Takamiya Ryokan Miyamaso

761. Takamiya Ryokan Miyamaso, Zao Onsen, Yamagata (pt.1) ★ A rare traditional large ryokan in Zao Onsen. It is part of the Takamiya Hotel Group and gives you access to free day-use bathing at 7 other hotels in the group (some have gender-swapped bath schedules, so even more baths are available). At the same time, you cannot use day-use bathing to enter Ryokan Miyamaso itself from the other hotels in the group. In the morning there is a gender swap for the baths between men and women. There is a private bath for ¥3000 (I did not use it). I stayed overnight. I chose the double meal plan (breakfast and dinner), served in a separate room, and the food itself was solid overall. The unusual part was ordering paid drinks through a tablet. During the snowy season, the room rate was overpriced. There were a lot of staff at the hotel, most of them Japanese, and most of them spoke good English. The room was traditional Japanese, but instead of futons it had thick mattresses. For winter locations, I consider that a plus. The temperature in winter was comfortable, not cold. There were some issues with the doors in the room and the bedroom, they got stuck, but nothing serious. A decent ryokan, with many different baths, but the baths themselves were not that impressive. In season, the price is high. The day-use bathing option for visiting other onsen at Takamiya Hotel Group hotels is great, but other hotels in the group offer the same option and cost much less. If you specifically want a traditional ryokan in Zao, this looks like one of the best options in the village. But if you compare it broadly with ryokan across the country, there are many more interesting options. 09.01.2026 10.01.2026

761. Takamiya Ryokan Miyamaso, Zao Onsen, Yamagata (pt.2) ★ About the onsen: 1. First floor. First set of baths, alternating between men and women. 1.1. Indoor bath. The water is acidic, cloudy, bluish-white. Temperature: 44.5. Breathing inside is fine. 1.2. Outdoor wooden barrel on the balcony. No view. The water is acidic, cloudy, bluish-white. Temperature: 44. 2. Second floor. First set of baths, alternating between men and women. I visited this set in the evening, but it is better to go in daylight, the view greatly enhances these baths. 2.1. Indoor bath. The water is acidic, cloudy, bluish-white, but less concentrated than usual in Zao Onsen. Temperature: 44.5. Breathing is good, the bath is sort of semi-indoor. 2.2. Small semi-open-air bath. View of the snow, and somewhere below you can hear a river. The water is clear with a bluish tint, with lime on the bottom. Temperature: 44. 3. First floor. Second set of baths, alternating between men and women. 3.1. Indoor bath. The water is acidic, cloudy, bluish-white. Temperature: 42.5. Breathing inside is comfortable. 4. Second floor. Second set of baths, alternating between men and women. 4.1. Indoor bath. The water is acidic, cloudy, bluish-white, but less concentrated than usual in Zao Onsen. Temperature: 45.5. 4.2. Outdoor wooden barrel. No view. The water is acidic, cloudy, bluish-white. Temperature: 44.5. 09.01.2026 10.01.2026

Double meals (dinner and breakfast) at Takamiya Ryokan Miyamaso, Zao Onsen 09.01.2026 10.01.2026