Tsukasaya Ryokan
9,7/10 Exceptional - Based on 34 reviews
Set in the compact hot-spring village of Yutagawa Onsen, Tsukasaya Ryokan is a family-run inn that preserves traditional Japanese tatami rooms and a quietly domestic atmosphere. Rooms are Japanese-style with futons and tatami flooring, and standard amenities listed include air conditioning, a television, refrigerator, tea set and yukata robes; some room types include a private bathroom while others share the ryokan’s bathing facilities. This ryokan with onsen in Yamagata emphasizes a low-key, authentic stay rather than a large resort feel, with modest communal spaces and attentive, English-capable staff at reception.
The property centers on its naturally free-flowing hot spring: communal baths draw directly from the Yutagawa source and are presented as a core part of the experience. Dining highlights the Shonai region’s produce — seasonal vegetables selected daily, Sea of Japan seafood, local pork and Tsuyahime rice — and the house offers curated sake tasting sets (three, six or ten varieties) to pair with meals. Guests commonly note careful presentation, local sourcing and a proprietor-led approach to food and sake, making the ryokan with onsen an appealing base for culinary-focused visitors to Tsuruoka.
Practical details are straightforward: check-in is in the mid-afternoon with check-out around mid-morning, on-site parking is available, and reception hours cover daytime and early evening. The ryokan serves as a convenient launch point for regional excursions — Mount Haguro and its five-storied pagoda are roughly a 40-minute drive while other Dewa Sanzan sites and coastal drives in Shonai are within an hour or so — so it suits travellers who want a compact, locally rooted hot-spring stay with easy access to Tsuruoka’s cultural routes. This ryokan with onsen in Tsuruoka balances traditional bathing and seasonal cuisine in a small-scale setting.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Tsukasaya Ryokan
Positive Reviews
Excellent, locally focused cuisine
Many guests praise the meals as exceptional—carefully prepared, using fresh local Shonai ingredients and seasonal produce. Breakfast and dinner receive frequent compliments, and the ryokan accommodates dietary needs (eg. vegetarian, gluten-free).
Private and authentic onsen experience
Reviewers highlight the private (kashikiri) baths and communal onsen as standout features: natural, well‑maintained, pleasant temperature, true kakenagashi (flowing spring) water, and easy access without advance reservation in many cases.
Warm, attentive and personalized service
Multiple guests describe the owners and staff as extremely friendly, welcoming and accommodating—personal greetings, helpful local recommendations, sake tastings, and efforts to make stays feel tailored and homely.
Clean, comfortable rooms with authentic ryokan atmosphere
Rooms are described as clean, spacious (some received the largest room), with comfortable futons and traditional design. Guests frequently mention a relaxing, authentic ambience and peaceful hilltop setting.
Additional hospitality touches and amenities
Extras that guests enjoyed include an excellent sake selection and tasting sets, complimentary herbal tea, small recreational touches (eg. table tennis), and overall thoughtful, attentive hospitality that enhances the stay.
Negative Reviews
Limited public transport and tight check‑in timing
Several guests note transport constraints: infrequent buses in the area, required timing to meet the check‑in shuttle (eg. arriving at the station around 16:20), and mismatched connections that can force long waits at the station.
Weak Wi‑Fi signal in some rooms
At least one reviewer reported a weak Wi‑Fi signal inside their room, which could be an issue for guests needing reliable internet access.
Small shared bathrooms / shared toilets in some room types
Some room types use small shared bathrooms or shared toilets on the first floor. While reviewers call them very clean, the shared and compact nature may be a drawback for guests expecting private facilities.
Occasional insects (mosquitoes/bugs) reported
A few guests reported insect issues (mosquito bites or presence of bugs) affecting companions, so insect exposure may be possible depending on season and room/location.
Accessibility concerns (stairs, no elevator)
The property has stairs and no elevator; one guest noted that staff helped carry heavy luggage up to second‑floor rooms but this can be inconvenient for guests with heavy bags or mobility limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
All rooms are Japanese-style tatami rooms in several sizes for solo travellers, couples and families; some family rooms list configurations up to 2 beds plus 4 futons (up to six guests).
Yes — Tsukasaya sits on Yutagawa Onsen and offers shared hot-spring baths fed from the natural source; if you need a private/reservable bath, please check with the ryokan.
The property does not advertise a dedicated hotel shuttle; the nearest airport is Shonai Airport (roughly 30–40 minutes by shuttle or taxi), and the ryokan is reachable by public bus or taxi from Tsuruoka Station.
The ryokan provides English information on its website, but English-speaking staff may be limited; contact the ryokan in advance by email or phone to confirm language support.
Meals focus on seasonal Shonai ingredients served in traditional ryokan style, with an Asian breakfast and proprietor-led sake tasting options available; dinner service may require earlier arrival.
Mount Haguro is about 40 minutes by car, Mount Gassan around 1 hour 10 minutes and Yudonosan roughly 1 hour by car; the ryokan can advise on local sightseeing routes.
From Tsuruoka Station take the Shonai Kotsu bus to Yutagawa Onsen (approx. 30 minutes, local fare) or a taxi (approx. 20 minutes); the ryokan also has limited on-site parking.
Standard check-in is from 15:00 and check-out is by 10:00; if you plan to arrive late or need dinner service, inform the ryokan in advance as dinner guests are asked to arrive earlier.
The official site mentions pet-friendly room options while some booking listings differ, and private-bath availability is not clearly stated — please contact the ryokan directly to confirm both pet and private-bath arrangements.
Yutagawa Onsen is a small village with limited shops; larger supermarkets and convenience stores are located in Tsuruoka city, reachable by bus or taxi in about 20–30 minutes.