Zao Kokusai Hotel, Yamagata (Yamagata)

“This hotel impresses with its personalized service, spacious rooms, and remarkable hot-spring baths, some available for private bookings; the staff goes above and beyond, even providing dinner when local options were limited. Steps from the Zao Onsen Ski Resort lifts and offering complimentary shuttle to the bus terminal, it stands out for blending convenience with attentive hospitality; it's a superb base for experiencing both Zao's slopes and its cultural attractions.”