Scout loves
- Great value traditional Ryokan experience
- Beautiful rooms, some with western mattresses
- The unsual outdoor onsen in large rocks
- It is located in a quiet area of the village
Scout tips
- Some great connecting rooms for families though younger families may struggle with the walk to and from the ski area as there is no hotel shuttle
- It is worth booking in for dinner for at least a few nights.
- All rooms are non-smoking
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Meitoya So is a very authentic Japanese experience which may pose challenges to some travellers. Read our story about Staying in a Japanese hotel.
SCOUT REVIEW
There are many traditional Ryokans to choose from in Zao Onsen however Meitoya So strikes the perfect balance of so many things; it’s very traditional, has stunning onsens, beautiful (and comfortable) rooms and it’s great value.
Meitoya So is in the heart of the village, surrounded by onsens and the small selection of restaurants and just a short walk to Zao’s only bar. To get to the slopes it’s just a five-minute walk slightly uphill or down to one of two base areas. That means that depending on whether you’re starting or ending the day you can always walk downhill!
Meitoya So has 34 rooms, most of which are Japanese style, though there are a few Japanese rooms with western mattresses. There are also a couple of rooms that have 2-3 interconnecting rooms and western twin beds so they are perfect for families. All rooms have a full bathroom.
Among the many great assets of Meitoya are the onsen. Sourced from Zao Onsen’s famous hot springs, the water is full of natural sulfur minerals that will do wonders for your skin and overall health. Meitoya has large indoor onsen with big windows to the outside, as well as a series of outdoor baths in large hollowed out rocks, which is quite unique.
Meitoya So has a restaurant serving up incredible dishes in the evenings – it’s well worth booking with dinner for at least a few nights. They also serve a breakfast buffet with Japanese and a few western dishes.
Who should stay here
Meitoya So is great for families, couples or groups of friends that are looking for a great value superior traditional onsen in the heart of Zao Onsen village.
Scout Customer Reviews
4 nights here was a perfect recommendation. Enough to experience the 'traditional inn' and be treated to the all-inclusive luxury that's all part of the stay. Location was great walking distance to the resorts lifts and the Inn's onsens were fabulous!...and probably our favorite of the trip out of all the other public ones we got to experience. - Meghan, Scout customer 2018
Location
Meitoya So is located in the heart of Zao Onsen village. It is about a 10 minute walk from the bus terminal (up hill). To get to Zao Onsen Ski Resort you can walk approximately five-minutes downhill to the Zao Chuo Ropeway or five-minutes slight uphill to the Zao Sky Cable.
On this Zao Onsen Village Map Meitoya So is located just above Wakamatsuya.
- <5 min walk to lifts
About Zao Onsen
Zao Onsen ski resort is a Scout favorite and a lesser-known gem. It has a charming, traditional village, a great selection of hotels, natural onsen hot springs and a vast ski resort featuring its famed snow monsters. If you’re looking to get away from all the Westerners, experience something rich in culture combined with some great skiing, then Zao Onsen makes a great choice.
Read more about Zao Onsen and other hotels in the area.
Hotel Amenities
- Reception
- Lounge area
- Souvineer store
- Restaurant
- Japanese and western breakfast
- Karaoke Room (extra charge)
- Indoor and outdoor onsen
- Free wifi
Hotel Policies
Meitoya So is a typical Japanese hotel with onsen facilities. Please read our guides on staying in a Japanese Hotel and to Onsen Etiquette.
Property T&Cs:
- All guests may be required to give their full name, age, passport number, postal address, nationality and occupation on or prior to check-in, in compliance with Japanese Law.
- Property is non-smoking.
- Cots (cribs) and highchairs can be requested at time of booking and are subject to availability and an extra charge.
- Guests accept responsibility for damage to the property, fittings, furniture, keys and other chattels caused during their occupation, including any consequential losses incurred.
- Credit card details and authorization may be required to be provided upon prior check-in as a security deposit.
- Check-out is 10AM. Late check-outs may be possible on a request basis and a charge applies.
- Parking during winter months is severely restricted and must be requested and confirmed for each booking if required.
- Children aged 0-2 are FOC (no bed no meal). Please contact Scout for an updated quote based on the ages of those travelling.
Available: This selection is currently available for this price. Once you submit an inquiry our agents will confirm your booking via email and send you an invoice for a deposit. You will need to pay a 25% deposit within 7 days (unless otherwise specified) to secure the booking.
On Request: Our agents need to confirm availability of this room. Once you submit a request we will endeavour to get back to you by the next business day to confirm availability (some properties may take longer). If prices are listed they are the exact prices for your dates, room selection and room occupancy. Where prices are not listed we will confirm the price when we confirm availability. In either instance, you are not committed to your selection until after we confirm availability and price. Once you agree to that confirmation, you will be sent an invoice and will need to pay a 25% deposit within 7 days (unless otherwise specified) to secure the booking. If your requested room is not available, we will present alternative options.
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