Stay a night at ZAO ASTRAEA HOTEL - Admire scenic views from its outdoor bath

From our room at ZAO ASTRAEA HOTEL, we were able to see Zao Onsen Street from afar, as well as the surrounding scenery. The clean, neat rooms had all the amenities we needed, including WIFI. Toiletries as well as yukata are also provided; guests can even head to the main hall on the first floor to pick out their preferred design. As the hotel is directly linked to the ski slopes, it is a highly convenient accommodation for those who are there for that very purpose. One of the best features of this hotel is that it has natural hot spring waters which flows straight from Zao Onsen, and you can soak in an onsen while marveling at the snowy scenery. With a history of more than 1,900 years, Zao Onsen, alongside Yamagata’s Shirabu Onsen and Fukushima’s Shinobu Onsen, is part of the Ouusantaka Yuu (奥羽三高湯). These acidic, sulfur spring waters are a milky white and smell faintly of sulfur. Known as “Beauty Bath” in Zao Onsen, the water is known to rejuvenate tired bodies and has beautifying effects on skin too!

Try must-eats of Yamagata inside the hotel

A night at ZAO ASTRAEA includes dinner and breakfast the following morning. At dinner, you can enjoy a variety of homemade, local dishes made with fresh ingredients from Yamagata. We were served a Japanese-style dinner that included an appetizer, braised items, shabu shabu, kara kara shiru (からから汁, a Yamagata specialty of pork miso stew made using taro, carrots and assorted vegetables), hot pot and dessert. Revel in the taste of seasonal produce with dishes that change every day. If you want something special, order the Yamagata beef. Its tender, juicy meat will leave you satisfied.

Breakfast is served buffet-style, with a wide range of both continental and Japanese food items. There are even local specialties on the menu such as Tama Konnyaku, Zunda Mochi and Hiyashi Ramen.

At the hotel store, you can find plenty of souvenirs from Zao and Yamagata to bring home. There’s senbei made from Yamagata rice, Tama Konnyaku and other sweets made from Yamagata cherries and Zao-exclusive chocolate cheesecake. One of the most unique items found inside are miniature Jizo figurines which line the shelves, as well as a newly released sweet called「森の小さな足音.The cute packaging has motifs of small animals amidst the snowy backdrop of Zao. This limited edition souvenir is only available at four venues in Yamagata and Miyagi Prefecture so get your hands on one if you see it!