienceBlends hotel comfort with a polished, nature-focused mountain retreat feel.

Who is this ryokan best for?

Recommended stay1-2 nightsScenery and onsen are the main driver here: arrive by afternoon, bathe, eat the kaiseki-style dinner, sleep early, then use breakfast and a ropeway, ski, or town walk the next day. A second night works if you want both bath time and mountain time without rushing.
Trip-planning verdict: Best as a 1-2 night onsen and mountain stay in Zao Onsen, especially for ropeway access, winter skiing, and a slower hot-spring break rather than dense sightseeing.

Know before booking

Not town-centerIt is walkable from the bus terminal and near the ropeway area, but not in the middle of the main restaurant cluster.
Winter bath limitsOne outdoor bath area is seasonally closed in peak winter, so winter guests should not expect every bath to operate.
Dinner cutoffDinner-plan guests need to arrive before the evening cutoff, which matters if coming from Tokyo or Sendai the same day.
No tattoo entryPublic baths are not available for guests with tattoos, which can be a deal-breaker for some travelers.

Food & drinks

Verified ryokan in Zao Onsen with seasonal on-site Japanese meals, breakfast service, and local sake; nearby soba and jingisukan spots add useful variety.

Restaurant (on-site)
on-site

Main meal venue for seasonal Japanese dinner and breakfast.

  • Seasonal kaisekifoodMulti-course meal with seasonal ingredients.
  • Yamagata beefspecialtyLocal beef featured in some dinner plans.
  • Tsuyahime ricespecialtyPopular Yamagata-grown rice.
  • Breakfast buffetfoodMorning buffet or set breakfast.
  • Local sakedrinkRegionally brewed sake served with meals.
Dining Hall (on-site)
on-site

Alternative shared meal space used for hotel dining.

  • Japanese dinner setfoodCourse-style dinner in a shared venue.
  • Mountain vegetablesspecialtyLocal sansai and seasonal sides.
  • Local sakedrinkSake paired with dinner.
Soba Restaurant Yuyu-tei (nearby)
nearbynear the ryokan

Useful nearby soba stop in Zao Onsen.

  • Handmade sobafoodBuckwheat noodles, hot or cold.
  • Tempura sobafoodSoba with crisp tempura.
  • Hot teadrinkSimple warm drink with noodles.

Access, transport and nearby sights

Zao Shiki no Hotel is best reached via JR Yamagata Station and the Zao Onsen bus network, with Yamagata Airport useful for domestic arrivals and Sendai Airport as a broader-flight alternative.

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

Should you choose this ryokan?

A strong pick for travelers who want a comfortable onsen stay in Zao Onsen with easy ski access and a more polished hotel-style ryokan experience. It is less ideal if you want a tiny traditional inn, fully flexible dining, or tattoo-friendly baths.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points
  • Two distinct hot spring experiencesThis property stands out by offering both the main Shirakaba-no-Yu bath and the separate Hanareyu Hyakuhappo annex bath, giving you two different bathing atmospheres during one stay.
  • Excellent for ski tripsThe Yokokura ski slope is about a 3-minute walk away, which makes this especially convenient for winter travelers who do not want a long transfer in boots and gear.
  • Dinner highlights Yamagata beefIts Japanese course dinner focuses on regional cuisine and includes Yamagata beef as the main dish, making the stay feel tied to the local food culture rather than generic hotel dining.
  • Comfortable rooms for mixed travel stylesThe hotel offers a broader room mix than many small ryokans, including Western-style rooms, modern Japanese twin rooms, deluxe Japanese-style twins, and junior suites.
  • Helpful access for non-driversIt is reachable from the Zao Onsen Bus Terminal in about 10 minutes on foot, and the hotel also offers a free shuttle from Yamagata Station on check-in and check-out days with advance reservation.
5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs
  • The annex bath involves stepsHanareyu Hyakuhappo is specifically described as the annex hot spring with 108 steps, which may be inconvenient for guests with mobility issues or anyone wanting effortless bath access.
  • Not ideal for tattooed guestsGuests with tattoos are not allowed to use the public bath, so this can be a major drawback if onsen bathing is one of your main reasons for booking.
  • Dinner timing reduces flexibilityIf your booking includes dinner, you need to arrive before 19:00, which can be restrictive if you are coming from a long transfer day or want to stay out late on the mountain.
  • Meals are not served in-roomAll meals are served in the dining room rather than in your guest room, so it may feel less intimate than ryokans that emphasize private in-room dining.
  • Not every room has the best viewSome rooms do not face the hot spring town or the seasonal scenery, so the experience can vary depending on the room category you book.

Ranking around this ryokan in Yamagata

Showing 5 above and 5 below the current ryokan. The full ranking loads only when you click or hover over this block.

Current position: 18th out of 47 ryokans in Yamagata.

Rank Ryokan Rating Reviews
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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 Current ryokan 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
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