Zao Onsen Zao Shiki No Hotel

The room was spacious, with wide, comfortable beds, and the breakfast had a decent range of dishes. I liked the thoughtful extras, including a sewing kit, a stand for drying ski clothes, and facial care sets for men and women. The interior has been beautifully renovated. There’s a bright, spacious onsen in the hotel, as well as a separate onsen with hydrogen sulfide water; I prefer the one inside the hotel. We’d be glad to come back.

We booked the full dinner and breakfast package, with three set meals. The food was great, though be ready for very authentic Japanese dishes. Staff spoke little to no English, and my partner’s small amount of Japanese got us through most situations; a few times we used Google Translate. It’s a lovely hotel, about a six-minute walk from the lift.

The room was huge, and the location worked really well for us ice monster tourists, just minutes from Zao Ropeway. The staff didn’t speak much English, but they did their best to help. In the dining hall, a SEA waitress spoke English, so there was no misunderstanding. One tip: don’t follow Google map, since its directions sent us to another hotel. Thankfully, Shiki sent a shuttle to pick us up, which was another great bit of service 👍🏻.

Dining here was a highlight, with a variety of unique, delicious dishes. You don’t always know what you’re eating, but it’s a great fit for people who value local flavors over international standardization. The staff speak limited English, which we felt added to the authentic experience of Japanese hospitality. The ski lift is only a few minutes away on foot. We’ll be back.