Tsuruoka hotels

Pros: This is a complete gem! We were transported. This hotel has a unique approach that is amongst the best boutique experiences we have had in Japan, or any other country. This is an experience not to be missed!

Cons: I didn’t like that we had to leave, it was that good.

Pros: Easy access by car to Hagurosan. Traditional style Japaneses Dinner and Breakfast was excellent with a hint of Shojin Ryouri(Japanese Vegetarian) In this case they served little bit of fish but not meat. Building may be old but room was perfectly cleaned. Staff were friendly and helpful. May not have air conditioning but room was well ventilated.

Cons: It is a part of the charm of this place but being separated from next room by just paper doors, you have to be little quiet night time.

Pros: Great ryokan in Tsuruoka just down the street from Haguro-san Shrine and hiking. Really comfortable place with delicious meals! We had breakfast and dinner both days we stayed and it was all very fresh and tasty. Meals are homemade on the property and served by very nice staff who explain what everything is. The room was comfortable and spacious with just about everything we needed. Bathrooms were nice with hot baths (though the weather was much too hot for me to try them!) Staff were very communicative, kind and accommodating. There is a good deal of space for parking just across the street for travelers who are driving. I would highly recommend anyone visiting the area stay at Tamonkan!

Cons: The only thing that my friend and I had trouble with is the lack of aircon - that lack thereof is plainly stated by the ryokan, though so we expected it might be warm. We did get one fan in the room, but it was so hot that we really could have used two. On our second night, we were able to use an additional fan that another guest did not want and were much more comfortable. However, I do understand that it would be difficult to retrofit such a traditional building. If you are going to be staying here in the summer months, just know that it may be hot.

Pros: Very peaceful and friendly hosts. Will definitely try to come back again!!!

Pros: Very friendly staff with delicious meals. Great location near Hagura San

Pros: Lovely traditional ryokan close to Dewa Sanzan area.

Pros: Lovely food. We had sake with dinner each night. Personnel were great

Cons: Toilet area was a bit of a tight squeeze.

Pros: Meals were a highlight. All meals were excellent. Very nice hosts.

Cons: Maybe a place to use as a lounge area?

Pros: The food was incredible, authentic Japanese food. The service and hospitality was excellent - with great attention to detail, little treats and tea left in the room when they set up the futons for the night. It felt like staying in a genuine Japanese home. Perfect location for exploring Hagurosan, start of the track is 5min walk away. Staying here felt special, not like staying in a big ryokan complex. The bath was amazing - we weren’t used to Japanese style of bathing but quickly came to enjoy it and spent hours in the tub. The hosts are very down to earth and lovely.

Cons: When we first arrived it was a little dark inside.

Pros: Hosts were lovely and extremely accommodating. The food was an absolute treat and the highlight of our trip to Japan. This is a beautiful stay in a time machine to traditional Japan and has been our most pleasant lodging so far.

Pros: Unique experience of staying in a working temple. Fantastic location right near the bus stop to Tsuruoka and close to the Haguro Shrine. Delicious and substantial meals included in the price.

Cons: Not an issue for me as I paid cash, but other guests mentioned they had issues paying by credit card.

Pros: Due to weather, my incoming train was canceled, delayed by hours. The lovely family at the inn had saved (an amazing) dinner for me when I finally arrived. The morning Shinto shugendo prayer was superb--the priest has a stunning voice and impressive breath control. Rousing and inspiring. The brief historical talk at the end of the prayer session was great.

Pros: It was like staying with a nice family who served you very well but also left you alone. The food, breakfast and dinner, was incredibly good (as long as you like Japanese food and for you vegetarians, as long as you don't mind eating fish - I love both of those things and they did it well). Large tatami room. Quiet and private. Nice Japanese large style bath (shared, but I had it to myself). You get up to a half-hour morning prayer - I'm not religious, but it was a nice way to start the day - it gave you the feeling that someone was watching out for you.

Pros: Totally unique experience of Yamabushi life. I was able to witness morning prayers. Staff were very friendly. Helped me out when I was running late and with my dietary requirements.

Pros: Beautiful space and great location. 5 min walk from Haguro-San. We arrived at noon at the train station got the bus to the property at 1pm and hiked up Haguro-San in the afternoon. Dinner was lovely. Very nice and generous hosts.

Pros: Location

Cons: Sitting on chairs

Pros: Real authentic Yamabushi (山伏) temple/monastery. Highly recommend who want to see real Japan.

Cons: The owner is Yamabushi monk, he performing morning praying ceremony with guests, after this follow breakfast. Hot baths after all days walking or hiking on DewaSanZan mountains is amazing.

Pros: Right next to the bus stop and the trail head for Mt. Haguro.

Pros: The location - so close to one of the most amazing temples in Japan. We woke up early in the morning and enjoyed the beauty of it all without the daytrippers. The room was huge!

Cons: Expensive, but you pay for the location. We were unlucky to have extreme loud neighbours. Bring your earplugs. You cannot use the bath/shower in the morning.

Pros: Facilities were clean, food was delicious and value for money

Pros: I highly recommend staying here! The breakfasts and dinners were fantastic, and all vegetarian (occasionally there were some eggs or mayo mixed in, although I'm sure they would make a vegan meal if you asked them to). The room was very spacious and the futons were very comfortable! If you want the breakfasts and dinners, make sure to book the place with food included because it seems like they only buy enough ingredients to feed those who asked for it. Also, the location is amazing!!

Cons: The walls are very thin, so you can hear other customers. Just be careful of your noise and of bothering others at night.

Pros: - The atmosphere of the pilgrims' lodging, even if it means very simple facilities. - Very nice, traditional Breakfast and Dinner - The comfy futton - The friendly landlady

Cons: It's a traditional old house, so expect it to be somewhat cold in winter.

Pros: Warmly greeted by the staff at check-in Simple, spotlessly clean and comfortable tatami room with futons TV, WiFi and onsen! Yukata, large and small towel and toothbrush/paste Atmosphere, heritage and good vibes Gorgeous views from balcony Scrumptious, large breakfast, “American Style”!

Cons: Nothing really. Everything was perfect. You will not be disappointed!

Pros: Our western style room was big and it looked like it was recently renovated. Everything looked so new and modern. The bathroom was just fantastic. There was also a massage chair in the room. Both dinner and breakfast were very delicious. We were able to watch a beautiful sunset at the beach right in front of the hotel.

Cons: Nothing

Pros: The overall experience including the food and the well behaved and professional staff. Very good value for money. A massage chair was available in the room free of charge and one could walk out of the bedroom onto a sort of balcony.

Cons: The view on the sea was partly obstructed by another big hotel. The outside structure of the hotel seemed to have suffered from the salty environment and that gave us a bit of a shock when we first arrived however the inside of the hotel was very clean and in very good shape.

Pros: Room was very big. Aircon was very good. Dining was excellent. Staff were very polite and helpful.

Cons: Nothing to dislike.

Pros: food and staff

Cons: none

Pros: the break fast is very good. consising of specific local products.

Cons: the bathrooms are disappointingly small.

Pros: We paid direct not through booking

Cons: Everything was great

Pros: I really like the friendliness and the feel of hospitality. Very comfortable and family environment would

Pros: Excellent food.. great ppl... nice room with bathroom

Cons: No isolation between rooms meaning you can clearly hear everything from rooms close to yours (e.g. snoring).

Pros: The ryokan is very beautiful and the staff is warm, kind and very helpful. The room was so beautiful and very comfortable. the way they serve the breakfast and dinner is the traditional Japanese way. It really is a beautiful experience. This was by far my favourite accommodation in Japan. Highly recommended!

Pros: Very enjoyable ! The dinner and breakfast are so delicious and beautifully presented Most importantly the service by the staff are very professional

Pros: We had a Japanese style room which was the best we had on our trip, it was spacious with multi levels and areas. The decor was a little dated but we loved the authenticity of the room. The staff do have very minimal English but are so helpful and accommodating. We arrived much later in the evening than we expected (around 9 pm) and emailed them from the train to let them know and ask the best way to get there from the station and they told us to wait and a taxi would collect us. It was definitely the place we felt most like foreigners but at the same time, so welcome! Thank you Tachibanaya

Cons: The garden is much smaller than appears in the pictures but the hotel is set in a lovely location and we took several walks along the stream/river that runs in front of the hotel. It was so peaceful and we would spend time just watching the local fisherman :-) It is also where we came across a lovely dessert shop.

Pros: Very spacious room. Delicious breakfast. Helpful staff.

Cons: N/A!

Pros: Despite little English spoken, the staff were extremely helpful and patient. Well worth eating at the restaurant, the best Japanese food of the trip, beautifully presented, and the courses just kept turning up. Onsen baths are superb.

Pros: Took the breakfast and dinner plan and both meals were excellent.

Cons: Mix up with the shuttle service, so I ended up taking a cab.

Pros: A bit expensive, but fully worth it for the experience, the amitsu-onsen area is beautiful and the hotel is a dream.

Pros: Great Ryokan, food was exceptional, staff were very friendly and helpful and unoptrusive.

Cons: It was all good!

Pros: This hotel features everything we like in a top notch hot spring resort: great baths, great food, and wonderful hospitality. We highly recommend it for a true Japanese onsen experience.

Cons: Just a note: if taking public transport you do NOT want to get off at the JR Uzen-Mizusawa station on the Uetsu Line but rather the station after that, which is called Sanze. Also, do contact the hotel beforehand to arrange transport from the station. If they don't send a car (which they might, if prearranged), they could at least arrange for a taxi to be there to pick you up (or give you the cab company phone number) which is helpful for there probably won't be a cab there waiting at this very small station.

Pros: The hotel's location and views from the room were excellent. We used the baths on the roof which had wonderful views. It was an easy walk to the small island and fishing harbor nearby and an easy drive to Haguro-san and other sights in Tsuruoka.

Cons: Unfortunately, the baths on the roof were closed on one day.