What kind of boutique modern onsen resort ryokan is Mori no Sumika Resort & Spa in Yamashiro Onsen?
During the rainy season in mid-June, after seeing Kenroku-en in Kanazawa city, we stayed at the long-established ryokan Arano Toan in Yamashiro Onsen, and the next day we stayed at Mori no Sumika Resort & Spa. It was a 10-minute walk from Yamashiro Onsen town, but there was a slope on the way and we had luggage, so we took a cab.
When we arrived near the entrance, the staff was already waiting for us. When the front door opened, the spectacular view of the beautiful bamboo forest and modern water basin was stunning. It was like a museum. For a while, this view overwhelmed us and we couldn’t help but stand there. We then went up a very long escalator to the reception lobby. The reception desk was on the right, and in front of it was a wonderful Japanese garden with an waterfall. Going to the back, there was a terrace with a marble table and chairs in a modern design where one could relax and enjoy the view of the Japanese garden. In the center of the lobby, there was a magnificent fireplace and modern, cozy furniture. We checked in here, listening to the sound of the cascading waterfall, and the staff immediately showed us to our room.
This time, we stayed in a Japanese-style room on 4F in the main building with a view of the Japanese garden. The view of the Japanese garden from here was wonderful. It was raining on the day of our stay, but the ambience was very charming. I think it was the cheapest room in the price range, but I was very satisfied. The resort has rooms with private outdoor baths, but not all of them are hot springs. Only large communal baths are a hot spring. Then the lounge is on the third floor of the main building, with shiny polished wood floors, sofas with fine fabrics, and free coffee, tea, apple juice, and other drinks available in the back at any time.
The resort is very large and built on a mountainside, so it was like a maze. I almost got lost several times. There are elevators, but there are many stairs. It was the most luxurious experience to be able to walk anywhere outside of the grounds and look at the wonderful Japanese garden. There was also a long corridor that used the difference in elevation to create a three-dimensional, beautiful garden beauty. The long corridor had a place to rest in the middle, and as I sat there listening to the quiet sound of falling rain and looking out over the Japanese garden in the forest. Sparrows were also sheltering from the rain under the eaves of the roof. They are probably residents of this forest.
Then the resort is stunning at night as well. The Japanese garden was lit up, creating a mystical and tranquil ambience. After dinner, we took a walk along the long corridor and enjoyed the different ambience of the Japanese garden from the daytime.
Then the outdoor walking pool with a view of the illuminated bamboo grove at night was also amazing. When we stayed, we reserved the pool for one hour by reservation only. It is a heated pool, so the water temperature is about 35 degrees Celsius. The outdoor garden pool was also lit up at night, creating a romantic ambiance. There was a bar at the poolside of the pool.
Overall, the amenities at the resort are excellent. It seems that most of the guests spend their time in the resort from the time they check in to the time they check out. On top of that, the price range is reasonable.
If I dare to give a drawback, it is the food. The food was not particularly memorable. In my opinion, the Japanese food was not bad but not surprising. If you are expecting a meal, I would recommend a teppanyaki course. The teppanyaki course, where you are seated at the counter with a view of the waterfall and the chef prepares meat, seafood, and other dishes right in front of you, makes for a very special dining experience.
Then the onsen resort ryokan is very large and has very many steps. I think it is not suitable for the elderly or people with disabilities.
Also, when we stayed in 2021, free wifi was not available in all rooms. The only areas that can be used are the lounge and the reception lobby.
Then there are a lot of insects during the summer season. This is unavoidable because the resort is surrounded by forest. If you don’t like bugs, I would recommend staying in the winter season.
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Is the location easy to access?
The location is a 15min-drive from Kagaonsen Station. Free shuttle service is available from the station between 14:00 and 18:00. You need to book it in advance. If you take a TAXI, it costs around 1,500JPY. FYI, it takes around 30min by express train from Kanazawa Station to Kagaonsen Station.
Where is the best accommodation for anniversaries?
If you are looking for a good place for a special occasion, I would recommend it. This is an onsen resort for adults. The staff arranges a cake to celebrate an anniversary at additional charges if you request in advance.
Rooms I would recommend?
If you are going to stay here, I would recommend a rooms with an outdoor private bath. It is not hot spring, though. There is no room with private hot onsen in the resort. Some facilities tend to be outdated, but the housekeeping was good.
Then if you don’t want to sleep on Japanese mattresses called futons in tatami rooms, you may wan to book a western-Japanese room.
Then the rooms in the annex called Bettei Komorebi are quite a distance from the reception lobby. It may be a little difficult to move around.
Also, all rooms had no free wifi, so you will need to go to the reception lobby or lounge to connect to the Internet.
How about toiletries & in-room amenities?
All of the amenities are taken care of including enough toiletries, yukatas, and a Japanese tea set.
This is child-friendly. Staff provides yukatas, slippers, meals, and tableware for small children if you request in advance.
Then complimentary drinks, such as coffee, English tea, oolong tea, orange juice, etc., are available at the lounge on 3F in the main building. If you stay in the annex, the lounge and reception lobby are far away. Room service is not available.
Also, staff can hold your luggage before check-in and after check-out.
How about In-house Facilities?
There are wonderful indoor and outdoor communal hot springs. They are open from 5:00-9:30, 14:00-24:00. *If you have tattoos, you may not be permitted to use the communal bathing areas.
Then, the garden pool is available for free between mid-July and late Aug. It’s open from 10:00-17:00. Also, there is a small gym. You can rent swimwear, sportswear, shoes, and yoga mats, etc.
Then the property is not a perfect universal design but wheelchairs are available for borrowing. You may want to book a room with western beds on tatami mats. If you bring people with weak legs, you may want to inform the staff in advance as they can arrange a room near the lift. The property is very large.
Also, the parking lot is a little away from the property. If you use it, you need to ask the staff to pick you up by resort cart.
Then there is a vending machine for drinks including beer, but there is no convenience store near the resort. *Please note that food and drink from outside are prohibited except baby food.
How about meals?
It seems that the standard kaiseki course wouldn’t be special. If you are a gourmet, you may want to order a Teppanyaki course in advance. The portion tends to be average. All meals are served in a private room or a dining area facing the outdoor garden pool.
*Please note that inform the staff when you book a room with meals if you have any food allergies or dietary needs. They probably wouldn’t be able to prepare alternative food if you request it on that day.
Then, as far as I know, there is no restaurant near the property. You may want to book a room including meals unless you have a car. Yamashiro Onsen Town is about a 10-minute walk away, but I have the impression that there are fewer restaurants and souvenir shops than I had imagined. The atmosphere is a little desolate, and it is not a vibrant hot spring resort town.
Dinner starts at 18:00 or 19:30. You need to check in by 18:00 if you have dinner on the property.
Breakfast starts from 7:00 to 8:30.
My impressions
Overall, the onsen resort ryokan has great value for money if compared to others in Kanazawa. The staff is friendly, helpful and, kind but not sophisticated. I guess it’s OK this is Ishikawa Prefecture. This is not a first-class hot spring resort, but for relaxation purposes, surrounded by beautiful Japanese gardens, it is a perfect place. I would like to visit next time in the fall when the leaves are changing.
Have a nice trip! Welcome to receive any questions about the property from the below space. Check Availability and Pricing for the resort on Agoda
Info about Mori no Sumika Resort & Spa
| Style | Modern Onsen Resort Ryokan |
|---|---|
| Check-in and out | 15:00/10:00 |
| Estimated Price | 40,000 JPY for 2 adults per room |
| Contact | Call at |
| Internet Connection | Free WiFi at the lobby only |
| Facility Information | Wheelchairs are available Pets are not allowed The free parking lot is available |
| Location | Morino Sumika Resort & Spa’s MAP |
| Access | Free shuttle service from Kagaonsen Station You need to book it in advance |
| Address and TEL | Tel +81 |
| Official Homepage | Morino Sumika Resort & Spa’s HP |
*All information above is as of the date that I posted on my blog.
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