Yamanoo

Absolutely loved our stay at the beautiful Ryokan. Everything was perfect, our beautiful room with a great view over the city, the service excellence from all the staff, and of course the food which is truly amazing. We stayed for two nights, each night we were collected to go for dinner dressed in the hotel supplied and very tasteful Yakata, once in our private dining room we were served an 8 course kaiseki meal. Each course was wonderful, so beautifully presented and well explained by our hostess Yoko, who was so friendly, fun and attentive. Then back to our room where our futon had been prepared for bed. Breakfast (Japanese) (only - as mentioned in other reviews) was similar in its presentation and service.|It was our first Ryoken and has set such a supremely high standard for any others. Loved it there and would go back again if we are in the area.|Fab-u-los!

Stayed for 1 night in April 2025. Yamanoo sits on top of a hill at the edge of the Higashi Chaya district and its main building is tucked away from the street, at the end of a stone-paved path. Our room was set apart from the main building, between them there was a lush and enclosed garden. The room was spacious and superb in its decor, its architecture, and its views. Large corner windows allowed you to take in the Higashi Chaya district, the mountain, the large tree just outside, and the setting sun. The private tub with a view over the district was luxurious. The staff were extremely professional. The meals were exceptional in both their taste and execution. It was abundantly clear that they were prepared and served with exceeding care. They could have had more staff on hand to help carry luggage up and down both the stairs to our room and the stone path to the lobby. A luxurious, elegant, and calming experience overall.

This is a wonderful ryokan hotel where excellent service is at the heart of the experience. Location just on the edge of the historical area is ideal place to base. Kanazawa castle and garden 20 min walk - which are fabulous visits. The room is authentic Japanese style. Loved the space, facilities and ability to stay so different from a normal hotel. Dress for dinner wearing the supplied yakata’s - gets you in the mood. Staff collect you for dinner which you eat in a private room with a dedicated hostess. YOKO, served us our dinner both nights. A wonderful caring/attentive lady and we shared some fun. Awesome! Food here is amazing. 8 course dinner which was at Michelin star level. Wonderful fresh fish/seafood/beef/ vegetables. Washed down with recommended Sake. We tried things not tasted before and loved every course. Breakfast was spectacular too - very different to western gourmet. Authentic healthy and tasty. Each course is fully explained too, in English, which shows the effort the staff went to. Salute the friendly and talented chef! We were nervous trying this but so pleased we did. Fantastic opportunity to savour true Japanese style. Thanks to the Yamanoo team! Highly recommended.

Dinner and breakfast were delicious, well-balanced. Staying in their traditional guest room was also memorable. The amenities were quality!

My stay at Ryotei Yamanoo was truly special. The service stood out—not only exceptional but also deeply caring, with staff who went out of their way to make my stay feel extra special. The food was another highlight—beautifully presented and centered around local Kanazawa specialties at a Michelin-star level. If you’re a fan of seafood, you’ll be in heaven. However, it’s worth noting that substitutions aren’t available, so it might not be ideal for those who don’t enjoy fish. One unfortunate moment was seeing a family leave four untouched trays of breakfast after asking for a Western option that wasn’t available—an unnecessary waste, especially given the care that goes into each meal. My room was spacious with stunning views of the city and surrounding mountains, and the large hinoki cedar bathtub was an unforgettable luxury. The location is also excellent—peaceful yet just a short walk into town. This was one of the most memorable stays of my month-long trip through Japan. Highly recommended for those looking for a refined, culturally immersive experience.

Stayed at this lovely resort for 2 nights and 3 days. Service was amazing, the room was tradition (exactly what we were looking for) and the tub was amazing after a week of walking all over Japan. Note for anyone visiting, the food is traditional Japanese cuisine. If you are not open to trying new dishes and methods of cooking, you have been warned.

Our stay at the Yamanoo Ryokan was a highlight of our trip to Kanazawa. Nestled just above the historic Higashi Chaya-gai district, we had one of the 'simpler' rooms, the Daffodil room. Each room is a small cottage set around the main entry and dining area, each having its own entrance and path through a small garden area and feeling very private. We were greeted with some lovely matcha and a delicious sweet treat, which we enjoyed on the chair overlooking our lovely view and watching the adventures of a local cat in the garden. There were two sitting areas, one with Western style chairs and one with sitting on the floor. After dinner, this was moved aside to make room for very comfortable mattresses that were put on the floor. The room also came with a lovely full tea set and kettle awaiting us, Japanese-style robes to wear to dinner and around, and a bathroom with a large hinoki cedar bathtub, which was lovely to enjoy after dinner.||The dinner was also phenomenal, and it was an expert showcase of local specialities and seasonal ingredients, from the amuse of strawberry mixed with sake, to clams and fishes, Blowfish shiraki with seasonal mountain herbs, hairy crab, Nodoguro (which the chef came out to cook for us at our table, almost like a shabu shabu style), a delicious beef from Noto served with young, grilled bamboo shoot, Firefly squid and rice, and the most delicious dessert jellies of strawberry, grapefruit, and sweet pea. Furthermore, each dish was served in the most beautiful dishes, showcasing local craftsmanship. Breakfast was also a delight, and we counted 15 (!) various dishes between pickles, multiple kinds of fish, soup, omelets, mutliple kinds of vegetables, and rice. It was truly a luxurious, breakfast and a treat to start the day.

Great place to stay while in Kanazawa. This ryokan is top quality perfectly situated overlooking the old district of the city and very close to the gardens and castle. Service is impeccable and the food served is amazing!

This is a hotel/ryokan where you can make a dinner reservation. It's up atop a hill and has stellar views. Be warned, it's not cheap by any means. I came here for dinner for a party of two. We had our own room...like a BIG room set up just for us. Course after course was brought out, hand curated, described, and exacting detail. From fresh fish to duck to bear, everything was just great...service was traditional japanese and friendly. The main chef came out to prep one of our courses. The menu changes by season of course so I'd like to go back but ya, did I mention it's not cheap?