What kind of luxury gourmet onsen ryokan is Matsusaki in Kanazawa?
In July, in the height of summer, after having a seafood bowl at Ohmicho market for lunch, we took a 10-minute train ride from Kanazawa Station, got off at Matto Station, and then took a free shuttle bus to Matsusaki, the ryokan where we would be staying tonight. We decided to stay here this time from Tokyo during the hot summer season because my grandmother wanted to see the lotus ponds blooming in the Japanese garden. Many regular visitors come here several times a year because the Japanese garden is beautiful in each season: cherry blossoms in spring, lotus in summer, autumn leaves in fall, and snowy landscape in winter.
We took a free shuttle bus from Matto station, which took about 20 minutes. When we got off the bus, we found a quaint sunken hearth and footbath. Then we walked slowly along the passageway to the entrance, admiring the beautiful and pretty lotus and water lilies blooming in the pond. When we visited in mid-July, the lotus flowers were at their best. Nishiki-koi were swimming gracefully beside the bright and elegant pink lotus flowers. The Japanese garden looks like a Buddhist paradise.
We loved the view from the passageway over the pond and came back to this cloister many times during our stay, listening to the frogs and cicadas chirping and enjoying the view from here. There is food for carp in the passageway, and when we fed the carp, many of them gathered.
Upon entering the building, the large windows of the spacious lobby opened onto a magnificent red pine tree and pond, and staff immediately guided us to the tea room at the back of the lobby. The Japanese garden seen from the tea room was as wonderful as a painting. Then we were served chestnut yokan and green powdered tea in the tearoom, which was built to float on the pond. After relaxing here for a while, the staff escorted us to our room.
We reserved an accessible Japanese western room in New Wing Hooh for my grandmother who is crippled. There were no steps from the time we got out at a carriage porch to our room, and we were able to move smoothly in our wheelchair. The room was also completely accessible, and she was able to use the living room, bedroom, bathroom, toilet, and even the hot spring bath without any problems.
When I entered the room, I could smell the nice smell of tatami mats. The room was more spacious than I had imagined, quiet and comfortable. The windows opened onto a small garden called the “moon-viewing garden,” where we could enjoy the beautiful starry sky and the sound of the river flowing nearby.
The onsen ryokan is set in a large garden, so every room has a view of the garden, which changes its expression from season to season. Each room in New Wing Hooh has a different style of private outdoor and indoor hot spring baths. Everywhere in the ryokan is well cleaned and maintained. The staff was friendly and helpful, and we had a pleasant stay.
After checking in, I changed into a yukata and went to large communal indoor hot spring baths on the first floor of Main Wing and the outdoor hot spring baths with views on the fifth floor of New Wing Hooh. The communal indoor baths on the first floor of Main Wing offer views of the garden through a huge glass window while soaking in the hot spring. Then the communal outdoor baths in New Wing Hooh have views of the mountains can be seen in the distance. Since it is dark at night, it is best to visit when it is light enough to see the view.
Then Matsuzaki is also famous as a gourmet ryokan surrounded by gardens. Each of in New Wing Hooh and Main Wing has its own kitchen, and each has a reputation for kaiseki cuisine prepared by its own chef using local ingredients and other ingredients. The dishes offered are also different. The kaiseki dishes had a strong broth, and every dish was delicious. The chef’s enthusiasm for his work was evident in each dish, and the combination of ingredients was a pleasant surprise each time.
Located in the suburbs of Kanazawa, the luxury ryokan is convenient for sightseeing in Kanazawa city. We would recommend this Japanese inn for a quality trip. It takes about 30 minutes from the inn to Kanazawa Station.
If I were to mention a disadvantage, it would be that it is a 20-minute drive from Matto Station, and the surrounding area is a residential area in the countryside, so you can stay calmly and without noise, but there are no restaurants or stores. I did see a convenience store, though. Once you check in, you will probably stay on the grounds until you check out. The area around the ryokan does not have the atmosphere of a hot spring resort town.
There are a total of 38 rooms here, but there are many different types of rooms for couples, solo travelers, business people, small groups, and large families. Meals are served in the rooms or in private rooms in a dining are.
Check Availability and Pricing for the ryokan on Agoda
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Is the location easy to access?
Free shuttle service is available from Matto Station, Komatsu Station, or Komatsu Airport. You need to book it in advance. The shuttle buses take around 30 minutes from the above stations and the airport. FYI, it takes around 10min by train from Matto Station to Kanazawa Station.
If you go sightseeing in Kanazawa city before check-in and after check-out, you may want to use the Baggage delivery service in Kanazawa Station at an additional charge. It would be very useful.
Rooms I would recommend?
If you are going to stay here, I would recommend a room with a private hot spring bath. All rooms in New Wing Hooh have private onsens. Some rooms in Main Wing have private onsens.
Then if you don’t want to sleep on Japanese-style mattresses in tatami rooms, you may want to book a Japanese-western room with twin beds on tatami mats.
How about toiletries & in-room amenities?
All of the amenities are taken care of including enough toiletries, samue outfits, yukatas, and a Japanese tea set. Also, DVD players and humidifiers are available for borrowing if you request. There are some kinds of pillows and colorful yukatas you can choose from. Room service is not available. Then free WiFi reception was good in our room. There was a PC in the lobby for anyone to use. There are some vending machines for drinks.
How about In-house Facilities?
There are communal indoor hot springs on 1F in Main Wing. They are open from 13:00-11:00 the following morning. Also, there are communal indoor and outdoor hot springs on 5F in New Wing Hooh. They are open from 6:00-9:30, 14:00-24:00. On top of that, there is a private family hot spring on 5F in New Wing Hooh. The private family bath is available at JPY3000 for 50min. You need to book it when you check in.
*Please note that if you have tattoos, you may not be permitted to use the communal bathing areas.
Unluckily, there is no bar, no lounge, and no library on the grounds.
Then Matsusaki is a perfect universal design. There are some accessible rooms for wheelchair users. 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 lift.
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How about services?
This is child-friendly. The staff prepares yukatas, samue outfits, toys, chairs, cribs, and baby food, etc., for small children if you request in advance.
How about meals?
The authentic kaiseki food was just wonderful. The portion tends to be average. Dinner starts between 18:00 and 19:00. You need to check in by 18:00 if you have dinner on the property. Breakfast starts between 7:00 and 9:00. *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 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 unless you have a car.
My impressions
This onsen ryokan is convenient to Kanazawa Station, has nice onsen, a view of a wonderful Japanese garden, and a friendly staff that makes our stay there a relaxing and precious experience any time of year. I would like to visit next time during the beautiful autumn season when the leaves are in full bloom.
Have a nice trip! Welcome to receive any questions about Matsusaki from the below space. *If you check-in after 18:00, you need to inform the staff in advance. Check Availability and Pricing for the ryokan on Agoda
Info about Matsusaki
| Style | Luxury Onsen Ryokan |
|---|---|
| Check-in and out times |
14:00/11:00 |
| Estimated Price | 45,000 JPY for 2 adults per room |
| Contact E-mail |
mail@matsusaki.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 | Matsusaki’s MAP |
| Access | Free shuttle service from JR Matto station, JR Komatsu station or Komatsu airport. Need to book in advance |
| Address and TEL | Tel +81 |
| Official Homepage | Matsusaku’s HP |
*All information above is as of the date that I posted on my blog.
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Alternatively, you could leave a message at the below space for advice.
Hello Hanna, Thank-you for sharing your knowledge. Can you recommend any private family friendly onsen in the Kanazawa region (including Wakura onsen) that is easy to get to and offers bathing only (ie. without accomodation)?
Hi David
Thank you for your message.
There was one public bathhouse used by the locals. The public bathhouse here has several private family onsen baths. They can be used in complete privacy. Reservations are required in advance. However, since this is a place used by locals, you cannot soak in the hot springs and enjoy the wonderful Japanese gardens and spectacular views like you can at a luxury ryokan or hotel. In other words, it is not a special place. I would not recommend coming all the way to the ancient capital of Kanazawa to spend time at this public bathhouse, but please refer to this map for your reference. The location is about 25 minutes by cab from Kanazawa Station. Cab fare is about 2,500 yen.