The representative snow crabs of the Hokuriku are nurtured amidst the tumultuous waves of the Sea of Japan. Are you inclined to embark on a journey to the northlands to savor the rich, fresh ingredients meticulously prepared by proud chefs? Below, I present ten recommended retreats where you can indulge in hot springs and relish the winter crab flavors!
Let's begin by exploring the culinary artistry of crabs!
Delight in the winter's gastronomic monarch, the "crab"!
Allow me to introduce the delectable ways to enjoy Crab!
Which cooking method do you prefer?
Grilled Crab (焼きがに)
For those seeking aromatic pleasures, consider trying grilled Crab.
Its flavor is rich, with a perfect balance of saltiness and sweetness.
Indulge when the shell turns red and the meat swells.
Crab Sashimi (かに刺し)
The irresistible texture of crab sashimi awaits!
The crabs from the Hokuriku Region are exceptionally fresh, allowing you to consume them raw.
The Crab's natural sweetness unfolds in your mouth, offering a robust chewiness and abundant freshness.
Crab Sukiyaki (かにすき)
The ultimate method of preparing crabs is the "Crab Sukiyaki"!
This dish epitomizes the exquisite enjoyment of Crab.
Crab hot pot warms both your body and soul.
Boiled Crab (ゆでがに)
A classic crab dish.
You can either peel and eat it directly or dip it in a three-cup vinegar sauce.
【Ishikawa: Yamashiro Onsen (山代温泉)】Ruriko (瑠璃光)
Ruriko, named after the birthplace of Yamashiro Onsen, is referred to as the "Ruriko." The hotel offers various room types, including suites with open-air baths, luxurious Japanese-Western fusion rooms, Western-style rooms, large rooms, twin rooms, and single rooms.
In addition to the large communal bath and open-air baths, you can also use five private rental baths for a fee and the hot springs of the sister Inn Uketori. Please join the hot spring journey together at the public bath "Sotoyu."
- Address: 19-58-1 Yamashiro Onsen, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture
- Access: 10 minutes by car or taxi from JR Hokuriku Main Line Kaga Onsen Station
- Check-in/Check-out: 15:00/11:00
- Official Website: https://rurikoh.jp/
【Ishikawa: Yamashiro Onsen (山代温泉)】Yoshidaya Sannoukaku（吉田屋 山王閣）
Yoshidaya Sannoukaku is an established ryokan with 11 types and 45 rooms, boasting the highest hot water volume in Yamashiro Onsen.
Originating from the local Kutani ware, a permanent exhibition of which is housed in the gallery within the building.
The Ryokan takes pride in having two baths, alternating between genders, allowing enjoyment of both facilities.
- Address: 13-1 Yamashiro Onsen, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture
- Access:
- 15 minutes by shuttle bus from JR Hokuriku Main Line Kaga Onsen Station
- 15 minutes by car/taxi from JR Hokuriku Main Line Kaga Onsen Station
- Check-in/Check-out: 15:00/10:00
- Official Website: https://www.sannoukaku.com/
【Ishikawa: Yamashiro Onsen (山代温泉)】Hatori（葉渡莉）
Hatori faces the hot spring street of Yamashiro Onsen, with a somewhat nostalgic appearance welcoming your arrival.
The hotel offers comprehensive facilities, including karaoke, a club, a lounge, and ping pong, as well as beauty and massage services, including foot massages.
After a bath, you can enjoy complimentary ice cream, and in the evening, witness the dynamic Kaga Ikki Taiko drum performance! There are two large baths made of natural cypress wood and stone. You can also freely use the baths at the sister inn Ruriko, a 5-minute walk from the hotel.
- Address: 13-1 Yamashiro Onsen, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture
- Access:
- 15 minutes by shuttle bus from JR Hokuriku Main Line Kaga Onsen Station
- 15 minutes by car/taxi from JR Hokuriku Main Line Kaga Onsen Station
- Check-in/Check-out: 15:00/10:00
- Official Website: https://www.sannoukaku.com/
【Ishikawa: Yamashiro Onsen (山代温泉)】Shirasagiyu Tawaraya（白鷺湯たわらや）
With a tradition spanning 800 years, Shirasagiyu Tawaraya Ryokan faces the picturesque Tsurusenkei, one of Japan's most beautiful valleys. Magnificent views can be enjoyed from the lobby and all guest rooms. The open-air baths by the mountain stream are famous, making it a hospitable ryokan where you can enjoy strolls.
- Address: 13-1 Yamashiro Onsen, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture
- Access:
- 25 minutes by bus from JR Hokuriku Main Line Kaga Onsen Station
- 20 minutes by shuttle bus from JR Hokuriku Main Line Kaga Onsen Station
- Check-in/Check-out: 15:00/11:00
- Official Website: https://www.tawaraya.co.jp/
【Ishikawa: Yamashiro Onsen (山代温泉)】Kagari Kisshotei (かがり吉祥亭)
At Kagari Kisshotei, the beauty of the seasons, from fresh greenery to autumn leaves, the Tsurusenkei, and the "Cricket Bridge" are adorned.
With a history of 1300 years, Yamanaka Onsen boasts a rich spring quality and is listed as one of Japan's three famous hot springs.
In the beloved Kaga Onsen town, cherished by famous writers, you can enjoy forest bathing, stunning natural scenery, natural hot springs, and delightful local cuisine.
- Address: 1-1 Koorogi-machi Ni, Yamanaka Onsen, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture
- Access: 25 minutes by shuttle bus from Kaga Onsen Station on the Hokuriku Line
- Check-in/Check-out: 14:00/10:00
- Official Website: https://kagari-kisshotei.com/
【Ishikawa: Katayamazu Onsen】Kohan-no-Yado Morimoto（湖畔の宿 森本）
Kohan-no-Yado Morimoto, Lakeside Accommodation, is a centrally located lakeside ryokan and one of the oldest in the area.
The public bath with an open-air bath offers spectacular views of Shibayamagata and the ever-changing Hakusan mountain range.
Be sure to visit the Ryokan's shop, where carefully selected goods can be found.
- Address: 63-1 Katayamazu Onsen Otsu, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture
- Access:
- 8 minutes by shuttle bus from JR Hokuriku Main Line Kaga Onsen Station
- 8 minutes by car/taxi from JR Hokuriku Main Line Kaga Onsen Station
- Check-in/Check-out: 15:00/10:00
- Official Website: https://oyado-morimoto.com/
【Ishikawa: Wakura Onsen】Hotel Kaibo（ホテル海望）
Hotel Kaibo in Wajima Onsen boasts abundant hot spring water, allowing you to admire magnificent views from the open-air baths at the same height as Nanao Bay and the women's communal bath adorned with coral-shaped natural rocks.
The rooms, named "Hakuho(白鵬)" and "Zuisen(瑞仙)," include standard accommodations and rooms with open-air baths.
Naturally, you can relish splendid views from rooms facing the ocean.
- Address: 12-3 Wazaki-be, Wajima-cho, Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture
- Access: 5 minutes by shuttle bus from JR Nanao Line Wajima Onsen Station
- Check-in/Check-out: 15:00/10:00
- Official Website: https://www.kaibo.co.jp/
【Fukui: Awara Onsen】Grandia Housen（グランディア芳泉）
Grandia Housen Ryokan is a serene luxury inn featuring a Japanese garden and modern amenities. The Ryokan introduced rooms with open-air baths early on, and the detached "Yutorogi-tei" has a garden hot spring open-air bath.
Each room in the "Bettei Kotobuki-tei" has a different open-air bath for your enjoyment, including a scenic outdoor bath, cypress bath, microbubble bath, and a sleep-inducing bath, all available in the large communal bath "Tenjo SPA."
- Address: 43-26 Funatsu, Awara City, Fukui Prefecture
- Access:
- 10 minutes by shuttle bus from JR Hokuriku Main Line Awara Onsen Station
- 10 minutes on foot from Echizen Railway Mikuni Awara Line Awara Yu no Machi Station
- Check-in/Check-out: 15:00/10:00
- Official Website: https://www.g-housen.co.jp/
【Fukui: Awara Onsen】Awara Onsen Mimatsu（あわら温泉 美松）
The "Dome-shaped Public Bath" facing the starry sky opens up to a large garden filled with seasonal fragrances.
Awara Onsen Bisyo features one of the largest rooms with open-air baths on the Japan Sea side, along with an atmospheric strolling garden.
Each room has a unique style, but the most popular ones are those with large windows overlooking the Japanese garden.
Relaxing in the spacious surroundings is truly a blissful moment.
- Address: 26-10 Funatsu, Awara City, Fukui Prefecture
- Access:
- 15 minutes by car or taxi from JR Hokuriku Main Line Awara Onsen Station
- 5 minutes by car or taxi from Echizen Railway Awara Yu no Machi Station
- 5 minutes by car or taxi from Echizen Railway Awara Onsen Station
- Check-in/Check-out: 15:00/10:00
- Official Website: https://www.mimatu.net/
【Fukui: Wakasa】Hotel Sekumiya（せくみ屋）
Sekumiya Ryokan takes pride in its delectable cuisine, which features an abundance of fresh seafood from Wakasa Bay.
Particularly renowned are the dishes featuring Wakasa Fugu (pufferfish) and Crab, attracting visitors from all over Japan. The Fugu, grown in the turbulent waves of the Sea of Japan, offers a firm and irresistible chewy texture!
Another enticing feature is the opportunity to indulge in natural hot springs. The Ryokan boasts two different types of hot springs: an open-air bath with sodium chloride spring and a large communal bath with radium spring.
- Address: 113 Shirahige, Obama City, Fukui Prefecture
- Access:
- 7 minutes on foot from JR Obama Line Obama Station
- 2 minutes by car or taxi from JR Obama Line Obama Station
- Check-in/Check-out: 15:00/10:00
- Official Website: https://sekumiya.jp/
Experience the culinary and lodging delights of Crab in the accommodations of the Hokuriku region!
Why not embark on a winter journey to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Sea of Japan, high-quality hot springs, and premium ingredients such as Echizen Crab and Snow Crab?
