The Hot Spring Town of Hanasaku Iroha

Airing in 2011, Hanasaku Iroha, otherwise known as Hanasaku Iroha: Blossoms for Tomorrow, has captured the hearts of many with its whimsical story of young city girl Ohana finding her way working in a hot springs town under the guidance of a strict but mentoring staff. And just like the protagonist Ohana felt, going from the bustling cities of Tokyo to the quiet hot springs resort of Yuwaku Onsen located in the mountainous countryside of Kanazawa is a culture shock- the beautiful kind. Stepping into the town is like setting foot into a dreamlande. Let us explore this beautiful town of Hanasaku Iroha, which is definitely worth a visit for fans of the show and nature alike.

1. Omicho Market

In a previous entry, we explored the city of Kanazawa, a place of modernity and antiquity. There are locations in the city, such as the fish market known as Omicho Market, which was featured in Hanasaku Iroha, and is definitely worth a look for those interested in traditional Japanese marketplaces. The names of Tsukiji and Toyosu may be famous to international visitors, but Kanazawa’s Omicho Market offers a coastal vibe that showcases the culture of Kanazawa, and you can try the fresh fish caught from the region, so I definitely recommend it.

Access Information Omicho Market Address: 50 Kamiomicho, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0905, Japan Opening Hours:  9 AM–5 PM Link: https://ohmicho-ichiba.com/

2. The Yuwaku Onsen Iroha-kan

Despite airing over a decade ago, Hanasaku Iroha continues to be enjoyed by global fans, and such fans make their way to the Hanasaku Iroha memorial located a short ways away from the onsen town featured in the show.

  The hall is a must visit for fans of the anime. It contains memorabilia collected throughout the years from artworks to merchandise, and even local food and souvenirs. There are even life size cutouts of Ohana and her friends as well. Above you can find some artworks from the original character designer, Kishida Mel, as well as drawings of the girls by the anime staff. Lastly, there is a message board for fans to leave their memories. I, of course, wrote something there!

Next to the Hanasaku Iroha hall is the Yuwaku Hot Spring Sight Seeing Information Center where you can purchase merchandise for the show. One of the most popular items is a collaboration poster featuring Ohana with the local festival held every year in the fall, and it was already sold out by the time I went. There was also a 2025 calendar, and it seems they sell those every year, really showcasing the popularity and staying power of the Hanasaku Iroha franchise. I tried my hand at a gachapon machine as a souvenir and got Nako, Ohana’s quiet trustworthy friend!

Access Information Yuwaku Onsen Iroha-kan, Yuwaku Hot Spring Sight Seeing Information Center  Address: 920-1124 Ishikawa, Kanazawa, Yuwakutagojimamachi, Ni−３０, Japan Opening Hours:  9 AM–5 PM (Closed on Tuesdays) Link: https://yuwaku.gr.jp/

3. Exploring Yuwaku Onsen

Yunosagi Onsen may have been a fictional town in the world of Hanasaku iroha, but it takes its inspiration from Yuwaku Onsen, a beautiful hot springs resort town tucked in a lush valley in Ishikawa prefecture. Upon arrival you immediately understand why the anime was inspired by this place- it is like a magical setting straight out of a storybook. Crossing the bridge that Ohana and friends often passed on their way to school, you are welcomed with a serene outlook of the many onsen inns in the area.

Unfortunately, the hot springs inn that was modeled in the show is no longer operating, but there are many other beautiful resorts to choose from, and this time I stayed in the gorgeous Oyado Yamashita Ryokan, which recently celebrated over 1,300 years of business, which is absolutely insane to think of and attests to their quality and popularity!

The staff immediately came to greet us and they were extremely welcoming. They provided a Hanasaku iroha map for us with all the different locations we can explore, making the trip very accommodating and easy to traverse. The reception had an old-school vibe, the kind of feeling that combines nostalgia with luxury, and the seating area was spacious and cozy. There were pictures of the inn from many decades ago, showcasing the long history of the inn.

According to the staff, the inn is especially popular in fall season, with many repeat customers visiting to experience the aforementioned fall festival. I for sure know that I will visit again in autumn!

Access Information Oyado Yamashita Ryokan Address:  I-165-1 Yuwakumachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1123, Japan Link: https://oyado-yamasita.com/

4. The Room

The rooms are located in the upper floors while the hot springs are in the basement. On the second floor, there is a viewing terrace to relax on after a dip, providing another cozy vibe just like the entrance.

One of the points that stood out to me was the names of the rooms, and the flowers that accompany them. Each room had its own arrangement of fresh flowers at the entrance, most likely lending their motif to the room itself. It was a nice touch that really shows how entwined the inn was with nature.

There were different types of rooms in different shapes. The room I stayed in had a shower, but some rooms do not, so I recommend asking the hotel staff for what you wish for before your stay. The room itself is absolutely gorgeous, designed in a traditional tatami style with a sliding door to separate the two sides. The view was spectacular, overlooking the green mountains. It was a lovely view, and i imagine it would look gorgeous in any season, especially in the fall with the festivities and red colors.

Because it was a traditional inn, you sleep on the flooring futon, and they were honestly some of the most comfortable futon I have ever slept on. I fell asleep the second I laid my head in the pillow, and it left me wondering where I could get one of my own to sleep in everyday. It’s no exaggeration to say that one of the selling points of this resort is its comfort, from the staff’s kindness to the quality of the inn itself.

5. Exploring Yuwaku Inari Shrine and Iozen Yakushi Temple

After setting my stuff in the room, it was time to explore. Not far from Oyado Yamashita is the Yuwaku Inari Shrine, also featured in Hanasaku Iroha, so I made my way there. It was a short 3 minute walk to reach the stairs, and a short climb up to the shrine.

It is a Inari shrine associated with fox deities, and many of you may be familiar with the famous Fushimi Inari shrine in Kyoto, the one with over 10,000 torii gates (red gates).

This shrine in Yuwaku Onsen felt straight out a movie scene. Nestled in a corner of the world, this shrine stood against the test of time, and simply being in its presence felt like stepping into history. It is a scenic spot perfect for photography enthusiasts.

It seems that since Hanasaku Iroha aired in 2011, this shrine reproduces the Bonbori Festival featured in the show yearly in October, attracting lovers of the series. It really goes to show how real life can influence anime and, in return, anime influences real life!

Behind the shrine is yet another surprise- a temple!

The Iozen Yakushi Temple has to be one of the most unique Buddhist temples I have ever seen in my life because- it is completely clear. A see-through temple. It’s not like anything I have ever seen before. And one look at it was enough to understand why it was designed in such a way. The surrounding foliage reflecting on the surface makes it seem as if the shrine itself is a part of that nature, a tree amongst the forest. It was a unique design and definitely picturesque. The whole place had a particular vibe difficult to capture in words, but if there is one way I could phrase it, it felt like stepping into a Ghibli movie.

Descending the stairs back down to the resort town, the view is quite beautiful and there is a small rest area with a footbath of hot spring water for you to soak in. It would be a perfect experience in the cooler months!

Access Information Yuwaku Inari Shrine and Iozen Yakushi Temple Address: I-145 Yuwakumachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1123, Japan Link: https://yuwaku.gr.jp/en/event/

5. Picking Up Souvenirs in Town

Leaving the shrine and walking towards the bridge took only five or so minutes, as the resort is quite compact and easy to explore on foot, making it extremely accessible. On the way to the bridge, we passed a store that had a Hanasaku Iroha panel and sold merchandise from the anime.

There were a lot of options to buy from, just like in the Hanasaku Iroha hall, making it a perfect place to get a souvenir. There were also snacks and food to buy just like any convenience store, making it a good shopping stop for those staying in the resort town.

One of the corners had a section where fans of Hanasaku Iroha and anime in general put up

their own creations, showcasing their love for the series.

Another thing that caught my eyes was a picture and signature by nano.RIPE, the band in charge of the opening songs of Hanasaku Iroha. It was quite recent as well, in 2024!

This is definitely one of the best stores to stop by for Hanasaku Iroha merchandise, and general souvenirs of the onsen resort town as well. It's also not far from the bridge featured in the show, so don't forget to stop by there as well! You will pass a post office on the way, which was also featured in the anime!

Access Information 喜船商店, Kifune Store Address: I-1 Yuwakumachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1123, Japan Opening Hours:  9 AM–6 PM Link: https://www.instagram.com/kifune1001iroha/

6. Watching for Fireflies at Lake Gyokusen

  As night descended, I made my way back to the hotel, and the staff was kind enough to inform me of a special experience only those visiting in the summer could see- fireflies!

Up a short slope and only a five minute walk away from the inn is a beautiful lake known as Lake Gyokusen where fireflies could be seen on summer nights, and so I knew I had to go and see. Here are some pictures of the lake in the morning for a clearer view!

First of all, the place itself is quite literally breathtaking. I don’t think I have ever seen such a place before in my life. When I said earlier that the onsen town was straight out of a storybook, this would be the pond where the climax of the story happens, that’s just how beautiful it was.

In the morning and night, the pond gave different vibes. In the morning, it was magical. There was an old traditional shed at the edge, seemingly one used to store food back in the old days. At night, the best way I can explain this place is that it’s as if you were in a video game. The sounds of the forest could be heard, and there was a calm relaxing vibe. And of course- there were fireflies!

One of the unique parts was a shed at the edge of the pond, leftover from days long by. This was apparently an ice shed used to store food in a frozen space- sort of like an old-school refrigerator. It seems there are certaind days where you can visit the inside to see!

Unfortunately it was quite difficult to capture them with the camera I had, but I think in general it is quite difficult to capture the vibe of the place with a picture- from the sounds to the air to the smell of the woods. While Yuwaku Onsen may be famous for its fall festival, it definitely offers a unique experience in summer as well. I can’t wait to come back and try every season!

Access Information Lake Gyokusen Address: I-167 Yuwakumachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1123, Japan

6. Dining traditionally in Oyado Yamashita

  Staying in a ryokan means one thing, and that is traditional Japanese food. In such hot springs hotels, you dine on something known as kaiseki, which is composed of small various dishes accompanying a main course. These usually come out in a set one after the other, making it a traditional course meal. The meal at Oyado Yamashita was held in a traditional room, really lending to the atmosphere.

One of the selling points of ryokan kaiseki is the freshness of the ingredients, which are seasonal. This means that visitors of the same ryokan can enjoy different meals depending on the season they stay in, and Oyado Yamashita provided this excellent experience in a fashionable way for you to enjoy!

As you can see, there is a paper in front of the opening appetizer course. This paper actually outlines the entire course meal and what is to come. If you seek special accomodations such as allergies, this paper will be adjusted to reflect that. For example, I requested no pork, and the hot springs staff was kind enough to accomodate that. This makes your stay comfortable and you feel safe eating the food!

The appetizers prepared prior to the main meal may look plentiful, but are specifically chosen to be light on the stomach to prime you for what's to come. The cold noodles were especially refreshing in the summer heat!

The main meal was comprised of seafood. You can also request raw food like sashimi, although I opted for tempura in this case. As you can see, your dining preferences can be met, which made the meal even more enjoyable. The fish was locally caught and seasoned perfectly with salt, complimenting the summer season.

Accompanying each course of the meal is a small dish to help you savor the main one. The soup on the left had a delicious texture I haven't tried before, it felt like a combination of solid rice mixed with soup, and left a delicious taste of Japanese seasoning.

Shabu Shabu is a delicious hotpot type of meal you cook at the tablet. The beef is cut into thin slices and was extremely tender. One of the great things about making this at the table is that you are in control, meaning that your preferred level of cooking is in your hands. It's also an extremely fun experience in general! The hotpot was accompanied with fresh tofu and local summer vegetables, preserving the essence of ryokan food.

Breakfast came in a smaller course to be easy on your stomach first thing in the morning, but was still generous and plentiful enough to satisfy any foodie.

Here, the food was also traditional, with the main star protein dish being the delicious salmon. You get your hand at cooking once more with the hot pot and egg. For dessert, fresh orange was provided for a healthy dose of vitamin C first thing in the morning.

The accompanying stars of the breakfast was the okayu, or Japanese rice porridge, and chawanmushi, a savory egg custard that is the star of any Japanese traditional meal. Oyado Yamashita's was extremely soft, making it easy on the stomach.

Overall, the meal experience at Oyado Yamashita was absolutely delicious and worth the stay!

Closing Thoughts

  Yuwaku Onsen is a beautiful resort town for fans of Hanasaku Iroha and nature alike. It is absolutely beautiful in the summer season with the lush greenery, and I cannot begin to imagine how magical it would feel in fall, winter, and spring. If you seek a quiet refuge away from the bustling city, then Yuwaku onsen is the place to go!