TAKAMIYA JURIN HOTEL, ZAO ONSEN

I’ve written in detail about visiting Zao Onsen in the summertime with kids. However, I wanted to write a separate blog post on where to stay in Zao Onsen – with a focus on a family-friendly option : Jurin.

The price to stay here is inclusive of meal and drinks (see pictures of the delicious dinner and breakfast below.) And by “drinks” alcohol is included as well. Please let the staff know as soon as you can if you have special dietary requirements and they will alter the menu accordingly.
The staff are also happy to create a special kids plate as well as the buffet (Japanese napolitan pasta, fried shrimp, hamburger steak and french fries etc.)

PLEASE NOTE: This article contains some affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

To get here: the hotel bus will collect you from the Zao bus terminal. See all of my Zao Onsen recommendations here.

This hotel is welcoming of families of all shapes and sizes and it shows. They have thought of everything!
I love how there are high chairs in the restaurants as well as yukata pyjamas provided for guests (kids’ sizes too.)
The hotel vibe is cozy rather than fancy. The staff here are so friendly too.

The stunning bar and lounge area at Jurin.

The baby and toddler play area at Jurin.

The corridor between the rooms, reception and public baths at Jurin

My luggage waiting for me at Hotel MyStays Premier Narita after forwarding it from Jurin at Zao Onsen, Yamagata.

I have written an article for those who don’t feel naked being in an onsen here.

Inside our room at Jurin. The other section of the room (pictured below) also has two beds.

I spy a little face behind the sliding doors.

Much needed downtime in Zao Onsen, Yamagata Prefecture.

The provided pyjama yukata at Jurin. Don’t forget to put left over right.

A soda float ice-cream from the vending machine in the lobby at Jurin. Perfect for after the public bath.

The view from our room. Check out all of that green!

The restaurant at Jurin
The breakfast and dinner options are both buffet style dining.
In the evenings, dinner is a main of your choice that includes the buffet AND an all-you-can-drink option and even mix your own chu-hai ( a sake and softdrink mixed drink.)

The restaurant is perfect for families. High chairs, plastic plates and plastic cutlery for kids.

Please let the staff know as soon as you can if you have special dietary requirements and they will alter the menu accordingly.
The staff are also happy to create a special kids plate as well as the buffet (Japanese napolitan pasta, fried shrimp, hamburger steak and french fries etc.)

The meat dish at Jurin – to be enjoyed with the colourful selection at the buffet.

The high chairs in the restaurant at Jurin, Zao Onsen.
Eating dinner at Jurin.
Yummy fresh produce at Jurin.

The drink buffet section at dinner time at Jurin. There is an alcohol and a soft drink and juice section.

I made my own chu-hai/ lemon sour at the drink buffet.

Breakfast at Jurin is a lovely mix of Western and Japanese options.

My little boy’s “international” breakfast at Jurin.

My breakfast selection at Jurin. It was soooo good.

A take-out option close by
We were feeling tired one night and decided to get sushi to go from Kiraku Sushi. It was delicious. The couple who run this restaurant are the cutest. This was the assorted sushi or the day (aka the “moriawase”). I’ve written more about this sushi restaurant on my blog post on Zao Onsen with kids here.

MEETING JAPANESE SEROW (KAMOSHIKA)
We saw these wandering around a lot in the streets and driveways around Jurin and I couldn’t stop laughing because I couldn’t work out what it was! At first I was like “a deer!” … wait.. “a goat?” and then I was convinced it was a wild boar (as I’d seen lots of these when I lived in Kobe.)
Turns out it’s a Japanese serow.

Kamoshika. Whatever they are – they are pretty cute.

Fun family-friendly activities at Zao Onsen
These are right outside the hotel!!! So lucky and kid-friendly!

I imagine that this whole area looks vastly different in summer.

The Zao Super Slider toboganning slide goes all the way down the slope (well, it would be a ski slope if it was covered in snow, at least.) My kids LOVED this so much.

Tickets for the Lift & Slide at Zao Onsen

The seats don’t have a belt on them but they are tilted back and, although it looks high – there is only 1 metre-ish between the seat and the ground.

The chairlift up to the superslider at Zao Onsen.

This man was taking his doggie for a ride. I did ask permission to take the picture (he even said “say cheese!” to the dog! Cute!) But I didn’t exactly ask permission to post it then on a blog – so I blurred this gentleman’s face.

There is the cutest little paintball shooting range for kids at the bottom of the superslider too. Make sure you carry cash in order to take part in all of these activities.

The cutest little paintball set up at the bottom of the super slider at Zao Onsen.

My kids loved this paint ball shooting range activity. My son used all of his “round” in about 3 seconds haha

The internet in Zao Onsen isn’t the best so I recommend organising an esim or pocket wifi ahead of time – click here for my discounted affiliate link.

PLEASE NOTE: This article contains some affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.