Hotels near Zao Ropeway, Yamagata City

The location is super convenient, just a 2-minute walk from Zao Onsen Ropeway Station. There's a ski rental shop about a 1-minute walk away. You can store your ski equipment in a specific locker in your room on the ground floor, or use the password-locked lockers in the lobby. Zao Bus Terminal is about a 7-minute walk. They even offer a free ride back to Zao Bus Terminal when you check out. For dinner, there are six delicious and beautifully presented options to choose from. A Lawson convenience store is about a 5-minute walk for evening snacks. The onsen (hot spring) is a good size, not too big, not too small. And since there weren't many guests, it was a very pleasant experience.

The room was very spacious, and the facilities were decent. The hotel staff were very friendly. There's also a private onsen available for an extra charge. You can buy lift tickets and rent ski equipment directly at the hotel, and the prices are slightly cheaper. The hotel dinners tend to be kaiseki-style, different every day but feeling somewhat similar. Breakfast is a buffet. Overall, it was pretty good, but the lack of a washing machine was inconvenient, especially since clothes can get a bit smelly after skiing.

This hotel is excellent! I checked in a bit late, and a Filipino staff member was incredibly helpful, assisting with the check-in process and introducing all the facilities. On another note, I realized I had left something behind after checking out and called the hotel. It was the same staff member who answered and immediately helped arrange for my forgotten item to be mailed to my hotel in Sendai. I'm very grateful for the hotel's service and its warm-hearted staff. I also commend the hotel for its excellent staff training. The next time I return to Zao, I will definitely choose this hotel again. Not only that, but the hotel's facilities are also fantastic, especially the large public bath – soaking in the hot spring after a long day really helps to relieve fatigue!

This stay in Yiulocalzao exceeded expectations! For skiers, the location is invincible, walking distance to the snow field, saving a lot of traffic time. The equipment in the room is everything and is very well maintained. The most pleasant surprise is that free parking is provided, which is too friendly to self-driving tourists. In addition, the apartment is also equipped with a washing machine and a kitchen. After skiing, you can dry the equipment immediately and cook some hot food yourself. It is a perfect choice for a long stay in the snow season! Highly recommended to friends who plan to ski in Tibet.

I've stayed in over a dozen onsen ryokans of this type, but this one really missed the mark, especially considering the price of over 3000 yen per night. 1. The hot spring water itself is excellent, but any onsen in Zao is bound to be good. 2. The rooms don't have private bathrooms. Here's the main issue: the entire ryokan only has two small onsen pools. One has 2 shower stalls, and the other has 6. Imagine 8 men squeezed into a pool of about 2 square meters, then queuing to take a shower – what a scene! Plus, all these are indoor pools; the ryokan doesn't offer any outdoor baths. 3. The pictures show the public bath in front of the hotel, which I ended up paying a few hundred yen to use because the hotel's own pools were so disappointing. Overall, if you're looking to enjoy hot spring bathing, do not book here. If your main purpose is skiing, you might consider it, as it's only a 5-minute walk from the ski slopes.

After arriving at the bus stop, I found out that there are no taxis in the Zao Onsen area in the summer. I was in a pinch, so I called the inn and they arranged a free shuttle, which was very helpful! As soon as I got off the bus, a staff member greeted me with a smile and quickly carried my luggage into the inn. Once I arrived, all the staff were very polite and pleasant, leaving a very good impression! The man at the front desk was especially kind and warm, and his soft Yamagata accent was very soothing. The hot spring water temperature and quality were excellent, and the open-air bath allowed me to relax and unwind while feeling the nature. It was also very convenient to be able to watch YouTube and Netflix on the TV in my room. There was an event going on, so the menu was different from usual, but the food was excellent. Everything was delicious, and I was especially impressed by the large selection of fresh vegetables and the many options available, including one that catered to vegetarians and vegans! Overall, it was a wonderful inn, but there were some disappointments. Even though the room was renovated and comfortable, the unit bath was quite old and dated. Also, while soaking in the smaller of the two large (small) baths, the bath was so small that body soap and shampoo from people washing their bodies and hair kept getting into the hot spring, which was very unpleasant. It's a real shame to have such a wonderful hot spring bath only to be soaked in dirty water and soaps constantly seeping in. 😢 I really wish this smaller bath would be a private bath where only those who have thoroughly washed themselves in the larger large bath could enjoy a leisurely soak, eliminating the body soap and shampoo.

The hotel's onsen (hot spring) was incredibly appealing and clean. Its location is super convenient, less than a 10-minute walk to both Zao Onsen town and the ski resort. The staff were also very professional and attentive. I experienced this firsthand after checking out: there was an issue with my luggage that I had asked them to ship for me, as the delivery information was incomplete and the courier refused to accept it. The hotel promptly emailed me to understand the situation. Given that I only had two days left in Japan and had already traveled far from Zao, the hotel thoughtfully assisted by explaining things to the logistics company and advocating on my behalf. In the end, they even arranged for a special vehicle to deliver the refused luggage to the nearest JR station's courier counter for immediate arrangement. I am truly grateful for the hotel's assistance and swift action!

Overall a practical hotel close to the slopes, room was simple but fine. Free shuttle provided which proved very convenient. Breakfast was good with different options both Japanese and western styles. Staff was helpful especially the Japanese personnel and the young lady in the breakfast room however there was one Indian-like man who was not really hospitable, never smiling and never talking (no hello, nothing at all) staring at you which made me uncomfortable.

We arrived late (20:15) due to temporary closure of Sendai Airport (tsunami warning), and obviously we were late for the hotel dinner after having to travel all the way up from Narita instead. We were tired and hungry when we arrived, but the hotel disappointed us even more for not reserving our paid dinners for us, nor was there a reimbursement. Did they just throw the food away after all the preparation work? The (presumably) manager's attitude was one of inflexibility and apathy, so atypical of Japanese etiquette. The restaurants nearby were all closed already and we had to starve for the first night there. Very unpleasant and inconsiderate arrangement.

This hotel is located in a beautiful ski resort. Opening the window, you're greeted with a stunning view of a snow-covered landscape. The staff are incredibly attentive, especially the drivers who provide shuttle services to various locations. Even though they don't speak English, their dedication to service is exceptional. Although the rooms show their age, they are clean and tidy. There are private onsens available, both in-room and outdoor, but they come with an additional charge. While the location isn't ideal for walking, the shuttle service is excellent.