What kind of luxury traditional gourmet ryokan is Yamanoo in Kanazawa?
In the spring season when cherry blossoms bloom, we flew from Haneda Airport to Komatsu Airport and took a 60-minute cab ride from Komatsu Airport to Higashi Chaya District. Yamanoo, where we will stay tonight, is located nearby. It is located on a hill up a steep slope not far from Higashi Chaya District. As we climbed the hill, we saw a moss-covered gate. Next to it, elegant and pretty weeping cherry trees were just at their best.
After walking up the stairs, passing through the gate, I saw the entrance with a magnificent a traditional blind curtain. Looking around, I saw a beautiful Japanese garden with magnificent pine trees. It was just after a light rain, so the stone pavement, tsukubai, and mosses were glowing with color. It looked like a temple in Arashiyama, Kyoto. From the well-maintained Japanese garden, we had a panoramic view of Higashi Chaya District.
The location is perfect, overlooking the teahouse district directly below. Many tourists were clearly visible walking down the street. From here, at dusk, the view of the teahouse district with its rows of traditional tile-roofed buildings made me feel very nostalgic for some reason.
The staff seemed to be waiting for us at the entrance near the noren curtain and led us directly to our room. There were only four rooms, each built like a villa on the grounds. The room we stayed in this time was called Yayoi. The entrance to the room was a side-opening lattice door, which opened to reveal a simple folding screen with calligraphy characters was displayed on a tatami mat, and behind it was a room with impressive vermilion walls. Then the room had a view of Higashi Chaya area from the Japanese-style balcony called engawa with its characteristic red-lacquered latticework. The view from this room was also excellent. We enjoyed mugwort rice cakes and green powdered tea prepared by the staff while admiring the view from the engawa for a while.
The rooms were traditional Japanese style, but the bathrooms had all the latest amenities. I particularly liked the fragrant cypress bath and the high quality bath ropes. It is a pity that there is no onsen, but that can’t be helped because of the location.
Although it is located just a few steps away from the Higashi Chaya district, which is crowded with tourists during the day, it was a tranquil and relaxing place to spend time. This is the perfect place to stay for those who want to enjoy the true Kanazawa town.
Then this ryokan is also a famous gourmet ryokan. For dinner, we moved to a villa called “Kasumi no Ma” next to the villa where we stayed. Upon entering, we saw a black and white checkered sliding door, which opened to reveal a beautiful Japanese-style room with vermilion walls overlooking Higashi Chaya district. We were impressed by the perfect location overlooking the castle town. By the time dessert was served, the sun was setting outside, the lights were on in Higashi Chaya-gai, and the atmosphere of the ancient city was completely different from that of the daytime.
The cuisine was authentic kaiseki, a delicate and elaborate dish using premium ingredients such as nodoguro, abalone, sea bream, and Noto beef. I was particularly impressed with the dish of Noto beef that melted in my mouth and was dipped in wasabi. We were very satisfied with the delicious food and beautiful tableware.
After dinner, we went for an evening walk to Higashi Chaya District. It was quiet and serene, as if the bustling daytime atmosphere was a lie. Walking through the castle town at night was like stepping back in time.
When we woke up in the morning, clouds were hanging in the sky and a light rain was falling, but before breakfast, we took another walk along the deserted Higashi Chaya District. The morning in Kanazawa comes very early. Kanazawa, like Kyoto, has a strong ryotei culture, so we saw chefs heading to the market early in the morning and locals busily preparing their dishes.
Breakfast was served in a Japanese-style room on the first floor of the main building. The dishes were typical Kanazawa local cuisine. After the meal, matcha green tea and walnut rice cakes were served. From the window, we could see the villa where we would be staying on the left, and beside it, a magnificent pine tree had been planted, and the moss looked even more vivid in the morning sun. It was a very luxurious time.
The only drawback is that the grounds seem to have a lot of steps, so this is not a place for the elderly or those with disabilities. It is a traditional building with a long history, so it would be difficult to make it completely step-free access. I asked the staff if it would be okay if I brought my grandmother, who is in a wheelchair, with me the next time I stay here, and they told me that they have young male staff with strong arms who can carry her while she is sitting in her wheelchair if there are steps that are difficult to move. : )) If you bring people with weak legs, you may want to inform the staff in advance.
Yamanoo would be great for couples, families, or groups. Accommodation is for a minimum of 2 persons.
Check availability and pricing for the ryokan on Agoda
TOP5 Most Expensive Hotels and Ryokans in Ishikawa
TOP5 Best Hotels and Ryokans for Solo Travelers in Kanazawa
TOP5 Best Ryokans in Kanazawa City
Is the location easy to access?
It takes about 15 minutes by cab from Kanazawa Station to the luxury traditional ryokan. The fare is approximately JPY2,000. There is no free shuttle bus service. Although it is a little inconvenient from the station, the surrounding atmosphere is very Kanazawa-like. The location is perfect for sightseeing as it is close to many of Kanazawa’s famous landmarks. Staying here, you can overlook the beautiful traditional townscape. Don’t forget to take a stroll along Higashi Chaya District before breakfast and after dinner. There are many tourists during the daytime, but very few people in the early morning and at night.
Then if you go sightseeing 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 stay here, I would recommend a room with a view of the Higashi Chaya district. The traditional wooden buildings have a long history but are remarkably well maintained. You can clearly see that the owners have invested in facilities often. The rooms are minimalist Japanese style, but elegant and relaxing, with hanging scrolls, folding screens, and ikebana flower arrangements. Then there are no rooms with western beds, although this is not a problem since luxurious bedding is provided.
How about toiletries & in-room amenities?
All of the amenities are taken care of including enough toiletries, yukatas, bathrobes, tea bags, bottled water, and a green tea set, etc. There are SHISEIDO bath amenities in the bathroom. Room service is not available.
Then free WiFi reception was available in the lobby only. I couldn’t connect to the internet in my room when I stayed in 2019.
Then, there are no convenience stores nearby. You might want to buy some essentials before you come here.
How about meals?
As I wrote above, the Kaga Kaiseki Cuisine experience was wonderful. The food is top-notch. It is well worth a try. Dinner is from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. The staff came to our room and showed us to our private room.
All meals were in a private Japanese-style room with a table and chairs on tatami mats. This is not the type of room where one has to lay out a Japanese cushion called zabuton on tatami mats to eat. Perhaps because I am not used to this style, even I, a Japanese, feel a little uncomfortable. I was glad that the table and chairs were arranged in the Japanese-style room.
*Please inform the staff if you have any food allergies when booking a room with meals. Even if you inform them on the day, they may not be able to provide you with an alternative meal.
Alternatively, you may choose to eat out at one of the many restaurants in the Kanazawa Station area. The Higashi Chaya District area is also home to many fine kaiseki restaurants and famous restaurants.
TOP5 Best Gourmet Hotels and Ryokans in Ishikawa Prefecture
My impressions
It was a great ryokan that made me think that if I were to go all the way from Tokyo to Kanazawa, I would like to stay at a prestigious luxury ryokan instead of a hotel in the future. We checked out, hoping that next time we could bring my grandmother, who is in a wheelchair.
Have a nice trip! Welcome to receive any questions about Yamanoo from the below space. Check availability and pricing for the ryokan on Agoda
Info about Yamanoo
| Style | Luxury Traditional Ryokan |
|---|---|
| Check-in and out time | 15:00/10:00 |
| Estimated Price | 90,000 JPY for 2 adults per room |
| Contact E-Mail | info@yamanoo.jp |
| Internet Connection | Free Wifi in the ryokan |
| Facility Information | Wheelchairs are not available Pets are not allowed The free parking lot is available |
| Location | Yamanoo’s MAP |
| Access | 15min by taxi from Kanazawa Station |
| Address and TEL | Tel +81 76-252-5171 |
| Official Homepage | Yamanoo‘s HP *Japanese Only |
*All information above is as of the date that I posted on my blog.
Still not sure where to stay in Kanazawa, Ishikawa?
Browse through my TOP5 Ranking Lists of all the best places to stay in Ishikawa.
Alternatively, you could leave a message at the below space for advice.