Nothing.

Firstly, Hide the host was extremely friendly. The house is clean, very well decorated with good music in the background in the main room. Lots of stuff was free of use in the house, like free juice and free bread for breakfast. The host was very nice, recommended us an extremely good and cheap restaurant in the midst of the Yamagata festival. Lots of manga available in the house if you want to chill and read while listening good music. Bath to take a small Onsen in the shower room.

Stayed in August 2025

The location was great. There were some room and bed comfortable. If you like connecting with people this is the place to be. They cook meals every evening based on donation. It is optional of course if you wish to join. Tip: get off at Yamagata station not the one Google maps says. Yamagata station also has many shops, restaurants and supermarkets.

Stayed in May 2025

Incredible staff, the hosts are so kind and make you feel at home, there’s a group dinner you can join every night and it’s always amazing food. Great location in between Kita-Yamagata and Yamagata station. I will definitely return, I really loved staying here

Stayed in February 2025

Extremely nice hostel experience. Very nice hosts and staff. Very good dinner, cooked in front of our eyes and breakfast self service. Thank you - enjoyed it very much!!

Stayed in February 2025

Warm welcome and cozy atmoshere

Stayed in February 2025

Staff were very welcoming and cooked a lovely dinner for us. Warm room and comfortable bed.

Stayed in February 2025

Sweet home and staff

Stayed in January 2025

Nothing, only the bed is a bit noisy when u sit on it, but there is ear plugs and only happen when you frost sit on it, after that is fine every when u turning during sleep

Staff are very friendly, and the atmosphere are super good plus the bed sheet smells very good!! There is 2 very cute shy cute

Stayed in December 2024

Not much.

Property is very functional and well equipped. Amazing auto-bath, try it !!

Stayed in December 2024

Great team Excellent food Clean and organized Highly recommended

Stayed in November 2024

The beds were comfortable, though a little on the firm side, but we still slept well.

Our stay at this hostel was fantastic! The host was exceptionally kind and welcoming, making us feel right at home. The house itself is cozy, warm, and even has friendly cats, which added a nice, homely touch. A huge bonus is that they offer dinner, so I’d recommend not eating beforehand. The food was absolutely delicious, and there’s a small donation box where you can contribute for the meal. The location is really peaceful and the train station is 20 min away by walk.

Stayed in October 2024

Only staying for one night 🥺

Probably the best place I ever stayed at, price to quality ratio is through the roof, room was very cozy, bathroom super clean and comfy, the host made dinner for us and we chatted and mingled in a small group until 1am 🥺 Amazing experience

Stayed in October 2024

Very near the park, Great staff.

Stayed in August 2024

Thank you Hide san for your kind hospitality! The food was just excellent and couldn't be made better...🙏

Stayed in July 2024

Absolutely loved my stay at Guesthouse Mintaro Hut! The home is very cozy and all the staff are very friendly and helpful. My favorite part was gathering for a delicious dinner every night cooked by the owner, Hide-san and their staff and getting to bond together over good food and drinks. The facilities are always clean and the rooms are spacious and cozy. Will definitely come back one day!

Stayed in June 2024

Nothing!

Amazing host and place 10/10

Stayed in April 2024

Nothing. Everything was perfect.

this was hands-down, the best guesthouse experience of my entire life. The host was incredibly hospitable and with donation-based dinner every night at 7:30, he created an environment of warm sociability that you probably will not find anywhere else have spent many weeks in Japan and I have stayed in many guest houses, and this one is by far the best stay I have ever been in, even the second best that I’ve been in doesn’t even hold a candle to this one. Thank you to Hide for his wonderful hospitality. I wish I could give this a rating of a million stars.

Stayed in April 2024

It’s a bit far from the train station.

Everyone is very nice, the food is really good. Location is pretty good if you want to visit Zao.

Stayed in February 2024

Everything was just perfect. We will go there again.

Breakfast was included in the room price. There was freshly cooked rice every morning. You can use the kitchen and American style Bread, butter, honey, jam, ham, eggs, etc were always available. One needs to prepare breakfast themselves. Dinner is on donation basis. All the guests come together in the evening and enjoy the tasty Japanese homecooked food from the Host. Many of the guests staying there also cooked. There was just unlimited food and Sake. I even learned a to prepare a few Japanese side dishes. Rest you should experience it by yourself. I cannot wait to go there again. The host speaks English. The Staff was very helpful.

Stayed in January 2024

Sound-proof might be a little lacking.

The feel like home.

Stayed in December 2023

Nothing

Everything is beautiful from the moment we arrived till we left. The culture at this guesthouse is what im looking for at every guesthouse.

Stayed in January 2024

Non

Very unique homestyle accommodation. We had a very busy day from Tokyo to Yamagata and when we reach into this house we feel so welcome, the checkin lady is nice to show us around. We didn’t join their gathering at night but the owner is so kind to offer 1 glass of drink. It is truly a nice and special experience! Car park is available too in front the buidling.

Stayed in December 2023

Toilets and bath facilities are downstairs from bedroom areas but this wasn’t a big problem

The owner and staff are really friendly and welcoming. You feel part of the family from the moment you arrive.

Stayed in December 2023

The room wasn’t huge but we managed.

The community atmosphere! it was lovely, there is dinner cooked by the staff every night (payable by donation), friends of the owner come round and it feels like a family dinner where you can try different local food and hang out with local people. The kitchen area was super cosy and homely.

Stayed in November 2023