Search hotels in Yamagata, Japan

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Yamagata

39 hotels

Tsuruoka

35 hotels

Yonezawa

45 hotels

Zao Onsen

31 hotels

Sakata

29 hotels

Tendo

19 hotels

Kaminoyama

30 hotels

Murayama

2 hotels

Higashine

23 hotels

Mogami

3 hotels

Stay in Yamagata's best hotels!

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Daiwa Roynet Hotel Yamagata Ekimae

Hotel in Yamagata

Located in Yamagata, 17 km from Zao Onsen Ski Resort, Daiwa Roynet Hotel Yamagata Ekimae provides accommodation with a fitness centre, private parking and massage services.

K
Katrina
From
Spain
Very clean, room has good amount of space, the bath was big and beautiful. The room has big floor to ceiling window overlooking the city. The hotel was very close to the train station and restaurants, bars and convenience stores. The functional space were nice, clean and beautiful. It was very good value for money.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
Superb - What previous guests thought, 1,990 reviews
Price from
US$92.69
1 night, 2 adults

Zao Kokusai Hotel

Hotel in Zao Onsen

Only a 1-minute walk from Zao Onsen Ski Resort, Zao Kokusai Hotel offers indoor/outdoor spacious hot-spring baths and Japanese-style rooms.

M
Michael
From
Italy
Everything. A little paradise in zao onsen!
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.1
Superb - What previous guests thought, 386 reviews
Price from
US$242.18
1 night, 2 adults

HOTEL SLOW VILLAGE - Vacation STAY 66828v

Hotel in Hagyū

Set in Hagyū, 49 km from Zao Onsen Ski Resort, HOTEL SLOW VILLAGE - Vacation STAY 66828v offers accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking.

T
Thomas
From
Australia
The rooms were excellently furnished at a fantastic price point. The amenities available were top class and the service from staff was excellent. Definitely a gem hidden in regional Japan. There is even a fantastic common area and sky deck that I don't recall seeing on the listing prior, that only enhances the quality of the space!
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.4
Superb - What previous guests thought, 5 reviews
Price from
US$120.85
1 night, 2 adults

Comfort Hotel Yamagata

Hotel in Yamagata

Situated 16 km from Zao Onsen Ski Resort, Comfort Hotel Yamagata offers 3-star accommodation in Yamagata and has free bikes. The property is non-smoking and is located 100 metres from Yamagata...

J
Jamie
From
United Kingdom
I loved that breakfast was included. Nice surprise. Also, the hotel was in a very convenient location. Having the coin laundry next to my room was an extra bonus.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.3
Very good - What previous guests thought, 1,376 reviews
Price from
US$62.90
1 night, 2 adults

Hotel Metropolitan Yamagata

Hotel in Yamagata

Directly connected to JR Yamagata Shinkansen (bullet train) Station, Hotel Metropolitan Yamagata offers comfortable guest rooms with warm colours and modern facilities.

Ž
Žaneta L.
From
Czech Republic
One of the best hotels I've experienced in Japan. It's at the train station (literally), but the rooms were tranquil, with a nice view of the city and mountains. The reception hall is magnificent. The location couldn't be any better. My room was small but not tiny, and I felt that I had everything I needed for a comfortable stay. For sure the best place for any Yamagata travellers!
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.8
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 3,074 reviews
Price from
US$118.73
1 night, 2 adults

Tsukino HOTEL

Hotel in Sakata

Situated in Sakata, 23 km from Kamo Aquarium, Tsukino HOTEL features accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking and a bar.

G
Gil
From
Portugal
Excellent location, really attentive staff. Modern spacious rooms with smart tv
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.6
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 457 reviews
Price from
US$82.56
1 night, 2 adults

Toyoko Inn Yamagata-eki Nishi-guchi

Hotel in Yamagata

Located within 18 km of Zao Onsen Ski Resort and 400 metres of Yamagata Station, Toyoko Inn Yamagata-eki Nishi-guchi provides rooms in Yamagata. This 3-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk.

M
Ming Ern
From
Singapore
We stayed only 1 night here just to get to Ginzan Onsen. It was another typical Toyoko Inn, small but comfortable and clean. Again we could push the two beds in our twin room together and form a bed larger than a standard king sized bed. Breakfast was the typical Toyoko Inn fare - buffet style with rice, fried noodles, rice balls, salad, some cooked dishes like tamago, lotus roots, sausages (the same type at all the Toyoko Inns we stayed in), scrambled eggs, etc. We also had some grilled fish dishes like salmon and mackerel, which was quite yummy, as well as the ubiquitous natto. Everything was good and it was a good one night's stay.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.0
Very good - What previous guests thought, 485 reviews
Price from
US$78.43
1 night, 2 adults

Hotel Route-Inn Yamagata Minami -Daigaku Byoin Mae-

Hotel in Yamagata

Located in Yamagata, within 13 km of Zao Onsen Ski Resort and 4.3 km of Yamagata Station, Hotel Route-Inn Yamagata Minami -Daigaku Byoin Mae- provides accommodation with a restaurant and free WiFi...

M
Martijn
From
Netherlands
Friendly staff, clean and spacious rooms, very nice facilities (4 washing machines, vending machines, included breakfast), easily accessible with public transit and a nice view from our hotel window.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.4
Very good - What previous guests thought, 338 reviews
Price from
US$74.70
1 night, 2 adults

Super Hotel Yamagata Sakurambo-Higashine Station Front

Hotel in Higashine

Situated in Higashine, 45 km from Zao Onsen Ski Resort, Super Hotel Yamagata Sakurambo-Higashine Station Front features accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking.

S
Stephany Reyes
From
United Kingdom
Brilliant location only a few minutes walk from Sakurambo Higashine train station. Staff was very friendly despite limited English. I like that they even offered facial mask (the cosmetic kind, not the covid kind) if you want. I also managed to go to the female onsen which was an absolutely awesome first time experience. Breakfast was nice, not a lot of choices but sufficient for a light meal.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.3
Very good - What previous guests thought, 458 reviews
Price from
US$104.84
1 night, 2 adults

Shonai Hotel Suiden Terrasse

Hotel in Tsuruoka

Set in Tsuruoka, 11 km from Kamo Aquarium, Shonai Hotel Suiden Terrasse offers accommodation with a fitness centre, free private parking, a garden and a terrace. This 4-star hotel offers a bar.

S
Sarah
From
Germany
Extremely beautiful hotel, very friendly and accomodating staff, great onsen, sake bar, library, and you get your steps in as it‘s fairly big. Next time I‘d like to try the in-room massage service. We have stayed at a Shigeru Ban designed place in Karuizawa before, but at around three or four times the price of what we paid here. While that one felt very secluded, this one had a bit of a communal feel to it. Breakfast was nice (not too many vegetarian options, but clearly labeled), and the breakfast area was gorgeous.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.6
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 816 reviews
Price from
US$111.39
1 night, 2 adults
See all 295 hotels in Yamagata

Most booked hotels in Yamagata in the past month

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Popular with guests booking hotels in Yamagata

Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
Superb - What previous guests thought, 1,991 reviews

Popular with guests booking hotels in Yamagata

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.6
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,398 reviews

Popular with guests booking hotels in Yamagata

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.8
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 3,074 reviews

Popular with guests booking hotels in Yamagata

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.6
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 463 reviews

Popular with guests booking hotels in Yamagata

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.3
Very good - What previous guests thought, 1,374 reviews

Popular with guests booking hotels in Yamagata

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.8
Good - What previous guests thought, 186 reviews

Popular with guests booking hotels in Yamagata

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.8
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,214 reviews

Popular with guests booking hotels in Yamagata

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.0
Good - What previous guests thought, 359 reviews

Popular with guests booking hotels in Yamagata

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.6
Good - What previous guests thought, 138 reviews

Popular with guests booking hotels in Yamagata

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.6
Good - What previous guests thought, 780 reviews

Yamagata's best hotels with breakfast

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.1
Very good - What previous guests thought, 10 reviews

Located in Ōyama, 3.7 km from Kamo Aquarium, Yunohama HOTEL provides accommodation with a spa and wellness centre and free private parking.

From US$245.72 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.2
Very good - What previous guests thought, 53 reviews

Located in Tsuruoka, within 28 km of Kamo Aquarium and 47 km of Shinjo Station, Kyukamura Shonai-Haguro provides accommodation with a restaurant and free WiFi throughout the property as well as free...

From US$183.47 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.8
Good - What previous guests thought, 186 reviews

Situated in Yonezawa, 49 km from Kitakata Station, Hotel Alpha-One Yonezawa features accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking. This 3-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk.

From US$96.32 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.9
Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 343 reviews

Located within 17 km of Zao Onsen Ski Resort and 500 metres of Yamagata Station, Hotel Sakuranbo provides rooms with air conditioning and a private bathroom in Yamagata.

From US$49.14 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.2
Good - What previous guests thought, 147 reviews

Set within 48 km of Kitakata Station and 49 km of Zao Onsen Ski Resort, Hotel Montoview Yonezawa offers rooms in Yonezawa.

From US$113.09 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.6
Good - What previous guests thought, 780 reviews

Offering free WiFi, APA Hotel Yamagata Tsuruoka Ekimae is set in Tsuruoka. The property is around 10 km from Kamo Aquarium and 25 km from Atsumi Onsen. The restaurant serves Japanese cuisine.

From US$91.08 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.8
Good - What previous guests thought, 683 reviews

Set 30 km from Zao Onsen Ski Resort, Comfort Hotel Tendo offers 3-star accommodation in Tendo and features free bikes. The property is situated in the Tendo Onsen district.

From US$65.52 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 5.9
Passable - What previous guests thought, 367 reviews

Select Inn Yonezawa is situated in Yonezawa, 49 km from Kitakata Station and 49 km from Zao Onsen Ski Resort. This 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom.

From US$60.86 per night

Budget hotels in Yamagata

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.7
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 17 reviews

Located in Sakata, 22 km from Kamo Aquarium, Wakaba Ryokan / Vacation STAY 29370 provides accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking.

From US$100.33 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.9
Good - What previous guests thought, 104 reviews

Situated in Zao Onsen, 400 metres from Zao Onsen Ski Resort, ロッヂ スガノ features accommodation with a shared lounge, free private parking, a restaurant and a bar.

From US$98.29 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.3
Good - What previous guests thought, 136 reviews

Situated in Sakata, 24 km from Kamo Aquarium, Hotel Alpha-One Sakata features accommodation with free bikes, free private parking, a restaurant and massage services.

From US$98.29 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.2
Good - What previous guests thought, 134 reviews

Set in Yonezawa, within 48 km of Kitakata Station and 49 km of Zao Onsen Ski Resort, Hotel Benex Yonezawa offers accommodation with a restaurant and as well as free private parking for guests who...

From US$81.18 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.7
Good - What previous guests thought, 698 reviews

Set in Tsuruoka, Yamagata region, Hotel Route-Inn Tsuruoka Ekimae is situated 12 km from Kamo Aquarium. With free WiFi, this 3-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space.

From US$99.60 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.7
Good - What previous guests thought, 415 reviews

Featuring massage services, Hotel Route-Inn Tsuruoka Inter is set in Tsuruoka in the Yamagata region, 9.3 km from Kamo Aquarium. This 3-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk.

From US$87.15 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.7
Good - What previous guests thought, 496 reviews

Hotel Route-Inn Sakata is set in Sakata, within 25 km of Kamo Aquarium and 38 km of Kisakata Harbor. Featuring a restaurant, this 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom.

From US$100.91 per night

Located in Sakata, 23 km from Kamo Aquarium, SAKATANTO Container Hotel CAMPS - Vacation STAY 93089v provides accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking.

From US$57.01 per night

Hotels in Yamagata that you can book without a credit card

Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.4
Superb - What previous guests thought, 5 reviews

Set in Hagyū, 49 km from Zao Onsen Ski Resort, HOTEL SLOW VILLAGE - Vacation STAY 66828v offers accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking.

Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
Superb - What previous guests thought, 32 reviews

Situated in Sakata, 22 km from Kamo Aquarium, Wakaba Ryokan / Vacation STAY 29366 features accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking.

From US$100.34 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.0
Very good - What previous guests thought, 486 reviews

Located within 18 km of Zao Onsen Ski Resort and 400 metres of Yamagata Station, Toyoko Inn Yamagata-eki Nishi-guchi provides rooms in Yamagata. This 3-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk.

From US$78.43 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.4
Very good - What previous guests thought, 339 reviews

Located in Yamagata, within 13 km of Zao Onsen Ski Resort and 4.3 km of Yamagata Station, Hotel Route-Inn Yamagata Minami -Daigaku Byoin Mae- provides accommodation with a restaurant and free WiFi...

From US$92.39 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.3
Very good - What previous guests thought, 392 reviews

Situated in Zao Onsen, 600 metres from Zao Onsen Ski Resort, Takamiya Hotel Hammond features accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking.

From US$89.10 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.0
Very good - What previous guests thought, 302 reviews

Located in Tendo, 30 km from Zao Onsen Ski Resort, Hotel Route-Inn Tendo provides accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking and massage services.

From US$95.67 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.2
Very good - What previous guests thought, 548 reviews

Situated in Shinjo, within 700 metres of Shinjo Station and 25 km of Oishida Station, Hotel Route-Inn Shinjyo Ekimae features accommodation with a restaurant and free WiFi throughout the property as...

From US$114.01 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.6
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 14 reviews

Set in Kaminoyama, 16 km from Zao Onsen Ski Resort, ステイインホテル材木栄屋 offers accommodation with a garden, free private parking and a restaurant.

FAQs about hotels in Yamagata

See reviews by guests who stayed at hotels in Yamagata

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Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.9
Exceptional - What previous guests thought, 9 reviews
First and foremost: This is not a hotel for extended stay. This is an unforgettable experience for a day. You are expected to mostly stay at this traditional hotel and relax as much as possible. The rooms are spacious, and the beds are comfortable. Each room has its own outside onsen (hot spring bath). Tip: take a room on the first floor, those bathtubs are carved out of a solid block of stone. The water itself is very hot, but feels absolutely divine and did wonders for my skin. The meals are crazy good. The dinner menu was ~10 courses with locally sourced ingredients. The waiter, general manager and owner took turns explaining in intricate detail what each course meant, where it came from, and why they chose to present it to us. I'm pretty sure the owner also mentioned the cook had a Michelin star - which would explain the unconventional, but delicious creations. The breakfast was Japanese-style, and also very good. I'm not sure what else I should add - the intricate eye for detail and attention the staff gave us (I felt so bad seeing the small Japanese woman carry my heavy luggage to my room, but I wasn't allowed to carry it myself, haha); the free bar with the expensive alcohol at night; the modern interpretation of old history... Not to mention the other included amenities: a shuttle bus, an early tour, live soba making, sake tasting [...] It is pricey, but again: you are NOT paying for a simple hotel night, you are paying for an experience. Full recommendation.
Guest review by
Leroy
Germany
From US$172.98 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.4
Very good - What previous guests thought, 72 reviews
Everything was wonderful - the pickup and drop off at Sanze station, the kind staff, the food, the beautiful view from my room, and dinner (with sunset view). I very much enjoyed the outdoor onsen. In my experience, large onsen hotels with scenic views (eg Enoshima) tend to not offer very good food and cut a few corners on maintenance but the food was very good and everything (including music playing in the corridors) was thoughtfully and carefully maintained. This stay was one of the highlights of my 10-day solo trip.
Guest review by
Delia
Australia
From US$562.20 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.3
Superb - What previous guests thought, 232 reviews
Very nice, traditional experience! We were very surprised with the diversity of the breakfast. If you want to experience a proper Japanese breakfast, here is one place where you can do that very well. The onsen was very pleasant too, but you might need to get accustomed to the temperature. All in all we had a very pleasant stay here and we can definitely recommend! Thanks a lot :)
Guest review by
EntCrafter
Germany
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
Superb - What previous guests thought, 225 reviews
Excellent Dinner and Breakfast. All inclusive drinks. Private Onsen/Hot spring was amazing. Staff were very accommodating and the Cherry blossom in full bloom along the nearby river was a huge bonus. Excellent artworks throughout the property
Guest review by
Currie
Australia
From US$272.45 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.9
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 377 reviews
We chose half board when booking the rooms. Love the breakfast and set dinner. Generous amount of food and very thoughtful kids menu. Outdoor onsen is superb. Rooms are spacious and clean.
Guest review by
Jing
Australia
From US$347.15 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.8
Good - What previous guests thought, 26 reviews
The staff was really helpful. They did their best to help me with anything I needed even with the language barrier. I thought the bath was really nice and the room was relaxing.
Guest review by
Shawna
South Korea
From US$142.71 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.6
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 767 reviews
My favorite hotel during my stay in Japan. Staff was so helpful even though I did not speak any Japanese. Their hospitality was unmatched, could not thank them enough.
Guest review by
Filippo
United States
From US$161.45 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.6
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 454 reviews
Beautiful place to stay. Very traditional and it was an amazing experience for the kids. The staff could not have been more helpful and lovely.
Guest review by
Rod
Australia
From US$367.72 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.7
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 128 reviews
The staff are friendly, polite, and patient. I can't speak Japanese well, but the staff did their best to communicate with me.
Guest review by
Tiffany
Japan
From US$91.08 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.6
Good - What previous guests thought, 780 reviews
Very comfortable beds, probably the best we tried within this price range. Very helpful and kind staff.
Guest review by
Robert
Spain
From US$389.21 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.8
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 144 reviews
A very friendly welcome on arrival. Excellent service. Beautifully appointed rooms.
Guest review by
Alan
Australia
From US$194.61 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.5
Very good - What previous guests thought, 170 reviews
Staff is very nice and provide excellent services. Good meals and good Onsen.
Guest review by
Rodney Wong
Hong Kong
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.7
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 61 reviews
Beautifully presented Ryokan with a lovely bath facing the river
Guest review by
Sophie
Australia
From US$75.64 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.6
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,398 reviews
Great location, friendly staff, big rooms, clean, good breakfast
Guest review by
Avram
Canada
From US$207.58 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.1
Superb - What previous guests thought, 386 reviews
Everything. A little paradise in zao onsen!
Guest review by
Michael
Italy

Planning a trip? Get inspired by reviews of cities in Yamagata

10

I had a wonderful stay at Hotel Metropolitan Yamagata!

I had a wonderful stay at Hotel Metropolitan Yamagata! The location is absolutely perfect—conveniently connected to the station, making it easy to explore the city and surrounding areas. The hotel itself is modern, clean, and well-maintained, providing a comfortable and relaxing experience. The staff were very welcoming and attentive, always ready to assist with a smile. While their hospitality was excellent, I did find that a bit more fluency in English communication would enhance the experience for international guests. That being said, their warmth and willingness to help more than made up for any language barriers. Overall, I truly enjoyed my stay and would definitely recommend Hotel Metropolitan Yamagata to anyone visiting the area. Looking forward to staying here again in the future!
Guest review by
Dela Cruz
Australia
2.0

We booked this hotel specifically because it was sold and...

We booked this hotel specifically because it was sold and represented as offering a mountain view room. Unfortunately, this turned out to be a serious misrepresentation. Only about 10% of the view included any mountain at all. The overwhelming majority of what we saw from our room was another building and rooftops. This was extremely disappointing and upsetting, especially given the premium we paid for this experience. The disappointment left us distressed and unable to even enjoy the expensive dinner and breakfast that were included in our package. What was meant to be a highlight of our trip turned into a very unpleasant experience. To make matters worse, when we left hastily, we accidentally forgot one of our cell phones in the room. Several hours later, after driving back, we were relieved that the phone had been recovered and placed at the front desk. However, the staff made no effort during the entire day to contact us on our primary phone number to alert us. This lack of initiative and courtesy only added to our frustration. For a hotel of this caliber, we expected honesty in advertising, basic consideration for guests’ wellbeing, and a proactive approach to guest service. Unfortunately, none of these expectations were met.
Guest review by
Jeff Rayden
United States
8.0

Yonezawa city has Uesugi Jinjya, the site of the Uesugi clan...

Yonezawa city has Uesugi Jinjya, the site of the Uesugi clan castle. It is very nice, and they have museum and things to see. It's worth a visit to check it out. There is two near-by Onsen, the Onogawa and Shirabu to stay. Yonezawa beef is superb, one of the best in the country. It is also expensive.
Guest review by
Yamashita
United States
8.0

Nice village style ski resort.

Nice village style ski resort. Not busy except for the weekend, which ended up a long weekend as it was the Emperor's birthday on the monday. Always good to check public holidays when going to a ski resort and arrive on a Sunday afternoon.
Guest review by
Christian
Australia
10

Sakata is a very quiet town with a few facilities.

Sakata is a very quiet town with a few facilities. Most of the attractions are walkable if you stay close to the river, slightly long walk from train station. You can visit all attractions within a day (two night stays recommended if you arrived late). Please make sure that the day you arrive all the places are open (not Tuesday or Wednesday). Another interesting town in Japan for a visit.
Guest review by
NANTANA
Thailand
10

Yamagata is a beautiful city.

Yamagata is a beautiful city. It was also our base for visiting other places. We went to Yamadera, Ginza Onsen and Zao Onsen by train and bus, from the Yamagata station. Had Ramen, which was reasonable in value
Guest review by
Anonymous
8.0

Lots of snow during our stay in December. Great skiing.

Lots of snow during our stay in December. Great skiing. Ideally stay around ski lifts so its easier to get to the lifts.. Just be aware to choose a sunny day to take the ski lifts to view the Snow Monster! Takes around more than 1 hour to get on the ski lifts. Many tourist and queue is long. You wont be able to see much if the weather is bad. Never short of snow in Zao Onsen. Nice little village with Lawsons, Family Marts to get your usual Japanese stuff. Limited restaurants but can get by with simple meals. If you want to get to Yamagata City its only 30 mins away by taxi. You have a choice if you want more varieties.
Guest review by
Meng
Malaysia
10

The Yamagata Ski area (Zao Onsen) is fantastic.

The Yamagata Ski area (Zao Onsen) is fantastic. It wasnt crowded, lessons for kids and adults were AUD$55 for 4 hours, lifts were @4$ per lift. Gear hire was AUD$65 for 2 days PP. In Australia lift passes are $250 per day alone. The hotel Sailor Hutte was literally at the base of the ski lifts. Food was cheap ($10-14 per meal) booze was cheap ($3.50 for a beer). The guys at the Hotel Sailor Hutte were great, make an effort to chat with them via your translator app. Its worth it. One more thing, I would recommend buying Shinkansen tickets directly from JR East rail online. Heaps cheaper than buying a seven day pass unless you are planning to spend 7 days on the train. FYI there are 3 Shinkansen companies East, Central and West. They have there own websites a bit clunky in English but it works. Good luck.
Guest review by
Kieran
Australia
8.0

In the summer, Zao is very quiet during weekdays.

In the summer, Zao is very quiet during weekdays. It rains almost every day, so it's advisable to pack quick-dry clothes and sturdy shoes for walking uphill and downhill. If you prefer fruits and vegetables, make sure to bring some with you, as there's no fresh market in town and the only local convenience store doesn't offer many healthy choices. If you happen to encounter a serow, don't make the mistake we did by running away thinking it was a hyena—quite silly of us!
Guest review by
NANTANA
Thailand