First off - we are so grateful for all of the information in this thread, especially to Mr. KI-NRT! We just returned from Japan, and wanted to report on our stay at Hanamurasaki. In short, we loved it and highly recommend, with a few caveats depending on what you are looking for. This was our second trip to Japan and second trip to a ryokan; our first was to Yamanochaya in Hakone last year. Hanamurasaki was definitely a step up in terms of luxury and service in all categories. We were looking for a luxury ryokan experience near Kanazawa that we could get to easily using our Hokuriku Arch Pass. We prioritized food and the ability to go for a nature hike/walk nearby. Hanamurasaki turned out to the perfect choice for our priorities. We were picked up at the Kagaonsen station by the hotel driver, who met us inside the station with a sign just outside the train gate. After a short drive to the property, we were welcomed with sweets and delicious tea in their beautiful tea room, which looks out on the green space above the gorge. We stayed in a "standard room", since we made our reservations at last minute. The room was actually quite large, and included a lovely sitting area looking out on the gorge. In fact, all of the rooms seemed to look out away from the hillside onto the gorge below. We were surprised at how large the property was - we had expected a luxury ryokan to be smaller. But despite the scale it still felt very attentive and personal. The design aesthetic was quite modern in the public areas, though our room was very traditional. We were also surprised that shoes are allowed throughout the property, but not in the guest rooms or onsen area. The property's main bath is indoors and they also have a smaller outdoor bath on the top floor, each of which has a separate men's and women's area. My husband and I each chose to visit the outdoor baths. It was raining but the onsen was covered, and I thought it was particularly lovely to be outdoors watching the rain but completely covered and sheltered. Dinner was exquisite. As opposed to some of the earlier reviews here, which suggested that the menu was complex and required choices, we were offered a kaiseki meal that did not require any choices. They accommodated our food sensitivities without complaint. We are "foodies", and were extremely impressed by the quality and presentation of the food, both for breakfast and for dinner. Both meals were served in the public dining room, which had some privacy panels between tables. It seemed that about half of the guests chose to dine in Yukata (we did) while others wore their street clothes. In the morning after breakfast we walked the Kakusenkei Gorge trail, which was incredibly beautiful. If you're looking for in-room dining or an extremely traditional or intimate experience, this probably isn't your best choice. If you prioritize a beautiful setting in a peaceful town with top notch gourmet food and luxury and impeccable service, and you like a modern aesthetic, this should be at the top of your list!