Ōmiya Ryokan — Hotel in Yamagata

This place embodied everything and anything I heard and hoped for in a ryokan, at an extremely reasonable cost - from the moment we were picked at Yamagata station till when we were dropped off at the bus station.||||Apart from the usual scrumptious meals that one would expect from a ryokan (this ryokan had an especially good spread thanks to the famous beef found in the Yamagata prefecture), the level of service from this Omiya ryokan was on another level altogether.||||When Kazama-san, our host, picked us up from the bus drop-off point, I distinctly remembered him bending down to wipe our suitcase wheels so we would not dirty the immaculate ryokan, with tatami floors throughout the establishment. And, even though I speak a decent amount of Japanese, he did his very best to accommodate my brother, who only spoke English. ||||He sat down and explained how to get around the onsen town and how best to make use of our short one-night stay. He proudly showed us around the ryokan - the dining hall, indoor and outdoor onsen area, the lounge area with massage chairs and blankets and the lobby with sweet sake that one can enjoy after a good onsen soak or a day out on the slopes.||||When he saw me struggling to find the famous outdoor baths - Zao Dai Rotemburo (photo can be found in this post) the next morning, he gave me detailed instructions and recommended I buy an entry ticket to the onsen at 300 JPY (a special rate given to the ryokan). It costs 500 JPY when you buy it at the Rotemburo itself.||||His attention to details manifested again when he noticed the complimentary JPY500 gift voucher that I did not use sticking out of my plastic bag just as my brother and I were about to leave for the bus station. He asked me for it and ran into the gift shop to get me socks, with Yamagata apples printed on it. It remains one of the most precious souvenirs I got from Yamagata.||||Kazama-san, お疲れ様でした。||Thank you for showing us the meaning of "おもてなしomotenashi". ||I will visit again in...

This place embodied everything and anything I heard and hoped for in a ryokan, at an extremely reasonable cost - from the moment we were picked at Yamagata station till when we were dropped off at the bus station.||||Apart from the usual scrumptious meals that one would expect from a ryokan (this ryokan had an especially good spread thanks to the famous beef found in the Yamagata prefecture), the level of service from this Omiya ryokan was on another level altogether.||||When Kazama-san, our host, picked us up from the bus drop-off point, I distinctly remembered him bending down to wipe our suitcase wheels so we would not dirty the immaculate ryokan, with tatami floors throughout the establishment. And, even though I speak a decent amount of Japanese, he did his very best to accommodate my brother, who only spoke English. ||||He sat down and explained how to get around the onsen town and how best to make use of our short one-night stay. He proudly showed us around the ryokan - the dining hall, indoor and outdoor onsen area, the lounge area with massage chairs and blankets and the lobby with sweet sake that one can enjoy after a good onsen soak or a day out on the slopes.||||When he saw me struggling to find the famous outdoor baths - Zao Dai Rotemburo (photo can be found in this post) the next morning, he gave me detailed instructions and recommended I buy an entry ticket to the onsen at 300 JPY (a special rate given to the ryokan). It costs 500 JPY when you buy it at the Rotemburo itself.||||His attention to details manifested again when he noticed the complimentary JPY500 gift voucher that I did not use sticking out of my plastic bag just as my brother and I were about to leave for the bus station. He asked me for it and ran into the gift shop to get me socks, with Yamagata apples printed on it. It remains one of the most precious souvenirs I got from Yamagata.||||Kazama-san, お疲れ様でした。||Thank you for showing us the meaning of "おもてなしomotenashi". ||I will visit again in...

Having travelled to Japan for holidays for over 20 years, we had never stayed at a ryokan before. My wife was particularly excited to experience a traditional Japanese inn for the first time. Here’s our take on Omiya Ryokan:

The Good Authentic Atmosphere The ryokan is beautifully furnished with wood and tatami flooring, providing a cozy and traditional Japanese ambiance.

Scenic Location Perched on a slightly elevated hill, it is conveniently located right in front of a Shinto shrine.

24-Hour Onsen The onsen is small but clean and open 24/7. The male and female baths switch during the day, offering variety.

Extras Some days we were served amazing fruits and made us happy like small kids getting candies though it wasn’t consistent.

The Bad Lack of Information There’s insufficient guidance for foreign tourists. For example: While the website mentions a shuttle bus to and from Yamagata Station, this was not communicated at the ryokan itself. Guests can apparently use the onsen at sister hotels, but this was never explained during check-in.

Service Quality While Japanese hospitality is usually exceptional, Omiya’s service fell short. The ryokan seemed understaffed: Some staff members lacked the expected politeness, though the ladies were generally more courteous. One male staff member stood out with a particularly unenthusiastic attitude. Assistance with luggage upon checkout would have been appreciated, especially as the entrance involves a slight slope.

Internet Free Wi-Fi is available but virtually unusable. It might be fine for those with minimal internet needs, but anyone requiring a reliable connection will be frustrated.

Overall We truly enjoyed Zao Onsen as a destination, it’s a refreshing change. However, while the ryokan’s traditional setting was charming, the lack of clear communication, poor service, and poor internet connectivity detracted us from the experience. We would visit Zao Onsen again, but we’ll choose a different...