Yuukaen
There are many beautiful onsen ryokans around Japan, whether they be a modern design, traditional or a fusion of both… but my first steps into Yuukaen was just unbelievable. It is perhaps the only onsen ryokan in Japan crafted in the traditional ancient craftmanship of tsugite by palace carpenters. The beautiful wood joinery often found in temples, shrines & palaces is renowned for the fact that no nails, or bolts are used… everything is a perfect puzzle piece fitting together perfectly. It’s a bit embarrassing, but I did spend most of my time simply admiring the workmanship of the ceilings in my room! The ceilings are constructed in the goubuchi style which is formed via a regular division pattern by assembling the rims vertically, horizontally, and squarely.
Yuukaen is located in the middle of the Hanamaki Minami Onsen Gorge of Iwate Prefecture, and is especially beautiful across the seasons with its garden, local greenery and the ever changing foliage. I was lucky enough to experience this beautiful place in winter but would dearly love to return for another season.
I’m not going to write much about the room because I believe the photos are better than words at showcasing how utterly beautiful and spacious the traditional Japanese rooms at Yuukaen are, with their beautiful detailing and traditional craftsmanship of tsugite. If you’ve met me in person, you will know how much I adore amazing craftsmanship, and just stunning artisan work.
Yuukaen is a slightly larger onsen ryokan with 60 rooms/villas available, but it still maintains the delightful charm of a more intimate establishment. There are various traditional Japanese kaiseki meal plans available, and generally I always tend to choose the standard kaiseki set as its more than enough food for me, and I hate to waste anything. Like most onsen ryokans, Yuukaen specializes in local seasonal produce, and Iwate Prefecture truly has some mouthwatering dishes especially with a focus on Iwate and Hanamaki mountain produce and meat.
MY PERSONAL THOUGHTS
FOOD
All so delightful, with wonderfully fresh produce from Iwate and love the focus of mountain produce as well. Portion wise, a nice pleasant amount was full, but didn’t have that urge to lie flat on my ryokan room floor and rub my swollen belly! hahaha! I’m also the type who enjoy’s visuals, so having pretty dishes and pottery to enhance my eating experience is something I definitely appreciate.
ONSEN
There are no private onsens available, however their large public baths are delightful, with a beautiful outdoor rotemburo overlooking the river and local surroundings. I particularly enjoyed the beautiful sento/onsen tile mural in the indoor baths, something that is unfortunately a dying art in Japan. There are 8 baths available, 4 for each sex and depending on which building you are in, some will be closer than others.
ROOM AMBIANCE
Honestly one of the most beautiful ryokan rooms I have stayed in, the only thing that would have made me love it more is if they had rooms with private onsens hahaha!
VENUE AMBIANCE
Generally I prefer a smaller ryokan experience for the intimacy however the beauty of Yuukaen is truly lovely, and it’s setting amidst the grounds is just so picturesque that I would really love to go back and enjoy another night’s stay there. For me, a highpoint was just simply appreciating the craftsmanship of the artisan palace carpenters.
SURROUNDING AREA
Iwate Prefecture is known as the last wild frontier of Japan, and there’s just so much wild nature to explore, if you’re a person who enjoys hiking and exploring in a less populated area then this is the prefecture for you. Depending on how much you want to do, I would definitely recommend hiring a car.
YUUKAEN FACTS (at time of stay)
COST: starting from 21000JPY+ per person per night
MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast & Dinner
CHECK IN/CHECK OUT TIME: 1500 / 1000
PAYMENT: cash & credit card accepted
ROOMS: 60 rooms spread across several buildings
ENGLISH SPEAKING STAFF: not really
WEBSITE: https://www.yuukaen.jp/
IG: n/a