Hohoemino Kuyufu Tsuruya

9.4

This Ryokan has an overall rating of 9.4/10, based on 965 reviews.

Rank	Ryokan	Rating	Reviews
🥇 1st	Sakaeya Hotel	10.0/10	118
🥈 2nd	Hohoemino Kuyufu Tsuruya Current ryokan	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	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

Hot Spring Town City Center Station Access Public Onsen Open-Air Bath Indoor Bath

Location

994-0025 Yamagata, Tendo, Kamatahoncho 2-5-14 , Japan

Staff 9,5/10

Facilities 9,4/10

Cleanliness 9,5/10

Comfort 9,6/10

Value for money 8,9/10

Location 9,1/10

Tatami ThroughoutThe entire inn is tatami-floored, creating a soft, barefoot traditional atmosphere.

Private Bath RoomsSome guestrooms include open-air baths, adding privacy and a more relaxed stay.

Tendo Onsen StayThis is a genuine hot spring ryokan in Tendo Onsen, not a standard city hotel.

Easy Station AccessTendo Station is close by, with walkable access and shuttle service on request.

Small Ryokan FeelWith only 22 rooms, the property feels quieter and more personal.

Good Road AccessAbout 15 minutes from Yamagata Kita Interchange, convenient for self-drive trips.

Recommended stay1-2 nightsAccess is the strongest stay-length driver here: arrive by afternoon, enjoy kaiseki dinner and baths, sleep well, then use Tendo or nearby Yamagata sights before moving on. A second night works if you want a slower onsen rhythm or pair it with Yamadera.

Trip-planning verdict: Best as a 1-night Tendo Onsen stay or a calm 2-night Yamagata-area break, not as a long immersive resort base.

Know before booking

Limited long-stay pullTendo Onsen is convenient but not packed with major sights right around the ryokan, so many travelers will run out of reasons after two nights.

Not next to stationTendo Station is walkable in about 15 minutes, but luggage-heavy arrivals may prefer the reservation shuttle or taxi.

Facilities look focusedVerified bath offerings are indoor and open-air onsen baths; do not book expecting sauna, spa complex, or many extra wellness facilities.

Senbazuru (on-site)

on-site

Open dining area for seasonal kaiseki and breakfast.

Dining Room (on-site)

on-site

Calm in-house meal venue; private rooms and banquet spaces are also used.

Charis (nearby)

nearby1 min walk

Casual nearby Asian dining and drinks.

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 via JR Tendo Station and continue by taxi in about 5 minutes or walk about 15–20 minutes if traveling light; the ryokan also indicates a free station pickup may be available with advance reservation. If flying, Yamagata Airport is the most useful airport, then continue by airport ground transport and taxi or rail connection toward Tendo.

Tendo Stationstation
1.2 kmTendo, Yamagata Prefecture, Japanabout 15–20 minabout 5 minshort taxi ride; local pickup may be available if arranged in advance
Best overall rail access point for the ryokan. Most guests should use a taxi from the station if carrying luggage.
Tendo-Minami Stationstation
2.1 kmTendo, Yamagata Prefecture, Japannot ideal on footabout 10–15 minusually less direct than via Tendo Station
Secondary rail option if your itinerary happens to use this station, though Tendo Station is generally more practical for reaching the ryokan.
Yamadera Stationstation
6.5 kmYamadera, Yamagata Prefecture, Japantoo far to walk comfortablyabout 15–25 minusually requires onward taxi or rail/bus planning
Useful mainly for travelers combining a stay with Yamadera sightseeing; not the primary arrival station for the ryokan.
Yamagata Stationstation
13 kmKasumicho, Yamagata, Yamagata Prefecture, Japanabout 25–40 minabout 20–35 min by train to Tendo area, then taxi
Major regional rail hub for travelers arriving by Shinkansen or wider JR network connections before transferring to Tendo.
Tendo Onsen area bus stopbus
180 mTendo Onsen area, Tendo, Yamagata Prefecture, Japanabout 3–8 min depending on the exact stop usedvery short if using a taxi for the last stretchbest checked locally
Potentially handy for travelers already using a local onsen-area bus, but exact stop choice should be confirmed locally because several nearby stops may serve the district.
Tendo Station Higashiguchi Bus Stopbus
1.2 kmNear Tendo Station East Exit, Tendo, Yamagata Prefecture, Japanabout 15–20 min to the ryokan if continuing on foot from the station areaabout 5 min by taxi from the stop areabest checked locally
Useful as the main station-side bus stop if arriving by local bus, but it is usually less convenient than a taxi directly from Tendo Station.
Yamagata Airportairport
6.0 kmHigashine, Yamagata Prefecture, Japanabout 15–25 minoften around 30–50 min overall depending on connection method
Most useful airport for this ryokan. A taxi is straightforward, while public transport may require a transfer and should be checked locally.
Sendai Airportairport
53 kmNatori, Miyagi Prefecture, Japanabout 1 hr 30 min to 2 hr 15 minoften around 2–3 hr with rail transfers
Useful mainly when flight options are better than Yamagata Airport. Best for travelers comfortable with a longer rail transfer via Sendai and onward toward Yamagata/Tendo.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points

Whole-inn tatami atmosphereThe entire ryokan is tatami-floored, so the stay feels soft, quiet, and distinctly Japanese from the moment you enter. It gives the property a cozy, home-like character that stands out from more standard hotels.
Excellent rooms with private onsen optionsSeveral rooms include open-air or semi-open-air baths fed by natural hot spring water, and some were renewed recently. This makes it especially appealing for couples or anyone who wants a more private bathing experience.
Thoughtful room varietyThe ryokan has 22 individually styled rooms, including traditional Japanese rooms, Japanese-Western layouts, and universal-design options. That range makes it easier to match the stay to families, couples, or guests who prefer beds over futons.
Strong dining experienceMeals focus on seasonal Yamagata ingredients and creative kaiseki, and guest feedback is especially positive about the quality and presentation. Some rooms even include private dining space, which makes dinner feel calmer and more personal.
Comfortable base in Tendo OnsenIt is within reach of Tendo Station and offers a free shuttle with reservation, while still sitting in a quieter part of the onsen area. That balance works well if you want easier access without losing the ryokan feel.

5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs

Not the most budget-friendly pickThe overall experience is upscale, but guest value scores are lower than its ratings for comfort and service. Travelers focused mainly on price may find better value in simpler stays nearby.
Check-out is fairly earlyCheck-out is 10:00 AM, which can make the morning feel a bit rushed for guests hoping for a slow onsen start. This is worth noting for anyone planning a very relaxed final day.
Station access is not fully walkable for everyoneTendo Station is reachable on foot, but the walk is around 15 minutes and may feel inconvenient with luggage or in bad weather. The shuttle helps, though it requires advance arrangement.
Pillow comfort may not suit all travelersAt least some guests found the pillows less comfortable, especially by Western sleep preferences. Light sleepers or guests sensitive to bedding comfort may want to be prepared.
Best features depend on room categoryThe ryokan’s most memorable perks, like private open-air baths and in-room dining setups, are tied to specific room types rather than every booking. If you reserve an entry-level room, the experience may feel less special than the photos suggest.

Current position: 2nd out of 47 ryokans in Yamagata.

Rank	Ryokan	Rating	Reviews
🥇 1st	Sakaeya Hotel	10.0/10	118
🥈 2nd	Hohoemino Kuyufu Tsuruya Current ryokan	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