Pension Puutaro
990-2301 Yamagata, Zao Onsen, Zao-Onsen 934-26, Japan – Excellent location - show map
Excellent location — rated 9.5/10! (score from 123 reviews)
Real guests • Real stays • Real opinions
This is a fairly simple guest house, but the host is absolutely wonderful. We could not have been looked after better, and this made it our favourite place to stay during a 2 week trip through Japan. We didn't dine there in the evening (we had only booked for 1 night) but wished we had, as the breakfast we had was incredible, and I've no doubt the dinner would have been just as good. Highly recommended. In addition, the property is well located, within easy walking distance of everything in the village.

You're eligible for a Genius discount at Pension Puutaro! To save at this property, all you have to do is sign in.
Only a 1-minute walk from the Zao Onsen Ski resort, Pension Puutaro offers Japanese-style rooms, a French course for dinner and free Wi-Fi. The property is located just a minute's walk from Shinzaemon No Yu, a hot spring bath complex. Free parking is available, and Zao Ropeway is just 1 minute on foot. From Puutaro Pension it’s a 3-minute walk to the Chuo Ropeway. The property is an 8-minute walk from Zao Bus Terminal, which connects to JR Yamagata Station in 45 minutes. Okama Lake can be visited a 40-minute drive away. Rooms have a tatami (woven-straw) floor, on which traditional futon bedding is spread to sleep in. Amenities include a TV, a fridge and air conditioning/heating. Yukata robes are provided, while toilets and bathrooms are shared. A Western breakfast is served at the dining room between 07:30 and 08:30. Dinner time is from 18:30, and from 19:30 at the latest.
Couples particularly like the location — they rated it 9.7 for a two-person trip.
Pension Puutaro has been welcoming Booking.com guests since 10 Oct 2013.- Non-smoking rooms
- Free WiFi
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Exceptional breakfast

Categories:
See what guests loved the most:
- Stevie
United Kingdom
“This is a fairly simple guest house, but the host is absolutely wonderful. We could not have been looked after better, and this made it our favourite place to stay during a 2 week trip through Japan. We didn't dine there in the evening (we had...” - Chienhui
Japan
“The place is just in front of the ropeway so it’s very convenient. The staff was very friendly and nice. The room is pretty big.” - Karen
Singapore
“The host Keiko-san made us all feel really welcomed. Dinner was very satisfying, particularly the butter - I will never forget the distinctive taste. It was so good that many of us wanted more bread to eat with that butter. Also dessert was...” - Siu
Hong Kong
“As well as having a separate entrance to the dry room, the location is very close to the ski slopes.” - Bernard
Singapore
“Clean and quiet room, slept extremely well and even came back for more rest in the room after walking around zao mountain.” - Jessica
Australia
“Cosy little pension located right in front of the slopes and near the gondola which takes you to the top where the Zao monsters are. We paid for dinner for one of the nights and loved it. Breakfast was also a treat.” - Tejas
Japan
“1. Very convenient Location for skiing spots and popular Onsens. 2. Just 10mins from Bus Terminal 3. Rooms are Cosy and heating arrangements during strong winter is good” - Alisa
Russia
“Big and clean room for a good price, friendly receptionist, dryer room for equipment and cloth. It was a little bit cold in the room, but futon was very warm, so I had a good sleep! There is a rental near the hotel where you can get a...” - Nancy
Japan
“Very friendly and helpful host, amazing location right near the ropeway and easy walking distance to other places in town. Highly recommended!” - Al
Japan
“The staff was very helpful. She gave us advice and discount coupons for different places around Zao. The bedding was also nice and comfortable considering we reserved a Tatami room.”
Property questions and answersBrowse questions from guests for anything extra you want to know about the propertyThe property usually replies within a few days
hot spring in the hotel?
館内のお風呂は、温泉ではありません。 徒歩2分から日帰り温泉施設がございます。Answered on 30 July 2023May I ask if you've opened the booking for 2024 February? We stayed at your hotel in 2023 and would like to come back.
ご質問ありがとうございます。昨年のご滞在に感謝します。只今 キャンセル不可のプランの売り出しが始まりました。ご検討くださいませ。ご予約お待ち申し上げますようAnswered on 30 July 2023Type room Standard Twin room : Can we stay for 3 persons ?
2名様までのご利用になります。Answered on 30 July 2023Hi, could we know that is there any facilities or service for our laundry in the hotel? Since we have multiple days trip and it should be an issue, thanks.
ランドリーのサービスはありません。 2泊以上のお客様には 無料で洗濯機の貸し出しを行なっております。ただし お客様専用ではありません。Answered on 30 July 2023Japanese-Style Room with Shared Bathroom - Non-Smoking 4 futon beds = 4 bed? Can one room fit 2 adults and 2 kids?
布団4人分 ご利用可能です。 しかし 部屋は布団でいっぱいになります。Answered on 30 July 2023If we make a booking with your hotel, is it possible to assist us in booking a transfer to Ginzan Onsen for day trip (e.g. from Oishida Station)? If s..
送迎のでサービスはありません。タクシーので手配のお手伝いはできます。銀山温泉まで蔵王温泉から往復60,000円位です。Answered on 30 July 2023- Still looking?
Property surroundings *
Restaurants1 restaurant on site
- レストラン #1
No additional info available
Facilities of Pension PuutaroGreat facilities! Review score, 8.7
- Non-smoking rooms
- Free WiFi
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Exceptional breakfast
- Towels
- Slippers
- Shared toilet
- Hairdryer
- Outdoor furniture
- Garden
- Electric kettle
- Refrigerator
- Socket near the bed
- Clothes rack
- Ski-to-door access
- Ski pass vendor
- Ski storage
- Horse ridingAdditional chargeOff-site
- CyclingOff-site
- Hiking
- CanoeingAdditional chargeOff-site
- Skiing
- FishingOff-site
- Golf course (within 3 km)Additional charge
- Flat-screen TV
- TV
- Coffee house on site
- FruitsAdditional charge
- Wine/champagneAdditional charge
- Kid mealsAdditional charge
- Special diet menus (on request)
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Luggage storage
- Fire extinguishers
- Smoke alarms
- Security alarm
- Key access
- Designated smoking area
- Non-smoking throughout
- Heating
- Soundproofing
- Fan
- Non-smoking rooms
- Japanese
Cancellation/
prepayment
Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodation type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check the conditions of your required room.
Children and beds
Child policies
Children of any age are welcome.
Children 3 years and above will be charged as adults at this property.
To see correct prices and occupancy information, please add the number of children in your group and their ages to your search.
Cot and extra bed policies
Cots and extra beds are not available at this property.
No age restriction
There is no age requirement for check-in
Cash
Pension Puutaro accepts these cards and reserves the right to temporarily hold an amount prior to arrival.
Smoking
Smoking is not allowed.
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
The fine print
Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), please ensure that you are only booking this property following the local government guidelines of the destination, including but not limited to the purpose of travel, and maximum allowed group size.
In accordance with government guidelines to minimise transmission of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), this property currently isn't accepting guests from certain countries, during dates where such guidelines exist.
In response to Coronavirus (COVID-19), additional safety and sanitation measures are in effect at this property.
Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), this property is taking steps to help protect the safety of guests and staff. Certain services and amenities may be reduced or unavailable as a result.
Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), this property adheres to strict physical distancing measures.
Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), wearing a face mask is mandatory in all indoor common areas.
It is not possible to stay at this property for Coronavirus (COVID-19) quarantine purposes.
Please inform Pension Puutaro in advance of your expected arrival time. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly with the contact details provided in your confirmation.
Guests must check in by 19:30 to eat dinner at this property. Guests who check in after this time may not be served dinner, and no refund will be given.
License number: 2751, 指令山保第」2751号, 指令山保第2751号
FAQs about Pension Puutaro
-
The prices at Pension Puutaro may vary depending on your stay (e.g. dates you select, hotel's policy etc.). See the prices by entering your dates.
-
Room options at Pension Puutaro include:
- Twin
- Family
- Quadruple
-
Pension Puutaro offers the following activities / services (charges may apply):
- Cycling
- Hiking
- Skiing
- Fishing
- Canoeing
- Golf course (within 3 km)
- Horse riding
-
Pension Puutaro has 1 restaurant:
- レストラン #1
-
Check-in at Pension Puutaro is from 15:00, and check-out is until 10:00.
-
Guests staying at Pension Puutaro can enjoy a highly-rated breakfast during their stay (guest review score: 10.0).
Breakfast option(s) include:
- American
-
Pension Puutaro is 400 yards from the centre of Zao Onsen. All distances are measured in straight lines. Actual travel distances may vary.