Makino Oto Kanazawa

The rooms were fantastic, and the staff and owner were the kindest, sweetest people. This is an intimate ryokan in an incredible location. Thank you for the memorable stay, delicious breakfast, and wonderful hospitality. I’ll absolutely come back when I’m in Kanazawa again.

The restaurant attached to the hotel was outstanding, and the lovely staff couldn’t have been more helpful. The four-bedroom place sits in a genuine, quiet, traditional community. A real treat for the discerning traveler.

The meals at Higashiyama Wakon, the restaurant on the ryokan’s first floor, were the highlight for me. It overlooks the garden and has a peaceful feel in its intimate 10-seat dining room. We sat at the counter and watched the careful preparation of modern kaiseki, a contemporary take on traditional Japanese cuisine. I had one of my best meals in Japan there. The tram deserves a star of its own! Breakfast is included and Western-style, and their secret-recipe croissants were among the best I’ve ever had. This four-room ryokan sits in the historic Higashi Chaya district, a beautifully curated kind of luxury that respects its past while offering modern practical comforts. The setting is tranquil and makes a good base for exploring the city. The district is lively in the daytime, then settles down in the evening, when you can stroll around or explore the geisha houses scattered through the area. Highly recommended.

Dinner at the in-house restaurant was the best meal we had in Japan. We had the tasting menu, a modern take on traditional Japanese cuisine, and I’d definitely suggest eating there if you stay. The hotel itself is in a typical house in the geisha district, with just two beautiful rooms. Staff were friendly, and some spoke good English. We booked directly by email without trouble, though finding the email address on the Japanese website was difficult. Breakfast was very good too, with both Japanese and Western options.