Fodor's Expert Review Nakayasu Ryokan

Just north of Kenroku Garden, this family-run ryokan dates from 1920, going out of their way to welcome foreign travelers and providing sound travel advice on Kanazawa and the surrounding region. Paying a few thousand yen extra for breakfast and dinner is good value; the in-house chef buys fresh local ingredients daily from the market, and you can choose between Japanese and Western breakfasts. The rooms are simple but spotlessly clean, and (as well as most rooms having private baths) there are big communal baths ideal for a long soak.