What kind of boutique onsen ryokan is Takitei in Kanazawa?
After visiting Kenroku-en in early April during the cherry blossom season, we took a cab to the ryokan where we would be staying tonight. A 10-minute cab ride brought us to a surprisingly quiet countryside surrounded by rice paddies. After a while, we saw a magnificent gate structure that looked like a samurai residence. It is hard to believe that it is only a 15-minute drive from the center of Kanazawa city, yet it is tucked away upstream on Saigawa River in a rich natural setting. It was a magnificent Japanese-style building worthy of a high-class ryokan.
After passing through the white curtain called noren, we entered through the entrance and took off our shoes at the magnificent front door. Slippers were not provided, as the floor was covered with tatami mats. Walking on the tatami mats, I felt as if my feet were gently wrapped around them after a long day of walking in the large Kenroku-en Garden.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by the staff, and we enjoyed green tea and Japanese sweets while taking in the beautiful view of the the courtyard from here. The cherry trees in the Japanese garden were in full bloom, creating a quaint ambience. After a short break, we were shown to our room. After passing through a long tatami-matted hallway, an entrance with a Kaga Yuzen curtain called Noren on the right comes into view. This is the entrance to the Saikawa building. The ryokan has three buildings: Chinka-tei, Saigawa Annex, and Tatsumi-tei Annex. There are no steps inside the ryokan, so it is easy to walk around.
This time we stayed in a room with a private outdoor hot spring bath in Saigawa Annex. When I entered the room, I could smell the fragrance of tatami mats. The murmuring of the river was soothing to me as I could hear it constantly. The Saigawa River was flowing right there, and when I went out on the terrace, the breeze was refreshing and very comfortable. While we were looking out from the terrace, the staff prepared yukatas that fit our sizes on the chest of drawers.
Then we quickly changed into our yukatas and headed for the communal hot spring baths. As we moved around the building, we could see beautiful trees from everywhere, hear the sound of flowing waterfalls and chirping birds, and sigh at the natural beauty of the place. Despite the fact that the ryokan has less than 30 rooms, the size of the property was surprisingly large.
Then the communal outdoor hot spring baths with views of the waterfall is worth seeing. In particular, the outdoor baths are lit up at night, creating a mystical atmosphere in which to enjoy the communal outdoor baths. The spring water is as thick as lotion and seems to be full of moisturizing ingredients. Also, there is a foot hot spring bath located next to the communal baths. It was a nice place to sit on a sofa and enjoy the view of the waterfall.
Then the ryokan has cozy lounges in each of its three wings. Free coffee, tea, juice, candy, chocolate, and snacks were available. After breakfast, I went to the lounge of Saigawa Annex, and with a cup of coffee in my hand, the peaceful view of the countryside made me nostalgic. There was an original rural landscape there that made me want to gaze at it forever. Also, after dinner, I went to the lobby lounge in Chinka-tei for coffee and a view of the illuminated bamboo forest. No one was around, so I had this lovely space all to myself.
Overall, the facilities, ambience, hot springs, rooms, and hospitality of the staff would be perfect. The price range is also reasonable for a luxury ryokan. If I had to pick a fault, I would say that the food was quite ordinary. There were no memorable dishes. This is unfortunate, because Kanazawa, like Kyoto, has a traditional food culture and many high-level restaurants.
Takitei is ideal for solo travelers, business travelers, small groups and couples. You can spend your time and atmosphere in private. During our stay, we hardly saw any other guests except for those in the communal hot spring baths. All meals were served in a private room.
Check availability and pricing for the property on Agoda
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Is the location easy to access?
It takes about 30 minutes by cab from Kanazawa Station and costs approx. JPY3,700. It is about 15 minutes from Kenroku-en and costs approx. JPY2,500.
Alternatively, you can take a Hokuriku Tetsudo Bus from the number 3 bus stop at East Exit of Kanazawa Station, and get off at Sue Bus Stop. From the bus stop, staff will guide you. Free shuttle service is available until 18:00. You need to inform the staff by phone before getting on a bus. It would be very hard to walk from the bus stop to the ryokan. Don’t forget to ask the staff to pick you up in advance. Then if this is your first visit to Kanazawa, you may be worried about where you should get off so you may want to show the below Japanese sentence to a bus driver when you get on a bus. It takes 25min by bus from Kanazawa station. The bus fare is JPY390 per adult.
Please let me know when you reach “Sue Bus Stop”
Where is the best accommodation for anniversaries in Kanazawa?
If you are looking for a good place for a special occasion, Takitei would be perfect. The staff can arrange flowers and cakes to celebrate an anniversary at additional charges if you request by 3 days in advance.
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Rooms I would recommend?
If you are going to stay here, I would recommend that you stay in a room with a private hot spring bath. Rooms in Saigawa Annex and Tatsumi-tei Annex are equipped with private hot spring baths. Personally, I prefer the rooms in Saigawa Annex. Also, some rooms in Chinka-tei face the garden, and you can feed carp in the pond directly from your room. Carp food is also available in your room. When you feed them, they will gather countless numbers of carp.
How about toiletries & in-room amenities?
All of the amenities are taken care of including enough toiletries, yukatas, welcome sweets, and a green tea set, etc. Sony Bluetooth speakers were placed. There were Mikimoto bath amenities in the bathroom. Humidifiers, bicycles, and CD players are available for borrowing if you request. Free WiFi reception was good in the property when I stayed in 2020. Room service is not available.
How about In-house Facilities?
Takitei is almost universal design. There are some accessible rooms. Wheelchairs are available for borrowing. If you bring people with weak legs, you may want to inform the staff in advance as they can arrange a room near the entrance.
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Then there are wonderful large indoor and outdoor communal hot spring baths. Basically, they are open for 24h. *Please note that if you have tattoos, you may not be permitted to use the communal bathing areas, so you may want to book a room with a private hot spring.
Then there is a vending machine for drinks, but there is no convenience store nearby. You may want to buy your necessities before coming here.
How about services?
This is child-friendly. Staff can provide meals, futons, and amenities for small children if you request in advance.
Then they can hold your luggage before check-in and after check-out. If you go sightseeing in Kanazawa city before check-in, you may want to use the Baggage delivery service in Kanazawa Station at an additional charge. It would be very useful.
How about meals?
The portion was average. Also, Noto beef steak, abalone steak, and crab can be ordered a la carte for an additional charge with advance notice. Then Noto beef sukiyaki course meal, shabu-shabu course meal, and crab hot pot course meal can also be ordered. Please make a request with the staff in advance.
All meals are served in a private room. Dinner starts from 18:00 to 19:30. You need to check in by 19:00 if you have dinner on the property. Breakfast starts from 7:30 to 8:30.
*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 it on that day.
Then, as far as I know, there is no restaurant around here. You may want to book a room including meals unless you have a car.
My impressions
The most important I would like to highlight is the staff was really helpful, proactive, and friendly. Takitei will definitely be a 5-star luxury ryokan and well worth the stay. This time I visited during the cherry blossom season, so I would like to stay during the fall season.
Have a nice trip! Welcome to receive any questions about Takitei from the below space. *If you check-in after 18:00, you may want to inform the staff in advance. Check availability and pricing for the property on Agoda
Info about Takitei
| Style | Luxury Modern Ryokan |
|---|---|
| Check-in and out times |
15:00/10:00 |
| Estimated Price | 50,000 JPY for 2 adults per room |
| Contact E-mail |
|
| Internet Connection | Free wifi at the property |
| Facility Information | Wheelchairs are available Pets are not allowed The free parking lot is available |
| Location | Takitei’s MAP |
| Access | Free shuttle service from Sue Bus Stop Need to book it in advance |
| Address and TEL | Tel +81 |
| Official Homepage | Takitei’s HP |
*All information above is as of the date that I posted on my blog.
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