Kayoutei is our favorite ryokan in Japan. With superb onsen baths, amazing and healthy food, attentive service and opportunities to visit artisan’s workshops in the village, Kayoutei provides the perfect onsen ryokan experience.
Bath with a view. Photo by Chris Rowthorn
Kayoutei At A Glance
- Great for: couples, nature lovers, fans of Japanese arts and crafts
- Strong points: service, convenient location (near Kyoto and Kanazawa), onsen baths, great food
- Sample rates: US$500 to 1,000
Room with a view. Photo by Chris Rowthorn
Kayoutei is located in Yamanaka Onsen, in Ishikawa Prefecture. It’s a short taxi ride from Kaga Onsen Station, which is on the newly extended Hokuriku Shinkansen Line. Kaga is only 15 minutes from Kanazawa on that line. From Kyoto, it takes about two hours. Thus, Kayoutei is perfectly placed for a soothing break while doing a Tokyo-Kanazawa-Kyoto loop.
View from balcony. Photo by Chris Rowthorn
Kayoutei is perched above a beautiful green gorge and many of the rooms have balconies where you can sit and gaze at a small waterfall in that gorge. Some rooms also have private outdoor onsen baths on their balconies. Frankly, it just doesn’t get any better than this.
Kayoutei breakfast. Photo by Chris Rowthorn
The food at Kayoutei is sublime. It’s among the best food we’ve ever had at a ryokan. The chef makes use of local ingredients, including sansei (wild mountain vegetables) and seafood whenever possible. And, the breakfast will completely transform your idea of what that meal can be.
The very best part of Kayoutei is the opportunity to visit local artisan’s workshops where you can see traditional woodworking, lacquerware, and tatami making, as well as artists working with more modern media. This is the real deal: actual artists producing real work, not just a show laid on for tourists.
It’s very likely that Kayoutei will be the highlight of your trip to Japan. One night here is highly recommended, and two nights will allow you to slow down and soak up the experience. Booking is via the Ryokan Collection website or Agoda.com. Note that Kayoutei is sometimes written in English as Kayote (without the “u”).
Name in English:
Kayoutei
Name in Japanese:
かよう亭
English address:
1-ho-20 Yamanakaonsenhigashi-machi, Kaga-shi, Ishikawa, Japan
Japanese address:
〒922-0114 石川県加賀市山中温泉東町1-ホ-20
Price range: luxury
Nearest Transport:
Taxi from Kagaonsen Station of Hokuriku Shinkansen
Telephone: 81-761-78-1410
Website: Official Website (Japanese)
:: Check availability and pricing for Kayoutei on Agoda.com.
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