What is Hanamurasaki?

Hanamurasaki is a Selected hotel located in Kaga, Japan. It has been recognized by the Michelin Guide for its exceptional hospitality and unique experience.

How many Michelin Keys does Hanamurasaki have?

Hanamurasaki has been awarded Selected by the Michelin Guide, indicating a very special stay.

Where is Hanamurasaki located?

Hanamurasaki is located in Kaga, Japan, in the Asia region.

What makes a Selected hotel special?

Selected hotels provide very special stays with excellent service and a unique sense of place.

How do I book Hanamurasaki?

You can view more details and booking information for Hanamurasaki through the Michelin Guide website. Each Michelin Keys hotel offers a unique booking experience tailored to their guests.

Hanamurasaki | Selected in Kaga, Japan

Name: Hanamurasaki
Address: Kaga, Asia, Japan
Rating: 4.5

Key Highlights

✓Exceptional Service & Hospitality**: The staff's attentiveness, efficiency, and warm welcome are frequently cited as a major highlight.
✓Gorge View in Off-Seasons**: While beautiful with fresh greenery, autumn leaves, or snow, the gorge view might not be as "spectacular" in other seasons.

Expert Review: Hanamurasaki

Hanamurasaki, a Michelin Key Selected property in Kaga, Japan, offers a deeply immersive and luxurious ryokan experience rooted in traditional Japanese hospitality with a modern sensibility. Set above the picturesque Kakusenkei Gorge in Yamanaka Onsen, it is widely praised for its exceptional service, gourmet dining, and tranquil ambiance.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Hanamurasaki is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as "exceptional" and "wonderful." On platforms like Expedia, it holds an "Exceptional" rating of 9.6 out of 10 based on numerous reviews. The sentiment highlights a blend of refined tradition and modern comfort, emphasizing a relaxing and memorable Japanese cultural experience.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud Hanamurasaki for several standout features:

Exceptional Service & Hospitality: The staff's attentiveness, efficiency, and warm welcome are frequently cited as a major highlight.
Gourmet A La Carte Kaiseki Dining: The unique ability to select dishes from an extensive seasonal menu is a significant draw, providing a personalized and delicious culinary journey.
Stunning Gorge Views & Onsen: The location above Kakusenkei Gorge provides breathtaking natural scenery from almost every room and the open-air baths. The mineral-rich hot springs, some dating back centuries, offer deep relaxation.
Modern Design & Tranquil Ambiance: The ryokan blends traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern design, incorporating local artistry and natural materials to create a serene and immersive atmosphere.

3. Room Quality

Hanamurasaki offers 26 rooms, primarily Japanese-style rooms with tatami flooring, all boasting views of the Kakusenkei Gorge. The rooms are described as spacious, comfortable, and beautifully designed.

Traditional Japanese-Style Rooms: These rooms feature elegant inner gardens and wooden fixtures. They are equipped with amenities like down comforters, in-room safes, free WiFi, TVs, refrigerators, electric kettles, hairdryers, yukatas, towels, and bath towels. High-end Japanese-style mattresses ensure comfortable sleep on futons.
Suites: The ryokan also offers modern suites and art suites, some of which include private open-air hot spring baths and even private saunas. These suites are adorned with works from local Ishikawa Prefecture artists, featuring lacquerware and glass art. The design incorporates tiled flooring, darkened timber, and copper detailing, with amenities like Aesop products and Dyson hairdryers.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience at Hanamurasaki is a major highlight, with the ryokan considered a "gourmet ryokan" with impeccable taste.

A La Carte Kaiseki: This is a signature feature, allowing guests to choose their favorite dishes from a selection of about 50 seasonal offerings, including simmered, grilled, fried, and nabe dishes. This personalized approach is highly appreciated, especially for couples and families.
Kaiseki Quality: The kaiseki meals are refined, delicious, and made from the finest seasonal ingredients, often rivaling the best Kyoto cuisine. Dishes are beautifully presented using Kutani ceramic ware and Yamanaka lacquerware.
Breakfast: Breakfast is also carefully prepared and satisfying.
Dining Environment: Meals are typically served in private or semi-private dining rooms, often designed with beautiful Japanese washi paper, creating a warm and refined atmosphere. Guests with small children can request to have meals served in their rooms.
Seasonal Specialties: From November to March, special crab kaiseki course meals featuring snow crab from the local Hashidate Fishing Port are available.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Hanamurasaki consistently receives "excellent" to "exceptional" feedback. The staff is described as amazingly welcoming, helpful, and attentive, providing "quality service and hospitality." Many guests feel the staff goes "out of their way" to ensure a comfortable stay, even for special occasions. English proficiency among staff is generally good enough for guests to communicate effectively.

6. Location & Accessibility

Hanamurasaki is located in Yamanaka Onsen, Kaga, set above the forested gorge of Kakusenkei.

Natural Surroundings: The ryokan is at the start of a trail along Kakusenkei Gorge, offering opportunities for pleasant strolls with views of fresh greenery, autumn leaves, or snow, depending on the season.
Nearby Attractions: The area features Yuge Road (Yuge Kaido Street) with Yamanaka lacquerware and Kutani pottery galleries, cafes, and shops. Other nearby attractions include Korogi Bridge, Yamanaka Hot Spring, Natadera Temple, Eihei-ji Temple, Kenrokuen Garden, and Kanazawa Castle.
Transportation: Free shuttle service is available from Kagaonsen Station, a 15-minute drive away, between 8:30 and 18:00 (advance booking required). Kagaonsen Station is approximately 30 minutes by train from Kanazawa Station. Komatsu Airport is about 30 minutes away by car or taxi.

7. Value & Pricing

Hanamurasaki is considered a luxury ryokan, and its pricing reflects this. Rates can start from around JPY 50,216 to JPY 154,500 per guest per night, including dinner and breakfast. Expedia indicates prices from approximately $498.49 per night for two adults. Despite the higher cost, many guests feel it offers excellent value for the price, considering the quality of service, food, accommodations, and overall experience.

8. Common Complaints

While reviews are overwhelmingly positive, a few minor points of criticism have been noted:

Gorge View in Off-Seasons: While beautiful with fresh greenery, autumn leaves, or snow, the gorge view might not be as "spectacular" in other seasons.
Communal Bath Privacy: One guest mentioned that the women's outdoor communal bath lacked sufficient privacy from surrounding buildings, making it less relaxing.
Dining Room Privacy (Sound): Although dining areas are partitioned, some guests have noted that the soundproofing isn't always ideal, which can make it feel less truly private.
Limited Private Onsens: Rooms with private hot spring baths are few and can be difficult to book.
Sauna quirks in Suites: In suites with private saunas, the heat can dip quickly when people enter/leave, and it requires pre-heating. The sauna also automatically shuts off overnight.