Wakaba Ryokan

This was probably my favorite stay on my trip around Japan. I was there in February 2025 and the staff gave me a warm welcome, then went out of their way to help and accommodate me. The room was great, and since I'm tall they gave me an extra-long futon. The restaurant has a generous selection of Japanese dishes, all plentiful and reasonably priced. I'd especially recommend the Japanese breakfast.

Keita-san made the biggest impression on me. He speaks fluent English and helped me arrange transportation to a meeting, and the breakfast was delicious too. The onsen is open 24 hours and was a fantastic experience. The ryokan itself is cute and in the heart of Sakata, easy to reach on the connecting bus from Shonai airport. I stayed in a beautiful traditional room and hope to come back soon.

I had a wonderful stay here. The owner speaks English very fluently and gives guests excellent service, going the extra mile in every way. Both dinner and breakfast were outstanding, well beyond what I expected. Stay here if you're after authentic Japanese hospitality in Sakata.

The food is made with local ingredients and was fresh and delicious at both breakfast and dinner. The onsen is a relaxing way to unwind after a long day, and the place has a lovely feel. The owner is friendly, personable, and takes good care of guests. He speaks English, which made things comfortable for me. The staff were kind and welcoming too. They always greeted me with a smile and a warm “Welcome back！” when I came back to the Wakaba Ryokan.