Kaga Onsen
Kaga Onsenkyo Family Hotels: 4 Hot Spring Towns Near Kanazawa
A family trip to Ishikawa's Kaga Onsen area — now an easy shinkansen ride away — for private baths and hot spring pools
Kaga Onsenkyo is the collective name for a group of hot spring towns in southern Ishikawa Prefecture, made up of four distinct areas: Yamashiro Onsen, Yamanaka Onsen, Katayamazu Onsen, and Awazu Onsen in neighboring Komatsu City. Since the Hokuriku Shinkansen extended to Kaga-Onsen Station in spring 2024, travelers from the greater Tokyo area can reach the region without transferring trains, making it an easier destination to choose for a family trip.
When choosing a hot spring region with young children, the big question is usually whether a large traditional ryokan can really accommodate a baby or toddler. Despite being a classic onsen destination, Kaga Onsenkyo scores well here: of the 10 hotels featured on this site, 9 have rooms with private baths and 6 offer bookable private baths (kashikiri-buro). Nine properties also serve toddler-friendly meals and 8 can accommodate food allergies, reflecting a strong overall readiness to welcome families with small children.
For on-site fun, Yunokuni Tensho in Yamashiro Onsen is a large ryokan known for its summer pool and water slide, 18 different baths to explore within the building, and baby-gear rentals. Awazu Grand Hotel in Awazu Onsen is popular with families of hungry kids thanks to its tatami-floored large baths, a kids' play area, and a buffet-style dinner. Ohanami Kyube in Yamanaka Onsen offers three free private open-air baths along with baby baths and baby soap on hand, making it a good choice for a baby's first hot spring experience.
Each town also has its own charm for a post-bath stroll: Yamanaka Onsen has the scenic Kakusenkei Gorge, while Katayamazu Onsen sits along the shore of Lake Shibayama. The area's easy pairing with sightseeing in Kanazawa is another strength when planning your itinerary.
Highlights
- check9 of the 10 featured hotels have rooms with private baths, and 6 offer private (kashikiri) baths — many let families with babies enjoy the hot springs without worrying about other guests
- checkLarge ryokan with on-site play options, from a summer pool and water slide (Yunokuni Tensho) to a kids' play area (Awazu Grand Hotel)
- checkThe 2024 Hokuriku Shinkansen extension now stops at Kaga-Onsen Station, so you can reach the area from greater Tokyo without transferring
Family-friendly features in Kaga Onsenkyo
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Recommended hotels (8)
Yamanaka Onsen Kagari Kisshotei
Yamashiro Onsen Yunokuni Tensho
Yamanaka Onsen Kissho Yamanaka
Morinosumika Resort & Spa
Yamanaka Onsen Shirasagiyu Tawaraya
Yamanaka Onsen Ohanami Kyubei
Yamashiro Onsen Hatori
Katayamazu Onsen Tokigasane
Nearby attractions
Travel tips
The four hot spring towns are about 15 to 30 minutes apart by car, so it's best to pick your hotel first and build sightseeing plans around it. Local buses or taxis connect Kaga-Onsen Station to each town. For rainy days, Aviation Plaza next to Komatsu Airport (real aircraft on display plus indoor play equipment) is a reliable go-to for families. If staying in Katayamazu Onsen in summer, check the schedule for the Lake Shibayama fireworks in advance for extra evening fun.
Best season
May–June (fresh greenery) and October–November (fall foliage) are the most comfortable months for walking around. Summer brings hotel pools and the Lake Shibayama fireworks, while winter means crab cuisine — there's something to enjoy year-round.
Getting there
Kaga-Onsen Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen is the gateway (about 3 hours from Tokyo). From the station it's a 10–20 minute drive to Yamashiro, Yamanaka, or Katayamazu Onsen. Awazu Onsen is about a 15-minute drive from JR Awazu Station or Kaga-Onsen Station. From Kanazawa, it's about 15–20 minutes by Hokuriku Shinkansen.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do the four hot spring towns in Kaga Onsenkyo differ?
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Yamashiro Onsen is a historic hot spring town centered on the Koso-yu bathhouse and tends to have larger ryokan. Yamanaka Onsen is known for the scenic Kakusenkei Gorge and its walking paths. Katayamazu Onsen has open lake views along Lake Shibayama, and Awazu Onsen is a quiet, small hot spring town said to date back 1,300 years. Families who prioritize on-site facilities tend to prefer the large ryokan of Yamashiro or Awazu, while those who also want to enjoy nature walks often choose Yamanaka.
Are there hotels that are easy to stay at with a baby?
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Ohanami Kyube in Yamanaka Onsen offers three free private open-air baths along with baby baths and baby soap. Hatori in Yamashiro Onsen has a diaper-changing table in its large communal bath, and Yoshidaya Sannokaku can sterilize baby bottles and warm baby food. With 6 hotels offering private baths, babies can have their first hot spring experience without worrying about other guests.
Are there hotels where kids can play on-site?
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Yunokuni Tensho in Yamashiro Onsen is a large ryokan with a summer pool and water slide plus 18 different baths to explore. Awazu Grand Hotel in Awazu Onsen has a kids' play area and is popular with families thanks to its buffet-style meals. Morino Sumika Resort & Spa in Yamashiro Onsen also has a summer garden pool.
How do I get there from Tokyo or Osaka?
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From Tokyo, it's about 3 hours to Kaga-Onsen Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen with no transfer needed (thanks to the March 2024 extension). From Osaka, take the Limited Express Thunderbird to Tsuruga, then transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen for a total of just over 2 hours to Kaga-Onsen Station. Since it's a 10–20 minute drive from the station to each hot spring town, it's worth checking with your hotel about shuttle service.
Can we still enjoy the trip with kids on a rainy day?
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A large ryokan with multiple baths to explore or a kids' play area lets you spend a full day indoors even if it rains. If you do want to head out, Aviation Plaza next to Komatsu Airport has real aircraft on display and large indoor play equipment, and is a well-known rainy-day spot in the Kaga area. The Yamanaka Onsen hot spring town also has craft workshops where kids can try their hand at local crafts.