Shirabu Onsen Higashiya

Stayed at Nishiya for two nights in March as part of a 5-day trip to Yamagata with the Tohoku rail pass and was highly impressed by the historic hot spring (700 years old!) and the delicious meals. Meal portions were very generous and the quality of the ingredients were very high. The "all you can drink" bar included with the meal was also a nice addition to the package. It was great value for the experience that we received. The service level is intentionally set at a minimal level (compared to a traditional ryokan) to provide guests with the most amount of freedom. We appreciated this and it was nice to be able to enjoy the hot springs when we wanted and relax in our room without coordinating with the staff. Only challenge I had was regarding the local phone number I provided, which was my family member's instead of my own since I did not have a local phone number. I proactively coordinated with the staff regarding my time of arrival, etc. ahead of time and arrived at the shuttle bus pick up location on time, but there was a lot of confusion when the staff were unable to get through to me with the phone number that I provided. It would be great if Nishiya could provide an alternative option for international guests that may not have a local number. Overall, highly recommended if you are looking for an authentic and historical hot spring getaway with amazing Wagyu beef meals!

This was a true getaway experience from daily life and a real step back in time. The Inn is truly stunning inside and out, perfect for those who may want an authentic stay in Japan. The onsen was such a great experience and a much-needed relaxation session and I felt so lucky to be in such a historic onsen. The staff were incredibly helpful and lovely. AfterI showed interest in the irori (traditional fireplace) they lit it for me and showed me how it worked whilst giving me snacks! They also have two adorable cats that I spent a good hour playing with. The food was fantastic as I got to eat Yonezawa Beef shabu shabu style which was incredible. Honestly, this was one of my best stays in Japan so far!

Please don't smoke in this area. This inn is located in the mountains. Smoking is prohibited throughout the building, including guest rooms, toilets, and hallways. We are your next guests. The toilets smelled of cigarettes the whole time. The inn staff are doing their best to provide you with service. Everyone, let's follow the rules in Japan!