Right now, a trend catching attention in girls’ trips is the “Hokansu”!

This time, for those who are thinking, “Huh!? Hokansu in Yamagata!?” or “I want to do Hokansu in Yamagata” and “I want to find hotels recommended for girls’ trips,” we’re introducing 6 recommended hotels!

Reasons Why Yamagata is Recommended for a Girls’ Hot Spring Vacation

Yamagata offers plenty of attractions perfect for a girls’ trip, including hot springs, beautiful nature, delicious food, and wine! What I realize even more after returning home is that Yamagata’s hot springs and nature are truly luxurious.

When I lived in Tokyo, these moments were something I could only enjoy as a ‘travel experience,’ but now I can enjoy them as an extension of everyday life. Here, I’ll introduce tips for enjoying a ‘hokans’ in Yamagata and reasons why it’s a great option for a weekend getaway.

What is a Hokans? A Trendy Hotel Stay Style from Korea

Have you heard of “Hokans”?
Hokans is a word that combines “hotel” and “vacance” (vacation), and it refers to a new style of travel where you luxuriously enjoy your time spent at a hotel.

Why not spend a relaxing weekend at a hotel and enjoy some reward time for yourself?

Perfect points for a girls’ trip to Yamagata

When it comes to hotels in Yamagata, it’s all about hot springs and nature.
Soaking in an open-air bath while taking in the magnificent mountains and beautiful sky gives you a truly special feeling♪

Furthermore, many hotels have photogenic rooms and interiors, so you can also enjoy taking photos that are perfect for a girls’ trip.

Easy access from Tokyo! Perfect for a weekend getaway

Yamagata is easily accessible from Tokyo and Sendai, making it ideal for a weekend trip. You can get there quickly by Shinkansen or plane, and there are also convenient express buses from Sendai.

Even with just a one-night, two-day trip, you can fully enjoy the vacation hotel experience ♪

6 Recommended Hotels for a Girls’ Vacation in Yamagata

Actually, Yamagata has plenty of hotels where you can enjoy a perfect “hotel vacation” for a girls’ trip♪ You can relax in hot springs, take it easy while enjoying breathtaking views, or create memories in photogenic rooms…♪ Here, we’ll introduce six hotels that are especially recommended.

“SHONAI HOTEL SUIDEN TERRASSE” │ A Scenic Hotel Floating in Rice Fields

A modern-design hotel standing in the middle of rice fields, almost as if it’s floating on the water. The rooms are simple yet have warm wooden interiors that make your heart feel at ease.

The hotel features a natural hot spring with free-flowing water, as well as a Finnish-style designer sauna. Relaxing while enjoying the panoramic rural views from the windows offers a truly extraordinary experience.
At the dining area and lounge bar, which make use of local ingredients, you can enjoy a locally sourced Japanese breakfast buffet and craft whiskey from Shonai, Yamagata.

Additionally, at “Tsukuruba” inside the “Kids Home Sorai” adjacent to the hotel, you can try your hand at accessory making and art experiences, allowing you to enjoy both nature and culture.
This is a hotel perfectly suited for a girls’ trip that stimulates the senses.

“Yubou Ichiraku TENDO SPA & BREWERY” │ The Inn Where You Can Enjoy Craft Beer and the Happiest Bathing Experience in the World

An all-inclusive inn, rare in Japan, where you can enjoy both hot springs and craft beer.
Inside the facility is a brewery that produces original craft beers using local ingredients. A drink on the airy beer terrace after a bath is exceptionally delightful!

The guest rooms feature a comfortable Japanese-modern style with tatami flooring. All the special rooms in the annex come with open-air baths, allowing for a luxurious private stay.
There is also a “theater room” with a large screen, perfect for watching movies or enjoying your favorite hobbies!

In the entrance hall, works by Shigehito Matsuda, a sculptor from Yamagata Prefecture, are on display, giving it an atmosphere reminiscent of an art gallery. This is an inn that offers a special girls’ trip with a combination of relaxation, gourmet food, and drinks.

“HOTEL SLOW VILLAGE YONEZAWA” │ A refined resort experience with “Terrace × Jacuzzi × Theater”

A stylish designer hotel created by the first-class architect office “Ciel Home Design.”

The suite rooms are equipped with a large projector, terrace, and jacuzzi, offering an extraordinary space perfect for a girls’ getaway.
Guests can freely use the coffee machine and wine server in the exclusive lounge.
With a glass of Yamagata wine or local sake in hand, a toast on the terrace at night enhances the resort feeling♪

Additionally, at the sister hotel “HOTEL SLOW VILLAGE IIDE,” you can enjoy an outdoor resort-style stay, making it possible to tailor your girls’ trip to the scene.

“Mori no Ne” │ A Quiet Hideaway with 14 Rooms, Adults Only

A special private space with only 14 rooms, reserved exclusively for adults.

Upon opening the door, you are greeted by a serene entrance beautifully laid with solid oak boards. In the lobby, you can unwind and enjoy extraordinary moments while watching the flames in the fireplace. Drinks, including coffee, herbal tea, beer, and whiskey, are available for free flow, which is a delightful bonus.

On the second floor of the building, there is a soothing free space lined with beech trees, where you can enjoy reading or chatting accompanied by the songs of birds as background music. From the Japanese-modern style rooms, you can enjoy the seasonal scenery, with the luxury of cherry blossoms blooming outside every room in spring.

The hot spring, known for its skin-beautifying properties, has a soft quality reminiscent of lotion, making it perfect for a relaxing time on a girls’ getaway.

‘NIPPONIA Shitara Gennai Residence’ │ A Retreat Hotel Renovated from a Meiji-Taisho Era Wealthy Farmer’s Mansion

A fully renovated historic warehouse and residence, passed down through generations, transformed into a private hotel with only 8 rooms.
Each guest room is luxuriously designed as a “whole-building rental suite with a cypress bathtub,” offering a serene, extraordinary space to relax.

The dining area, renovated from a 120-year-old miso storehouse, features local gastronomy that uses plenty of seasonal ingredients from Yamagata and Okitama while incorporating the essence of traditional cuisine.

In addition, kimono dressing experiences are available by reservation. Enjoy a stroll in traditional attire after check-in and feel as if you have traveled back in time.
This accommodation is perfect for those who want to spend a special time while experiencing history and culture firsthand.

Takamiya Ruri Club Resort │ A Designer Resort Designed by the World-Renowned Architect, the Late Kenzo Tange

A highland resort hotel surrounded by the majestic scenery of Zao, where you can fully enjoy Yamagata’s gourmet food and the famous Zao hot springs.
The striking building was designed by the world-renowned architect, the late Kenzo Tange, and offers breathtaking views of the Asahi Mountain Range and the Zao Mountains from various locations throughout the property.

The garden terrace features hammocks for stargazing and beds for reclining, allowing you to spend relaxing moments while feeling close to nature.
Additionally, the resort offers a spacious pool, private-use plans, and around 50 different activities. Whether it’s hot spring hopping or canoe experiences, there are plenty of enjoyable contents for both children and adults.

Set against the seasonal backdrop of Zao, this resort provides a memorable ‘hokansu’ (holiday + vacation) experience.

Enjoying a Girls’ Trip! How to Spend a Yamagata Hot Spring Vacation

If you’re going to visit Yamagata, you definitely want to enjoy the breathtaking scenery and local gourmet food. ♪
Relax your mind and body while soaking in the hot springs and taking in the spectacular views!

Enjoy a leisurely cafe time and take photos in your room

After checking in, start by relaxing with a cup of coffee in your room.
You can brew your favorite coffee or tea, or enjoy Yamagata’s specialty fruit juice while taking in the view from the window or terrace. It’s also recommended to take a moment to unwind.
At hotels where you can choose a yukata, changing into one and taking photos can enhance the travel experience. Bringing your favorite loungewear to enjoy a cozy time in your room is also a great option.

You can enjoy a luxurious moment in your own style.

Enjoy local sweets and Yamagata wine in your room

Let’s Enjoy Local Sweets and Wine

When it comes to the charm of a ‘hokans’ trip, it’s all about the food. Yamagata, known as the Fruit Kingdom, offers sweets made with cherries and La France pears, as well as local wines crafted by nearby wineries, giving you a taste of local specialties. You can enjoy them at the hotel’s lounge or café, or take them back to your room for a toast. Even while having a ‘stay-in’ experience, you can fully savor the flavors of Yamagata.

Basic Information for Enjoying a Hokans Girls’ Trip Comfortably in Yamagata

To enjoy a hot spring vacation in Yamagata more comfortably, it’s important to be aware of access and seasonal considerations. Since this is a girls’ trip, checking details like “ease of access,” “best season,” and “clothing tips” will make your day of travel smoother and more comfortable♪

Access (how to get there from Tokyo and Sendai)

From Tokyo, it takes about 2.5 to 3 hours by Yamagata Shinkansen. From Sendai, it takes about 1.5 hours by express bus or conventional train, making it a convenient destination you can reach on a whim. By plane, it takes about 1 hour from Haneda Airport to Yamagata Airport or Shonai Airport. From the airports, you can travel to various locations by bus or rental car.

Best Season and Clothing Tips

Yamagata is full of charm throughout the four seasons, but especially the cherry blossoms and fresh greenery in spring and the autumn foliage are truly spectacular♪
The scenery viewed from hotels and the atmosphere of the hot spring towns are also lively, making this season perfect for girls’ trips or hotel vacations.
Summer offers fireworks and refreshing local delicacies, and winter has beautiful snowy landscapes, but don’t forget to prepare for cold weather and slippery conditions.

Summary

Girls’ trips in Yamagata are perfect for “hotel vacations”♪ Create memories with an extraordinary stay!
Only in nature-rich Yamagata can you enjoy the combination of hot springs × stunning views × hotel stays.

Just looking at them makes you excited, thinking, ‘It would be amazing to relax here,’ as there are so many attractive hotels♪
Since it’s a girls’ trip, you can enjoy an extraordinary stay that will surely become an unforgettable memory.
If you’re unsure about your next travel destination, be sure to enjoy a ‘hokansu’ in Yamagata♪