In Yamanaka Onsen, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture, there is a quiet traditional house called "Kaga Iryokuen." This is a special place where Emperor Showa once stayed. Unlike busy tourist spots, you will feel time slow down when you visit here.
Kyoto and Kanazawa are famous, but they are very crowded. Yamanaka Onsen is not well known yet, so it is perfect for people who want to enjoy Japanese culture in peace. In this article, I will introduce Kaga Iryokuen—my top pick in Yamanaka Onsen—and how to get there.
The Story Behind the Name "Kaga Yorokuen
Kaga Iryokuen is a beautiful mansion built from the Taisho era to early Showa era (around 1910s-1930s). The name means "a garden where people find peace through green nature."
This area has both samurai culture and merchant culture. You can see how the garden and building become one—this is a unique Japanese sense of beauty. When you visit, you will feel calm and your senses will become sharper.
Why You Should Visit Kaga Iryokuen
Kaga Iryokuen is different from busy tourist spots. It is like a "living museum" that connects the past to the present.
This place is perfect for:
Photographers looking for beautiful shots
History lovers
Fans of architecture and crafts
Solo travelers
You can experience the quiet depth of the Hokuriku region—different from Kyoto. For travelers who want to touch the heart of Japanese culture, this will be an unforgettable experience.
A House Visited by Japan's Imperial Family
Records show that members of the Imperial Family visited Iryokuen during the Showa period. They showed great interest in the light coming through the rooms, the quiet moss garden, and the craft collections. This tells us that the best of Japanese culture was gathered here. These stories still give this place its dignity today.
Inside, you can see the room where the Emperor stayed. The artistic interior design from that time remains in every corner.
The Most Interesting Thing: Kinkarakawakami
The most fascinating thing I found was the "Kinkarakawakami" (gold leather paper).
It is made from Japanese washi paper, but it looks and feels like heavy, expensive leather. In medieval Europe, kings and nobles used leather with gold and silver pressed onto it as wallpaper. Japanese craftsmen recreated this using traditional washi paper techniques.
You can actually touch it! Please enjoy it with all five senses.
There is also an exhibit showing how Kinkarakawakami is made. The gold coloring is all done by hand! I was moved by such careful work.
Beautiful Blue Walls and Ceilings
When I visit old Japanese buildings, I always look at three things: the ranma (carved wooden panels above doors), the wallpaper, and the ceiling. Iryokuen has wonderful examples of all three.
The deep blue walls are called "gunjo-iro" (ultramarine blue). This color comes from a pigment originally made from lapis lazuli, a precious gemstone. Because it was so valuable, rooms with blue walls were the most important rooms—only special guests could enter. This color is very special.
Look up and you will see an amazing ceiling.
A Garden with Over 20 Types of Moss
I was surprised to learn that more than 20 types of moss grow naturally together in this garden! This is very rare. The green color changes moment by moment depending on light and humidity.
The gardeners have followed a philosophy passed down through generations: "Let the moss speak, without filling the garden with water." This means they don't use ponds—they let the moss create the beauty.
This quiet garden will give foreign travelers a chance to feel "Japan's deep serenity."
Traditional Crafts on Display
Kaga Iryokuen has many art pieces that are hard to find today, including early Kutani pottery and sample fabrics of Kaga Yuzen (traditional dyed kimono fabric).
The original owner was close friends with many artists. That is why these pieces naturally gathered here. These are not just "exhibits"—they are "art that was actually used" in daily life. The whole house is filled with layers of beauty.
You can also see and buy works by modern craft artists. It is exciting to see how traditional crafts have evolved for today.
Where Daily Life Was Art
Walking through Iryokuen, you will notice Japanese beauty speaking quietly to you: soft light through paper screens, polished wooden floors, shadows dancing in the garden.
In winter, you can see the shadows of yukitsuri (ropes that protect trees from snow) on the veranda. In summer, wind chimes ring softly. You can feel the rhythm of nature in the Kaga region.
Here, you don't feel like you are traveling—you feel like you are floating in time itself.
How to get to Kaga Iryokuen
The nearest bus stop to Kaga Iryokuen is "(Koorogibashi)[https://maps.app.goo.gl/DELij2sukNvpKfFZ7]". In Yamanaka Onsen, you will use the Hokuriku Kaga Bus to get around. Please see the article below for how to ride the bus.
Be sure to also visit the three bridges that are the symbols of Yamanaka Onsen.
Basic Information
Address: (Google Maps)[
]Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Closed: Thursdays (Open if Thursday is a national holiday)
Admission: 600 yen for adults / Free for high school students and younger
