Osteria Sincerita
Nanyo, Japan
Akayu
Vibe
Charred-cedar walls conceal a tranquil retreat where woodsmoke drifts from an open fire pit across surrounding farm fields.
“Gastronomic onsen hideaway”
Chef Makoto Harada transforms Okitama Basin produce, wild mountain greens, and Yonezawa beef into terroir-driven Italian menus.
Three expansive maisonette suites featuring dedicated multi-course omakase dinners and private outdoor cypress onsen baths.
Pure Akayu spring water fills private outdoor cypress tubs, complemented by en-suite saunas and volcanic-stone bathing.
In Akayu Onsen's historic hot-spring quarter, surrounded by the pastoral fields of the Okitama Basin.
“Osteria Sincerità is a three-room inn and Italian restaurant in Yamagata’s Okitama Valley, where clean mountain air and sharp temperature swings…”
Rooms
Two-story maisonette suites feature open-air cypress onsen tubs, lofted bedrooms, and sweeping views across the valley.
Wellness
Pure Akayu thermal spring water fills private open-air hinoki tubs and a reservable meditation bath carved from Mount Zao volcanic rock.
Backstory
Built on the former bathhouse grounds of a century-old hot-spring ryokan, this modern culinary annex opened in 2023.
Eat & drink
At Stanza della Sincerità, an eight-seat counter serves Italian omakase pairing housemade pasta and dry-aged Yonezawa beef with local wines.
The neighborhood
Set in the historic Akayu Onsen district, quiet residential lanes give way to the pastoral orchards and rice fields of Yamagata.
More like this
Yamagata The Takinami
“Nordic ryokan sanctuary”
Quiet
The app
This is one hotel. The app has every one we rate, in your pocket, for the whole trip.
Our shorthand
What makes a hotel special, how well they pull it off, and what it feels like outside the door.
How well they pull it off
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
They did this well. You’ll notice.
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Architecture and interiors lead. There’s a creative vision at work.
The guest is conspicuously well cared for. Requests met before they’re made.
Rooted in place. Local character runs through the whole stay.
Energy and scene. Where the city goes out, whether or not it’s sleeping here.
A building with history. The story of the place is part of the stay.
Built around feeling better. Rest, sweat, soak, spa.
A hotel the city grew up with. Same rituals, same regulars.
A world of its own. No reason to leave the property.
Scene — what’s outside the door
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
A place apart: the property is the destination.