Overall Ratings & Reviews Gokan no Yu Tsuruya

The staff are super friendly and always ready to help. The daily prepared meals were delicious and many varieties to choose from. Being able to book hot spring without leaving the resort was super convenient. Loved our family time here in Japan and will definitely come back again soon.

Had an amazing 5 nights at Tsuruya. A very comfortable room with soft sleep mats, low table and chairs and 2 sitting chairs. We had full board and the meals were exceptional. Very fresh Japanese meals. We loved the outdoor onsen - it was a treat to sit in the hot mineral water while being snowed on. The best part of our stay was the friendly and helpful staff who went out of their way for us - either with hints of where to ski, how to eat meals or general interest in our day. Given we have no Japanese, communication was not difficult. Tsuruya also offers shuttles to the 3 main ski slopes although it is only a 5-10 min walk. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and will be back next year.

Located right inside Zao Onsen District, I arrived by car. A very well facilitated hotel, with lift (especially important for travellers which big luggages), private onsen is available for booking. The reception team and hospitality teams speaks some English, and are very warm and friendly.

Great ryokan near the main road of zao. Excellant staff, friendly service with awesome private and public onsens. Big family room was perfect to section off our teenager. Only issue was limited self catering options if you dont take the pricey breakfast/dinner option, single small lawsons in town

Very friendly staffs

It was a very nice stay. The staff were very friendly, polite and helpful with luggage. The hotel is very close to Zao Sanroku Station. Since there was a lot of snow on the top of Zao Mountain, the staff knew that we were here to visit. He saw that we were only wearing sports shoes, and suggested lending us a pair of rubber boot for temporary use. I was really so grateful to him. He also speaks English and can provide useful information. In addition, the hotel provides covered parking spaces in case your vehicle gets covered in snow. The room was clean and tidy. There were two tatami mats in the room and there was still enough space for two large suitcases. A large traditional hot spring bath with indoor and outdoor hot spring pools and plenty of space. You can also choose to enjoy a 50 minutes private bath when you checked in. Highly recommended to those who go to Zao Onsen.

Friendly and helpful staff, great hospitality! Room is spacious (traditional Japanese futon style). Private onsen available for booking for free (per room per day), public onsen is also available at almost 24/7. Highly recommend to book at least 1 set of on-site dinner breakfast, local produces used.

An amazing hotel that I learned about from a friend. Easy to get to as it is directly across from the bus station. Can walk to the ski slopes, which is about five minutes away. Make sure to include breakfast and dinner, as they are amazing served in the room. each room also gets an hour in the private onsen, which is amazing. There is also a public Hot Springs available anytime. English is limited, but the staff are super friendly attentive, and get things done. Ski storage and the set up is perfect to arrive in the morning, Ski, while your room gets ready and then also Ski after you check out. They sell discounted tickets which saves 1100 yen (cash only).

Incredible expe

Staff are very helpful, warm and cozy ambience. Onsen is super nice, loved my stay

Thank you for making the stay special

Great service. Staff are happy and pleasant. And the translation audio device they use makes communication easier. There is a one-time free-use of a private onsen bath among 5 choices during the entire stay. The public open-air bath within the hotel is also not bad. I got a corner room with a view on the ski slopes and it's spacious Japanese style so I have enjoyed my stay very much. The hotel is right across the bus terminal so getting in from Yamagata train station is very convenient. There is also free shuttle service to the Zao ropeway for skiing/snowboaring or cable car to view the snow monsters. Without ski/snowboard gear, it's actually quite an easy 10-minute walk.

staff were incredible. could help enough.

Incredible stay at Gokan no Yu Tsuruya for a ski and onsen vacation. Staff are incredibly friendly, the private and public onsens are phenomenal, and the room was just what I needed to enjoy 5 days in Zao. I'd recommend booking breakfast and dinner ahead if you plan to stay in for dinner. Options around Zao were at times slim, particularly late in the evening. Highly recommend Gokan no Yu Tsuruya to anyone looking for a relaxing way to spend some time.

Hotel staff are friendly and helpful, recommend us good restaurant and advise us what is best time to see snow monster, lift tiket and cable car ticket buy from hotel save us some money.

Nice Japanese style of stay, we arrived late but the staff wait until we arriving. They are helpful and room was clean

We had a great stay at this Ryokan - An adult plus two teenagers. very comfortable and the private onsen are a plus. The only unfortunate part was that they were not serving dinner the day we stayed, which meant needing to look elsewhere - slim pickings in Zao this time of year.

The staff were amazing! Discounted lift tickets if you stay here! And free private onsen once per day, but also free access to the public Onsen! Free shuttle to and from the lifts but also a very short walk if you miss it of want to walk.

The hotel is located right next to the town bus stop, making it very easy if you are traveling by bus. Breakfast was good and plenty and services were great, everyone is capable and helpful. The building itself is a bit old but clean. Easy access to the ski resort as well.

We love this place, friendly staff, we went back to the hotel to rest before dinner and the staff brought us apples as refreshments, great location (across the street from the bus station), lovely onsen, outdoor, indoor or private. I am not a big fan of public onsen, so the private one is perfect. We will definitely stay here next time.