Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / Japan / Kaga / Araya Totoan
Araya Totoan
Kaga, Ishikawa, Japan · Independent · High Luxury
In 1639 the Maeda family ordered the founder to steward Yamashiro hot springs. Eighteen generations of the same family still run this Kaga ryokan, which hosted feudal lords and imperial guests. Artist Kitaoji Rosanjin lived and worked on site in the early twentieth century, and his work still hangs in the house. The onsen won a gold medal at the 1911 International Hygiene and Mineral Exhibition in Germany, and the house draws about 100,000 litres of hot spring water a day, the most in Yamashiro.
- 17 rooms
- Opened 1639
- Neighborhood: Yamashiro Onsen
About Araya Totoan
- The Maeda family ordered the founder to steward Yamashiro hot springs in 1639; eighteen generations of the same family still run the ryokan.
- Artist Kitaoji Rosanjin lived and worked on site around 1915, leaving signage and artwork still displayed.
- Its onsen won a gold medal at the 1911 International Hygiene and Mineral Exhibition in Germany.
- The house draws roughly 100,000 liters of hot-spring water daily, the largest volume in the Yamashiro Onsen district.
- Imperial family members from the Arisugawa and Komatsu-no-miya lines stayed in the annex about a century ago.
History
Araya Totoan's history dates back to 1639 when the ruler of the Maeda family ordered the founder to manage the Yamashiro hot springs as their official steward (Tripadvisor, Atmoph Window). For eighteen generations, the same family has maintained the inn, which has hosted feudal lords, imperial royalty, and renowned cultural figures. The property is famously associated with the artist Kitaoji Rosanjin, who lived and worked on-site in the early 20th century, leaving a legacy of artwork that defines the ryokan's atmosphere.
Experiences
- Onsen bathing at three bathhouses — Three unique bathhouses (Ruriko, Gensenkaku and Karasu-yu) with hot spring water drawn from a source a few dozen meters underground.
- Kosoyu public bathhouse — Restored Meiji-era public bathhouse in the local area.
- Suda Seika Pottery Kiln — Kutani-ware pottery kiln associated with the artist Rosanjin, in the local area.
- Kutani-yaki Kiln Exhibition Hall — Exhibition hall where visitors can try pottery making.
Amenities
- Natural hot springs with 100,000 liters of daily flow directly from the source
- Guest rooms featuring private open-air or semi-open-air cypress baths
- Seasonal Kaiseki dining served on traditional Kutani-ware and Yamanaka lacquerware
- The Rosanjin Art Gallery and 'Arisugawa' historic wooden detached villa
- 'Karasu-yu' special meditative bath and traditional public bathhouses
- Historical 'mountain pond style' Japanese garden dating back to the Kan'ei era
Awards
- MICHELIN One Key (2026)
Open Araya Totoan in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.
More hotels in Kaga
- The Kayotei — Independent · High Luxury