Zao Onsen in mid april where and what to do?

I am planning to visit Zao area Yamakata this around mid April and I heard that The outside pool for public baht will not be opened.

My question would be is there any similar atmosphere out door pool that I can enjoys?

I am looking for local homestay or ryokan in Zao town that fit for busget traveller, can anyone suggest any?

Thank you in advance for any suggestion

My question would be is there any similar atmosphere out door pool that I can enjoys?

None of the other baths compares to the Dairotemburo, but several of the baths are pretty nice, as well. I personally like the baths at the Shinzaemon no Yu, while the small, public bath houses provide a great local atmosphere:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7928.html

I am looking for local homestay or ryokan in Zao town that fit for busget traveller, can anyone suggest any?

Zao has a lot of pensions that cost under 10,000 yen per night and include dinner and breakfast. Many hotel reservation website seem to list some of them.

The Japanese language ones list particularly many, in case you read some Japanese:
travel.rakuten.co.jp

Thank you so much Uji

I also read you previous advise about ZAO onsen, it very helpful.

Now I made reservation with one local guest house but have not got any food back from them yet.

Once again, Thank you for your answer

Related question about the Zao Onsen area. Just to the south of Zao Onsen on the Echo Line I see a symbol on the map http://goo.gl/maps/Z0CNd I assume this means that the road is liable to be shut during the winter. Am I correct?

The mentioned route (主)12 is scheduled to open after Apr 26 this year.

http://www.jartic.or.jp/guide/hunou12/huyamga.html

Thank you William5 That's what I needed. I am thinking of a cycling holiday in the Autumn and wanted to check when it closes. I see Nov 5 in 2012 and that is well after my possible visit in Oct.