Shirasagiyu Tawaraya

We stayed here for two night as a family of 6 ppl renting 3 rms during early April during Japans famous Sakura season. The hotel staff were extremely helpful l, friendly and spoke very good English. We knew this was going to be a relaxed Japanese countryside experience not bustling Tokyo or Kyoto. The Ryokan is located overlooking the Kagaonsen Gorge. We were fortunate the weather was pretty pleasant one day was slightly rainy and the next day cloudy. The gorge has a very beautiful walk and if the weather complies there is a very pretty little tea shop perched on the river with red umbrellas where you can sip sweet matcha and have some cake. I have to say that that experience alone sitting there surrounded by our family was a memory I will cherish. Our rooms at the Ryokan were large, clean but had seen much better days so be careful how you chose. Our bathrooms must have been built in the 80s and untouched since. It was a last minute booking so I can’t complain. The food was good but I

Booked this Ryoken on a bit of a whim as it was “on the way” to Kanazawa, and absolutely glad that we did. Whilst a bit more out of the way than realised, definitely worth the effort. The ryokan will arrange transfer from/to the Kagaonsen station free of charge with it a nice addition. We were able to drop of our bags at 8:30 am as we had arrived early to explore the gorge and town. The town has definitely seen better days, but still some lovely pottery shops and shrines etc around that were worth visiting. Easily spent the time in the morning before we checked in at 3:00pm. Town has definitely seen better days though. On check in, you pick out your own Kimono, for wearing throughout your stay. The room was exactly as hoped and expected, we had a lovely corner room with a large balcony overlooking the gorge. The noise from the river was amazing. The onsens were very clean, decorated nicely and everyone was very respectful. Good facilities for washing/drying etc. Only disappointment was that the private onsen was closed for construction, but this didn’t take away from our experience. Dinner and breakfast was excellent value. Dinner was probably one of the best meals we’ve ever had. Came out in at least 11 courses of various Japanese cuisine. Some cooked in front of you/on the table. Really can’t overstate how good the food was; might not be everyone’s kind of food though. Only negative point aside from the private onsen was that the ryokan lost a jumper that was left with the bags in the morning. We didn’t realise until packing to leave that it was missing & as we took it off when checking in our bags we knew it had to be there. We were running late for our transfer to the station when checking out, and when we mentioned it, the reception staff were adamant that they did not have it & would not go and look for it & as the transfer was waiting we just had to leave it, which was a bit of a shame to end such a lovely stay.

The location of this ryokan was easy to find, just behind the Japanese confectionery shop selling the local speciality, nya-nya manshou. Our room was next to the Kakusenkei gorge and the sound of the flowing river just next to the room was great. Dinner and breakfast was satisfying and the lady, Sato san, taking care of us was very motherly and friendly. The onsen was good but we didn't sleep well due to difficulty with the temperature control in the room and also very thin futons. We went on a Thursday during sakura season and found that most of the shops were closed. We didn't get to try the handmade soba noodles the area is known for and the street was very quiet. It seems that the area as well as the ryokan has seen better days.