Hanamurasaki

“Luxury, Serenity, and Flawless Gluten-Free Cuisine”

Our stay at Hanamurasaki Ryokan in Yamanaka Onsen was truly exceptional. Located a short drive from Kagaonsen Station, the property sits along the scenic Kakusenkei Gorge—an area celebrated for its natural beauty and famously praised by the poet Basho as one of Japan’s three finest hot springs. The… more

Our stay at Hanamurasaki Ryokan in Yamanaka Onsen was truly exceptional. Located a short drive from Kagaonsen Station, the property sits along the scenic Kakusenkei Gorge—an area celebrated for its natural beauty and famously praised by the poet Basho as one of Japan’s three finest hot springs. The accommodations were impeccable: spacious, modern, and thoughtfully designed. Having a private onsen in our suite made the experience especially memorable, though the hotel’s public baths are equally inviting. The interiors blend contemporary elegance with traditional touches, and the serene common areas overlooking the river create a deep sense of calm. We were warmly welcomed by a gracious and attentive team, with special thanks to Ayami and Kevin, whose care and professionalism elevated our stay. Dining was a highlight. Breakfasts and Kaiseki dinners featured an impressive array of beautifully presented small plates showcasing fresh, local ingredients—particularly seafood. Importantly, my wife has celiac disease, and the kitchen handled this with exceptional care; every dish was thoughtfully prepared to be completely gluten-free without compromising quality or presentation. Chef Masakazu Nakamura deserves recognition for delivering some of the finest Japanese cuisine we have experienced. In every respect, this was a restorative and luxurious getaway—well worth the journey.

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“A 2 night stay - leaving with an indelible lifetime experience..”

I would rate this travel experience a 10 plus. This 5 generation family run Ryokan achieves excellence at every turn. From the moment I checked in till the moment I left, I was awed by the attention to detail, the comfort, the unique design, and the warm hospitality. Stylishly built from the ground… more

I would rate this travel experience a 10 plus. This 5 generation family run Ryokan achieves excellence at every turn. From the moment I checked in till the moment I left, I was awed by the attention to detail, the comfort, the unique design, and the warm hospitality. Stylishly built from the ground up, along the Yamanaka River George, it is expertly run by the Amada family. The newest generation of owners Manami & Kohei, a husband and wife team, are consumate hoteliers well beyond their years.. Along with Kohei's mama san, they have brought every special unique aspect to my two night classic Japanese stay. The breakfast and dinner service meals were carefully thought out, beautifully presented and delicious. I can't speak highly enough of this experience. I arrived from a hectic 5 day business trip in Korea, and left in a culturally relaxed state of bliss. Thank you to Manami and Kohei for curating every aspect. I will truly cherish the memories. I only hope that I can return with my wife next time. Book now - don't even hesitate this adventure.

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“Incredible personal attention and great food”

As we have traveled around Japan over the last several years we have stayed in dozens of ryokan, large and small. This was our first stay in a high end establishment. The price was literally six times as much as we paid the night before in a small minshuku in Kanazawa. We were curious to experience… more

As we have traveled around Japan over the last several years we have stayed in dozens of ryokan, large and small. This was our first stay in a high end establishment. The price was literally six times as much as we paid the night before in a small minshuku in Kanazawa. We were curious to experience Japanese elegance and refinement at this level. Not the most expensive place that we looked at at, but certainly not at the low end. From the moment we stepped off of the free transfer from the Kagaonsen train station, we were a small army of attentive and considerate staff. We were gently ushered through the check out and our room where our personal attendant, Yukina, discussed our menu preferences, our yukata size, the available onsen options and more. We started with a relaxing bath at the open air rooftop onsen, which I had all to myself. The facilities are excellent and my wife reported that the cosmetics are top of the line. The view from the outdoor bath was perfect. Somehow it was no longer apparent that we were in a developed section with many large ryokan. Looking across the hillside I could see nothing but trees, a varied forest, gently swaying in the breeze. Completely beautiful and relaxing. As others have said here, the food is exceptional and varied. We took the standard meal, did not order from the lengthy list of the optional additions. This meal was more than we could eat and each course seemed to top the one before. If there was something we didn't eat, Yukina asked us about it and brought a replacement that was to our liking. Breakfast was equally delicious and we, again, were given a great deal of personal attention. After another dip in the onsen we walked along the beautiful river path until it was time to check out we returned to Kanazawa.

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“Nestled in a valley. Built sling a cliff.”

A luxurious ryokan built on a narrow steep valley. Entrance floor at the top and elevator down to your room. Clean and seemed no more than 5 years from what seemed a major reform. Nice large communal onsen bath with Roten (outdoor) bath along the cliff. Best part was the entrance, layout, and de… more

A luxurious ryokan built on a narrow steep valley. Entrance floor at the top and elevator down to your room. Clean and seemed no more than 5 years from what seemed a major reform. Nice large communal onsen bath with Roten (outdoor) bath along the cliff. Best part was the entrance, layout, and decor of the dining room. Semi-private separated by sudare curtains. Wonderful selection of china and pottery used in serving a long, delicious kaiseki meal, complemented with a wide choices of local sake... We tried the tasting set that broadened our palate through the evening. If visiting nearby Kutani-ware sites/museums, the onsen is a short drive away. Beautiful countryside

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