Ryokan Ebisuya

The hourly private bath meant my elderly mother could use it without worrying. Breakfast was tasty too, and my dog liked the dog-friendly food so much he had seconds. I’d love to come back. This would make a great base for traveling around Tohoku with a dog. The low bed, with a mattress like a futon, is just right for dogs, and they can sleep on it, as in the photo. The dog training belt shown there isn’t required. It fell off in seconds, so we let him sleep without it. The indoor dog run, made from a former banquet hall, was a real highlight. Letting your dog burn off energy there before bed should help them sleep well. Mine pooped after his workout, sorry!

The one thing I’d change is the paper cups in the bathroom, which other reviews mention too. A sturdier material would have been better. Still, having such a high-quality dinner with my dog in a rural town in Yamagata felt like a real treat. I found the inn while looking for dog-friendly places in Yamagata, and booked because I was excited about the Yonezawa beef plan. The building is older, but the inside has been stylishly renovated and was very clean. I stayed in a Japanese-style room and slept comfortably on the excellent bedding. Dinner stood out most. The appetizers were delicious, and every dish that followed featuring Yonezawa beef was exquisite. I asked the owner about it after the meal, and he said he used to work at a top-class hotel in Tokyo, which made sense. Breakfast’s hamburger steak was unusual and delicious too. I’d recommend it to anyone wanting a full-course meal with their dog.

A large indoor dog run makes it possible to let the dogs play even on rainy days, and the baths are stone. At breakfast and dinner, there’s a spacious dining room where you can enjoy local Yamagata dishes. You can also share a full-course Yonezawa beef meal with your dog. For people who travel with dogs, this long-established inn is a real blessing.

We could let our dog roam freely throughout the inn and eat meals together, which was wonderful. The staff were gentle and kind to our energetic dog, so we could relax and enjoy ourselves. It really puts dogs first and feels ideal for dog owners. Dinner was a Japanese course featuring Yonezawa beef, and even our dog had Yonezawa beef Chateaubriand, though it was a bit pricey. After that, he wouldn’t touch his usual dry food at home for a while! (laughs) Breakfast was a hamburger made with Yamagata Tsuyahime rice, local pork, and Yonezawa beef. Both meals included Yonezawa beef without making it feel overwhelming.