Stay at a Onsen Ryokan in Kanazawa: Traditional Japanese Hot Spring Retreat
Many people visiting Kanazawa might want to enjoy daytime sightseeing in the city and then relax at a quiet Japanese ryokan in the evening, savoring delicious food. The suburbs of Kanazawa are home to three famous hot springs: Yuwaku Onsen, Kanazawa Saigawa Onsen, and Fukatani Onsen.
Additionally, just over an hour from Kanazawa, you can visit the popular Wakura Onsen and Kaga Onsen Village. These destinations are perfect for those who want to enjoy not only sightseeing in Kanazawa but also experience one or two more spots, with plenty of time to enjoy the hot springs as well.
Each of these hot springs offers its own unique appeal, making it hard to choose. Let me introduce you to the highlights of each onsen.
"Yuwaku Onsen": A Hidden Retreat in Kanazawa, Straight Out of a Japanese Painting
Nestled in the lush mountains, Yuwaku Onsen is a historic hot spring town with over 1,300 years of history. The hot spring had been visited by feudal lords of the Kaga domain for therapeutic baths, and it is also famous for being the place where the famous artist Yumeji Takehisa spent three unforgettable weeks with his eternal lover, Hikono, during the Taisho era (1912-1926). The town features 8 onsen ryokans, many of which are known for their exceptional Kaga local cuisine, making use of both fresh seafood and mountain delicacies. The spring's composition is sodium-calcium-chloride-sulfate. The town is also renowned for its high-quality hot springs, with many ryokans offering uniquely designed baths.
In the onsen town, you can visit the "Kanazawa Yuwaku Yumeji-kan Museum," which displays works created during Yumeji and Hikono's stay, the public bathhouse "Souyu Shirasagino-yu," and "Kanazawa Yuwaku Edomura Village," which showcases traditional Edo-period houses. You can also enjoy the scenic walking paths that Yumeji once walked, the picturesque Gyokusen-ko Lake, and the relaxing foot baths with splendid views, all while immersing yourself in the steam-filled atmosphere of the town.
<By bus: Approximately 50 minutes from JR Kanazawa Station>
Kanazawa Saigawa Onsen ―an elegant ryokan stands by the riverside
Upstream of the Saigawa River, which flows through Kanazawa, nestled in a nostalgic rural landscape, lies "Takitei", which literally means "the inn of the waterfall". The Ryokan is enveloped in the soothing sounds of waterfalls and the gentle murmur of the Saigawa River, offering a tranquil retreat where guests can relax while gazing at the garden and cascading water. The sodium-chloride and bicarbonate spring waters leave the skin smooth, and guests can enjoy an open-air rock bath with a natural, rustic charm, as well as a spacious indoor bath infused with the scent of wood. Locally, the inn is also well known for its exceptional cuisine.
＜By bus: Approximately 30 minutes from JR Kanazawa Station＞
A long-established ryokan with a rich cultural ambiance stands in "Fukatani Onsen."
Located in the hilly outskirts of Kanazawa, Fukatani Onsen is home to "Motoyu Ishiya," a ryokan that offers a nostalgic, homecoming-like atmosphere. This long-established inn has been in operation since the Edo period and features numerous art pieces and cultural artifacts related to the Kaga Domain, making it feel like a museum. Within its grounds stands a magnificent Noh stage, built entirely from cypress in the Taisho era. The amber-colored hot spring water, rich in natural moisturizing minerals (sodium bicarbonate spring), is known as "Bijin no Yu" (Beauty’s Bath). The ryokan is also renowned for its cuisine, which emphasizes simplicity to highlight the natural flavors of the ingredients.
＜By taxi: About 20 minutes from JR Kanazawa Station, About 5 minutes from JR Morimoto station.＞
Four unique hot spring towns to explore in "Kaga Onsen-kyo"
Kaga Onsen-kyo is a collective term for hot spring resorts located in the Kaga region, near Kanazawa consists of four hot spring areas: Katayamazu, Yamashiro, Yamanaka (in Kaga City), and Awazu (in Komatsu City). Each has its own unique charm, from serene lakesides to scenic mountain streams. With over 1,300 years of history, Yamashiro, Yamanaka, and Awazu have welcomed famous figures like Matsuo Basho (haiku poet) and Kitaoji Rosanjin (artist and gourmet). The "Can-Bus" sightseeing loop from JR Kaga Onsen Station makes it easy to explore all four hot springs, enjoy bath-hopping, sample local sweets, visit cafés, and try hands-on craft experiences.
＜Hokuriku Shinkansen: About 20 min. from JR Kanazawa Station to Kaga Onsen Station＞
What is "Souyu"?
"Souyu" refers to public bathhouses found in various onsen areas, including Yuwaku, Wakura, Katayamazu, Yamashiro, Yamanaka, and Awazu. Originally for locals, they warmly welcome visitors as well. Some, like the Katayamazu Onsen Souyu hot spring designed by a renowned Japanese architect Yoshio TANIGUCHI and the Yamashiro Onsen Ko-Souyu, a restored Meiji-era bathhouse (pictured), are attractions in their own right.
A seaside hot spring resort lined with luxury ryokan, "Wakura Onsen"
Wakura Onsen, located along Nanao Bay in the central part of the Noto Peninsula, offers stunning views of Noto Island across the water. The area is home to large luxury ryokan, known for their exceptional hospitality, breathtaking bay views from guest rooms and baths, and exquisite cuisine prepared by top chefs using the freshest local ingredients from both land and sea. With a history spanning 1,200 years, the sodium-calcium chloride hot spring waters are renowned for their strong antibacterial and heat-retention properties, making them a popular destination for therapeutic bathing. The onsen town also features spots where visitors can make delicious onsen-boiled eggs and enjoy foot baths.
＜Limited Express Train: About 1 hour from JR Kanazawa Station＞
Due to the damage caused by the Noto Peninsula earthquake on January 1, 2024, some facilities in Wakura Onsen are currently operating on a limited basis.
For more details, please check the Wakura Onsen Tourism Association website.
Travel to Wakura Onsen Aboard the Sightseeing Train "Hanayome Noren"
The "Hanayome Noren" is a wedding tradition passed down in the Kaga Domain, where brides pass through a special curtain. Named after this custom, the sightseeing train runs between Kanazawa Station and Wakura Onsen Station. Its exterior is inspired by Kaga Yuzen dyeing and Wajima lacquerware, while the interior features motifs of traditional Hokuriku crafts. Passengers can enjoy a refined journey with hospitality from attendants in traditional attire. With a reservation, travelers can also savor delicious Ishikawa cuisine while admiring the serene countryside views. The train operates two round trips per day, primarily on weekends (all seats are reserved).
Due to the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, the operations are limited to group tours.
For more details, please check the website of West Japan Railway Company.
