Omiya Ryokan

Used the Shuttle Service from Yamagata Station (transfer at a parking lot near the sister Hotel, Shiki no Hotel). The moment I arrived at Omiya Ryokan, they quickly wiped down my suitcase so I could roll it around inside without worry. It was very comfortable being able to walk around the Accommodation without slippers. Because Zao Onsen’s sulfur content can cause corrosion, they said they do not have an elevator (the stairs were a bit tough, but understandable). The smell really was strong! In the large public bath there were ventilation openings on the wall to prevent sulfur exposure, so it felt a little cold while bathing—but the sulfur-rich Onsen made it worth it. Maybe because it was slightly off peak season, they had availability and upgraded my Room from a semi-double to a standard double. Feeling grateful, I ordered not only a glass of wine at dinner but also an extra mini bottle of Takahata Winery sparkling wine “Yoshi.” I was happy they offered Yamagata wines too—not just imports. The rice was Tsuyahime. The firmness after cooking was exactly how I like it!! It was delicious both at night and in the morning. Usually when using solid fuel for hot pot at the table, staff light it right as you sit down—but I eat slowly while drinking and reading. They kindly told me at the start, “Please let us know when you’d like us to light it.” Such thoughtful service. The grilled American eggplant with cheese also paired perfectly with wine. Since this is a sister property of Kokusai Hotel and Shiki no Hotel, their bath-hopping pass that lets you enjoy day-use baths at those two Hotels is great. Omiya Ryokan is a little farther away, but still walkable; in mid-March the snow on the roads had melted so there was no problem walking there. When I asked staff whether there were still snow monsters (juhyo), they said this year they had already melted… But since I’d come all this way (and even though it’s pricey), I paid for the ropeway and went up to the summit—and there they were! Locals might say those weren’t “real” juhyo anymore, but for tourists they were more than enough. When I sent photos to an acquaintance, they said that when they went before it was so windy they couldn’t even step outside at the top station—so in that sense mine may have been better luck. There weren’t huge thick ones, but since I wasn’t skiing down through them anyway, just being able to enjoy them around the top station was plenty. During peak season there can be very long lines for the ropeway ticket counter/boarding area, so shifting your timing slightly is definitely worth considering.

A trip with a friend. Although I have visited Zao Onsen several times, this was my first time staying overnight instead of a day trip. Based on everyone's reviews, we decided to stay at Omiya Ryokan.The entire accommodation, including the room, was impeccably clean, the meals were delicious, and the onsen quality was outstanding! Above all, the warm smiles and kind words from the staff made our time truly delightful.The bed in our room was very comfortable to sleep in, and looking out of the window at another ryokan nearby gave me a deep appreciation for being in a traditional Japanese onsen accommodation.The tatami flooring throughout the building felt cozy. The layout with stairs going up and down added charm for me personally—it’s perfect for soaking in the atmosphere of this historic onsen ryokan! Plus, it served as light exercise after meals—a win-win!Every dish we had—from Yamagata beef to freshly harvested Tsuyahime rice and even each small side dish—was incredibly delicious. I couldn’t help but overeat because everything was so good!For onsen lovers like us, having Kamiyu (Upper Bath) and Shimoyu (Lower Bath) just steps away is an amazing location advantage.We also greatly appreciated the shuttle service between Yamagata Station and the accommodation both ways. Thank you so much for your hospitality!