Zao Onsen Omiya Ryokan

9.2

This Ryokan has an overall rating of 9.2/10, based on 89 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 Current 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	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 2:00 PM

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

Location

990-2301 Yamagata, Zaō Onsen, Zaoonsen 46, Japan

Staff 9,3/10

Facilities 9,1/10

Cleanliness 9,7/10

Comfort 9,2/10

Value for money 9,0/10

Location 8,9/10

Walk to ski liftsAbout five minutes on foot to Zao Onsen Ski Resort and nearby ropeways.

Indoor and open-air onsenGuests can enjoy multiple public hot spring baths, including an open-air bath.

Classic tatami stayJapanese-style rooms with tatami flooring and futon bedding create an authentic ryokan feel.

Local kaiseki mealsJapanese breakfast and multi-course dinners highlight local flavors in a traditional setting.

Easy bus-terminal accessFree shuttle service and a short walk from Zao Onsen Bus Terminal help arrival.

Relaxed retro atmosphereReview patterns highlight a cozy, calm ambiance that suits a laid-back mountain stay.

Recommended stay1-2 nightsOnsen-town setting is the main stay driver: arrive by afternoon, bathe before dinner, walk the compact hot-spring streets, sleep early, then use the next morning for another bath and either ropeway, ski access, or onward travel. A second night works in snow season or for a slower mountain break, but the area is not dense enough for a long base for most travelers.

Trip-planning verdict: Best as a 1–2 night onsen-and-mountain stay in Zao Onsen, especially for travelers pairing sulfur baths with seasonal walking or skiing rather than using it as a long sightseeing base.

Know before booking

Limited long-stay depthExcellent for baths and mountain atmosphere, but most travelers may run out of varied non-seasonal activities after two nights.

Shared bath setupRooms commonly have toilets and washbasins, while bathing is centered on shared hot-spring facilities rather than private in-room baths.

Mountain logisticsAccess is manageable, but it is not a station-front ryokan; winter conditions and luggage transfers need more planning than city hotels.

Dining Room (on-site)

on-site

Ryokan meal venue for Japanese breakfast and seasonal dinner.

Robata (nearby)

nearbyabout 3 min walk

Popular local spot for jingisukan mutton barbecue.

Yunohana Chaya (nearby)

nearbyabout 8 min walk

Casual bathhouse restaurant with Yamagata specialties.

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, take rail to JR Yamagata Station and continue by bus or the ryokan’s advance-reservation shuttle; if arriving with bulky luggage, a short taxi ride from Zao Onsen Bus Terminal is often easiest. Yamagata Airport is the most useful airport, while Sendai Airport is a secondary option mainly for broader flight choice via onward transfer to Yamagata.

JR Yamagata Stationstation
11 kmtoo far to walk comfortablyabout 35–50 min by car in normal conditionsabout 35–45 min by bus to Zao Onsen Bus Terminal, plus local transfer time
Best rail gateway for most visitors, including shinkansen arrivals; also the main transfer point for buses and the ryokan’s reserved shuttle.
Zao Onsen Bus Terminalbus
210 mabout 4–8 min on foot depending on snow and luggageabout 2–5 min by taximain bus arrival point from Yamagata Station, about 35–45 min
Most useful final bus stop for the ryokan; practical for bus arrivals and for arranging pickup or a short taxi ride, especially in winter.
Zao Chuo Ropeway Stationbus
490 mabout 8–15 min on foot depending on exact routeabout 3–7 min by taxibest checked locally
Useful for ski-focused stays and local orientation within Zao Onsen, but not usually the main first arrival point.
Zao Ropeway Stationbus
570 mabout 10–20 min on foot depending on route and snowabout 3–8 min by taxibest checked locally
Helpful local stop/landmark for travelers heading onward into the ski area; less important than the bus terminal for first arrival.
Yamagata Station West Exit Shuttle Boarding Areabus
11 kmabout 2–5 min from station concourse depending on exit usedabout 19–34 min by carabout 40–50 min to the ryokan area by reserved shuttle
Useful if you plan to use the ryokan’s advance-booked shuttle rather than the public bus; confirm boarding details directly before travel.
Yamagata Airportairport
27 kmabout 50–70 min by car depending on conditionsabout 60–90 min depending on airport bus timing and transfer arrangement
Most practical airport for Zao Onsen; useful when flights align, with seasonal or reservation-based onward bus options and easy transfer via Yamagata Station.
Sendai Airportairport
46 kmabout 1 hr 40 min–2 hr 20 min by car depending on road conditionsabout 2–3 hr via airport transfer and Yamagata Station
Secondary airport option with broader flight choice; usually best only if airfare or flight availability is better than Yamagata Airport.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points

Excellent base for skiingThe ryokan is within walking distance of the Uwanodai ski slope and offers shuttle service toward other ski access points, which makes winter days much easier. It also sells discounted lift tickets and provides ski-related convenience on site.
Authentic Taisho-era atmosphereGuest rooms and interiors are styled with a retro Taisho-era feel, giving the stay more character than a standard modern hotel. This makes it especially appealing if you want a traditional ryokan mood rather than a generic resort stay.
Proper sulfur onsen experienceThe baths use directly sourced 100% natural hot-spring water, so the bathing experience feels tied to Zao Onsen itself rather than a diluted spa setup. That is a major draw if the onsen is a core reason for your trip.
Convenient extras after a long dayThere is a relaxing lounge with massage chairs, and guests repeatedly highlight it as a welcome place to recover after skiing or walking around town. Small comforts like this can make the stay feel more thoughtful.
Useful access support from YamagataThe ryokan offers a free shuttle between Yamagata Station and the property on check-in and check-out days with advance reservation. That can remove a lot of friction if you are arriving without a car.

5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs

No bathroom in the roomAt least some guest rooms do not have a private bath, which can feel inconvenient if you want full in-room facilities. Travelers used to hotel-style privacy may find that a drawback.
Outdoor bath closes in winterThe open-air bath is closed during the winter season because of heavy snow. If your dream is soaking outside after skiing, this may be disappointing.
Not ideal for very young childrenThe property does not allow children under elementary school age, so it is not a fit for many families traveling with toddlers or preschoolers. That policy alone can be a deal-breaker.
Walking and stairs may be tiringAlthough the location is convenient, guest feedback suggests some rooms are far from the entrance and the property may involve stairs and longer internal walks. This can be awkward with heavy luggage, ski gear, or limited mobility.
Traditional style over modern luxuryThis ryokan leans into nostalgia and classic atmosphere, so travelers expecting a sleek contemporary resort may find it less polished or less feature-rich than newer upscale properties. It suits travelers who value character more than modern room design.

Current position: 10th out of 47 ryokans in Yamagata.

Rank	Ryokan	Rating	Reviews
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 Current 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