Yunohara
8,3/10 Excellent - Based on 53 reviews
Yunohara is a family-run ryokan in the Akakura hot-spring area of Mogami, Yamagata. Set beside a river and framed by seasonal hills, the property pairs a traditional main building with a newer wing that has rooms with toilets and a few with en‑suite baths. Rooms are tatami-floored and arranged to emphasize river or mountain views. As a ryokan with private onsen in Mogami, guests can reserve a private open-air bath for a 45-minute slot to enjoy solitude and the riverside panorama.
Hot spring facilities run 24 hours except for cleaning, with a main indoor bath and an outdoor onsen terrace. A small foot bath and a seasonal sauna program are available, and private open-air baths require advance booking at the front desk. Meals follow a regional, kaiseki-style approach centered on local seasonal produce; set plans showcase Mogami beef and other Yamagata ingredients, presented in courses served in the dining room or, when available, brought to rooms.
Service is hands-on and family oriented, with staff able to assist with local transfers and recommendations for hiking, river fishing and nearby winter sports. Practical conveniences include complimentary parking and property-wide Wi‑Fi, and arrival/departure times are managed with an evening closure of the grounds. For travellers seeking a quietly scaled ryokan with onsen in Yamagata Prefecture that blends traditional rooms, seasonal menus and reservable private bathing, Yunohara offers a straightforward, locally rooted option.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Yunohara
Positive Reviews
Very friendly, helpful staff (good English)
Multiple guests praised the staff as welcoming, accommodating and attentive — including English-speaking team members who assisted with pick‑ups, meal preferences and made stays comfortable.
Excellent meals (dinner and breakfast)
Several reviews highlighted the food as a strength: carefully prepared Japanese dinners and hearty breakfasts described as delicious and thoughtfully presented.
Relaxing onsen experience, including outdoor and private options
Guests enjoyed the onsen facilities — the outdoor baths with river views were called peaceful and spectacular, and private onsen options were appreciated and bookable on site.
Clean, comfortable and spacious rooms with pleasant views
Many reviewers noted warm, cosy and well‑kept rooms, often with nice views (river or koi pond). Some rooms were described as spacious and well organised.
Quiet, restful location with good value
The ryokan was frequently described as a tranquil hideaway away from busy areas. Reviewers liked the relaxing atmosphere and considered the experience affordable given the quality of rooms, food and service.
Negative Reviews
Some facilities show wear and need upgrading
A number of guests mentioned visible signs of wear (e.g. dated in‑room heaters, minor damage like wallpaper holes, rust on fixtures) and suggested parts of the property could benefit from maintenance or modernization.
Remote location and limited public transport
The ryokan is in a quiet/isolated area with few train services; guests noted it can be hard to reach without arranging staff pickup or allowing time for a long walk from the station.
Occasional staffing gaps at front desk or during meals
A few reviewers reported times when no staff were present at reception or meal times, which made it difficult to ask questions or be shown to dining areas.
Minor cleanliness and amenity issues in bathing areas
Some visitors reported small cleanliness concerns in bath areas (e.g. slightly dirty bath floor) and missing amenities noted by a guest such as bottled drinking water.
Inconsistent breakfast quality for some guests
While many praised the meals, at least one reviewer found the breakfast mediocre — suggesting the breakfast experience may not be uniformly strong for every guest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rooms are traditional Japanese style with futons; standard rooms typically sleep two and family rooms can accommodate up to five guests on futons.
Yes — the ryokan offers communal thermal baths including an indoor public bath, an open-air (rotenburo) bath and a sauna for registered guests.
Private onsen options are not listed as standard; contact the ryokan directly to ask about any private-bath availability or reservation options.
There is no regular airport shuttle, but the ryokan runs occasional shuttle plans (for example to nearby Ginzan Onsen) and can advise on transfers; pickup by arrangement may be possible if requested in advance.
The closest train stations are Oishida (about 25 km) and Shinjo (about 32 km); most guests take a train there and then a taxi to the ryokan. Major regional airports serving the area include Yamagata and Sendai, from which you would continue by train and taxi.
Staff speak Japanese and some English, and the ryokan provides basic English information on its site to assist international guests.
Yunohara serves traditional Japanese meals on-site, using seasonal and local ingredients for set dinners and breakfast; specific menu details or dietary requests should be confirmed with the ryokan before arrival.
The property offers free on-site parking and luggage storage; supermarkets or larger shops are located in nearby towns, so plan supplies accordingly.
Nearby attractions include Ginzan Onsen, mountain scenery and seasonal hiking, and local winter sports opportunities; the ryokan is a good base for exploring the Mogami area and nearby hot-spring towns.
Typical check-in begins in the mid-afternoon (around 15:00) with check-out in the morning (around 10:00); confirm exact times with the ryokan when you book.