【ぼっち旅行記】秋の週末蔵王温泉宿泊記
This time, I’m taking a solo weekend trip with a one-night stay
to Zao Onsen in Yamagata Prefecture. I am at the East Exit of Yamagata Station.
I will head there by bus from here. Buses bound for Zao Onsen run from bus stop #1 at the rotary
at intervals of one per hour. The fare from Yamagata Station is 1,200 yen.
Suica was accepted. Climbing the slopes of the Zao Park Line,
we head for the hot spring town at an altitude of about 900m. In about 40 minutes, we arrived at the final stop,
Yamako Bus Terminal. I’ll start walking around the hot spring town right away. Takayu Street in the hot spring town
extends from the bus terminal. Public bathhouses and souvenir shops
are also concentrated along this street. Walking along Takayu Street, the first thing you see is Mikaeri Falls. The hot spring water flows vigorously, looking like a waterfall. The scent of sulfur and steam rise from the river too,
making you feel that you have come to a hot spring. There are also free foot baths and hand baths in the hot spring town. The hand bath located next to “Shimoyu,” one of the public bathhouses.
Milky white hot spring water is gushing out. At the end of Takayu Street,
there is the torii gate of Sukawa Onsen Shrine. Looking back after climbing the stone steps,
colorful trees spread out before me. After finishing my prayers at the quiet shrine,
I found Yakushi Shrine on my way back. This seems to be the main hall of Sukawa Onsen Shrine. I’ll make sure to pay my respects here too. After walking around for a bit, I head to check in at the ryokan. This time, I stayed at Omiya Ryokan near the shrine.
The accommodation fee was 26,330 yen for one night with two meals. The room I’m staying in this time is
a single room with a 6-tatami mat Japanese-style space. Kiwi and melon were prepared in the refrigerator
as welcome fruits. A basket convenient for going out
is also provided. There is a lounge inside the building available 24 hours a day. Free coffee, barley tea, board games,
and massage chairs were available. The large public bath features free-flowing water from their own source.
It switches between men and women. I bought a discount ticket for the public bathhouses at the front desk. The usual admission fee of 300 yen becomes 100 yen. The first place I headed to was
Kawarayu, located slightly off Takayu Street. It is characterized by the source spring bubbling up from under your feet. The building is surrounded by hot spring water,
making it look as if it’s floating. I put the bathing ticket in the red box and enter. I soaked for about 30 minutes. The strong acidic sulfur spring rising from beneath the wooden slats
keeps you warm for a long time, perfect for the coming season. After bathing, I stopped by this shop. I’m going to eat Yukemuri Pudding. I had the Zunda-flavored Okama Pudding.
It is inspired by the Okama crater of Mt. Zao. It was a delicious pudding with the texture of edamame beans. There is a foot bath near the ryokan where you can soak
while looking at the hot spring town. The sun is getting low, and sunset is approaching the hot spring town. It’s time for dinner. When I went to the venue, a luxurious Kaiseki meal was laid out. The main dish is grilled Yamagata beef on a ceramic plate. I grill it while enjoying the other dishes. I also have the other pot lit. Inside the pot is Yamagata’s Imoni (taro soup). Imoni is also famous in Miyagi Prefecture,
but the Yamagata version uses beef and is seasoned with soy sauce. Dishes using abundant ingredients from Yamagata Prefecture.
Everything was delicious! After dinner, I went to bathe in Shimoyu. The hot spring water at 44°C worked well
against the outside air starting to get cold. In the quiet hot spring town at night,
the steam was illuminated by streetlights. The lanterns on the torii gate are also lit up. A night has passed, and it is morning in Zao Onsen. Breakfast is at the same venue as yesterday. Various dishes were packed into a two-tiered box. What is being grilled on the upper right is roasted pork on a ceramic plate. Rice refills and drinks were
self-service from the counter. After finishing breakfast, I took a walk before checking out. A narrow staircase branching off from Takayu Street. At the top was the ryokan’s parking lot,
where I could see the colorful mountain slopes. I came to Sakazuki Lake near the bus terminal. It seems smelt fishing was possible before,
but it is prohibited now. The trees reflected on the lake surface are losing their leaves,
making me feel the end of autumn. Before returning to the ryokan,
I tried Zao Onsen’s famous sweet “Igamochi”. Small round rice cakes with smooth bean paste, lined up on bamboo leaves.
Yellow rice grains inspired by rice flowers are placed on top. In the morning, you can eat freshly made
soft Igamochi. My stay in Zao Onsen is coming to an end,
and it’s time to check out. I check out and
return to Yamagata Station by bus again. Yamaguchi Mochiya on the left is a popular shop,
but it has few business days, and it was closed today too. The return bus also runs once an hour.
You can keep warm with a stove in the waiting room. The bus has arrived.
The fare is 1,200 yen, the same as the way there. I retrace the path I came yesterday
and head to Yamagata Station. Zao Onsen was a great hot spring to visit on a weekend,
not only for its water quality but also for its easy access with just one bus ride. Since there’s Yamaguchi Mochiya and other Yamagata specialties,
I would definitely like to visit Yamagata Prefecture again. Thank you for watching!
2025年11月に山形県の蔵王温泉に宿泊しました
#一人旅 #山形 #蔵王温泉
