Mikiya Sansorai

We stayed here as an overnight stop before joining a snowshoe tour to see the snow monsters at Zao Bodaira Plateau from Kaminoyama, as two women in our 60s. The Accommodation has been renovated, and rather than an overly elaborate “Japanese-modern” style often seen in refurbished Japanese-style Rooms, we appreciated the thoughtful touches such as reused fittings and wall hangings made from obi sashes. The calm color scheme was lovely. The only small thing is that it would have been even better if the washbasin in the Room were a bit higher.The large public bath was very spacious and relaxing. The wash area and amenities were simple yet clean and more than sufficient. We were grateful for the heated floor in the changing room. It would also be nice if there were clips to secure slippers after taking them off inside the building (we prefer to use the same slippers throughout our stay, so this would help prevent mix-ups).Making drinks all-inclusive with QR code ordering seems like a policy aimed at keeping staffing costs down given current circumstances, but service was still smoothly paced. We could enjoy delicious local sake without worrying about the bill, and because dinner was served in satisfying portions of excellent food, we ended up enjoying even more drinks—overall we were extremely satisfied. The Zao beef in particular was astonishingly good. Is the craft beer in the lounge locally made? Please list the brand names—craft beer lovers would enjoy it even more.Overall, between the snowy courtyard view and heaters warming up what could otherwise be chilly corridors, we felt a wonderful Tohoku atmosphere that let us truly unwind. We also felt comforted by everyone’s unpretentious, heartfelt hospitality and natural friendliness—it really conveyed Tohoku warmth. We would definitely like to stay again if we have another opportunity.

I had a great time. Perhaps because my schedule was different from others, I was able to enjoy the accommodation almost exclusively without encountering other guests except during meals. The indoor bath and sink were a bit inconvenient to use, but overall it was excellent. Thank you very much.