Beniya Mukayu

Quaint Yamashiro Onsen in Kaga, about an hour from Kanazawa, is a place famed for hot springs dating back 1,300 years, and nowhere is this history better experienced than at Beniya Mukayu, a haven of peace with a Zen-like atmosphere. This ryokan, traditional Japanese inn, has 16 rooms facing the unique forest garden, all featuring minimalistic contemporary interior design and private outdoor hot spring baths. A stay at Beniya Mukayu is a holistic experience; starting with a tea ceremony by the ryokan’s owner Mr. Nakamichi your stay can be a cultivated lesson in Japan’s many methods of relaxation. Other highlights include: signature Yakushiyama treatments and amenities based on hot spring water and medicinal herbs at the Entei spa; Japanese kaiseki meals served at the Horin restaurant, all made with the finest ingredients from a wide range of locally sourced products. From Kanazawa, Beniya Mukayu is a one-hour drive or a 30-minute express train ride followed by a 15-minute car ride.

Why We Love This Hotel

Location: This ryokan is located in one of Japan's most picturesque areas, within a short distance of tourist sites such as Kanazawa and Shirakawa go.

History: Beniya Mukayu is perched on the hillside of Yakushiyama, a sacred place of Hakusan Mountain Buddhist worship, on the same premises where in old times there used to be a temple for monks to study Buddhist scriptures and cure people with hot spring baths and medicinal herbs.

Service: The owners of this boutique ryokan, Mr. and Mrs. Nakamichi, and the staff provide warm, personalized service to each guest.

Destination: Kaga Onsen, Japan
Hotel Type: Resort
Location Type: Urban Retreat

Amenities

Boutiques
Concierge
Garden
Golf Onsite Or Nearby
Library
Multilingual Staff
Restaurant
Sauna
Shuttle Service
Smoking Area
Spa
Wi-Fi In Public Areas

Beniya Mukayu has 16 spacious rooms with a serene and peaceful atmosphere. All the rooms feature a private open-air hot spring bath overlooking the garden, where the trees are enjoying their freedom to stretch out. The windows of every guest room are open towards the garden to invite nature inside. The guests are encouraged to tune themselves into the rhythm of nature.

Japanese Premier Tatami Garden Room

These 700- to 750-square-foot rooms are traditional Japanese tatami style rooms transformed into a more contemporary design. Guests sleep on futon on the floor which are rolled away during the daytime and replaced by cushion seating and a low table. The terrace offers green views and is fitted with a private open-air hot spring bath and a hammock upon request.

Western Premier Garden Room

These two second-floor rooms offer 645 square feet of space, with two queen size beds and blonde timber floors. The terraces have a private open-air hot spring bath and green garden views, plus a skylight providing natural light.

Zen Style Junior Suite

Completed in August 2022, the Zen Style Junior Suites feature traditional natural Japanese materials, combining the charm and comfort of both Japanese and Western styles. Measuring 753 square feet and located on the first floor, these two suites offer a great view of garden and they are equipped with queen size beds.

Zen Style Executive Suite

Measuring 860-970 square feet, these suites are located on the second to fourth floors and offer views of the garden and Yamashiro town. Zen Style Executive Suites feature a western-style bedroom with two queen size beds, a separate tatami mat living area with low seating, a bamboo veranda and a private open-air hot spring bath.

Wakamurasaki Suite

This spacious second-floor suite offers 1,184 square feet of space, with a private view onto maple and cherry trees. The suite features a bedroom with two queen size beds, wide bamboo veranda, a private open-air hot spring bath and a Japanese room with floor seating and low urushi lacquerware table.

Byakuroku Suite

Byakuroku Suite features a secluded private open-air hot spring bath and a large wooden terrace stretching in hand-reaching distance into the natural garden. This 1,077-square-foot suite is the perfect place to escape from everyday life while cleansing and rejuvenating your body and mind. The study inserted in between the bath and terrace is a space for creative imagination or meditative thought coming from a refreshed mind.

All the facilities at Beniya Mukayu center on promoting wellness, with a forest garden, private and communal hot spring baths, and sauna. Other leisure facilities include a shop and three libraries. Furthermore while visiting, guests can get in touch with local artisans in a wide range of unique experiences.

Forest Library

The Forest Library celebrates trees, wild grass and flowers, mosses and all what relates to botany. Although nowadays protecting the nature can be challenging, the owners and staff of Beniya Mukayu believe that it’s their responsibility to preserve the Forest Garden that has been inherited from the past generations and to make it available to the guests so that they can be warmly surrounded and embraced by nature.

Hot spring baths

The indoor and outdoor communal hot spring baths with a hot sauna are available for all guests, separated between gentlemen and ladies. Boasting more than 1,300 years history, the alkaline water of Yamashiro's hot springs improves blood circulation, soothes fatigue and gives the skin a silky and smooth texture.

Library Zero

The Library Zero is dedicated to art, featuring “Replacement of Zero” by Tatsuo Miyajima and Sey Takeyama. The artwork was displayed at Beniya Mukayu in 1996, restored and then moved to the newly built space in 2022. Behind the artwork, in a separate room, the guests can find books on the concepts of "0," "nothingness," and "emptiness" along with books by Tatsuo Miyajima and Sey Takeyama or selected by Kenya Hara.

Main Library

The Main Library consists of two spaces, the first is full of light with white in fundamental theme, allowing one to appreciate trees and flowers in the garden. In the rear is a black-toned calm space for a quiet study session, with books about Kaga region as well as art, design and botany.

Shop

Beniya Mukayu's signature Yakushiyama amenities and a selection of locally-made ceramics, lacquerware, artworks and food can be purchased in the shop and delivered worldwide. A selection of seasonal dishes from Horin restaurant is also available for delivery in Japan.

Spa Entei

Spa Entei was inspired by Yakushiyama, Healing Buddha’s Mountain, a healing spot with more than a thousand-year history in which the monks in the temples cured people using hot springs and medicinal herbs. In homage to this heritage, Beniya Mukayu’s signature Yakushiyama treatments and amenities encourage peace and serenity in both a physical and spiritual way.

Tea Ceremony

Japanese culture is highlighted through the tea ceremony. At Beniya Mukayu the tea ceremony is offered to the guests by the owner himself, Mr. Nakamichi, as a symbol of Japanese hospitality.

"Kaiseki Horin" is a fine dining hall overlooking the natural garden where trees grow freely. Beniya Mukayu’s chef chooses the finest ingredients of the season from a wide range of food products from the Kaga region. Western breakfast is also provided.

Kaiseki

Kaga kaiseki dinners are served on delicate, locally-crafted ceramics themed around the changing seasons. The freshest seafood is sourced at the nearby Hashitate port daily. In fall and winter, guests can expect mushrooms, crabs and duck hotpots; in the warmer months, bamboo shoots, abalone and rock oysters are featured. Mukayu’s signature wines and local sake are also served. Alternative options are available for guests with dietary restrictions.

Why Remote Lands?

Exclusively Asia

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, in the continent that our north American founders Catherine and Jay have adored and explored for decades, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

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