Takamiya Ryokan Miyamaso is a luxury ryokan in Zao Onsen, a hot-spring resort village in the mountains of Yamagata Prefecture, roughly 40 minutes by bus from JR Yamagata Station. The property sits close to the village's onsen bathhouse district and is positioned as one of Zao Onsen's higher-end traditional inns, built in a classic Japanese wooden style with landscaped garden views and quiet interior corridors typical of an upscale ryokan. Guest rooms are exclusively Japanese-style, ranging from standard tatami rooms to rooms with their own open-air bath and river-view rooms, plus a suite category for special-occasion stays. Dining centers on a multi-course kaiseki dinner served using Yamagata ingredients such as Yonezawa beef and mountain vegetables, typically included with the room rate along with breakfast. The ryokan's indoor and outdoor rotenburo baths draw on Zao's acidic sulfur springs, and several rooms offer private in-room baths for guests who prefer a more secluded soak. There is no separate fitness center or pool, consistent with the onsen-ryokan format, where the bathing and dining experience is the primary amenity. Service is attentive and personalized in the traditional ryokan style, with staff typically assisting with yukata fitting, meal timing, and transport arrangements, making it well suited to couples and travelers seeking a quieter, higher-end alternative to Zao Onsen's larger hotels.
Room types
- Japanese-style room
- Japanese-style room with open-air bath
- River-view room
- Suite
Amenities
- indoor onsen bath
- outdoor rotenburo bath
- private bath rooms
- kaiseki dinner
- restaurant
- wifi
- garden views
Location
54 Zao Onsen, Yamagata-shi, Yamagata 990-2301, Japan
38.1225, 140.4350 View on map
Highlights
- Private open-air bath rooms available for in-room onsen soaking
- Kaiseki multi-course dinner featuring Yamagata regional ingredients
- Garden and river-view room categories for a quieter stay
- Traditional wooden ryokan architecture in the Zao Onsen village center
- Higher-end alternative to Zao Onsen's larger hotel properties
Tips for visiting
- Reserve rooms with a private open-air bath well in advance, as they sell out first
- Dinner times are usually fixed by the ryokan; confirm timing at check-in
- Wear the provided yukata to and from the shared onsen baths, as is local custom
- January-February brings peak ski-season pricing and demand
- Call ahead in English if needed, as the phone line may be Japanese-only
Accessibility
As a traditional multi-level wooden ryokan, the property has limited step-free access and tatami-floor rooms; guests with mobility concerns should contact the ryokan directly to confirm accessible options.
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Frequently asked questions
Does Takamiya Ryokan Miyamaso have rooms with private baths?
Yes, select Japanese-style rooms include a private open-air bath in addition to the ryokan's shared indoor and outdoor onsen baths.
Is dinner included in the room rate?
Most bookings include a kaiseki-style multi-course dinner and breakfast, in keeping with traditional ryokan half-board plans.
How far is the ryokan from Yamagata Station?
Zao Onsen is about 40 minutes from JR Yamagata Station by regular bus service.
Is the ryokan suitable for families?
It is geared more toward couples and adults seeking a quiet, upscale stay, though larger suite rooms can accommodate small families.