"Tucked behind a decorative thatched-roof gate, Yamagata The Takinami occupies a centuries-old house built to withstand the region’s heavy snow. But instead of traditional tatami mats and tea rooms, its minimalist interiors feature sleek Nordic-style décor and modern Japanese design — a row of Arne Jacobsen’s Swan chairs lined up beside big picture windows invite lounging in a ground-level living room, while guest rooms feature pieces by Tendo Mokko. Simply outfitted in calming white and native wood, they’re situated in three areas, including the main house and an adjacent storehouse. Each has a private open-air bath fed by the region’s natural springs and maintained by the hotel’s small staff of hot spring attendants." - Tablet Hotels