Takamiya Hotel Lucent

8.6

This Ryokan has an overall rating of 8.6/10, based on 1,662 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 Current ryokan	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

Mountain Setting Hot Spring Town National Park Public Onsen Open-Air Bath Sauna

Location

990-2301 Yamagata, Zaō Onsen, Zaoonsen 942, Japan

Staff 8,8/10

Facilities 8,6/10

Cleanliness 8,6/10

Comfort 8,8/10

Value for money 8,4/10

Location 9,0/10

By Zao RopewaySet right by the ropeway area, making ski and mountain access especially easy.

Open-air OnsenPopular hot spring baths include an open-air bath for classic Zao soaking.

Good Ski BaseWell placed for ski days, with storage and easy access to nearby slopes.

Japanese-Style RoomsMostly Japanese rooms create a more traditional stay than a standard hotel.

Mountain ViewsSome rooms look onto seasonal mountain scenery, adding to the relaxing atmosphere.

Flexible Group StaysRoom variety, including Japanese-Western options, suits families and mixed travel groups.

Recommended stay1-2 nightsRopeway and onsen-town access are the strongest reasons to stay here. One night works for check-in, baths, dinner, breakfast, and a short town walk; two nights make sense if you want ropeway sightseeing, skiing, snow monsters, or a relaxed mountain pace without rushing onward.

Trip-planning verdict: Best as a 1–2 night Zao Onsen stay for onsen, ropeway access, skiing, and mountain scenery rather than a long sightseeing base.

Know before booking

Limited long-stay depthZao Onsen is strong for baths, ropeway, seasons, and snow, but the immediate area is not dense enough for many sightseeing-heavy days.

Mountain transit frictionAccess is practical from Yamagata by bus, but it is less convenient than staying near a rail hub with easy luggage movement.

Meals matter hereSome plans do not allow same-day meal additions, and nearby food options can be limited at night.

Restaurant Crystal (on-site)

on-site

Main hotel dining room for breakfast and set-course dinners.

Restaurant Robata (nearby)

nearbyabout 10 min walk

Well-known local spot for Zao-style jingisukan barbecue.

Yunohana Chaya (nearby)

nearbyabout 2 min walk

Casual restaurant opposite the Chuo Ropeway, handy for noodles and light meals.

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 the shinkansen or local rail to Yamagata Station, continue by bus to Zao Onsen Bus Terminal, then use the hotel's pickup if available or a short taxi ride with luggage. If flying, Yamagata Airport is usually the most convenient airport, while Sendai Airport is a workable backup with a longer onward transfer.

Zaō Stationstation
6.8 kmtoo far to walk comfortablyabout 20–30 min by taxibest checked locally; usually less convenient than Yamagata Station for most visitors
Closer by road than Yamagata Station, but generally less useful unless you specifically arrive on local JR services and plan to continue by taxi.
Yamagata Stationstation
11 kmtoo far to walk comfortablyabout 35–50 min by car in normal conditionsabout 40–50 min by bus to Zao Onsen, then a short walk or taxi
Main rail gateway for most visitors, especially those arriving by shinkansen; usually the most straightforward rail-to-bus transfer point.
Zao Chuo Ropeway Onsen Stationbus
170 mabout 2–5 min on footvery short taxi ride if neededlocal access point within the resort area; best checked locally
Very convenient local landmark and transfer point near the ryokan, especially useful for orientation, winter arrivals, and short local taxi instructions.
Zao Onsen Bus Terminalbus
190 mabout 5–10 min on foot depending on luggage and slopeabout 2–5 min by taxi
Best last-mile public transport hub for the ryokan; practical for arrivals from Yamagata Station and often the easiest point for taxi or hotel pickup.
Zao Ropeway Sanroku Stationbus
640 mabout 10–20 min on foot depending on route, slope, and luggageabout 5–10 min by taxishort local bus or taxi transfer may be possible depending on season
Useful secondary access point for travelers combining the stay with sightseeing or ski access, but less practical than the main bus terminal for first arrival with luggage.
Yamagata Airportairport
28 kmabout 50–70 min by car depending on seasonabout 1 hr or slightly more using airport access and onward bus, best checked locally
Most useful airport for this ryokan; suitable if you prefer a shorter regional airport transfer into Zao Onsen.
Sendai Airportairport
46 kmabout 1 hr 45 min to 2 hr 30 min depending on traffic and mountain conditionsoften around 2.5–3.5 hr with rail and/or bus transfers, best checked locally
Useful backup airport with many more flight options, but onward travel is notably longer than from Yamagata Airport.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points

Excellent ropeway-side locationIt sits by the center of Zao Onsen and right near the Zao Chuo Ropeway area, which is especially handy for skiers and for getting around the onsen town without much hassle.
Real Zao onsen experienceThe property offers the strongly atmospheric Zao hot spring experience with large public baths and an outdoor bath, making it a solid choice if the onsen itself is a priority.
Private baths for extra comfortIf you want more privacy, it has reservable private baths with both indoor and outdoor options. That is a big plus for couples or guests who feel shy about public bathing.
Flexible rooms for different groupsThe mix of Japanese-style, Japanese-Western, and maisonette rooms makes it easier to match the stay to couples, families, or small groups instead of forcing everyone into one layout.
Good local food focusDinner plans highlight regional specialties such as Yamagata beef, Yonezawa beef, and Komenoko pork, so the stay can feel rooted in the area rather than like a generic resort meal.

5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs

Not ideal for limited mobilityThere are stone steps before the entrance and no elevator inside, so guests with heavy luggage, strollers, or walking difficulties may find the layout inconvenient.
More hotel than refined ryokanThis is better seen as a practical onsen hotel than an intimate high-end ryokan. Travelers chasing a deeply exclusive or luxurious traditional stay may find it less special.
Some baths are not hot spring waterNot every bath gives the same onsen experience, since one large bath uses boiled groundwater rather than the hot spring itself. If you care about that distinction, it may matter.
Private baths cost extraThe private baths are a paid add-on, so the more romantic or secluded bathing experience is not automatically included in the room rate.
Wi-Fi may disappointFor travelers who need stable internet for work or streaming, connectivity appears to be a weaker point compared with the property's stronger scores for location and staff.

Current position: 31st out of 47 ryokans in Yamagata.

Rank	Ryokan	Rating	Reviews
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 Current ryokan	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