Sakaeya Hotel
Spacious twin room with two beds, long desk, stools, and sliding glass door at Sakaeya Hotel Yamagata
Indoor wooden bath next to modern lounge chair at Sakaeya Hotel, Yamagata, Japan
Warm indoor onsen with wooden interior at Sakaeya Hotel in Yamagata, Tōhoku
Lounge seating with fireplace and large windows overlooking garden at Sakaeya Hotel Yamagata
Traditional tatami room with low table, cushions, shoji screens and balcony seating at Sakaeya Hotel, Yamagata, Tōhoku
Wooden stools beside onsen bath overlooking trees and hills at Sakaeya Hotel Yamagata
Traditional tatami room with low table, shoji screens and town view at Sakaeya Hotel in Yamagata, Tōhoku

Sakaeya Hotel

10.0
This Ryokan has an overall rating of 10.0/10, based on 118 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 3:00 PM
Hot Spring Town Mountain Setting Hot Spring Bath Open-Air Bath Public Onsen Massage
Staff 10,0/10
Facilities 10,0/10
Cleanliness 10,0/10
Comfort 10,0/10
Value for money 10,0/10
Location 10,0/10

Ryokan highlights

A long-running Tendo Onsen ryokan known for scenic baths, local cuisine, and easy station access.

Tendo Onsen LocationConfirmed in Tendo Onsen, convenient for exploring the hot spring district.
Scenic Open-Air BathIts panoramic rooftop-style open-air bath overlooks the Dewa mountain range.
Pure Hot Spring WaterBaths use natural on-site spring water, highlighted as undiluted and high quality.
Seasonal Yamagata MealsKaiseki dinners and breakfast emphasize local ingredients and regional flavors.
Easy Station AccessAbout three minutes by taxi from JR Tendo Station, with shuttle service available.
Renovated Room OptionsUpdated Japanese-Western rooms add Simmons beds while keeping a ryokan feel.

Who is this ryokan best for?

Recommended stay1-2 nightsDining and bath rhythm are the strongest reason to stay here: arrive by afternoon, use the panoramic open-air bath before dinner, stay for breakfast, and add a second night only if you want a slower Tendo Onsen pace with station-area shogi and museum stops.
Trip-planning verdict: Best as a 1-night or easy 2-night Tendo Onsen stay for bath-and-meal relaxation, with light town sightseeing rather than a major sightseeing base.

Know before booking

Limited long-stay depthTendo has some worthwhile local stops, but most travelers will run short of nearby sights after one full day.
Not highly walkable from station with luggageThe hotel is about 2 km from JR Tendo Station; shuttle needs advance booking.
Private bath expectationsVerified bath facilities are communal and open-air; a reservable private onsen is not clearly confirmed.

Food & drinks

This Tendo Onsen ryokan has several on-site dining venues serving Japanese breakfast and multi-course dinners with Yamagata specialties.

Benihana-tei (on-site)
on-site

Main on-site restaurant for breakfast and dinner.

  • Japanese breakfastfoodRice-centered set breakfast.
  • Grilled fishfoodOften served at breakfast.
  • Rolled omeletfoodClassic egg side dish.
  • Local ricespecialtyYamagata rice featured prominently.
  • Local sakedrinkRegional sake pairing is promoted.
Bashoan (on-site)
on-site

Private-room dining space for relaxed Japanese meals.

  • Kaiseki dinnerfoodMulti-course seasonal Japanese meal.
  • Yamagata beef sukiyakifoodFeatured in one dinner course.
  • Abalone teppan-grillfoodSeafood course on some plans.
  • Seasonal sashimifoodAssorted raw fish course.
  • Local sakedrinkGood match for the kaiseki meal.
Soraan (on-site)
on-site

Garden-view dining room with table and private seating.

  • Yamagata beef shabu-shabufoodHotpot-style beef course.
  • Imoni stewspecialtyLocal taro and beef stew.
  • Kamadaki ricefoodSeasonal pot-cooked rice.
  • Seasonal dessertfoodFinish to the meal course.
  • TeadrinkTypical meal accompaniment.

Access, transport and nearby sights

This ryokan is in the Tendo Onsen area and is most practically reached from JR Tendo Station by taxi or a short local bus ride, with Yamagata Airport as the most useful airport.

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

Should you choose this ryokan?

This is a well-established onsen ryokan in Tendo Onsen that stands out for scenic baths, solid regional cuisine, and practical access support. It suits travelers who want a traditional stay with hot-spring focus, but it may feel less ideal if you want a highly modern luxury design or a station-adjacent location.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points
  • Panoramic rooftop bathThe ryokan’s signature open-air bath is a real highlight, with wide views toward the Dewa mountain range that make the bathing experience feel distinctly local and memorable.
  • Strong hot-spring identityThis property leans heavily into the onsen experience, offering multiple bath types and even drinkable spring water, which gives the stay more character than a standard hotel.
  • Appealing Yamagata cuisineMeals emphasize seasonal Yamagata ingredients, and the ryokan offers several kaiseki-style dinner courses rather than a one-note dining setup. That makes it a good pick if food is part of why you book a ryokan.
  • Helpful access by shuttleA free shuttle from JR Tendo Station is available with advance reservation, which makes arrival easier if you are traveling with luggage or do not want to rely on taxis.
  • Good range of room optionsWith traditional rooms, special rooms, and at least one wheelchair-friendly Western-style room, the ryokan offers more flexibility than many smaller inns.
5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs
  • Not next to the stationThe ryokan is about 2 km from JR Tendo Station, so it is not the most convenient choice for travelers who want to walk straight from the train with no planning.
  • Shuttle requires planningThe free station shuttle is useful, but it must be reserved in advance and runs within set pickup and drop-off windows, which reduces spontaneity.
  • Traditional style over sleek luxuryIf you want a sharply contemporary, boutique-luxury atmosphere, this ryokan’s appeal is more classic and comfort-focused than cutting-edge in design.
  • Early check-out rhythmCheck-out is at 10:00 AM, which can make the stay feel a little brisk if you prefer a slow final morning after enjoying the baths and breakfast.
  • Some premium rooms can feel priceyHigher-category rooms, especially those with private bath features, can push the cost up quickly compared with simpler stays in the area.

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: 1st out of 47 ryokans in Yamagata.

Rank Ryokan Rating Reviews
🥇 1st Sakaeya Hotel Current ryokan 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
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