Ishikawa Kaga City
A skin-beautifying inn where a hinoki sauna and cold cold plunge bath overlooking Kakusenkei help relax both body and mind
"Yamanaka Onsen Kajikaso" is a hot spring ryokan in Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture. It boasts all-ocean-view rooms facing the Daishoji River, though because it is set along a valley, the view is really of the gorge. In the rock-built open-air bath, you can soak in the weakly alkaline, skin-beautifying waters of Yamanaka Onsen, beloved even by Basho Matsuo. The large public bath is equipped with a sauna rich in the fragrance of hinoki cypress and a crisp, cold cold plunge bath, and you can experience an exquisite outdoor bath while listening to the murmuring of the river from a reclining bench made of rattan. After bathing, the lounge themed around Zen offers a refined resort atmosphere where you can enjoy Kaga bocha tea and ice cream for free.
Yamanaka Onsen boasts a history of more than 1,300 years since its discovery. Its smooth, skin-friendly weakly alkaline water is known as a skin-beautifying hot spring, and you can luxuriate in it in the hinoki bath and large tubs of the indoor public bath. It is gentle on the body and keeps you warm deeply, softly easing away both physical and mental tension.
An atmospheric rock-built open-air bath facing the Daishoji River. Listen to the flow of Kakusenkei and enjoy the famed Yamanaka Onsen while feeling the murmuring of the river and the fresh breeze. A luxurious moment to enjoy bathing together with the overwhelming beauty of the gorge in every season, from fresh greenery and autumn leaves to snowy landscapes.
A newly renovated hinoki sauna in both the men's and women's large public baths. The rich fragrance of hinoki fills the room, while pleasantly hot, dry air envelops your whole body. With no TV or clock, you can quietly face yourself and take in the murmuring of the Daishoji River, making it an exceptional space that encourages deep sweating and meditative relaxation.
A cold plunge bath located right next to the sauna room. Filled with thoroughly chilled water, it quickly cools down your heated body after the sauna and leaves you feeling refreshed and tight. This clean tub is an essential cooldown facility that leads into a luxurious outdoor bath on the reclining benches made of rattan in the open-air area.
Irregular Holidays
Yamanaka Onsen
A supreme free-flowing natural hot spring with 800 years of history and a spectacular view of Kakusenkei Valley
Yamanaka Onsen
An open-air bath where natural spring water flows in terraced layers
Ishikawa
A sento sauna in Kanazawa renowned for its famed hot springs and excellent water
JAPAN'S FINEST ONSEN & SAUNA
The Finest Onsen & Sauna in Japan
57 SELECTIONS
Most of what we surveyed never even made it onto this site. This book is a further cut from what did. Our editor bathed in every onsen and sauna in it, and wrote only what they confirmed on the ground.
