Major city · Japan
Yuzawa湯沢市
Go for one night only if you have a car or book the Komachi Shuttle taxi: sights sit 10–30 km (6.2–19 mi) from Yuzawa Station and buses are thin.Go for one night only if you have a car or book the Komachi Shuttle taxi: sights sit 6.2–19 mi (10–30 km) from Yuzawa Station and buses are thin.
Yuzawa is a small city in the southeastern corner of Akita, on the Yamagata and Miyagi borders, known for Inaniwa udon, Kawatsura lacquerware and two volcanic gorge sites. Attractions are spread across a wide rural area with almost no rail access, so a car or a reserved sightseeing taxi decides whether the stop works. Most travellers give it one night, or use it as a road break on Highway 13 between Yokote and Yamagata.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- May–Jun, Oct–early Nov
- avoid Nov–Apr (gorge paths and mountain roads closed by snow)
- Airports
- AXT · GAJ · SDJ
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Yuzawa110 ▾
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Yuzawa, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyA quiet rural city with low street crime.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance · 050-3816-2787 Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportAXT Akita Airport (About 2 h by car or rail-plus-bus via Akita.).
- Getting aroundWalking covers only the station block.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥400–700 (≈ US$3–5)
- Street or quick mealRamen¥500–1,000 (≈ US$4–7)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week¥2,000–4,000 (≈ US$14–30)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Akinomiya Museum)¥500 (≈ US$4)
- Budget bedGuesthouse or hostel bed, a night, per person¥3,500 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedBusiness-hotel double room, a night, per room¥13,000 (≈ US$90)
- High-end bedBusiness-hotel double room, a night, per room¥22,000 (≈ US$150)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥6,000 (≈ US$45) · Mid ¥11,000 (≈ US$75) · High ¥20,000 (≈ US$140)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- AXT Akita Airport (About 2 h by car or rail-plus-bus via Akita.) · GAJ Yamagata Airport (Closer for the southern sights.) · SDJ Sendai Airport (Shinkansen to Omagari or Shinjo, then rail or car; a long transfer day.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Feb
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Mar
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Apr
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
not flagged
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
Care*
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: May–Jun, Oct. Mixed: Nov. Avoid: Dec–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C) low), wettest Dec (21 rain days), driest May (13). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Yuzawa: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
20 rd
Feb
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
18 rd
Mar
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
17 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
14 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
13 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
13 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
15 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
14 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
14 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
15 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
18 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
21 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walking covers only the station block. Buses run from Yuzawa Station to Oyasu Gorge via Inaniwa Castle but are infrequent; the Komachi Shuttle sightseeing taxi offers 4-hour and 8-hour tours by reservation. Otherwise rent a car: Highway 13 runs north to Yokote and Daisen and south to Yamagata, and the expressway is toll-free between Yuzawa and Yamagata but not toward Yokote.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Yokote
goDoor to door: About 45 min by train
JR Ou line north, or Highway 13 by car
Castle park and the winter kamakura festival; a straightforward half day.
Daisen, Akita
goDoor to door: About 1 h
JR Ou line north, or Highway 13 by car
Tazawa-ko and Nyuto Onsen are further east; a car makes this a full day.
Door to door: 1.5–2 h
Car on Highway 398 west, or rail via Ugo
Better as a stop on the way to the coast than a return day trip.
Semboku
overnightDoor to door: 2.5–3 h
JR Ou line north to Omagari, then the Akita Shinkansen and local rail
Nyuto Onsen and Tazawa-ko deserve a night, not a return trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Yuzawa Station area (Omotemachi)
Business hotels and the station bars; the only place where you can walk to dinner.
Akinomiya Onsen
Ryokan and onsen village on Highway 108, about 30 min by car south of the centre.
Oyasu-kyo Onsen
Gorge-side onsen lodgings; quiet, car needed, closed in by snow in winter.
Innai (southern Yuzawa)
Ryokan beside Innai Station on the JR Ou line; useful if you are moving by train.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥6,000–10,000 (≈ US$45–70) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥10,000–16,000 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- High
- ¥16,000 (≈ US$110)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Business-hotel double room1 × 1 night × ¥13,000 | ¥13,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ¥11,000 | ¥22,000 |
| Rental car, one day, compact1 × ¥9,000 · Fuel and expressway tolls extra. | ¥9,000 |
| Komachi Shuttle sightseeing taxi, 4-hour tour1 × ¥20,000 · Reservation required; book on the operator's site. | ¥20,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ¥2,500 | ¥5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥6,900 |
| Trip total≈ ¥37,950 per person per day, bed included | ¥75,900≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in yen; a car or taxi tour is the main variable. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Inaniwa udon, one bowl | ¥800–1,500 (≈ US$6–11) |
| Ramen | ¥500–1,000 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Coffee | ¥400–700 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Museum entry (Akinomiya Museum) | ¥500 (≈ US$4) |
| Ryokan room without meals (Kikuchi Ryokan) | from ¥5,250 (≈ US$40) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ¥2,000–4,000 (≈ US$14–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Kawarage Jigoku is closed in winter, roughly November to early May.
- The Oyasu Gorge walking path shuts from mid-November to late April; the opening date depends on snow.
- Roads to Kawarage Oyutaki Falls close in winter.
- Never drive after drinking: any alcohol in your system is illegal, and police watch for it. Sleeping in a car is common but check the morning after.
- Many restaurants and the udon shops keep short hours and close one or two days a week; check before you drive out.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English)
- 050-3816-2787
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Yuzawa湯沢市
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Embassy
No embassy in Yuzawa. Most embassies and consulates-general are in Tokyo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Yuzawa Station → Oyasu Gorge, bus: check the timetable at the station; a few runs a day
- Yuzawa → Yokote, JR Ou line: about 45 min
- Komachi Shuttle sightseeing taxi, 4 h: reservation required, book on the operator's site
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- これをください — This one, please (kore o kudasai)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- カードで払えますか？ — Can I pay by card? (kādo de haraemasu ka)
- トイレはどこですか？ — Where is the toilet? (toire wa doko desu ka)
Rural roads and mountain paths: tell someone your route and carry cash.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Yuzawa. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Oct–early Nov · avoid Nov–Apr (gorge paths and mountain roads closed by snow) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares