Discover the Timeless Allure of Yamashiro Onsen

While legend has it that the hot spring waters of Yamashiro Onsen were found by the Buddhist monk Gyoki over a thousand years ago, what can be said with certainty is that this small town in Ishikawa has been welcoming weary travelers for centuries with soft beds, warm onsen waters, and nourishing local food. The town’s Kosoyu public bathhouse, originally built in 1886, was faithfully reconstructed in 2010. Araya Totoan provides its guests with free tickets to experience the proud local tradition of bathing at Kosoyu.

Following in the Footsteps of Esteemed Writers and Artists

Several well-known writers and artists became enamored with Yamashiro Onsen in the late 19th and early 20th century, including the multi-talented Rosanjin (1883-1959), who was known for his skills as a calligrapher and painter as well as for his skills with lacquerware and pottery. His work can still be seen at Araya Totoan.

With shinkansen service to nearby Kagaonsen Station now available, visiting Yamashiro Onsen to partake in its delights is more convenient than ever before. While the town is best known as a spot for relaxation at its ryokan, there are also several temples and shrines in the area that stand amidst the area’s outstanding natural beauty.

Pre-Selected Rooms

Our recommended room for your stay is the Japanese-Western Style Room with Open-Air Bath, which includes a large living room that offers views of the ryokan’s natural surroundings through its classic Japanese-style sliding doors. The bedroom includes two Western-style beds and the open-air bathtub is made of aromatic cypress wood.

Moments at the Table

Enjoy the Bounty of the Local Region with Delicious Seasonal Meals 

Bounded by mountains to the south and the Sea of Japan just to the north, Yamashiro Onsen is blessed by its location, which provides not only stunning natural sights but a broad range of delicious produce. Your meals at Araya Totoan are specially designed to make the most of this seasonal bounty, with seafood from the nearby port of Hashidate, vegetables from the Kaga region, and specially-selected fruit. All meals take place in private dining rooms with table-and-chair seating, with dishes served on locally-produced Kutani ware ceramics and Yamanaka lacquerware for a more authentic experience.

Breakfast

Breakfast at Araya Totoan is a well-balanced meal, served in the traditional Japanese style with rice, miso soup, and grilled fish, as well as a variety of vegetable and tofu dishes.

Breakfast may include:

• Rice
• Miso soup
• Grilled fish
• Fresh and pickled vegetables
• Tofu dishes

Dinner

Dinner at Araya Totoan varies with the seasons, but generally features a kaiseki course meal that includes sumptuous seafood from the Sea of Japan along with vegetables from surrounding farms and mountainous areas.

Dinner may include (based on the spring menu):

• Sea bream
• Hairy crab
• Spanish mackerel
• Bamboo shoots 
• Warabi 
• Mountain vegetables