What kind of boutique gourmet resort hotel is Hyakurakuso in Noto Peninsula?
In mid-November, when the autumn leaves were beautiful, we drove two hours by rental car from Kanazawa Station to this boutique hotel at the tip of the Noto Peninsula. On the way there, we wondered if there was really a resort hotel ahead. The hotel was tucked away in the forest, hidden from the outside world. It is located in a secluded part of Tsukumo Bay, so the ocean waves were calm.
After passing through the hotel gate, a short while later, a building resembling a luxury ryokan with a magnificent pine trees planted came into view. When we parked our car in the parking lot, we were greeted by the staff. Then, as we entered, the aroma of a tea incense burner wafted through the air. We took off our shoes at the spacious entrance, changed into slippers, and were led to the dining area at the back of the lobby, where we were served welcome drinks and pumpkin cookies. The welcome drink was a choice of beer, cider, or blueberry juice.
The view of Tsukumo Bay from here was truly spectacular. The complex series of coves changed with each view, depending on the tide and the reflection of the sun’s rays. Here, we checked in while looking at the sparkling surface of the water. Since we visited in the fall season, the surrounding trees were turning yellow, and the crisp blue sky and cobalt blue ocean created a natural beauty. Facing Tsukumo Bay, the views from various places in the hotel were very soothing.
We stayed in a Jr Suite room this time. After taking a rest in the lobby, we were shown to our room, and as we entered, we were excited to see the wonderful view of Tsukumo Bay from here as well. It was just at dusk, so the sky was tinted pink and the whole area was enveloped in a sunset glow, and the mystical Tsukumo Bay was a sight to behold. The room was spacious and had a cozy terrace.
All suite rooms have complimentary drinks in the refrigerator. For example, tea, coffee, juice, beer, chuhai, and other alcoholic beverages are available. There is also a lounge available only for guests staying in suites. Whiskey, liqueurs, cocktails, beer, appetizers, and snacks are all available, free of charge. After breakfast, there were puddings and fruits.
Then you can enjoy fishing from the pier on the grounds. It is available from 11:30 a.m. on check-in day, so we enjoyed fishing from around noon. You can see a lot of fish swimming in the sea from the pier. The sea is exceptionally clear, so you can see inside the ocean. Even if you are a beginner fisherman, you can always catch something. Fishing equipment is about JPY1500 for rental. You can also bring your own. We caught a lot of sardines and horse mackerels. The chef will also cook and serve the fish you catch for dinner or breakfast.
Then although there are no hot springs here, there is a cave bath that uses deep sea water. The cave baths, reached through a long cave, inspired a sense of adventure, and was completed by a 77-year-old craftsman who spent three years carving it by hand. It was a very magical space. There were also three smaller outdoor baths. At night, Tsukumo Bay was lit up and fantastic, and fish would gather around the lights in the water, which I watched while taking an open-air bath.
Then again, the food here is excellent with sophisticated seafood dishes. From appetizers to desserts, there was a playfulness in the dishes and the containers that made me excited to see what would be served next. I could feel the chef’s sense of style and spirit in every dish. Local abalone, Noto beef steaks, snow crab, oysters, and other premium ingredients were used. The fish we caught was served as fried fish.
If I were to mention a drawback, it would be that it takes more than two hours from Kanazawa Station by rental car or bus. It is in a very inconvenient location, so access will take some time. It would be better if it were a little closer to Kanazawa Station. Also, there is no hot spring on the grounds, which may not be enough for those who love hot springs. There are rooms with private open-air baths with spectacular views, but they are not hot springs. Nevertheless, even considering the above shortcomings, it is well worth a visit.
Check availability and pricing for the ryokan on Agoda
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Is the location easy to access?
When you visit here, you may want to get a rental car in Kanazawa city. If you visit in the winter season, I wouldn’t recommend driving a car because of the heavy snow.
Alternatively, you can take an express bus at the number 7 bus stop from the west exit of Kanazawa Station. Refer to the timetable. Then get off at Yanagida Tensaka Bus Stop. It takes around 150min. It costs JPY2,400 per adult. If this is your first visit to Ishikawa prefecture, 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.
Please let me know when you reach “Yanagida Tensaka Bus Stop”.
Then staff will provide transportation from the bus stop to the hotel. Please be sure to inform the staff in advance that you need a pick-up service.
Rooms I would recommend?
If you are going to stay, I would recommend a suite. Some rooms may not have a great view, but all suites have nice views of Tsukumo Bay. Then if you love to drink, the suites are great. There is a cozy lounge that is only available to guests staying in suites, with free access to alcoholic beverages. There is also a nice cave bar near the pier with unlimited alcohol.
How about toiletries & in-room amenities?
All of the amenities are taken care of including enough toiletries, yukatas, a Nespresso coffee machine with capsules, baked sweets, a complimentary minibar including beer and a green tea set, etc. There were also colorful yukata in the lobby, from which you could choose your favorite. 150+ patterned yukatas were available. Then there were L’OCCITANE amenities in the bathroom. Room service is available from 20:00 to 22:30. The free WiFi reception was good on the property.
Then this is child-friendly. Staff can provide yukatas, amenities, and meals for small children if you request in advance.
Also, they can hold your luggage before check-in and after check-out.
How about In-house Facilities?
Overall, facilities tend to be a bit worn-out, but well-maintained. There are very unique cave indoor and outdoor communal baths using deep ocean water. The cave bath is located on the second basement level, 30 meters below the ground. They are not hot springs, but you may want to try all of them. When moving from the cave bath to the outdoor baths, you need to go down the steps. There is no elevator, so it may be a bit difficult for those with weak legs and backs.
Then there is a wonderful private family bath with a beautiful view of Tsukumo Bay. It costs JPY3,000 for 50min. You need to book it in advance. If you stay in a suite, you can use it for free. A fruit squeezer with fresh oranges was available for free in the private family bath. That was great service. The private family bath face west, so the best time to take a bath is when you can watch the sunset.
All of them are open from 5:00 to 24:00. *Please note that if you have tattoos, you may not be permitted to use the communal bathing areas. It is a good idea to book a room with a private outdoor bath.
Then the hotel has a private fishing pier where you can enjoy fishing. Fish caught before 6:30 p.m. that day can be cooked and served for dinner. There is an additional charge for cooking, but the price is reasonable at about JPY50 per fish. You can enjoy fishing at the pier from 11:30 a.m. on the check-in day until 2:30 p.m. on the check-out day. We saw some guests enjoying fishing after dinner, but it gets cold at night because it is on the sea. Don’t forget to take warm clothes depending on the season.
There is also a cave bar near the pier with alcohol and snacks. There is no staff, so it is on a self-service basis. All you can drink for JPY2,200. Free of charge for suite guests.
Then Hyakurakusou is not a universal design. If you bring people with weak legs, you may want to find others. There are many steps in-house. Wheelchairs are available for borrowing, though.
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Then there is a vending machine for drinks including beer in-house, but there is no convenience store nearby. You may want to buy your necessities before coming here.
How about meals?
As noted above, the local seafood for dinner and breakfast was excellent. Dinner was served in the dining room on the second basement floor and breakfast was served in the dining room at the back of the lobby. All were served in a private dining room. It was interesting that when we had dinner in the dining room on the second basement floor, we were able to watch the fish swimming underwater. After dinner, rice balls, gratins, and fruit jellies were placed at the exit of the dining room for the night’s snack, which was to be taken back to the room at will.
Breakfast was served overlooking Tsukumo Bay. Flying fish and seagulls came by. Occasionally, fishing boats would come and go, and the morning in Noto was very refreshing.
Dinner starts at 18:00 or 19:30. Breakfast starts between 7:30 and 9:00. *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 it on that day.
Then, as far as I know, there is no restaurant around the property. You may want to book a room including meals.
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My impressions
It was truly a perfect hotel. I would love to visit again in the spring or winter. At last, don’t forget to check a weather forecast if you want to see a stunning bay view. That’s the most important.
Have a nice trip! Welcome to receive any questions about Hyakurakuso from the below space. Check availability and pricing for the ryokan on Agoda
Info about Hyakurakuso
| Style | Japanese-style Resort Hotel |
|---|---|
| Guest Rating | Wonderful 9.0 |
| Estimated Price | 45,000JPY for 2 adults per room |
| Contact E-Mail | info@100raku.com |
| Internet Connection | Free WiFi in the ryokan |
| Facility Information | Wheelchairs are available Pets are not allowed The free parking lot is available |
| Location | Hyakurakuso’s MAP |
| Access | 150min by bus from Kanazawa station to Yanagida Tensaka bus stop. Free shuttle service from the bus stop. *Need to book in advance |
| Address and TEL | Tel +81 |
| Official Homepage | Hyakurakuso’s HP *Japanese Only |
*All information above is as of the date that I posted on my blog.
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