Takamiya Ryokan Yamakawa
7,5/10 Very good - Based on 91 reviews
Takamiya Ryokan Yamakawa is a traditional, century-old inn set in Onogawa Onsen within Yonezawa, Yamagata. The property retains a wooden ryokan character and places guests in the centre of a small hot-spring village, with seasonal mountain views visible from many windows. Accommodation totals 30 rooms—primarily Japanese-style with a small selection of mixed Japanese–Western and twin rooms—arranged over several floors accessed by stairs; complimentary Wi‑Fi and on-site parking are provided and the atmosphere emphasises calm, local hospitality rather than modern resort finishes.
Bathing facilities foreground the local mineral water, known for higher salinity and a naturally moisturizing feel: visitors will find a large communal bath, an outdoor rotenburo and a rock-lined kashikiri (private) bath that can be reserved for exclusive use in set time slots. The property operates as a ryokan with onsen in Yonezawa, Yamagata, and highlights the spring both for bathing and culinary use—staff prepare a signature shabu-shabu using the drinkable source water—so the thermal experience is integral to the stay.
Dinners focus on Yonezawa and Yamagata ingredients, with menus that include regional wagyu selections, local pork and seasonal mountain vegetables presented as multi-course Japanese meals in communal dining areas; breakfasts follow a traditional Japanese format. Practical details that shape a visit include a roughly 20‑minute public transport link from the nearest station with a complimentary shuttle service, proximity to communal footbaths and village stalls, and limited elevator access—guests with mobility needs are advised to notify the inn in advance, which also makes it a ryokan with private onsen in Yamagata suited to couples, families and independent travellers.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Takamiya Ryokan Yamakawa
Positive Reviews
Friendly, attentive staff
Multiple reviewers highlight warm, helpful service — staff who explain facilities and local sights, provide valet-style parking assistance and create a welcoming arrival experience.
High-quality onsen (hot springs)
Guests praise the baths and water quality — two源泉 (two springs) with good泉質, soothing indoor and outdoor baths, and a pleasant hot-spring experience that many called the main attraction.
Delicious, well-portioned meals
Several guests compliment the food — both dinner and breakfast were described as tasty, focused on local ingredients, and offered appropriate portion sizes (some mentioning shabu-shabu/sukiyaki and satisfying multi-course meals).
Relaxing traditional ryokan atmosphere and convenient location
Reviewers enjoyed the old-style, calming ryokan ambiance and the property’s position in the heart of the onsen town — easy to stroll nearby streets, riverbanks and enjoy scenic views (some even saw wildlife).
Comfortable rooms and good value options
Many guests reported comfortable bedding, some large rooms and available private-bath room types. Reviewers noted good overall comfort, the ability to control room heating in some rooms, and reasonable value for the experience.
Negative Reviews
Cleanliness and pest problems
Multiple comments report issues with cleanliness: bugs in rooms, numerous dead insects on window sills, spider webs in dining areas, black mold in shampoo bottles and mold on bathing buckets — reviewers asked for more guest-focused cleaning.
Outdated facilities and maintenance shortcomings
Guests frequently noted that parts of the property feel old or not well maintained: worn or dirty areas (behind air conditioners, garden or blinds), noisy ventilation, and general signs of aging that reduce comfort for some visitors.
Onsen access and condition complaints
Although the water quality is praised, some reviewers mentioned problems such as one outdoor bath being mediocre, slippery surfaces near outdoor baths, alternating gender access limiting visits, and occasional poor water pressure or suboptimal temperature in shared bathing areas.
Operational inconveniences and service gaps
Problems reported include daily exchange of car keys for room keys, cars parked outside rather than on-site, and times when reception staff were unavailable — one guest also reported an unsympathetic response and no compensation when raising heating issues.
Limited nearby amenities and some room-specific issues
A few guests noted a lack of late-night food options nearby. Others experienced room-specific problems such as cold rooms with weak or dirty heaters, malfunctioning room toilets, or no hot water in rooms without private baths.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most Japanese-style rooms accommodate up to five guests; some larger room types can sleep up to six. The property has about 30 rooms including a few twin/western-style options.
Yes — there are public indoor baths and an open-air rotenburo fed by local hot springs, and a small private (kashikiri) bath that can be reserved. Baths follow gender-rotation and cleaning schedules, so check reception for current times.
The property offers a shuttle service; guests should contact the ryokan in advance to arrange pick-up location and time. Reception is available 24 hours to confirm transfers.
Yamagata Airport is the nearest at about 76 km; Sendai is the larger regional airport with more connections. Typical routes are train or bus to Yonezawa area followed by the ryokan shuttle or a short taxi drive.
The ryokan provides English information and reviewers report helpful staff; English is spoken to a practical degree. Contact the property ahead of arrival for detailed or special requests.
Meals are traditional multi-course Japanese dinners featuring local Yonezawa ingredients, including the ryokan’s signature shabu-shabu and regional beef or pork dishes, plus a Japanese-style breakfast. Please notify the ryokan in advance about dietary restrictions.
The ryokan sits in Onogawa onsen town, within easy reach of Uesugi Shrine (around 7 km) and Yonezawa city sights (about 9 km). Guests can enjoy local walks, cycling (bike rental available), skiing and fishing in the season.
Check-in is from 15:00 to 18:00 and check-out is between 08:00 and 10:00. If you need an earlier arrival or later departure, contact the ryokan in advance to request options.
Private (kashikiri) baths are available and can be booked with the ryokan; policies and hours are set by the property. Pets are not permitted at the ryokan.
The building is a historic wooden ryokan with stone steps to the entrance and no elevator, so stairs are required to reach many rooms; contact the ryokan if you have mobility concerns. There are convenience shops and a small bottle shop within walking distance in the onsen town.