Search ryokans in Yamagata

staff was really friendly and would go above and beyond. breakfast and dinner was also delish! would happily come back again

My family had an absolutely lovely stay for one night at this ryokan. We in particular enjoyed the outdoor private (!) onsen (as it is normally a little bit too hot for me to bathe in onsen the cold air from being outside in winter was great), and the staff was incredibly friendly and accomodating. We got help with bringing our luggage to the station when we checked out, and they offered to help out if we ever ran into any trouble on our travels through northern Japan. I would definitely recommend booking the dinner and breakfast option at least once, for a chance to try local specialities and enjoy the beautiful presentation of traditional Japanese food. Kudos to the wonderful staff, I will be recommending Arimakan to any friends thinking of visiting Yamagata!

Awesome room with private Onsen

Where do I start? This place is amazing to stay at! I regret that we only stayed one night! The room was clean and the beds were comfortable. Breakfast was included and it was buffet style. Due to it being so early in the season, a lot of restaurants were closed, but the reception staff recommended a lovely BBQ place a short walk away which was delicious! The baths were to die for! We used both the private and public baths.

In the heart of Zao Onsen village and a short walk to the main "ropeway" or cable car. The room was beautiful with a table and cushionbs and a cupboard with futons to put out. We went western style and left our futons out all the time we were there and had some of the cushions as a makeshift bedhead against the cupboard. The food was absolutely amazing - we had a shabu shabu hot pot dinner that was cooked on our table and it was difficult to stop eating although despite the very generous serving. Breakfast was also plentiful and nutritiously so well balanced that we could go on skiing for hours without a break. The owner is charming and although we hired a local guide for going back country we should have just talked to the owner. He has been skiing is Zao all his life and was a champion giant slalom skier and is a volunteer search and rescue patrol guy too. The mother has a shop downstairs and her delicious sweet dumplings get sold out everyday. Don't worry about not having a private bathroom (I normally prefer this) as the facilities are scrupulously clean. There is a lovely communal bath (one for men, another for women) and the best onsen in town just opposite (free voucher available from the front desk). Felt really well looked after. Will definitely come back!! Zao Onsen is like a ghibli world. There are snow rabbits running about in the breathtaking scenery of the snow monsters and apparently giant foxes and (musasabi) giant flying squirrels with 1.6m wingspan (very rare to see though). Just lovely! Zao also has a new excellent music bar/restaurant called Takiyama Studio. The chefs drum and play guitiar and various instruments and a waitress sings - it was amazing, especially the qualilty of the waitresses singing and guitar playing. The chef's singing was not my cup of tea but he knew his way around an axe!

Japanese style room was very nice. Personal very friendly. Onsen really good!

Beautiful rooms and facilities with very helpful staff

Amazing location by the sea. We watched a perfect sunset from our dinner table and walked on a beautiful beach in the morning. The staff are very kind, helpful, and friendly. Dinner and breakfast were fantastic. Cold green tea is available outside the baths. A probiotic drink was offered in the morning.

Food is good Room is clean n spa is good Staff is exceptional friendly. We arrive at bus stop as train station is under repair and got stranded. We sent a last minute email requesting for hotel pickup as we didnt have a japan phone line. Really grateful that they pick us up at last minute request.

Roof top bath and breakfast. Coffee at the ground floor lobby was lovely looking into the beautiful garden. The room was nice and clean.