Yuzawa Hotel
6,3/10 Good - Based on 75 reviews
Yuzawa Hotel sits in the town of Yuzawa, Niigata, offering a traditional Japanese lodging experience with a selection of tatami rooms laid out for futon sleeping, some family-sized layouts and rooms with mountain views. The property is positioned for winter sport access and local sightseeing, within easy reach of the Gala Yuzawa area and other nearby ski centres; guests can expect practical amenities such as free Wi‑Fi, kettles in rooms and communal sitting spaces. The hotel presents itself as a straightforward ryokan with onsen in Yuzawa, Niigata, suitable for travellers who prioritise proximity to slopes and public-transport links.
Bathing facilities include a communal indoor onsen and an open-air bath, together described as public bathing options rather than private rotenburos; the property also lists massage services and a public bath among its guest facilities. Rooms are typically Japanese-style with shared-bathroom arrangements for some room types, and the hotel provides basic in-room and lodging items such as towels, slippers and yukata for guests. The overall layout and services are oriented to group and family stays, with multi-futon configurations and communal areas for post-ski relaxation.
Practical details emphasise a standard check-in window in the afternoon and a morning check-out time, advance notice for arrival times is requested, and pets are not accepted. Onsite dining is offered and local winter activities such as skiing are an easy option from the property, while staff assistance is available for arranging transport or local recommendations. For visitors planning a stay in Niigata Prefecture who want a straightforward, comfortable ryokan with onsen in Niigata, this hotel presents a functional base close to both town services and ski facilities.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Yuzawa Hotel
Positive Reviews
Convenient location near transport and amenities
Multiple reviewers praised the hotel's location — close to the train/shinkansen station, within walking distance to restaurants, and convenient for ski areas, making it an easy base for sightseeing or skiing.
Onsen and private rotenburo experience
Guests enjoyed the hot springs, especially the option to book a private rotenburo or private outdoor onsen for soaking after activities; several reviewers called the baths a highlight.
Traditional ryokan atmosphere and spacious rooms
Reviewers appreciated the traditional touches (yukata, futon experience) and reported rooms that felt spacious and matched photos for some stays, offering an authentic ryokan-style stay.
Friendly and helpful staff/innkeeper
Several guests mentioned attentive, lovely staff and an accommodating innkeeper who handled check‑in and service well.
Good budget option for a short, basic stay
For travellers seeking simple, lower-cost traditional accommodation, reviewers found the hotel to be a reasonable, budget-friendly choice for short stays.
Negative Reviews
Outdoor onsen often closed or unavailable
A recurring complaint was that the outdoor onsen was closed or out of order (sometimes without prior notice), which disappointed guests and led to disputes about refunds or value for money.
Aging or poorly maintained facilities
Multiple reviews reported maintenance issues such as broken heaters, holes in walls, missing curtains, rust or discolored water, damp or hard futons, many insects, and generally old facilities that need repair or improvement.
Meals not included / misleading listing expectations
Several guests expected dinner or breakfast from the ryokan listing but found no meals included, making the total stay more expensive than anticipated and causing dissatisfaction.
Room allocation and amenity problems
Problems included being assigned a smaller room than booked (with no refund), missing safe keys, thin walls/noisy neighbours, non-working bidet or mirror lights, and other room-specific deficiencies.
Accessibility and convenience shortcomings
Practical issues noted were no elevator (requiring luggage up stairs), lack of parking, poor WiFi, and in some cases being farther from the station than expected — all affecting convenience for guests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rooms are traditional Japanese style with futons; capacities vary by room type and range from about 3 up to 11 guests (family rooms with multiple futons available).
Yes — the property has natural hot‑spring facilities including public baths and an outdoor onsen for guests to use; towels and bed linen are provided.
Private/family (kashikiri) baths are offered at many ryokans in the area; please request a private or family bath when you book or contact the hotel to confirm availability.
There is no guaranteed regular airport shuttle; the hotel is within a short walk of Echigo‑Yuzawa Station (around 7–9 minutes), so the usual route is train to the station then on foot or taxi.
Check‑in is from 15:00 (3:00 PM) with an indicated latest arrival around 20:00 (8:00 PM); check‑out is by 10:00 (10:00 AM).
In‑house meals are typically provided and feature Japanese set dinners and breakfasts common to ryokan; meal service and options can vary, so confirm availability when you reserve.
Pets are not permitted on the property.
Japanese is the primary language; staff can often handle basic English but you should notify the hotel in advance for special assistance or language needs.
The ryokan is close to major ski areas (GALA Yuzawa, Naeba and Maiko), local onsen town sights and the Ponshu‑kan sake museum; winter sports and short day trips are common.
Convenience stores and station‑area shops are within a short walk of Echigo‑Yuzawa Station, which serves as the local hub for small supermarkets and supply shops.