Kaga, Japan

Beniya Mukayu

Accommodation Type

Boutique Hotel (ryokan style onsen retreat)

Number of Rooms

16 rooms and suites

Location

Yamashiro Onsen, Kaga, Ishikawa, Japan

Setting

On the hillside of Yakushiyama, “Healing Buddha’s Mountain,” overlooking a Forest Garden

Who It Is Best For

Wellness seekers, design minded travelers, couples, quiet solo travelers, kaiseki lovers. Children over 7 are welcome.

Travel Mood

The Nurturer, The Connector

Main Activities

Private open-air hot spring bathing, communal onsen and sauna, spa treatments with medicinal herbs, reading and quiet time in the libraries, kaiseki dining

Signature Feature

Every room faces the Forest Garden and includes a private open-air hot spring bath, turning onsen time into a personal ritual at any hour

Beniya Mukayu

A serene ryokan in Yamashiro Onsen

Beniya Mukayu is not a place to fill time, but to release it. Set on the sacred slopes of Yakushiyama in Japan’s historic hot spring region of Yamashiro Onsen, this intimate ryokan invites guests into a state of quiet awareness, where space, light, and nature are allowed to exist without interruption. Guided by the Zen concept of Mukayu—richness found in emptiness—Beniya Mukayu offers a deeply restorative experience shaped by stillness, ritual, and an intimate connection to the natural world.

Overview

Beniya Mukayu’s philosophy is rooted in Zen thought and centuries of Japanese tradition. The ryokan’s name, Mukayu, reflects the idea that what appears empty is, in fact, full of possibility. This concept shapes every aspect of the experience, from architecture to hospitality. The interiors are intentionally restrained, using natural materials such as tatami, shoji paper, bamboo, clay walls, and diatomaceous earth. Rooms are designed as quiet vessels, opening fully onto the Forest Garden so that light, shadow, wind, and seasonal change become part of daily life.

The ryokan occupies a site of deep spiritual and historical significance. Yakushiyama, known as Healing Buddha’s Mountain, was once home to a temple where monks healed travelers using hot spring water and medicinal herbs. This legacy continues today through Beniya Mukayu’s approach to wellbeing. All sixteen rooms feature private open-air onsen baths overlooking the forest, allowing guests to bathe at any hour while immersed in nature. Communal indoor and outdoor baths and saunas further extend the therapeutic experience, drawing from Yamashiro Onsen’s mineral-rich waters with over 1,300 years of history.

Life at Beniya Mukayu unfolds through gentle rituals. Each afternoon, guests are welcomed with a traditional tea ceremony hosted by the owners, an expression of omotenashi, the Japanese spirit of wholehearted hospitality. The ceremony embodies ichigo ichie, the belief that every encounter is unique and should be fully cherished. Guests are encouraged to slow down, spend time in the ryokan’s three libraries, wander through the moss-covered garden, or simply sit and observe the quiet rhythms of the forest.

Dining is an essential part of the experience. At Kaiseki Horin, meals are prepared according to the principles of omakase, guided by the seasons and the guest’s preferences. Ingredients are sourced from the surrounding mountains, rivers, and the Sea of Japan, reflecting the rich biodiversity of the Kaga region. Together with Spa Entei’s signature Yakushiyama treatments—combining hot spring water and medicinal herbs—Beniya Mukayu offers a holistic retreat where body, mind, and spirit are gently realigned.

Photography courtesy of Beniya Mukayu.

Sachiko Nakamichi, Third Generation Owner

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“Mukayu means ‘richness in emptiness’. For our guests, Beniya Mukayu is a place to escape routine and release the body and mind from daily life.”

— Sachiko Nakamichi, Third Generation Owner

Tips & Recommendations

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Nearest Airport

Komatsu Airport is the most convenient gateway, located approximately 30 minutes from Beniya Mukayu. International travelers typically arrive via Tokyo (Haneda or Narita) before connecting onward.

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Getting There

From Komatsu Airport, the ryokan can be reached by taxi or private transfer. Guests arriving by train can travel to Kaga Onsen Station via Kanazawa, followed by a short taxi ride to Yamashiro Onsen. Transfers can be arranged upon request for a smooth arrival.

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Best Time to Visit

Beniya Mukayu is deeply seasonal. Spring brings cherry blossoms to the Forest Garden, summer offers lush greenery and gentle breezes, autumn is defined by vivid maple foliage, and winter creates a hushed, snow-covered retreat. Each season reveals a different expression of stillness and beauty.

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What to Bring

Pack lightly and comfortably. Yukata, amenities, and slippers are provided. Bring layers for cooler evenings, especially in autumn and winter, and an openness to slow, contemplative living. A book or journal feels especially at home here.

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Onsen & Daily Rhythm

Every room features a private open-air hot spring bath, encouraging unhurried bathing at any time of day. Begin spa treatments after soaking to enhance their effect, and allow your days to unfold without a fixed schedule. Silence and simplicity are part of the experience.