Onsen of Zao Kokusai Hotel, let’s first summarize the characteristics of the hot spring water.
Characteristics of ZAO’s Hot Spring Water:
Sulfur Content: The strong sulfur smell is a notable feature, and it has a smoothing effect on the skin. This scent is particularly strong near the hotel front desk and the large public bath (but not in the rooms).
Temperature: There are both hot and lukewarm baths available, so you can choose according to your preference.
Healing Effects: The water smooths the skin and thoroughly warms the body. Even while enjoying the snowy scenery, your body won’t get cold. However, it can sting if you have any cuts. It’s perfect for relieving ski fatigue.
Public Baths: The onsen at Zao Kokusai Hotel isn’t extensive, but it includes the following facilities:
Large Public Bath
Open-Air Bath (both hot and lukewarm)
Foot Bath
Despite the limited number of baths, the overwhelming sulfur scent and the unique texture of the water, which makes your skin feel slippery, are very appealing. It really warms you up, and even after enjoying the snowy scenery, your body doesn’t get cold at all. However, it can sting if you have any cuts.
What’s great is that even during the busiest time of the year, the New Year’s holiday, there were only about 7-8 people in the evening, and around 2-3 people when I went at 7 AM. It was almost like having the place to myself. The combination of the snowy scenery and the onsen is just amazing.
Private Baths: Zao Kokusai Hotel has three private baths.
You can use the private baths by contacting the front desk and paying a fee. This time, I rented the “Forest Blessing Bath.” Private baths are really nice. You can bathe at your own pace, step out onto the terrace naked, and then get back into the bath. Before I knew it, 45 minutes had passed.
Zao no Kaze Group: Actually, Zao Kokusai Hotel is part of the Zao no Kaze hotel group, which includes two other wonderful nearby hotels whose onsens you can also use. And they even provide shuttle bus service! However, it’s only available between 09:00 and 16:00, so be mindful of the time.
Zao no Kaze
Zao Shiki no Hotel
Zao Onsen Omiya Ryokan (founded 1000 years ago?)
7. Facilities (Rating: 4)
The lounge after the onsen is a delight. You can enjoy water, drinking yogurt, ice candy, and some snacks (which are quite tasty). The building itself has a historical feel, but it is well-maintained and clean. The East Wing, where I stayed, was newly renovated and very clean.
8. Meals (Rating: 4)
The photos should convey how delicious the food looks, so I won’t go into too much detail! Yamagata is one of Japan’s top gourmet prefectures. My favorite rice variety, Tsuyahime, along with Yonezawa beef and mountain vegetables, were all meticulously prepared and absolutely fantastic.
Breakfast was incredibly luxurious. There was curry, nameko mushroom soup, mountain vegetables, salted salmon, Tsuyahime rice, ochazuke (rice with tea), and more. There was so much to choose from, but I couldn’t eat it all because I was too full.
コメント