Tachibana Shikitei
In the picturesque Yamashiro Onsen, there are over 20 onsen ryokans to choose from to enjoy a night of relaxation after exploring the sweet onsen town. For those looking for a stunning luxury amalgamation of Japanese and Western design aesthetics, Tachibana Shikitei (established 1868) is a perfect choice. With 20 rooms available to choose from and over half of them having their own private onsen to enjoy, you will be spoilt for choice in deciding which particular room design you want to treat yourself too.
Wonderfully spacious, all their rooms (can sleep up ~4-5 people) showcase beautiful modern minimalism paired with the stunning touches of famed Ishikawa kogei art and pieces, like gorgeously detailed kutani-yaki porcelain (I was particularly enamoured with the bespoke Kutani-yaki door handles - middle photo of the 2nd trio of photos below). Paintings, hanging scrolls, other various pieces of art and pottery that have been collected by the former family head and previous generations adorn the rooms
The onsen waters of Yamashiro Onsen are truly some of the most silky, luscious onsen waters I have ever experienced, which is why I was utterly delighted for my sensitive skin that their waters are known for their beautifying properties and are loved for being “Bijin no Yu/Bihada no Yu” (hot spring of beauty). I was also pleased to find out that Tachibana Shikitei draws their onsen straight from the source, so it’s as pure as it can be.
TIP:
From MARCH 16th 2024, the Hokuriku shinkansen will extend to Kaga Onsen Station (where onsen ryokan shuttle buses generally arrive for transfers) , making it even easier to reach for weekend getaways from Tokyo, Osaka & Kyoto! currently one has to transfer from JR Kanazawa Station to a limited express train to reach Kaga Onsen Station
MY PERSONAL THOUGHTS
FOOD
Every meal I’ve had in my visits to Ishikawa prefecture has always been sublime, and my stay at Tachibana Shikitei did not disappoint! The freshest of seasonal ingredients from the surrounding areas, comprised with beautiful presentation in it’s pairing with stunning Kutani-yaki dishes gives the experience an extra ooomph wow factor! (that is if you’re a creative, visual person like me who greatly enjoys those stunning extra touches)
The only thing to note is that Ishikawa prefecture is famed for some very very seasonal produce, for example their rare Kobakogani Crab (female snow crab) which is only available in winter and at very limited numbers (the region restricts the number of Kobakogani crab allowed to be caught for consumption), so be aware if there is something you particularly want to eat, make sure you book in the correct season,
ONSEN
The public onsen are wonderful to enjoy, the main onsen (semi open air/indoor) is large and spacious, with beautiful kutani tiles decorating the wall. Having multiple baths for guests to try is always lovely, and ensures that you never really feel that crowded because one can move around to the two other outdoor onsen, to feel the fresh air upon one’s face or even the pitter patter of rain.
For those who are shy, or have tattoos, having the majority of their rooms with private open air onsen allows one to indulge in the beautifying onsen waters in the comfort and privacy of one’s own time.
Of course I absolutely adored the fact that Yamashiro Onsen’s waters are gentle on the skin and promote the “Bijin no Yu” experience.
ROOM AMBIANCE
For those who love a luxury modern vibe but still want to have touches of Japanese design, Shikitei’s rooms are perfect! Luxurious, spacious and some comfortable, I think the hardest choice will be choosing what type of room you want to experience for your stay.
Depending on the room, some have a slightly more traditional atmosphere than others, with an extra tatami room with the low lying traditional chabudai (卓袱台 | 茶袱台 | 茶部台) tables paired with the classic Zaisu (座椅子) seating & zabuton (座布団) cushions to relax in.
VENUE AMBIANCE
The lobby and lounge/bar common area holds true to the history of Shikitei, with it’s comfy chairs, antique furnitures, pieces of Japanese art and other touches evocative of the personal mementos collected by the family throughout the years, popularised during the Showa era.
A comfortable spot to relax away later in the evening, enjoying some live music and a nightly apertif (I chose sake - nihonshu as always).
SURROUNDING AREA
Yamashiro Onsen town is an absolute delight, picturesque, quaint and utterly charming. One can definitely enjoy this small town over a one night stay, but to embrace it and have a leisurely experience I would definitely stay two nights - you can read about what I did during my time at Yamashiro here & here.
TACHIBANA SHIKITEI FACTS (at time of stay)
COST: starting from ~46500JPY per person per night (for a room with a private open air onsen)
MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast & Dinner
CHECK IN/CHECK OUT TIME: 1500 / 1200
PAYMENT: Cash or Credit
ROOMS: 20 (roughly half have private onsen as part of the room available)
ENGLISH SPEAKING STAFF: A few
WEBSITE: TACHIBANA SHIKITEI