Nihon-no-yado Koyo

“Nihon no Yado Koyo” is a ryokan on a hill in Kaminoyama Onsen. A free scheduled shuttle bus is available from JR Kaminoyama Onsen Station. It is popular for its outstanding location with panoramic views of the majestic Zao mountain range, mineral-rich hot springs, and attentive service. In the industry ranking “Professionals Choose Japan’s Top 100 Hotels & Ryokan,” conducted by a specialist travel newspaper with evaluations by travel-agency executives and others, it has won a Top 10 spot for more than 40 consecutive years. One of Koyo’s biggest appeals is its sulfate spring rich in minerals such as sodium, calcium, and chloride. Beyond the quality of the water, the view from the 8th-floor large public bath’s open-air section—star-filled skies and the rugged Zao mountains—is deeply moving, and is part of Koyo’s signature hospitality. Meals emphasize “safety and peace of mind” and use many local ingredients such as Yonezawa beef, Yamagata beef, and organic / reduced-pesticide vegetables grown by contracted farmers, letting guests fully experience Yamagata’s charms. The rich “Kama Pudding,” made with plenty of egg yolk from Zao’s local chicken eggs, is hugely popular with both adults and children.