Top Boutique Hotels in Yamagata (2026)

Boasting natural hot spring baths, Hohoemino Kuyufu Tsuruya is located a 15-minute walk from JR Tendo Station, 31 mi from Sendai. Free WiFi is available throughout the property, and free private parking is available on site. A free shuttle service from JR Tendo Station can be arranged upon prior request. Certain rooms feature a private bathroom with a spa bath, while others have free toiletries and a hairdryer. Guests will find a kettle in the room. A flat-screen TV is provided. The ryokan offers soothing natural hot spring bath in natural stone tubs and an open-air hot springs bath. A shared lounge features a tatami (woven-straw) floor and view of a Japanese garden. The ryokan also offers free use of bicycles. Guests can enjoy Japanese kaiseki multi-course meal carefully prepared with local produce for dinner. Japanese set meal is served for breakfast. Yama-dera Temple is a 15-minute drive, while Jakushoji Temple is a 10-minute car ride from Hohoemino Kuyufu Tsuruya. The nearest airport is Yamagata (Junmachi) Airport, 15 minutes by car. Sendai Airport can be reached via a 75-minute drive.

- "Staff are very friendly. The property is very clean and traditional. The onsen (both private and public one are really good" - "Dinner and breakfast exceeded expectations. Everyone was so helpful and polite. The room and private onsen was amazing. It was a great way to relax." - "Wow. What can I say. This location was incredible and one of the greatest regrets is that I could not stay longer. From the way the reception was waiting for me outside upon my arrival, to they way they introduced me to the hotel, to the 5 star treatment I received for all of meals (which were very interesting multi course meals all expertly arranged and served). The room itself was excellent as well. *very* spacious, traditional tatami mats, nice big tub that has an open window to the center garden and skies. Nice cold AC. I could go on and on about this location. If you view this message, and are deciding on this location, just do it. Trust me. Book it, with the meal plan, and go visit Yamadera during the day. Special shout out to Hiroe-san. Thank you for making my meal experience so enjoyable and doing your best to put up with my terrible Japanese!"

Located within a 10-minute walking distance from the Zao Sky Cable aerial elevator, Miyamaso Takamiya features 9 natural hot spring baths for guests to enjoy. The wooden structure of the property portrays a traditional Japanese-style accommodations. Free Wi-Fi is available at the lobby. Rooms at Takamiya Miyamaso feature tatami (woven-straw) flooring and traditional futon bedding. Yukata robes, free toiletries and an electric kettle are available for guests in all rooms. Free luggage storage is available to guests. A souvenir shop can be found on site. A Japanese-style set breakfast and dinner are both available at the dining room. The Onsen Station on the Zao Chuo Ropeway is located within a 6-minute walking distance from the property. Nishi Zao Kogen is a 25-minute drive away. Yamagata Zao Onsen Ski Resort can be accessed by ski elevators and aerial elevators that are located within a 5- to 10-minute walking distance from the property.

- "The taxi driver told us there are 4 "Takamiya" in the region, which was an interesting trivia, but can get confusing. Rooms were spacious and meals were delicious. Staff were helpful and carried our luggage to the room." - "We loved the overall experience and the food was absolutely amazing! The staff were amazing and extremely accommodating!" - "I would absolutely recommend this property to anyone! It is a little out of the way (1 hr bus ride from Yamagata station) but it’s well worth it. Two separate baths with two separate origin waters and a private bath you can book by the hour, and an outdoor bathtub in your room was really cool. It includes a very traditional dinner and breakfast using local specialties. Local sake selection for dinner/room service was also excellent. The staff was so polite and nice - they even carried our luggage to our room and picked us up at the bus station! Room was nice and big with seasonal nature sounds."

Takasagoya Ryokan is offering accommodations in Zaō Onsen. The 3-star ryokan is a 2-minute walk from Zao Hotsprings Ski Resort. The ryokan offers both free Wifi and free private parking. At the ryokan, some units are allergy-free. At the ryokan, the units are fitted with a shared bathroom. An Asian breakfast is available every morning at the ryokan. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs for guests to relax in. A ski pass sales point and ski storage space are featured at Takasagoya Ryokan, and guests can go skiing in the surrounding area. The nearest airport is Yamagata Airport, 22 miles from the accommodation.

- "The owners/staff are extremely kind and accommodating. They went above and beyond to make me feel comfortable. They allowed me to check in early and even let me use the onsen in the afternoon after checkout." - "The breakfast and dinner is traditional Japanese and is excellent and value for money. The dinner was especially sumptuous and was more than expected. It had a small onsen and for the more adventurous you can also use on of the 3 public onsen that was only steps away from the front door. It's exceptionally close to the ski lift - easily walkable even with gear."

Wakamatsuya is located a 3-minute walk from the Zao Onsen Ski Resort and the Zao Bus Terminal. It houses 3 public hot spring baths, including one which can be privately used based on availability. Its Japanese-style rooms offer mountain views. Free WiFi access is available in public areas and in all guest rooms. The property is a 33-minute drive from Lina World and a 45-minute drive from the Yamagata Train Station. A free transfer is available from Zao Onsen Bus Terminal. Rooms feature satellite TV, along with tea making facilities and a fridge. They also offer a private bathroom with bath and shower facilities and a hairdryer. A breakfast set menu is available and is served in the dining room. Guests can also opt for a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner (kaiseki). Guests can sing their hearts out at a karaoke session open during summer or have fun skiing. There are also shops in the hotel, and massage services can be requested.

- "The ryokan provides transport pick up n drop off from the Zao Onsen bus terminal. All staff from driver, front desk to dining employees were very polite, obliging and provided very good customer service. Dinners n breakfasts were excellent and hosted in private rooms. Snow boots were loaned free. We used the private family onsen (first come first serve basis) for 40 mins and thoroughly enjoyed the sulphur spring water." - "The hotel was lovely and staff were excellent. Great location and an easy walk to the ski field and village for dinner. I stayed in a traditional Japanese room and the view of the village was beautiful. The staff were always helpful and very friendly. Highly recommend."