Hotel Folkloro Takahata

The food is reasonably priced and it’s convenient having an onsen and bistro right by JR Takahata station. The staff were very kind.

The room had a bigger tub than you’d usually get at a business hotel, so I had a nice soak there the next morning. I also found the bed comfortable, and the air conditioning worked well. With the hotel right next to the station, it was easy to get around, and I’d stay again when visiting the area. I mainly came for the hot spring beside Takahata Station, which guests can use as often as they like. The front desk gives you a voucher for entry. It’s an alkaline simple spring that felt gentle on my skin, and I ended up going in three times. The staff were friendly, the room was clean, and the stay was very comfortable.

I’ll be back in March 2026. On that stay, a different older staff member was very polite and helped me right through checkout. Thank you. The hotel is affordable and right beside Takahata Station. It’s an unusual setup: the hot spring entrance is next to the ticket gate, so you have to cross the gate from your room to reach the bath. For dinner I ate plenty at the inexpensive yakiniku place next door. There’s a convenience store too, but it closes early, so get there in time. The people at both places were nice. One older hotel staff member had been bothering me since check-in, though. I remember the person working there in January 2026 as the worst. It left me with a bad memory.

That cold bath was something else. It’s in a solarium that’s almost outdoors, fits two people, and keeps getting fresh cold water. At 14°C I can stay in for a minute, but here I could only get up to my knees for about five seconds. I think it was under 10°C. The sauna was 103°C and had room for four, and both it and the cold bath were excellent. The ordinary bath was average. If you’re going just for the sauna, it’s worth a try. The hotel itself was average too. The elderly woman at reception was lovely, and her dialect explanations were soothing. Breakfast was mediocre, especially compared with the lavish hot spring breakfasts in Yamagata. Dinner was disappointing as well, even though the photos looked good. The older man at the front desk seemed unmotivated and should retire soon.