What kind of luxury gourmet onsen ryokan is Hanamurasaki in Yamanaka Onsen?
In mid-November, when the autumn leaves were at their best, after visiting Kenroku-en, we took a train from Kanazawa Station, got off at Kagaonsen Station, and boarded a free shuttle bus that took us 15 minutes to Hanamurasaki where we would be staying tonight. After getting off the shuttle bus, there was a beautiful Japanese garden with red and yellow maple trees and light green moss in front of the entrance. After taking off our shoes at the entrance and entering, a staff member led us to the lobby overlooking the gorge. It was a cold and drizzly day, but the autumn colors of the trees in the gorge, glistening in the rain, were breathtakingly beautiful. It was worth the trip just to see them.
In the lobby, there was a box garden expressed in stone, and in the back, a souvenir shop with original products only available here. After a brief check-in procedure, we headed to our room around 14:00. The lobby was busy with other guests checking in, but the staff was efficient and guided us smoothly to our rooms.
This time we stayed in a Japanese-style room on the top floor, the seventh floor. Opening the sliding door at the entrance of the room, there was a quaint box garden called tsuboniwa. The paving stones were ball gravel, with a bamboo fence and a black stone handbasin. The alcove called tokonoma was decorated with flower arrangement. The window overlooked a valley with autumn leaves directly below. Then, a staff member dressed in a kimono prepared tea and Japanese sweets. From our room, we could hear the murmuring of the river and enjoy the maple leaves in autumn, which was truly relaxing.
One of the features of this inn is a dinner called a la carte kaiseki. It was a refined kaiseki meal, and all the dishes were delicious and made from the finest seasonal ingredients. We chose our favorites from a selection of about 50 different dishes, including simmered, grilled, fried, and nabe dishes. It was truly amazing to see the chefs and the supporting staff who prepare such a wide variety of dishes according to the customers’ requests. The monthly changing seasonal colors and dishes that rival even the best Kyoto cuisine restaurants, a la carte kaiseki with a choice of your favorite dishes, and the refined space of the dining room make this a gourmet ryokan with impeccable taste. Overall, the food portions are large. It is recommended to bring an empty stomach.
Also, the dining area was also a space where the wonderful world of washi, a traditional Japanese paper, was expressed. Produced by a renowned washi designer, the interior was enveloped in Japanese warmth, and the soft indirect light emanating from the washi was impressive. The dining area, divided by Echizen washi paper, was designed like a private room.
Then there were outdoor communal hot spring baths with great views, and indoor communal hot spring baths. The view from the outdoor communal baths were especially great, with a spectacular view of the mountains. Hanamurasaki has only a few rooms with private hot spring baths, so booking one can be difficult. After check-in and before breakfast, the communal baths were empty when we used them.
There were also walking paths around the ryokan along the gorge, which made for a pleasant stroll. We took a walk around the area after checking in and taking outdoor hot spring baths. Along the gorge path, a gentle breeze blew, the autumn leaves swayed, and the murmuring of the river and chirping of birds reminded me of the change of the seasons. I think the best season for a walk is from mid April to mid November.
Then the nearby Yuge Road called Yuge kaido was lined with Yamanaka lacquerware and Kutani pottery galleries, cafes, and restaurants. There were also unique and attractive stores, such as a popular croquette shop. We enjoyed a leisurely stroll through the area, feeling the atmosphere of a hot spring resort town.
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 Kagaonsen Station between 8:30 and 18:00. It takes 15min by car from the station. You need to book it in advance. FYI, it takes around 30min by 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 in Kanazawa, the property would be perfect. The staff arranges flowers and cakes to celebrate an anniversary at additional charges if you request in advance.
Rooms I would recommend?
Most rooms are Japanese-style rooms overlooking the gorge. Only a few rooms have private hot spring baths. Also, although there are no beds in the Japanese-style rooms, they provide high-end Japanese-style mattresses, which were very comfortable to sleep on. If you don’t like sleeping on futons on tatami mats, you may want to book a suite with twin beds. The age requirement to stay only in suites applies from 10 years old and up. Others have no age requirements.
How about toiletries & in-room amenities?
All of the amenities are taken care of including enough toiletries, yukatas, and a Japanese tea set. Also, a humidifier, a CD player, and a baby crib, etc. are available for borrowing if you request in advance. Room service is available. Then the free WiFi reception was slow on the property. A tablet was placed in the lobby for anyone to use. Electric bikes are available at 500JPY for 3 hours.
How about In-house Facilities?
There are large indoor communal hot spring baths on 2F. They are open from 14:00 to 12:00 the following morning. Also, there are small outdoor communal hot spring baths on 7F. They are open from 14:00 to 24:00, 5:00 to 12:00. *If you have tattoos, you may not be permitted to use the communal bathing areas.
Then Hanamurasaki is almost a universal design and there are some accessible rooms. There are lifts. 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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Then there was no convenience store within 5min walking distance. You may want to buy your necessities before coming here.
How about services?
This is child-friendly. Upon request, children’s meals, bedding, and yukatas are available for an additional charge. Also, they can hold your luggage before check-in and after check-out.
How about meals?
As noted above, this is a popular gourmet ryokan. The Kaga Kaiseki cuisine for dinner is sophisticated. All meals are served in a private room-like space designed with Japanese paper. If you wish, you can also eat in your room. For those with small children, all meals are served in your room. Dinner starts between 18:00 and 19:00. If you have dinner in the gourmet ryokan, you need to check in before 18:00. Breakfast is from 7:00 to 9:30.
If you have any food allergies, please notify the staff when you reserve a room with meals. Then, as far as I know, there are no restaurants around the property. You may want to book a room with meals. Many of the local papa-mama restaurants close early.
My impressions
We always find this place relaxing with quality service and hospitality whenever we stay here, so if we have any doubts about where to stay in Kanazawa, this is the place to stay. Next time we would like to visit in January or February to see the snow view from here.
Have a nice trip! Welcome to receive any questions about Hanamurasaki from the below space. *You need to inform staff of your expected arrival time and means of transportation to the property in advance. Check availability and pricing for the ryokan on Agoda
Info about Hanamurasaki
| Style | Traditional Onsen Ryokan |
|---|---|
| Check-in and out times |
14:00/12:00 |
| Estimated Price | 70,000 JPY for 2 adults per room |
| Contact E-mail |
hana@hana-mura.com |
| Internet Connection | Free WiFi in the ryokan |
| Facility Information | Wheelchairs are available Pets are not allowed The free parking lot is available |
| Location | Hanamurasaki’s MAP |
| Access | Free shuttle bus from Kagaonsen station |
| Address and TEL | Tel +81 761-78-0077 |
| Official Homepage | Hanamurasaki’s HP |
*All information above is as of the date that I posted on my blog.
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