What kind of ryokan is Yanagawa Ohana?
In mid-January, during the cold winter months, We stayed at this ryokan with our two small children in Yanagawa, about an hour from Fukuoka City. To get straight to the point, we had a truly wonderful stay at this ryokan, a place where history and tradition are concentrated. There is no hot spring on the grounds, which was a bit of a letdown for us hot spring lovers, but the Japanese garden, Japanese architecture, and museum surrounded by the tasteful castle town were well worth seeing. Also, a kotatsu boat ride down the canal while warmed by the kotatsu was a good memory. We hope to visit again in a different season.
From Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station in the center of Fukuoka City, we boarded an express train just before 12:00 p.m. and arrived at Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station in about an hour. From there, it took about 10 minutes on foot to reach a boat pier. We decided to take a kotatsu boat to Ohana, where we would be staying this time. Yanagawa, where the ryokan is located, is called a beautiful water city with 930 kilometers of canals, which have not changed since the Edo period, spreading throughout the city and boats passing by. You can get around on foot or by cab, but the best way to get around Yanagawa is to take a river cruise.
When we boarded the boat, we found a long, narrow kotatsu. Even though the wind on the river surface was cold, it was warm and comfortable when we put our feet into the kotatsu. Even the children, who had been so cold and listless, were excited to get into the kotatsu. It was a very precious experience for us to be able to stroll along the picturesque waterfront while warming our feet with the kotatsu.
The rows of willow trees reflected on the surface of the river, which we viewed while sitting on kotatsu, created an quaint atmosphere. For a while, we watched the skillful pole-skimming of a boatman and listened to his boat songs, the sound of the boat’s pole scratching the water, and the pleasant sound of the flowing water. We felt as if we had time-traveled back to the Edo period.
Then, on the way down the river, there were two waterfront concession stands selling juices, local sake, snacks, ice cream, and other items. My husband and I enjoyed the local sake, while the children drank orange juice with relish. After a while, we happened to see a “bride boat” carrying the bride and groom up the river to a reception hall. The passing boats were applauding in celebration. It was a very heartwarming sight.
We disembarked at the pier in the parking lot of the ryokan a little after 2:30 p.m. and entered through the entrance of the accommodation building next to the Western-style building, where we proceeded to the lobby for check-in procedures. The lobby was decorated with historical decorations and furnishings, which heightened our anticipation. The staff then escorted us to our room. We stayed in a corner Japanese/Western room that was renovated in 2017. The room was in a perfect location overlooking a wonderful Japanese garden. As soon as we entered the room, we were immediately struck by the view from the window. Then, from the window on the right, we could see the roof tiles of magnificent buildings built over 100 years ago, as well as the Western-style building. We could also see boats going down the river across the Japanese garden. Upon entering the room, we found a Japanese-style living room with a sofa on the large veranda called engawa, and a bedroom with twin beds at the far right. It was a cozy, modern Japanese-style room with a great view, but the modular bath was small.
For a while, we sat on a long sofa on the engawa and admired the various birds that inhabit the Japanese garden. Then suddenly we realized that it was already past 3:00 p.m., so we decided to visit the Tachibana Museum and the Western Pavilion on the grounds before dinner. Guests can visit the museum free of charge. They are open from 10:00 to 16:00.
The Tachibana Museum exhibits the Tachibana family’s collection of arts and crafts and daimyo’s tools, which has a history of over 400 years. Then the Western-style building, which retains the elegance of the Meiji era, was built more than 100 years ago, and was used to host garden parties for dignitaries in those days, and is now used as a wedding hall and party venue.
In the Japanese-style room on the way to the Western-style building, many colorful hanging ornaments called tsuribina from the ceiling created a stunning space with decorated dolls in all their splendor. It was truly a sight worth seeing. Children looked with great interest at the handmade fabric crafts of cranes, rabbits, and chicks, one by one.
Dinner was at 5:00 p.m. after this, so we went to a dining area on the first floor of the accommodation building. When we arrived at the dining area, the staff showed us to a wonderful private Japanese-style dining room. The room used to be the residence of Count Tachibana and his family during the Meiji era and is now used as a private dining room in the dining area. The interior and Japanese architecture built by first-rate carpenters were very impressive, with the ranma and fittings carved with the family crest of the Tachibana family. Also, through the yukimi-shoji sliding doors, one could see the illuminated pine trees in the Japanese garden, creating an inspiring and picturesque ambience. It was truly a wonderful experience for us to be able to dine in a magnificent Japanese-style room with history and tradition amidst the serenity of the moment.
Then, the kaiseki dinner was excellent, especially the teppanyaki Yanagawa wagyu beef loin and the unaju (eel stew) at the end. For the children, we ordered children’s meals in advance. Fried shrimp, hamburger steak, fried potatoes, fried chicken, assorted sashimi, and steamed egg custard were offered.
Private rooms in the dining room need to be reserved in advance by 2:00 p.m. three days prior to the event, and there is an additional charge. The rooms called Matsu-no-Ma and Suzu-no-Ma , in particular, are the most prestigious as they were the Count’s rooms and offer the most beautiful view of the Japanese garden. The Matsu-no-Ma room costs JPY6,050 and the Take-no-Ma room costs JPY2,420. For reservations, pls contact s-yoyaku@ohana.co.jp
After dinner, we decided to relax in the cafe on the first floor of the accommodation building. We sipped Kyushu lemon chuhai and the kids had Yanagawa milk. In the cafe, coffee, vinegar cider, and oolong tea were also available free of charge. Hours of operation were 6:00-10:00 and 19:00-23:00.
We then decided to go to a large Japanese-style hall where we could view the Japanese garden lit up. The spacious Japanese garden, with its 280 magnificent black pines, 1,500 garden stones, and stone lanterns, was filled with an ethereal ambience. Sitting on the engawa of the spacious hall, we looked up into the chilly air and saw the moon shining in the dark sky. The surface of the large pond reflected the beautiful moon. We wanted to stay and watch this wonderful scene, but the children looked sleepy, so we decided to go back to our room to rest.
The next morning we woke up a little after 6:00 a.m. and it was still dark outside the window. We went to the café on the first floor, where my husband and I relaxed with coffee and the children enjoyed hot milk. We moved from the café to the large Japanese-style hall to look out at the magnificent Japanese garden lit by the soft morning sun. It was so cold, but the view of the various wild ducks playing in the large pond was very impressive.
After this, we went to the dining area. Breakfast started at 7:30 a.m. and was served in the dining room. Breakfast was also Japanese food, but it was elegant and elaborate, and we enjoyed the local flavor all the way through.
After breakfast, we planned to go out to free onsen called Kanpo no Yu, a five-minute walk away, but a cold rain started to sprinkle, so we decided to sit on the sofa on the engawa of the room and enjoy the Japanese garden from outside the window until it was time to check out.
If I were to raise a disadvantage, it would be that there is no onsen on the grounds. However, there is a free onsen nearby. Also, we visited Yanagawa in the cold winter, so we could not enjoy the castle town lit by faint lights as we went down the river at dusk, so next time we would like to visit during the warmer season.
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Is the location easy to access?
From Hakata Station, take the Airport Subway Line to Tenjin Station. The trip takes 5 minutes. Get off at Tenjin Station and walk about 7 minutes to Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station. From there, take the Nishitetsu Tenjin Omuta Line bound for Omuta and get off at Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station. The trip takes 55 minutes. From Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station to the ryokan is a 10-minute cab ride. The fare is approximately JPY1,500.
If you have time, after getting off at Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station, you can also experience the charm of the boat ride from the pier near Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station to the ryokan, which takes about 70 minutes. Fares range from JPY1,700 to JPY2,000 per adult. Since there are several operating companies, there are four boarding locations, but the fare is about the same regardless of which company you board the boat with. Click here for a map of the boarding locations. River cruise boats depart in order when there is a capacity of about 10 people, so reservations are generally not required. However, on weekends during the tourist season, you may want to make reservations in advance since there can be long lines.
Then, don’t forget to go to the restroom before boarding a boat. Also, if the weather permits, you may want to rent a traditional triangular hat for JPY100. Direct sunlight is very strong. In case of rain, raincoats are available for rent.
Since we visited in the cold winter, we boarded a boat with a kotatsu, but it depends on the season. The lighted boats on summer nights are especially popular. The 4-km moat illuminated by lights creates a different, more quiet atmosphere than in the daytime.
How about toiletries & in-room amenities?
All of the amenities are taken care of including enough toiletries, yukatas, tea bags, a coffee machine with capsules, a complimentary minibar including beer, etc. Also, there were Mikimoto bath amenities in the bathroom. The free WiFi reception was good on the property. Room service is available. There are vending machines. There are some convenience stores nearby.
How about In-house Facilities?
This ryokan is not a universal design but wheelchairs are available for borrowing. If you bring someone with weak legs, you may want to inform the staff in advance as they can arrange a room near the entrance.
How about meals?
All meals are served in a private room or dining area. Reservations for private rooms are required by 2:00 p.m. three days prior to the event. The private rooms are special Japanese-style rooms with history and tradition.
Dinner starts between 17:00 and 19:30. Breakfast starts at 7:30 or 8:00.
Please note that inform the staff when you book a room with meals if you have any food allergies. They probably wouldn’t be able to prepare alternative food if you request on that day.
Welcome to receive any questions about Yanagawa Ohana from the below space. Check Availability and Pricing for the ryokan on Agoda
Info about Yanagawa Ohana
| Style | Traditional Ryokan |
|---|---|
| Check-in and out times |
15:00/10:00 |
| Estimated Price | 40,000 JPY for 2 adults per room |
| Contact | info@ohana.co.jp |
| Internet Connection | Free wifi in the ryokan |
| Facility Information | Wheelchairs are available Pets are not allowed The free parking lot is available |
| Location | Yanagawa Ohana’s MAP |
| Access | 10min by taxi from Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station |
| Address and TEL | 832-0069 Fukuoka, Yanagawa, Shinhokamachi 1 Tel +81-944-73-2189 |
| Official Homepage | Yanagawa Ohana’s HP |
*All information above is as of the date that I posted on my blog.
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