One of the benefits of staying at at a Japanese ryokan, and in particular at the family-run ones, is being able to interact with the owners and, depending on the location, also with the locals. In Sakata, one of main coastal cities of Yamagata Prefecture, Wakaba Ryokan is one such ryokan offering personalised and high-quality service.
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![Staying at Sakata’s Wakaba Ryokan]()
Staying at Sakata’s Wakaba Ryokan
From the moment you enter the building you are greeted with warmth and made to feel as if you are the most special guest in the building. With cozy rooms and delicious food, the ryokan truly makes you feel at home and relaxed. Keita-san, one of the owners speaks fluent English and a good level of Spanish, and is more than eager to host foreign guests. Unofficially, he also likes to show visitors the off-the-beaten path side of Sakata (at night especially), so if you ask him he might offer a few unique suggestions for a fun night out in the town.
![Staying at Sakata’s Wakaba Ryokan]()
Staying at Sakata’s Wakaba Ryokan
If you prefer to relax at the ryokan after a busy day of touring, no problem, Wakaba Ryokan has you covered. The herbal onsen bath is conveniently open 24 hours, and besides the soothing waters, it has a view of the Japanese garden within the building. It’s not common to be able to take a dip at any time during your stay in a ryokan, so take advantage and unwind in the natural springs.
![Staying at Sakata’s Wakaba Ryokan]()
Staying at Sakata’s Wakaba Ryokan
After the warm bath, you can head over to the Wakaba’s own restaurant. While wearing the yukata provided in your room, grab a table and get ready for a true Yamagata feast. The food here is all prepared in-house and served by the owners themselves. The menu varies by season, but being in a coastal town, it will usually include seafood, tempura, local soul food like imoni (boiled potatoes and vegetables), and definitely a local sake. Dinner at Wakaba Ryokan is not only delicious, but as the restaurant is open to non-staying guests, you can get a sense of the local vibe without stepping out of the building.
![Staying at Sakata’s Wakaba Ryokan]()
Staying at Sakata’s Wakaba Ryokan
After dinner, you can do as the japanese do and make another trip to the onsen bath, or you can also chill in the ryokan’s living room. Although, we highly recommend you follow Keita-san’s recommendations and go for a tour of the Nakamichi neighbourhood which is not far from Wakaba. Historic sake bars, and iconic bar tenders await to show the fun side of Sakata.
![Staying at Sakata’s Wakaba Ryokan]()
Staying at Sakata’s Wakaba Ryokan
In the morning before heading out to check out the sights, if you’re not in a rush, grab a book, or if you want to practise your Kanji skills grab the newspaper and sit by the window overlooking the pristine garden. This is another way to get a taste of how japanese unwind and enjoy the simpler things in life.
- 若葉旅館
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- 山形県酒田市本町2-3-9
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- 0234248111
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