What is Shinzaemon no Yu?

Zao Onsen is known as the oldest hot spring in Yamagata Prefecture, believed to have a history dating back 1,900 years. Its strongly acidic sulfurous spring is said to be effective for cuts, burns, chronic skin diseases, physically weak children, chronic women’s diseases, diabetes, high-blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, and more. It is believed to be also good for making the skin smooth and beautiful, and it has been enjoyed as a “hot spring of beauty” since ancient times.

In Shinzaemon no Yu, open-air hot spring baths are always filled with highly effective and fresh hot spring water abundantly upwelling from the spring sources. You can enjoy 100% natural hot spring water in a relaxed manner, feeling the beautiful sceneries of all four seasons of mountains in Zao.

For those who have sensitive skin, we also have Shiroku no Yu, Kame Yu, and an indoor hot bath so that they can fully enjoy the hot spring water in Zao. We hope that as many visitors as possible will have a relaxing time in these hot spring baths.

Restaurant, Resting Rooms, and Souvenir Shop

In the restaurant, we serve soba noodles and Yamagata beef, specialties of Yamagata Prefecture as well as seasonable dishes such as Imoni (a hot pot dish using taro and other ingredients) and Bakurou nabe (a hot pot dish using udon noodles and other various ingredients).

Also available are free and large resting rooms where visitors can relax after taking hot spring baths, private resting rooms where a family or a group of friends can relax and enjoy meals privately, and a souvenir shop where there are souvenirs, items for memories of their trip, and cafe menus available.