Hotel Mystays Kanazawa Castle — cheapest in the list, yet you still get an onsen
Have you ever come across a hotel with the lowest price in its group that somehow still gives you an onsen? Hotel Mystays Kanazawa Castle is exactly that in Kanazawa. Scoring 8.9 from 628 reviews — a larger sample than several higher-ranked hotels on the list — it stands as the most value-packed option for budget travellers who still want an in-house onsen and a station-adjacent location. Just a 5-minute walk from JR Kanazawa Station, heading in the direction of Kanazawa Castle.
Hotel Mystays Kanazawa Castle is located at 1-10-18 Hirooka, Kanazawa — a spot many guests describe as "perfectly in between": midway between JR Kanazawa Station (5 minutes on foot) and Kanazawa Castle Park. Omicho Market, the city's famous seafood market, is also within walking distance. What that means in practice: grab fresh seafood for breakfast at the market, stroll over to the castle in the morning, then check in with ease. No complicated transfers required.
"The lowest price in the group and you still get an onsen — many guests say that's exactly why they picked this place over the others."
The standout feature guests keep coming back to — the thing that separates this hotel from other chains at a similar price point in Kanazawa — is the in-house public bath / onsen. After a long day walking Kenroku-en or the Higashi Chaya district, you can soak in the hot water without needing to venture out and find a sento. For a hotel starting at ¥8,000 a night, having an onsen on the premises represents exceptional value that is genuinely hard to find in a city as popular as Kanazawa.
The building also has a Japanese restaurant for evenings when you don't want to search for somewhere to eat. It serves standard Japanese dishes at reasonable prices — convenient for the first night when you've just arrived and haven't got your bearings yet. A number of travellers have mentioned that having a restaurant inside made planning their days considerably easier, especially on evenings after a full day of sightseeing.
The rooms are standard business hotel style — 14 sqm, clean, functional. Wi-Fi works well, the bed is comfortable, there is a desk, and the en-suite bathroom is clearly separated. Not expansive, but not cramped either. To be honest: if you spend most of your time out exploring and return only to sleep and recover, 14 sqm is sufficient for one person or a couple travelling light.
The overall score of 8.9 is the lowest in the Kanazawa budget list — but it still sits comfortably above the 8.7 cut-off, and a sample of 628 reviews makes it reliable, not a score inflated by just a few dozen guests. The occasional criticism is that the building and room design feel slightly older than newer hotels around the station. If you need a modern, design-forward room or a view, this may not be your answer. But if you want a good location, an onsen, and the lowest price in the group, Hotel Mystays Kanazawa Castle is the most cost-effective choice.
Here's a tip many experienced Kanazawa visitors use: leave the hotel at 7am, walk to Omicho Market for fresh seafood breakfast, then continue directly to Kanazawa Castle and Kenroku-en before the crowds build up. The 7-9am window at the market and the gardens is quieter and more beautiful than midday, and the hotel's location makes all of this possible without needing a bus or taxi first.
In plain terms: Hotel Mystays Kanazawa Castle is best suited to budget travellers who want an in-house onsen and proximity to JR Kanazawa Station without overspending. Starting from ¥8,000/night, it's hard to find another hotel in Kanazawa that gives you this combination at this price. The trade-off is a small room and an older interior, but if you know exactly what you need, this is the best value on the list.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ ¥8,000 — cheapest in the station-area group with an onsen
- ✓ 5-min walk JR Kanazawa Station, midway to Kanazawa Castle
- ✓ In-house public bath / onsen — soak every night
- ✓ Japanese restaurant on-site — no need to go out every meal
- ! Room at 14 sqm is smaller than others in the same group
- ! Building and room design slightly older than newer station-area hotels
- ! Score of 8.9 is the lowest in the Kanazawa budget list (still above 8.7)
- ✓ In-house onsen / public bath — exceptional for this price range
- ✓ Convenient location for Kanazawa Castle and Omicho Market on foot
- ✓ Clean rooms, full functionality, Wi-Fi works reliably
- ✓ 628 reviews — score 8.9 is credible and well-sampled
- ! Small room, not ideal if you're travelling with multiple large bags
- ! Building atmosphere feels older compared to newer hotels near the station
- ! Check-in at 15:00 — early arrivals need to store bags first
- 💡If you need a spacious or modern room — at 14 sqm with an older interior, this may not suit you → consider spending a little more for Hotel Vista Kanazawa or Hotel Intergate Kanazawa nearby.
- 💡If budget is tight but you still want an onsen — Hotel Mystays Kanazawa Castle is the best-value option at this price, starting from ¥8,000/night → book ahead since this combination fills rooms quickly during peak season.
- 💡If you're travelling with several large bags — the 14 sqm room is compact → choose a larger room type if available, or ask reception to store luggage during the day.