Meitoya So

8.3

This Ryokan has an overall rating of 8.3/10, based on 1,390 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	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 Current ryokan	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 Hot Spring Town Snow Landscape Public Onsen Open-Air Bath Indoor Bath

Location

990-2301 Yamagata, Zaō Onsen, Zao Onsen48, Japan

Staff 8,4/10

Facilities 8,2/10

Cleanliness 8,3/10

Comfort 8,0/10

Value for money 8,1/10

Location 8,8/10

Authentic Zao OnsenEnjoy Zao Onsen’s historic sulfur-rich waters in free-flowing natural hot spring baths.

Open-air BathingRock open-air baths and wood-lined public baths create a classic onsen atmosphere.

Local Yamagata MealsDinner and breakfast highlight Yamagata specialties and seasonal regional ingredients.

Modern Japanese FeelRenovated interiors blend warm wood tones with a relaxed modern ryokan style.

Bus Terminal AccessAbout 10 minutes from Zao Onsen Bus Terminal, with shuttle service available.

Good Base for ZaoConvenient for exploring Zao’s mountain scenery, seasonal nature, and hot spring town.

Recommended stay1-2 nightsIts strongest stay driver is the onsen-town and mountain setting. One night works for check-in, baths, dinner, breakfast, and a short town walk; two nights makes sense if you want ropeway time, skiing, or a slower bath-focused stay without rushing onward.

Trip-planning verdict: Best used as a 1-2 night Zao Onsen stay for baths, mountain scenery, and ski or ropeway access, not as a long regional base.

Know before booking

Limited long-stay depthZao Onsen supports a short scenic and onsen stay better than a long sightseeing base unless you are skiing or hiking.

Bus-and-walk logisticsMost travelers arrive via Yamagata Station and bus, then walk from the bus terminal, so large luggage can feel annoying.

Dining options thin outIf you book without dinner, nearby restaurant choice can feel limited compared with a city stay.

Restaurant (on-site)

on-site

Main dining room for breakfast and dinner set meals.

Restaurant Robata (nearby)

nearbynear the ryokan

Well-known Zao Onsen spot for jingisukan mutton barbecue.

Rest House 101 (nearby)

nearbynear the ropeway

Casual mountain-side restaurant with noodles, pasta, and tea-time items.

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 Zao Onsen Bus Terminal, then take a short taxi ride or confirm any ryokan pickup locally. Yamagata Airport is the most useful airport option, while Sendai Airport can work as a secondary choice for wider flight availability.

Kaminoyama-Onsen Stationstation
11 kmtoo far to walk comfortablyabout 30–40 min by taxi or carusually less convenient than via Yamagata Station; best checked locally
Useful secondary rail option on the Yamagata Shinkansen line, but onward access is typically less straightforward than from JR Yamagata Station.
JR Yamagata Stationstation
11 kmtoo far to walk comfortablyabout 35–50 min by car in normal conditionsabout 40–50 min by direct or connecting bus to Zao Onsen area
Main rail gateway for most visitors, especially those arriving by Shinkansen or regional train before transferring to the Zao Onsen bus.
Zao Onsen Bus Terminalbus
390 mabout 8–15 min on foot depending on luggage and slopeabout 2–5 min by taxi
Best final bus hub for the ryokan; most public transport arrivals should aim for this point, and a short taxi is practical with luggage.
Zao Ropeway Sanroku Stationbus
770 mabout 10–20 min on foot depending on route and snow conditionsabout 3–8 min by taxireachable within the Zao Onsen area by local bus, shuttle, or short taxi depending on season
Helpful orientation point in the resort area and useful if combining arrival with sightseeing or ropeway access, though not usually the primary arrival point for the ryokan.
Yamagata Airportairport
27 kmabout 50–70 min by car depending on seasonabout 60–90 min by airport shuttle or bus connections, depending on service timing
Most useful airport for this ryokan; a good choice for travelers prioritizing the shortest airport transfer into Zao Onsen.
Sendai Airportairport
45 kmabout 1 hr 45 min to 2 hr 30 min by car depending on conditionsoften about 2–3 hr via rail or bus connections, depending on timing
Useful backup airport with broader flight options, but transfers are longer than from Yamagata Airport.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points

Excellent sulfur onsen accessThe property offers Zao’s strongly acidic natural hot spring water with both a large indoor bath and an open-air bath available 24 hours. That makes it especially appealing if bathing is the main reason for your trip.
Private bath option availableIf you want more privacy, you can reserve a private bath for 50 minutes. This is useful for couples, families, or guests who prefer not to use the public baths all the time.
Good fit for a classic Zao stayRooms lean into a traditional ryokan feel, with Japanese-style layouts, tatami space, yukata, and some categories that blend Japanese and Western elements. It suits travelers who want something more local than a standard business hotel.
Convenient for onsen-town exploringThe ryokan sits in Zao Onsen and is close to key local sights and bathing spots, making it easy to combine your stay with walks around the hot spring village. It also offers a short pickup from the bus terminal, which helps on arrival.
Local Yamagata cuisine focusMeals highlight regional specialties such as Zao beef, Yamagata pork, jingisukan, and seasonal local dishes. That gives the stay more destination character than a hotel with generic buffet dining.

5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs

Not every room has a bathSeveral room categories do not include a private bath, and some assigned-room plans may vary. If having your own bathing space is essential, you need to choose carefully.
Private onsen costs extraThe private bath is not included as a standard feature and comes with a separate fee. Travelers expecting an all-included private onsen experience may find that disappointing.
Arrival window is restrictiveFinal check-in is relatively early at 6:00 PM. That can be inconvenient if you are coming from a long train-and-bus journey or planning a late arrival after sightseeing.
Traditional style may feel datedThis ryokan appears geared more toward classic comfort and hot spring atmosphere than sleek design luxury. If you want a highly contemporary or upscale resort finish, it may feel modest.
Acidic water is not for everyoneZao’s famously strong sulfuric water is part of the appeal, but it can be harsh for some guests, especially those with very sensitive skin. Travelers who prefer gentler baths may not enjoy repeated soaks here.

Current position: 39th out of 47 ryokans in Yamagata.

Rank	Ryokan	Rating	Reviews
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 Current ryokan	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