12 Best Onsen in Kanazawa, Ishikawa | Explore Ancient Onsen

Kanazawa has become a popular tourist spot since the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen in 2015. A relaxing soak in a hot spring at an elegant ryokan is sure to create wonderful memories for you and your loved ones. In between visiting geisha shows and walking the old samurai streets, pick the best onsen to get the full traditional Japanese experience.

In this article, we will introduce 12 of the best onsen hot spring facilities in Kanazawa. We hope you’ll check them out.

Let’s get started.

Table of Contents

1. Yuwaku Onsen Atarashiya
2. Hatori Yamashiro Onsen
3. Hyakurakuso IROHA
4. Shirasagi no Yu Yuwaku Onsen
5. Matsusaki Tatsunokuchi Onsen
6. Ryotei Manyo
7. Grandia Housen Awara Onsen
8. Motoyu Ishiya Fukatani Onsen
9. Takitei
10. Terume Kanazawa
11. Midori no Yado Bansyoukaku
12. Shirasagi no Yu Noto Kaisyu
13. Conclusion

Yuwaku Onsen Atarashiya (湯涌温泉あたらしや)

Yuwaku Onsen Atarashiya is located in a small village on a hillside about 50 minutes away from Kanazawa Station. It is a laidback and relaxed traditional onsen ryokan that has been enjoyed by guests for over 250 years since it was opened to the public. We recommend booking one of their private onsen baths (3,800 JPY for 60 mins) if you are staying with family or a loved one, have tattoos, or just want to bathe in private. They only have 8 rooms for guests, so the service that you’ll receive will be top-notch as their attention will only be split between a few other guests.

Because of the low number of guests that will stay each night, the public onsens are indoors only, and the men’s and women’s public onsen switch every day so that guests can experience both of the special onsen experiences. The water is high in sodium and calcium and is said to be good for healing stiff shoulders, joint and muscle pain, fatigue, sprains, bruises, and digestive issues. If you want to experience Japanese “omotenashi” (high-quality service), consider Yuwaku Onsen Atarashiya.

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Hatori Yamashiro Onsen (山代温泉 葉渡莉)

Hatori Yamashiro Onsen is an onsen ryokan with a traditional Japanese atmosphere. They pride themselves on being a human and nature-friendly ryokan located about 70-minutes south of Kanazawa Station in Yamashiro Onsen Town. They have 2 large public open-air onsen baths, and multiple different private onsen baths for guests to enjoy. One of the onsen baths is made of cypress wood, and the other is made from granite. The men’s and women’s bath change every day, so double-check the curtain before heading into the changing room.

Overnight guests at Hatori also have access to another large public onsen at the nearby sister ryokan, “Rurikoh”, for free. Day trippers can rent a private onsen bath between 7 AM and 10 PM (1,100 JPY for 50 minutes), or use the large public onsen for 1,650 JPY. The private rental onsen at Hatori aren’t open-air, so if you’re looking for a more modern Japanese-style, book one of the newly renovated rooms that have private open-air onsen attached to them. These rooms also come with massage chairs and a variety of other amenities which you can check out below.

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Hyakurakuso IROHA (百楽荘 彩心-IROHA-)

Hyakurakuso IROHA is a modern luxury ryokan that aims to provide guests with the most beautiful stay possible. They offer a free shuttle bus from Kanazawa Station, and from Kenrokuen (book in advance), one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, a must-see beautiful Japanese garden when visiting Kanazawa. At Hyakurakusou IROHA, they have 12 guest rooms, 8 of which have semi-open-air onsen baths. You can enjoy quiet relaxation in a luxury room with your own private onsen. Because of the low number of rooms, the number of other guests will also be low, so you can relax in a laid-back environment.

Hyakurakuso IROHA has two large public onsen baths and 1 private rental open-air onsen bath. If you book a room without a private onsen bath attached, these are a perfect alternative, as they won’t be overcrowded or in high demand. There is also a game lounge and an esthetic salon, after you finish with the onsen, play table tennis with your friends and family in classic Japanese fashion, or get a beauty massage and relax even more in this quaint area away from the city. Check it out below.

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Shirasagi no Yu Yuwaku Onsen (湯涌温泉総湯 白鷺の湯)

Shirasagi no Yu is a public onsen bath located in Yuwaku Onsen, located about 50-minutes away from Kanazawa Station by bus. Check the bus’s timetable to make sure you aren’t stranded. If you want to get a feel for how locals in Japan live, you have to check out this healing onsen. The waters are said to heal nerve and muscle pain, loosen joints, improve blood circulation, and much more. Shirasagi no Yu is a public onsen, meaning that there are no overnight facilities. This onsen is for day trips only.

If you decide to stay at an onsen ryokan nearby, this might be a great place to visit as it’s located in a rural area with lots of nature and traditional Japanese buildings and shrines to explore. They’re open from 7 AM to 10 PM every day, so you can visit at times when they aren’t crowded. Shirasaki no Yu is loved by locals, and there is even a foot onsen outside. The entrance fee is 500 JPY, but note that you have to pay extra for towels and soap. They accept tattoos which is rare for onsen in Japan. Consider visiting them and checking out their website below.

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Matsusaki Tatsunokuchi Onsen (辰口温泉 まつさき)

Matsusaki Tatunokuchi Onsen is an elegant Japanese onsen ryokan located about 30 minutes away from Kanazawa Station and 25 minutes away from the airport. They offer a free shuttle bus from Komatsu Airport and the nearby Matto Station (reserve in advance). Matsusaki’s onsen is gentle on skin and is said to keep skin moist even for the longest bathers. There are gorgeous public outdoor onsen baths, one made of stone and one of cypress wood. Bathe in nature next to Japanese gardens with views of Mount Hakusan.

There are rooms with private onsen attached, and a private outdoor bath available for rent (3,300 JPY for 50 minutes). We recommend booking a room with a private onsen attached, as you can enjoy the benefits of the healing onsen water in private as much as you like. For dinner, enjoy a Japanese kaiseki meal with ingredients that are local to Kanazawa and Ishikawa Prefecture. The meals change with what foods are in season, but you can check their website below for a general idea of what foods you’ll be eating after getting out of your onsen bath.

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Ryotei Manyo (旅亭萬葉)

Ryotei Manyo is an elegant and traditional onsen ryokan located in the Tatsunokuchi Onsen area. They are known for providing a variety of onsen waters that are said to beautify, moisturize, and heal your skin and ailments. The villagers of the Tatsunokuchi Onsen area from 1,400 years ago learned this when the legs of injured horses were healed after bathing in the waters. Ryotei Manyo has many types of large public onsen baths, private rental onsen baths, and private onsen baths attached to rooms, but one of the best parts of staying at Ryotei Manyo is the well-kept Japanese garden, which is perfect for finding your inner peace after a long soak.

Guests of Ryotei Manyo have free access to the large sister onsen next door, Tanbo no Yu, so you can enjoy the rural Japanese nature while being surrounded by beautiful scenery in an onsen bath. If you prefer, reserve a private room for a special dinner experience. After you’re done with your private dinner and private bath, enjoy cold spring water, cold brew tea, and traditional Japanese sweets in their relaxation room.

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Grandia Housen Awara Onsen (あわら温泉 グランディア芳泉)

Grandia Housen Awara Onsen is about 45 minutes away from Kanazawa Station, but the journey is well worth it. We recommend staying at Grandia Housen to any traveler in the area. They are a luxury modern Japanese ryokan that has new spa facilities that have been renovated recently in 2017. There are 33 guest rooms with private onsen baths attached, so those who prefer to bathe in private and those with tattoos have plenty of options. Book a room in the villa or annex for access to a special large public onsen with a view of a traditional Japanese garden.

When you arrive at Grandia, the first thing you should do is use the outdoor onsen foot bath to wash away the fatigue from your journey. Then, enjoy a complementary yutorogi onsen-boiled egg. They have some English-speaking staff at the front desk that can help you have the most comfortable stay possible. After relaxing in the soothing waters, head up to the roof and the moon viewing platform, where you can see the moon on clear nights. Check out Grandia Housen below.

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Motoyu Ishiya Fukatani Onsen (深谷温泉 元湯石屋)

Motoyu Ishiya is a very traditional onsen ryokan located about 20 minutes away from Kanazawa station by taxi. Because of the age of the ryokan, there are no rooms that have private onsen, or private rental onsen on the premise. The onsen waters are amber-colored and get their minerals from reeds and other plants that dissolved hundreds of years ago. The water is said to have a skin moisturizing effect, along with the power to heal muscle and joint pains. The onsen waters are great, but the traditional Japanese onsen ryokan experience that you’ll get at Motoyu Ishiya will be unforgettable.

After getting out of the public onsen, take a stroll around the ryokan in a traditional Japanese yukata, and enjoy the art and sculptures that the ryokan owners have curated for guests. The owners are avid traditional art enjoyers and have collected many different ancient artifacts for guests to enjoy. Each room has traditional Japanese tatami mat flooring, so you can relax in traditional Japanese fashion after you finish your soak in the healing waters. Check out Motoyu Ishiya below.

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Takitei (滝亭)

Takitei is a modern Japanese onsen ryokan with traditional design elements. A giant waterfall is visible from both of the outdoor public onsen. This waterfall sets Takitei apart from the rest, as guests can enjoy the calming sounds and sights of nature while relaxing in an onsen bath. There are no rental private onsen baths at Takitei, so we recommend that you book a room that has a private onsen bath attached to your room. In the spring, Japanese cherry blossoms float on the top of the outdoor onsen bath. Takitei was established for those who love nature.

The water at Takitei is slightly alkaline and has a beautifying effect. If you prefer something more laidback and private, book a room on the river side of the ryokan, where your private onsen bath will have views of the river. Takitei is famous among locals and has staff who can help guide you in English. You have dinner in a private room or counter seat with views of their garden at their restaurant. After your bath and meal, relax with a massage at Takitei’s spa. If you want to stay at an amazing onsen near Kanazawa, make sure to check them out.

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Terume Kanazawa (西インターテルメ金沢)

Terume Kanazawa is a super sento bathhouse. This is a perfect way to experience traditional Japanese bathing culture for a few hours in between exploring the ancient city of Kanazawa because it’s located a quick 15-minute drive from Kanazawa Station. Terume Kanazawa has natural onsen waters from deep underground, and the waters are said to heal joint and muscle pains. There are plenty of different types of Japanese baths and onsen waters that you can experience here. It’s like a small indoor waterpark.

If you want to experience a fun water massage, try their waterfall bath. Guests can sit under falling water and massage their shoulders and back. When you first enter the onsen bathing area, there will be a fountain of drinkable onsen water. Take a sip and make sure to stay hydrated during your onsen adventures. Terume Kanazawa is known for being a large super sento bathhouse, but there are also rooms for guests to stay at. Note that there are no rooms with private onsen attached or private rental onsen at Terume Kanazawa. Check them out below.

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Midori no Yado Bansyoukaku (みどりの宿 萬松閣)

Midori no Yado Bansyoukaku is a traditional onsen ryokan located 40 minutes away from Kanazawa Station. They are known for their traditional Japanese architecture and design, along with their amazing open-air outdoor onsen baths. Taking a dip in the onsen is almost like a double bath, as guests figuratively bathe in the deep green of the forest, and literally bathe in relaxing and healing onsen waters. If you prefer to bathe in private, they have 2 private rental baths (2,500 JPY for 45 minutes), and all 17 of the rooms come with a private onsen attached.

After your onsen bath, you can relax in all sorts of spaces at Bansyoukaku. There is an esthetic salon for those who are looking to get a deep tissue massage. Change into a traditional Japanese yukata before exploring the gardens and green spaces. The views from all of the rooms are perfect for those who are just looking for some peace and quiet after a nice bath and a long journey. Consider spending a night at the onsen ryokan Bansyoukaku.

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Shirasagi no Yu Noto Kaisyu (白鷺の湯 能登 海舟)

Shirasagi no Yu Noto Kaisyu is a modern Japanese onsen ryokan that sits on the shores of Nanao Bay. Located in the most northern area of Ishikawa prefecture, Noto Kaisyu is about 90 minutes away from Kanazawa station by bullet train. The views of the bay and Noto Island from almost every room in this onsen ryokan set it apart from the rest. All of the onsen baths at Noto Kaisyu make you feel like you’re floating in the ocean. They have 2 large public onsen baths, a “pure Japanese style bath”, and a “new Japanese style bath”. To get the full experience, we recommend checking out both of the onsen baths and seeing which one you like better.

Within the onsen baths, they have steam saunas, hot-air baths, heated rock chairs, and warm onsen footbaths for guests to enjoy while taking a break from their hot onsen. For those who prefer to bathe in private, we can confidently recommend Noto Kaisyu, as they have 3 private rental onsen baths. Their rooms are luxurious with Japanese design elements, and many of the room types also include private onsen baths with views of the bay. To relax even more after your bath, book an appointment at their spa for a Dead Sea mud mask and water treatment. They also have salt scrubs prepared to exfoliate and massage your skin. Check out Noto Kaisyu below.

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Conclusion

Have you found an onsen in Kanazawa that you want to visit? We think that the well-preserved historic town of Kanazawa is the perfect place to experience traditional Japanese onsen culture on your trip. Wash away your fatigue and sweat before hopping in the healing waters.

If you’re new to onsen, or just want to check up on the rules and manners of onsen, check out our article on onsen etiquette.

• Onsen Etiquette

If you’re going to Kanazawa, an old and traditional onsen town, you may stay in an old and traditional Japanese ryokan. Some of these ryokan are very old and may provide slow (or not provide) Wi-Fi for guests.

If you need high-speed 4G LTE data or pocket Wi-Fi on your trip to an onsen town, check out Sakura Mobile. For those who are worried about staying connected on their trip to an onsen. Read more below.

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