Stepping into Motoyu Ishiya feels like stepping out of time. This family-run boutique ryokan has been welcoming guests for over 200 years. Everything about it invites you to slow down, from the pretty garden courtyards to the calm silence of the indoor and outdoor hot spring baths.
This is a traditional Japanese boutique inn in the best sense: warm hospitality, refined food, thoughtful details, and deep-rooted culture. Rooms are traditional and some have views over the garden, others open onto quiet wooden hallways. You’ll find air conditioning, fridges, and all the essentials. The public onsen is excellent, there are both indoor and outdoor hot spring baths, as well as a cold plunge for contrast.
Inside the property, there’s an authentic Noh theater stage. Every few years, the inn hosts a live Noh performance for guests and the local community. It’s rare. And unforgettable.
There’s free WiFi in the lobby, free parking, and a souvenir shop with locally made goods. In the morning, a complimentary shuttle runs to Morimoto Station, just one stop away from the main Kanazawa Station. That means you can explore the city by day, and return to total calm by evening. It’s the perfect mix.
