As suggested by the topic, this is one of the most forigener friendly hotel in the area, judged by the level of easy access, multi-lingual signage and above average English proficiency of a small number of the staffs. This hotel is by no mean an outstanding establishment, but it does ease the frustration if you don't speak the Language. ||||||Location:||||If you're here for the skiing or the Zao Peak, the location is pretty good. 10 minutes walk away from both the ski hill and the Gondola to the peak. There are a few restaurant around the corner, as well as a post office. The bus stop for leading back to the city is located right across from this property, making arrival and departure quite easy.||||||Getting There:||||Zao Onsen Area is located 40mins away from Yamagata City, and is only accessible by either bus or driving. Find you way to JR Yamagata Station, and the bus will depart every our until 8:40pm daily (except sat, sun and Holidays where the last bus is 6:20pm). Parking is free at the Tsuruya Hotel, but make sure you arrive earlier to secure a spot as the car park gets full early.||||The closest airport from here is Yamagata Airport, served twice daily by JAL from Tokyo and Osaka. Car rental is available in both JR Yamagata Station and the Yamagata Airport. All Rental car will include free GPS and major car rental company (e.g. Toyota, Times) will have GPS in English interface available as option.||||||Services:||||Typical Japanese hospitality, outstanding but a bit robotic. Staffs that speak efficient English was a surprise, this is a rare sighting in Japanese hotels.||||||Food:||||Although this is an Onsen Hotel, your room rate might not include meals at all, and it should clearly say so when you book the room. Don't panic if your meal is not included, as this hotel is not located exactly in the middle of nowhere, there are food options within walking distance (there is actually a pretty nice place that serves Western Breakfast right across from the hotel). If you drive, you may opt for driving to Yamagata City for dinner, as it is merely a 30mins drive if you drove yourself there, we had a fabulous meal of Japanese beef BBQ there.||||||Rooms and Sleep Quality:||||The rooms are quite small in size, but that should't be too much of a problem as you won't be spending much time inside. All rooms are in traditional Japanese layout, which means you'll be sleeping on Tatami. You're hereby reminded you're in an onsen hotel, which shower facility will not be included inside your room.||||||Onsen:||||I was honestly a bit disappointed with the onsen they have here. It is a bit small and not very scenic. The water is not as great as most onsen I've tired before. ||||||Tips:||||1. I'm unaware of the existence of WiFI services, may I just didn't check. If staying connected is very important to you, make sure you acquire a 3G/4G tourist sim prior or upon your arrival into Japan. They are available through major international gateways such as Narita, Haneda, Chubu, Osaka..., but if you happen to arrive through a smaller local airport, the chances of you ever seeing one is slim. ||||2. Yamagata Prefecture is famous for its beef, do try the A5 Grade beef at a Japanese BBQ if you have the chance to stop by Yamagata City for lunch or dinner.