Takamiya Ryokan Miyamaso

9.2

This Ryokan has an overall rating of 9.2/10, based on 1,267 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 Current ryokan	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 / Check-out until 10:00 AM

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

Location

990-2301 Yamagata, Zaō Onsen, Zao Onsen 54, Japan

Staff 9,6/10

Facilities 9,1/10

Cleanliness 9,4/10

Comfort 9,3/10

Value for money 8,7/10

Location 9,0/10

Historic Zao RyokanFounded in 1716, it offers a distinctly old-world stay in Zao Onsen.

Pure Natural OnsenHot spring baths use natural source water flowing directly from the spring.

Multiple Bath OptionsGuests can enjoy varied bath styles, including open-air baths and private-bath rooms.

Seasonal Kaiseki MealsKaiseki dining highlights Yamagata ingredients and seasonal mountain flavors.

Traditional Wooden AmbienceTimber architecture and tatami-style spaces create a classic Japanese ryokan feel.

Walkable Zao BaseWell placed for Zao Onsen sights, cable car access, and winter ski outings.

Recommended stay1-2 nightsOnsen-town setting is the main driver: one night works for check-in, dinner, several baths, and a village walk; two nights fit ropeway or ski time plus a slower second soak.

Trip-planning verdict: Best as a 1-2 night destination stay in Zao Onsen for hot springs, traditional atmosphere, and seasonal mountain access rather than as a broad sightseeing base.

Know before booking

Not a regional baseZao Onsen is better for a focused mountain and hot-spring stay than for daily city sightseeing around Tohoku.

Hills and stairsThe inn sits on higher ground and the historic building layout uses stairs, which can be awkward with mobility limits.

Limited nightlifeChoose elsewhere if you want late bars, shopping, or many evening dining options outside the ryokan.

Dining Room (on-site)

on-site

Main meal venue for seasonal Japanese dinner and breakfast.

Special Kaiseki (on-site)

on-site

Upgrade dinner course built around the ryokan's signature hot pot.

Local Dining Nearby (nearby)

nearby5-10 min walk

Useful Zao Onsen area options for soba, grilled lamb, and casual 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 at JR Yamagata Station and continue by bus to Zao Onsen Bus Terminal, then take a short taxi ride or walk uphill if traveling light. If flying, Yamagata Airport is usually the most useful airport because it has direct onward access toward Zao Onsen.

Zau0000 Stationstation
6.3 kmOmori, Yamagata, Yamagata, Japantoo far to walk comfortablyabout 20-30 min by taxioften less convenient than via Yamagata Station; best checked locally
Closer by map than Yamagata Station, but usually less useful for visitors because onward access is more limited; consider mainly for taxi access.
Yamagata Stationstation
11 kmKasumicho, Yamagata, Yamagata, Japantoo 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
Best main rail gateway for most visitors, including Shinkansen arrivals; usually the simplest transfer point for the bus up to Zao Onsen.
Zao Onsen Bus Terminalbus
260 m708-1 Zao Onsen, Yamagata, Yamagata 990-2301, Japanabout 5-10 min downhill/uphill depending on luggage and road conditionsabout 2-5 min by taxi
Most practical local arrival point for the ryokan; best for travelers coming from Yamagata Station by bus, but a short taxi is easier with luggage because the ryokan sits slightly uphill.
Yamagata Station East Exit Bus Stop for Zao Onsenbus
11 kmNear Yamagata Station east side bus area, Yamagata, Japantoo far to walk comfortablyabout 19–34 min by carabout 40 min to Zao Onsen Bus Terminal when services are running
Useful as the practical bus boarding point if arriving by train; confirm the exact stop bay locally because bus stand assignments can change.
Yamagata Airportairport
27 kmHanyu, Higashine, Yamagata 999-3776, Japanabout 50-70 min by carabout 1-1.5 hours depending on flight-linked transport and transfers
Usually the most useful airport for this ryokan; especially convenient if flight-linked transport to Zao Onsen is operating or if transferring via Yamagata Station.
Sendai Airportairport
46 kmNatori, Miyagi, Japanabout 1.5-2.5 hours by car depending on conditionscommonly around 2.5-3.5 hours via Sendai or Yamagata connections
A viable alternative when flight options are better than Yamagata Airport, but it is usually a longer onward journey to Zao Onsen.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points

Historic Zao atmosphereThis ryokan is one of the long-established inns in Zao Onsen, with a traditional wooden structure and a distinctly classic Japanese feel. It suits travelers who want ambiance and character rather than a generic hotel stay.
Excellent bath varietyThe property is known for multiple hot spring baths, including open-air options and private baths for quieter soaking. That gives you more variety than many smaller ryokans with only one or two bath areas.
Good base for ski and ropeway accessIts location in Zao Onsen makes it practical for combining onsen time with skiing or ropeway outings. This is especially appealing if you want a ryokan stay without giving up easy access to mountain activities.
Rooms with more personalityThe room mix includes traditional Japanese spaces, Japanese-Western rooms, and larger suites, with some layouts offering open-air baths. It works well for travelers who want a more memorable room style than a standard business hotel.
Appealing Yamagata-focused mealsDinner and breakfast highlight local Yamagata ingredients, with options such as kaiseki-style dining and regional beef dishes. For many guests, the food is a meaningful part of the ryokan experience here, not just a basic add-on.

5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs

Stairs can be a real issueThere are stone steps before the entrance, and the building has no elevator. If you have heavy luggage, mobility concerns, or simply want easy access, this can be inconvenient.
Old-school comfort over sleek luxuryIts age and traditional construction are part of the charm, but they can also mean a less streamlined feel than newer high-end ryokans. Travelers expecting spotless contemporary luxury may find it a little rustic in places.
Not every private bath is onsen-fedSome room categories include an outdoor bath, but not all of those baths use natural hot spring water. If a true in-room onsen bath is essential, you need to choose the room type carefully.
Wi-Fi is not equally convenient everywhereThe most clearly advertised Wi-Fi access is in the lobby rather than as a guaranteed strong whole-property setup. That may be frustrating if you need reliable connectivity in your room.
Dining expectations need attentionMeal satisfaction appears to depend partly on the booking plan, and some guests have felt the dining experience differed from what they expected. It is a better fit for travelers who read room-and-meal details carefully before booking.

Current position: 5th out of 47 ryokans in Yamagata.

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 Current ryokan	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