What kind of luxury gourmet ryokan is Ryokan Ryokusone in Kanazawa?
This is a luxury ryokan we had hoped to stay at some day, and finally got a reservation, so we visited on a cold winter day. It is a 20-minute cab ride from Kanazawa Station to Ryokan Ryokusone, and a 10-minute cab ride from Kenroku-en Garden. The tranquil setting is like a hideaway, a world away from the bustle of the tourist area. After passing through a residential area and climbing a steep hill next to Tsubakibara Tenmangu Shrine, we came upon a house with tasteful Japanese architecture. The ryokan was a bit secluded. There were no landmarks to mark the ryokan, and we had a bit hard time finding it.
Originally a private residence, the building has been transformed into an inn with a wonderful blend of Japanese and Western styles while retaining its original ambience. I could only imagined what kind of people lived in this house. This place had a unique ambiance not found in any other ryokan.
Passing through the curtain called noren at the entrance, one could see the traditional black-tiled townscape through the large rectangular window, which looked like a painting. Then behind them was a magnificent storehouse that was once used. The interior of the house retained its original Japanese ambience, blended with antique Asian decorations, forming a stylish, sophisticated, and comfortable space. Several large yuzu citrons were displayed by the window as a good luck charm. We were shown to a room in a renovated traditional warehouse right next to the entrance, where we checked in.
We were then taken to a two-story room called Yamaboshi in a renovated warehouse next to the entrance. The maisonette-type room, converted from a warehouse, had a dignified appearance. The moment the heavy iron door opened and I crossed the slightly elevated threshold into the room was exciting, as if I was being invited into a secret place.
The room called Yamaboshi is a living room on the first floor and a bedroom on the second floor. As a welcome drink, the staff prepared green tea, and yokan jelly in a bamboo tube. This room has an indoor bath and an outdoor bath, and several yuzu citrons were provided in the bathroom, which gave off a nice yuzu aroma as I entered the bathroom. After checking in, I floated in the outdoor bath and enjoyed a yuzu bath. Also, the second floor has a bedroom with twin beds, and the crane and pine tree screens that cover the entire wall are a sight to behold. In the living room, sofas, rugs, lighting, shelves, and paintings all had a stylish Asian taste, creating a strangely comforting ambience. I think the owner must have studied quite a bit about high-class hotels and ryokans throughout Japan before building this ryokan. Although it is a small inn with only seven rooms, I was impressed by the high quality interior design, decorations and furniture, all of which were carefully selected and playful.
Then this is a famous gourmet ryokan. We enjoyed beef kaiseki for dinner. Each dish was eye-pleasing, elaborate, and delicious. We were very impressed with the chef’s thoughtful arrangements while preserving Kanazawa’s rich ingredients and local cuisine. The collection of ceramics used was also excellent. For breakfast, we had a choice of Japanese or Western breakfast. From the window of the private room where we had breakfast, the snow that fell last night was piling up on the tiled roofs, and the morning sun was illuminating the city of Kanazawa. It was a special breakfast with such a view. All meals are served in private rooms.
Then the staff was sophisticated and friendly. We stayed on a cold winter day and they provided hot water bottles for our beds at night. This place would be more for couples, business people, or solo travelers than for families with children. The minimum age to stay here is 13 years old.
Like larger ryokan, it does not have the amenities of a building or a garden to explore. There are basically just seven guest rooms and a ryotei restaurant. However, it is a perfect inn for a trip to Kanazawa, a city rich in historical atmosphere.
If I may venture to mention a drawback, the location may seem a bit inconvenient. The ryokan stands in the middle of a very steep hill, and there are probably no tourist attractions within walking distance. It takes about 10 minutes to get to Kenroku-en by cab, but it takes much longer if you walk. Also, the ryokan does not have a hot spring, lounge, or gym.
Check Availability and Pricing for the ryokan on Agoda
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Is the location easy to access?
It takes around 20min from Kanazawa Station by taxi and costs around 3,000JPY. Tell a taxi driver to the front of Tsubakihara Tenmangu Shrine. I think that most of the taxi drivers wouldn’t know this ryokan. You may want to show the below Japanese sentence to a taxi driver when you get on a taxi. It is located across the street from the shrine, a short walk up a narrow slope in a secluded area.
Please go to the front of Tsubakihara Tenmangu Shrine.
Where is the best accommodation for anniversaries?
If you are looking for a good place for a special occasion, the property would be one of the best in Kanazawa. The staff arranges flowers and cakes to celebrate an anniversary at additional charges if you request in advance. We did not see any other guests in the building during our stay. It is a very private space.
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Rooms I would recommend?
There are only 7 rooms in total, but they are all sophisticated rooms, so if you are staying for a few days, you may want to change rooms. Each room has a different ambience. Then, if you don’t like to sleep on a futon, a Japanese-style mattress, in a Tatami room, it would be better to request a room with a Western-style bed. There are four rooms with twin beds. When we made our booking, it did not seem possible to make a request. It is not guaranteed that you will get the room you requested, but you may want to let them know what you want.
How about In-house Facilities?
It opened in June 2015, so the facilities are up-to-date, but as noted above, there are no hot springs, communal baths, saunas, etc. If you want to fully enjoy hot springs in Kanazawa city, I would recommend Takitei or Matsusaki.
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Then the property is not a universal design. There are steps inside the building. If you are bringing someone with weak legs, I would not recommend it.
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Then there are no vending machines for drinks and there is no convenience store nearby. You might want to buy some essentials before you come here.
How about toiletries & in-room amenities?
All of the amenities are taken care of including enough toiletries, yukatas, bathrobes, and a Japanese tea set. Free Wi-Fi reception was good on the property. Room service is not available.
How about meals?
This is one of the popular auberge ryokans in Kanazawa. It’s truly worth it. We had the beef kaiseki this time, which was excellent beef in a variety of cooking techniques, including beef sushi, beef soup, steak, and beef sukiyaki. Here, you can enjoy seasonal dishes that change on the menu every month. Crab is also recommended during the winter season. Many guests stay here for the purpose of eating crab dishes. Another winter staple is “bear hot pot. The meat is of such high quality that it is hard to believe it is bear, and it has been carefully selected.
*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 near the property. If you go out for meals, you need to get a taxi.
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My impressions
The time we spent here flew by. When we checked out, the ryokan made us want to stay another 2 or 3 days. If you want to spend quality time in Kanazawa, this property is one of the best choices. We enjoyed the taste of winter this time and would like to visit in a different season next time.
Have a nice trip! Welcome to receive any questions about Ryokan Ryokusone 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 Ryokan Ryokusone
| Style | Luxury Gourmet Ryokan |
|---|---|
| Check-in and out |
15:00/10:00 |
| Estimated Price | 80,000 JPY for 2 adults per room |
| Contact E-mail |
Fill the form in |
| Internet Connection | Free wifi in the ryokan |
| Facility Information | Wheelchairs are not available Pets are not allowed The free parking lot is available |
| Location | Ryokan Ryokusone’s MAP |
| Access | 20min by TAXI from Kanazawa Station |
| Address and TEL | Tel +81 |
| Official Homepage | Ryokan Ryokusone’s HP |
*All information above is as of the date that I posted on my blog.
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