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Kuhe stands out as one of the most luxurious establishments in Yutagawa Onsen. Its interior captures Japan’s traditional sense of minimalism, creating a serene atmosphere. The cuisine at Kuhe beautifully showcases the richness of Yutagawa’s environment. Indulge in Kuhe’s refined dishes, featuring bamboo shoots, grilled fish, radish pickles, fresh vegetables, and more. Experience firsthand why the cuisine of Yutagawa Onsen is so cherished by its patrons.

Welcome to Yutagawa Onsen’s “Ridayu Ryokan,” a small ryokan with a long-established history since the Edo period and 10 guest rooms, built in the Showa architectural style. The interior is adorned with handmade fabric crafts by the landlady and retro sundries, creating a warm and charming atmosphere. The hot spring boasts a gentle touch, with the source flowing abundantly into round bathtubs. The water is untreated, offering an authentic spring experience. For meals, enjoy local dishes prepared by the landlady, featuring the seasonal delights of Yamagata’s mountains and seas. Ridayu aims to make your stay a relaxing and hospitable moment, treating you like family in the traditions of the inn.

Tsukasaya, located in Yutagawa Onsen, is a charming ryokan with a family-friendly atmosphere. The owners (Mr. & Mrs. Shoji) prioritize their cuisine, focusing on locally sourced and fresh ingredients, aiming to create an experience that feels like being part of a Japanese family. When it comes to exploring various types of local saké, Tsukasaya stands out in Yutagawa, offering diverse “kikizake” (Japanese saké tasting course) menus.

While this inn may have only eight rooms and may not appear large, the owners cherish the essence of seasonal cuisine and heartfelt hospitality.

Their pride lies in being an “onsen with natural spring water.” Hayato Ryokan leaves the spring water completely untouched, without any alterations or temperature adjustments.

For meals, they offer a traditional Japanese kaiseki course featuring local vegetables, seafood from the nearby ocean, and regional specialties from Shonai. Indulge in flavors unique to Yutagawa Onsen that you can only savor here.

Yudonoan stands as a luxurious ryokan nestled in Yutagawa Onsen. Its cocoon-like rooms seamlessly blend Japan’s traditional style with a touch of modern minimalism. Possesses rooms with European-style beds for your comfort.

One of the three foot baths in Atsumi Onsen. The word “Mokke” is used in the Shonai region’s dialect to express gratitude and other sentiments. From Mokkeyu, you can enjoy views of the Atsumi River flowing through Atsumi Onsen and Mt. Atsumi. In the autumn, you may even get to see salmon swimming upstream.

The ski resort is close to the city center and can be easily visited.

There is a free sled ride right in front of the parking lot, where even small children can have fun. The slopes are in a great location overlooking the Shonai Plain, and during night skiing, you can enjoy the night view. On the way home, a hot spring bath at “Kushibiki Onsen Yu~Town” is also recommended.

Rent skis for 2,100 yen, and outfits for 2,000 yen.(Rent snowboards for 3,100 yen ).

A comfy ski resort in Tsuruoka adapted to beginners and families, located around Mt. Haguro.

Rent skis (or snowboards), boots, stocks for 3,000 yen, and outfits for 2,000 yen.

The largest ski resort in Tsuruoka, located near Mt. Yudono.
The longest course is 2 km long. It also has a half-pipe, a snow park, an area for kids, a sled course, and a ski school.

Rent skis (or snowboards), boots, and stocks for 3,400 yen, and outfits for 2,300 yen.

One of the three foot baths in Atsumi Onsen. The name “Anbeyu” “あんべ湯” is a play on words, combining “アベニュー (Avenue)” meaning street or avenue, and “あんべ,” a local term from the Atsumi region meaning well-being or condition. This foot bath is situated in the middle of the road and offers a unique experience where you can enjoy a foot soak right in the midst of the street.

Dadachamame soybeans, Shonai region’s special variety of edamame, exude a delightful roasted aroma when boiled, and as they touch your taste buds, they unveil their sweetness and umami. These beans have gained nationwide recognition and even featured in a commercial by a well-known beer company, establishing themselves as the finest edamame produced in Tsuruoka.

What makes Dadachamame truly special is their distinctive fragrance and the deepening sweetness that intensifies with every chew – making them the undisputed “King of the Edamame”. There’s a wide range of varieties within this lineage, with early harvest varieties hitting the market around mid-July and the peak season arriving shortly after the Obon Festival, extending through mid-September.

Dadachamame are notably finicky edamame; even when grown from the same seed in other regions, their unique characteristics tend to disappear, an idiosyncrasy well-suited to the local conditions of Tsuruoka.

The term “Dadacha” in the local dialect of Shonai means “father” or “dad” (“mame” meaning “bean”). Legend has it that the lord of the Shonai Domain, who had a fondness for edamame, would ask where each batch of edamame came from and declared, “Whose dad has grown this edamame I’m eating today?” Over time, this led to the nickname “Dadachamame.”

Dadachamame are recognized by their brown fuzz and deep indentation in the pods. When boiled, they release a unique aroma reminiscent of corn, and their flavor deepens and becomes more delicious with every bite. It is said that even if the same seeds are cultivated in other regions, the specific umami of Dadachamame tends to disappear.

People like to boil them for a few minutes with a pinch of salt, to eat them cold with a fresh pint of beer.