There are many traditional Ryokans to choose from in Zao Onsen however Meitoya So strikes the perfect balance of so many things; it’s very traditional, has stunning onsens and beautiful (and comfortable) rooms.
Meitoya So is in the heart of the village, surrounded by onsens and the small selection of restaurants and just a short walk to Zao’s only bar. To get to the slopes it’s just a five-minute walk slightly uphill or down to one of two base areas. That means that depending on whether you’re starting or ending the day you can always walk downhill!
Meitoya So has 34 rooms, most of which are Japanese style, though there are a few Japanese rooms with western mattresses. There are also a couple of rooms that have 2-3 interconnecting rooms and western twin beds so they are perfect for families. All rooms have a full bathroom.
Among the many great assets of Meitoya are the onsen. Sourced from Zao Onsen’s famous hot springs, the water is full of natural sulfur minerals that will do wonders for your skin and overall health. Meitoya has large indoor onsen with big windows to the outside, as well as a series of outdoor baths in large hollowed out rocks, which is quite unique.
Meitoya So has a restaurant serving up incredible dishes in the evenings – it’s well worth booking with dinner for at least a few nights. They also serve a breakfast buffet with Japanese and a few western dishes.
