This was one of the most memorable and magical stays of my life. This is a traditional ryokan stay with kaiseki breakfast and dinner. We stayed in one of the suites which was large and immaculate and had a luxurious cedar bath, high end bath products, and mountain views. The highlight was the cultural experience of enjoying local cuisine and local hospitality at its finest. The food was Michelin star worthy and provided an opportunity to try foods that we’ve never tried begore. The chef was imaginative and generous. The service was absolute perfection, I may be spoiled for life. Please just note, if you are a person who is picky with their food, you cannot request western style foods or change the menu in any way. This is typical for ryokan. Even though they state this clearly on the directions, we noticed a family who not only requested western menu, but completely disrespected the staff when they were presented with their breakfast and left the breakfast in its entirety on the table without even trying. Very upsetting to witness this. Please don’t be those people. Thank you Yamanoo for an unforgettable experience!

Nothing!

After traveling Japan for over 2 weeks, easily my most memorable stay is Yamanoo in Kanazawa. The room (more like the house!!) was an exceptional blend of history and modern amenities, capped off with a sweeping skyline view of Kanazawa. To top this off, the staff was so incredibly nice and warm, making every part of our stay feel welcomed and effortless. The kaiseki dinner was fantastic, expertly highlighting the local seasonal ingredients, which helped deepen the connection to our stay at Yamanoo. Just writing this makes me want to go back ASAP!!

Nothing, it was perfect!!

Our stay at Yamanoo Ryokan in Kanazawa was nothing short of enchanting. Tucked away above the historic Higashi Old Town, this ryokan offers a rare blend of tradition and tranquillity. The private onsen, overlooking the timeless streets below, provided a uniquely serene and rejuvenating escape—an experience we’ll cherish. From our arrival, the hosts treated us like family, with a level of warmth and attentiveness that truly set the tone for our visit. The room was thoughtfully designed, merging classic Japanese elegance with modern comforts, making it a perfect retreat. But the real highlight was the kaiseki dining experience—each dish was a miniature work of art, reflecting the seasons and embodying local flavours in a way that was both beautifully authentic and innovative. The breakfast was equally exceptional, each course balancing subtlety with deliciousness. Every moment at Yamanoo was thoughtfully curated, from the gracious hospitality to the pristine facilities, making it a place we’d wholeheartedly recommend to anyone looking to immerse themselves in Kanazawa’s rich heritage with a touch of luxury. This ryokan is not just a place to stay; it’s an experience that resonates long after you’ve left.

Nothing

Everything was beautiful. Such a wonderful stay. Staff were lovely, especially Megumi. Everything was beautifully clean. You are offered matcha on arrival which was a nice touch. Garden and ryokan itself are like stepping back in time, so peaceful. Would have loved to have stayed for longer. KAISEKI was amazing.

Some parts of the kaiseki might be a bit of a struggle for western pallets but trying new things is part of the fun. The breakfast was so big, if you are used to just having a coffee in the morning, the breakfast included option probably is not for you, savoury food and raw fish that seemed to just keep on coming. The latest you can opt to have breakfast is 8.30 which is quite early to eat that much food in my opinion.

This property was sublime. The service was impeccable, the food authentic and incredibly amazing, healthy, and delicious. The staff beyond courteous, but that is pretty standard for Japan :). The location was lovely, the accommodations gorgeous. Everything about this place really was the quintessential Japanese experience. I wish I could be back there. Thank you for such a magical stay.

I loved it all.

This ryokan is beautiful. The property with its winding paths and gardens feels like you're staying in a piece of history. The staff is impeccable - attentive, polite, and helpful. And the food is incredible – all of our meals were fresh, delicious, and had great variety. We tried many different traditional Japanese dishes and loved the experience every day. The location is perfectly located, especially for those that enjoy to get around on foot. The historic Higashi Chaya District is footsteps away and other major sites like the Castle and Gardens are a reasonable walk. I cannot recommend Yamanoo more. After spending multiple weeks throughout Japan, this was our favorite accommodation.

Not a thing. I can't think of a single negative thing to say about the property of our time in Kanazawa.

We felt like we’d fallen into a puddle of cream at Yamanoo. It was paradise, from the exquisitely designed room (ours was called Fuki), which has a view of the beautiful and historic Higashi-Chaya district, to the glorious food, cooked by chef/owner Takichi Ota, to the warm and lovely staff. The setting is incredibly special- a Japanese garden carefully tended so as to provide complete serenity and beauty everywhere one looks. Every single detail contributes to the overall effect of peaceful perfection.

I can’t think of anything that isn’t exactly right about Yamanoo.

Love Yamanoo, one of the most beautiful Ryokans I stayed in Japan. Just 4 rooms in middle of the Kanazawa old town. The room is simple and clean. The bath is newly renovated and I loved the design. The most stunning thing during the stay is the food. Kindly of Michelin starred level and with much love for plates and details. Totally in love!

Authentic experience, you feel like a special guest receiving personal service. Our hostess was amazing tending to our needs and served our private evening meal. Our meal was 9 courses of awesome Japanese dishes and for one of the courses the owner himself came to our dining room and cooked one of the dishes. In summary if everyone is as fortunate as us with their experience then we can highly recommend Yamanoo.

We did not have any issues or concerns, the experience exceeded our expectations.

This ryokan is located on a small hill, and our room overlooked the Higashi-Chaya district. The views were magnificent! The room was very large and comfortable. Our in-room bath was located downstairs and was very nice. The staff were very courteous and efficient, making check-in/check-out pleasant and calling for taxi service when we needed it. Dinner was a gastronomical delight. One dish (the nodoguro) was prepared at our table in our private dining room by the chef/owner. We especially enjoyed that we had a great conversation with him. Every dish was yummy! Breakfast at Yamanoo was just as simple and delicious. This was a great place to stay!