What kind of boutique gourmet ryokan is Kanazawa Chaya near Kanazawa Station?
On a cold and snowy January weekend, I took a Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station, arrived at Kanazawa Station around 2:30 pm, and headed for Kanazawa Chaya where I would be staying tonight. It was snowing, so I was glad that the ryokan was close to the station, only a 3-minute walk away. Since I was traveling alone this time, I chose this ryokan in a convenient location for easy sightseeing in Kanazawa city. With the limited time of two days and one night, I was able to spend time efficiently.
Kanazawa Chaya is a sister inn of the famous Kagaya in Wakura Onsen town. Therefore, although it is a small ryokan located near Kanazawa Station, the service, food, and hospitality were top-notch.
At the entrance, there was a noren curtain with a paper lantern saying “Kanazawa Chaya” and a vermilion umbrella painted on it. Pulling back the black lattice door, visitors enter to find a box garden made of stone and bamboo fence, paved with traditional stone pavement. The decorations inside the ryokan were also carefully selected so that visitors could enjoy looking at the traditional crafts of Ishikawa Prefecture.
As a small ryokan with about 18 rooms, the lobby was cramped, but the lighting was dimmed and it was decorated with high-quality furniture, Wajima lacquer tables painted in bright vermilion, and Kutani porcelain. The space was upscale and sophisticated. There are many hotels in Kanazawa, but when I visit the ancient capital, I still prefer to stay in a traditional Japanese inn whenever possible. This is because the aroma of tatami mats is very calming.
I checked in at the reception desk around 15:00, which was decorated with a wonderful Japanese painting, and was immediately shown to my room. The staff then prepared tea and Japanese sweets for me. The room was very cozy and the alcove was decorated with ikebana and a painting of an old map of Kanazawa city. There was also a lovely flower-patterned cotton kimono called yukata available. My room had large windows, which made it bright and open during the day, and the lights in the room created a mystical ambiance at night.
There was still time before dinner, so I decided to wander around the nearby Omimachi Market and Higashi Chaya-gai. From the ryokan, it is a 13-minute walk to Omimachi Market and a 25-minute walk to Higashi Chaya-gai. After an hour’s walk, I felt cold, so I went back to my room, changed into the yukata, and went to communal baths. There is a communal garden bath, and a communal bath with a bath tub made of fragrant 2,000-year-old Japanese cypress. There is no hot spring on the premises, and the communal baths are heated. However, it was nice to have the communal baths to keep my body warm after coming back from a long day out in the cold winter season.
Then this is a famous gourmet ryokan. I have stayed at its sister inn, Kagaya, before, but I was much more satisfied with the food at Kanazawa Chaya. I think Kanazawa Chaya is better when it comes to food. The steamed snow crab and barrel crab were especially delicious. Crab is a winter delicacy in the Hokuriku region, and I was able to enjoy it in the lap of luxury. The natural yellowtail sashimi was also excellent.
After dinner, the snow had just stopped, so I visited Kenroku-en, a ten-minute cab ride away. I wanted to see Kenroku-en in a lit-up snow scene, but the world was more dynamic than I had imagined. The sight of golden snow hangings floating against the dark night sky is still etched in my mind’s eye. I am always impressed by Kenroku-en, which creates beautiful landscapes in each of the four seasons.
Then the next morning, before breakfast, I took a walk in the quiet Higashi Chaya-gai, where there were no tourists yet. Walking along the snow-covered Higashi Chaya-gai was like stepping back in time.
If I dare to mention a drawback, it is that the view from the window was of a parking lot. It may be unavoidable since it is near Kanazawa station. Then there is no hot spring, so onsen lovers may not enjoy it. There are communal indoor baths on the grounds, but they are small in size. The ryokan only has a total of 18 rooms, so I don’t think the communal baths will be very crowded.
This ryokan is more for solo travelers and couples, with an emphasis on individual privacy. Even when the room was full, I never met other guests.
Check availability and pricing for the ryokan on Agoda
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How about rooms?
If you do not like sleeping on a futon, a Japanese-style mattress, in a tatami room, you may want to book a Japanese-Western room with twin beds on the tatami mats. I stayed in a Japanese-style room without a bed. At night, after relaxing in the communal bath, I returned to my room and the staff came to lay out the futon for me. I was able to fall asleep immediately on a fluffy luxurious bedding. All rooms are cramped. The ryokan is located in front of the station, so you can’t expect a view from the room at all. The décor is Japanese minimalism. Facilities are up-to-date. Housekeeping is excellent.
How about toiletries & in-room amenities?
All of the amenities are taken care of including minimum toiletries, yukatas, Japanese sweets, and a green tea set, etc. There are SHISEIDO skincare products and DHC bath amenities in the bathroom. Room service is not available. The free WiFi reception was good on the property. Also, this is child-friendly. Staff can provide amenities, chairs, and yukatas for small children if you request in advance.
How about In-house Facilities?
There are small indoor communal baths. They are open from 5:00 to 10:00, 15:00 to 24:00. They are not hot springs. There is no outdoor communal bath. When I stayed in the winter season, communal baths with yuzu fruits were provided.
Then Kanazawa Chaya is an almost universal design. 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.
Then there is a vending machine. There is a convenience store within 5min walking distance.
How about meals?
As mentioned above, this is a locally famous gourmet ryokan. Focusing on seasonal ingredients, you can enjoy different tastes of Ishikawa Prefecture in spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Spring: isaza (isaza caught in Ishikawa Prefecture)
Summer: Kintoki grass, a famous Kanazawa vegetable
Autumn: Matsutake mushrooms that grow in red pine forests
Winter: Noto fugu (blowfish) caught in the Noto region
Many locals use the restaurant only for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Then on the first floor of the annex of Kanazawa Chaya, there is a sushi restaurant called Komatsuyasuke, which is arguably the most famous in Ishikawa Prefecture. Reservations are required, but it is always full and difficult to get a reservation.
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My impressions
In my personal opinion, I was much more satisfied with this ryokan than with my stay at Kagaya. While Kagaya is a large onsen ryokan, I also liked the fact that Kanazawa Chaya is a boutique ryokan on a smaller scale. From check-in to check-out, I was able to enjoy sightseeing and dining in the ancient city of Kanazawa to the fullest in a very relaxed atmosphere. I would like to stay here again when I miss Kanazawa.
Have a nice trip! Welcome to receive any questions about Kanazawa Chaya from the below space. Check availability and pricing for the ryokan on Agoda
Info about Kanazawa Chaya
| Style | Boutique Gourmet Ryokan |
|---|---|
| Check-in and out times |
15:00/10:00 |
| Estimated Price | 50,000 JPY for 2 adults per room |
| Contact | Call at 076-231-2225 from domestic Call at +81-76-231-2225 from overseas |
| Internet Connection | Free Wifi in the ryokan |
| Facility Information | Wheelchairs are available Pets are not allowed The free parking lot is available |
| Location | Kanazawa Chaya’s MAP |
| Access | 5min walk from Kanazawa Station |
| Official Homepage | Kanazawa Chaya’s HP |
*All information above is as of the date that I posted on my blog.
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