Search hotels in Yamagata, Japan

Enter your dates and choose from 292 hotels and other places to stay

Check out these popular cities in Yamagata

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!

Filter by:

Star rating
Review score

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$90.82
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$121.43
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$135.63
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$93.49
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$80.32
1 night, 2 adults

Richmond Hotel Yamagata Ekimae

Hotel in Yamagata

Only a 5-minute walk from JR Yamagata Station’s West exit, Richmond Hotel Yamagata Ekimae features comfortable rooms with free Wi-Fi, drinks vending machines and massage treatments.

N
Nurul
From
Japan
The place is near to yamagata station and lots of convinece store there. Also the lounge at 2nd floor provide free coffee, tea and ice cream for the whole day.That was superb.😍😍
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.6
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 357 reviews
Price from
US$111.93
1 night, 2 adults

Takamiya Hotel Hammond

Hotel in Zao Onsen

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

S
SUJARIN
From
Thailand
the location is good for us is near cable car to top view. and staffs are so kind to suggest good information for us. onsens here is good love it all
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.2
Very good - What previous guests thought, 391 reviews
Price from
US$373.31
1 night, 2 adults

Hotel Route-Inn Tendo

Hotel in Tendo

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.

A
Angelo (アンジェロ)
From
Japan
PRICE: Given that the price included a buffet breakfast, I would definitely say that it is one of the best hotel rates I've found. LOCATION: There is a nearby Starbucks and Max Valu supermarket accessible on foot within 10-15 minutes. Across from Starbucks is Road Station Tendo Onsen, which has a bookstore, a coffee shop, and a big souvenir shop. Within walking distance from the hotel are two foot baths (I think). ROOM: The room can probably accommodate two adults. MATTRESS: The bed was quite firm. It's perfect for me because I like this kind of bed. ROOM AMENITIES: In addition to the usual amenities, I liked it that there were power outlets at the bed headboard. STAFF: The staff at the reception when I checked in was very helpful. They were friendly and smiled a lot. Check in was smooth. So was the check out. BUFFET BREAKFAST: Plenty of choices for a typical Japanese breakfast: rice, egg, grilled fish, Japanese curry, sausages, salad, miso soup, porridge. Drink choices included tea, milk, and orange juice. There are also some bread options with usual jams. INDOOR ONSEN: The onsen was one of the main reasons I booked this hotel. It was a decent size and was a great way to end the day. RELAXATION AREA: There was also a relaxation room just outside the onsen rooms which had two massage chairs, plenty of vending machines.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.0
Very good - What previous guests thought, 302 reviews
Price from
US$90.86
1 night, 2 adults

Hotel Route-Inn Shinjyo Ekimae

Hotel in Shinjo

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...

j
jean-marc
From
Switzerland
very nice hotel with good onsen and very close to station. The rooms were clean and the personnal qualified. The breakfast was good having a mix of everything but of course mainly japanese food as expected in this area of Japan which is not Tokyo. The hotel has a coin laundry which is appreciated as we used it. The onsen is normal for this kind of hotel but always appreciated and products are good. I especially liked the shaving foam with mint perfume (I even tried to buy it in a drug store but could not find the same). Parking for free and only 3 min walk to station. My son enjoyed to watch the Shinkansen leaving Shinjo.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.2
Very good - What previous guests thought, 548 reviews
Price from
US$93.49
1 night, 2 adults

Onsen & Stay OAKHILL

Hotel in Zao Onsen

Situated in Zao Onsen, 700 metres from Zao Onsen Ski Resort, Onsen & Stay OAKHILL features views of the mountain. With ski-to-door access, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi.

M
Marvin
From
Germany
Very nice staff, comfy central hall to chill out in with the free amenities. Amazing onsen, one of the best of those we tried in Zao!
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.4
Very good - What previous guests thought, 72 reviews
Price from
US$414.79
1 night, 2 adults
See all 292 hotels in Yamagata

Most booked hotels in Yamagata in the past month

See all

Popular with guests booking hotels in Yamagata

Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
Superb - What previous guests thought, 1,990 reviews

Popular with guests booking hotels in Yamagata

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.6
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,401 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, 461 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, 137 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$246.90 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$184.35 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$96.78 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$49.38 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.2
Good - What previous guests thought, 146 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$113.64 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$91.52 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$65.84 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$58.31 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$100.81 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$98.76 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$98.76 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$81.57 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$100.08 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$87.57 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.7
Good - What previous guests thought, 495 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$101.39 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$57.28 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$100.82 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$78.81 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.4
Very good - What previous guests thought, 338 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$88.88 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.2
Very good - What previous guests thought, 391 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$89.53 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$96.13 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$114.56 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

See all
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$173.82 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$162.23 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.6
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 454 reviews
Room was excellent and very spacious. We loved the location as it was close to many shops, restaurants, and the ski lifts. The facility staff were very welcoming and helpful for our requests. Breakfast was great. We weren't able to finish everything because there was a lot served. Worth the price. I'd recommend also booking at least 1 night dinner here to try the local seasonal food and Yamagata beef.
Guest review by
shaeri
Philippines
From US$564.90 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.3
Superb - What previous guests thought, 232 reviews
Everything is perfect! The amazing experience was starting from the transportation service. Then the check-in and dinner services, everything feels perfect! I can feel the staffs are all proud of this Hotel and its history and spirit. Thanks for Takamiya gave us such warm experience!
Guest review by
Ray Ming
Taiwan
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$348.82 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$143.40 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$304.18 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.9
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 377 reviews
Wonderful Ryokan, amazing dinner and great breakfast. Relaxing Onsen, attentive staff, comfortable rooms, everything was great. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Guest review by
AM
Canada
From US$391.09 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.8
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 143 reviews
A very friendly welcome on arrival. Excellent service. Beautifully appointed rooms.
Guest review by
Alan
Australia
From US$195.54 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
From US$417.68 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.7
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 128 reviews
Outstanding breakfast buffets. Dinner was a set meal and was fantastic.
Guest review by
Gary
United States
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$91.52 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.6
Good - What previous guests thought, 780 reviews
Staff very friendly and the room was very comfortable.
Guest review by
Bernardo Daniel
Mexico
From US$76 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.6
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,401 reviews
Good location with parking. Room huge. Toilet clean.
Guest review by
Tan
Singapore
From US$208.58 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