Reviews of Sofuan

Beautifully renovated older central house with view of very pretty little garden. Renovated older central bathhouse with old style ofuro bath and tatami throughout. Not a problem for us but couples should be aware that the two bedrooms are not really separated and the house would not be appropriate for boisterous toddlers as there are lovely paper shoji screens.

Really enjoyed our stay at the Sofuan. Great to experience and stay in a traditional Japanese house. Appreciated all of the extra amenities and the space for our family of four. Location was amazing for exploring Kanazawa. The host went out of her way to welcome us and show us around the house and was very responsive.

Our host met us at the house, sharing easy to follow directions to take the bus from the train station. She served us matcha and helped get us situated. Our party of five loved our stay in this well appointed and beautiful traditional machiya home. My son loved taking "Totoro" baths in the cedar plank bathroom which looks out over a lovely garden. The futons were very comfortable and the Sofuan staff came to take out trash and change out towels after two nights. The house is super coveniently located to the Kanazawa castle grounds and close to the incredible market, and many dining options. We loved the slower pace of Kanazawa and got to enjoy a rainy day relaxing in Sofuan. The hosts included helpful instructions and signage throughout the house. AC worked well in both sleeping areas. We also left a treasured item at the house and the owner very kindly arranged to have it delivered via Yamato Transport to our next hotel for a very reasonable cost. So thoughtful for her to take the time and effort to ensure we got it back.

We originally planned for my parents (in their 70s) to sleep in the beds, while my family of 3 would be on the futons, but the beds were located on the second floor which was a bit of a steeper staircase that was more difficult for senior knees/ankles so we slept upstairs. They said they were comfortable on the futons downstairs.

We absolutely loved our stay at this historical Machiya home a short stroll away from the Kanazawa Castle and the Omichi Markets. The home was like a little museum, having interesting little pieces of information all over the home, explaining the architecture and artifacts throughout. The traditional hot tub was a wonderful feature of the home, and the kitchen was well equipped. The best part of our stay at Sofuan was the host, Kazuyo San, whose wonderful hospitality included greeting us on arrival and giving us a tour of her home and also performed a little tea ceremony for us. Such a special start to our stay in Kanazawa. We would highly recommend this accom if you’re looking for an authentic experience in a traditional Machiya home.

As there are no window coverings, it was quite light early in the mornings. Steep stairs with the toilet downstairs, so could be tricky for anyone unsteady on their feet needing the toilet in the night.

Everything but especially the history associated with the type of property.

The house was beautifully restored, with amazing attention to detail, it felt like we got a glimpse of how it would've been to live in a traditional japonease house. A special experience, especially the amazing bath with views to the garden,like a private spa. The beds were comfortable. The house was well located, close to all of the attractions.

Everything was great

Our stay at Sofuan was a top highlight of our trip to Japan! The traditional Machiya house is beautifully set out and we felt like we were experiencing a bit of genuine Kanazawa life staying here. It's in such a perfect location just a short distance from the castle and the Omicho food market. You almost don't need to visit the old museums of Kanazawa if you're staying in a piece of history already! The beautiful courtyard garden, the amazing goemon bath, the traditional shoji screens and the elegant tatami rooms. For a visitor this is the essence of Japan. The owner, Kazuyo san, is lovely and greeted us with tea and sweets, filling us in on the history of the house and all we needed to know about Kanazawa. She also helped us out while we were staying answering our questions about various things which was really helpful and appreciated.

We absolutely loved it! We wish we had stayed longer!

Nothing to dislike but took some adjusting to. Having said that wouldn’t have wanted to miss out on this unique accommodation experience.

Beautiful house and a very warm welcome. The host is very sweet and the matcha and sweet were delicious. The bath is absolutely amazing. The house is located very close to the castle garden, Omicho market, several konbini and Kenroku-en. Cons: it gets very cold inside. There are heaters in each room, but this only helps a little.

The host is very warm and friendly and perfectly sets the tone for the accommodation. The house is a traditional machiya with original furnishings, which makes for a unique traditional Japanese experience. The view from downstairs and upstairs of the machiya garden and neighbouring trees is beautiful - especially when snowing! The traditional hottub overlooking the garden is magical. The beds are comfortable and having a whole house to ourselves was luxirious for a family of 5.

Being a traditional 100 year old house means that it gets quite cold in winter, although plenty of heaters are provided in all the main rooms. A big part of the experience is how traditional it is, but keep in mind this means no TV or sofa - seating is on the floor.

The house is a jewel! It is very thoroughly restaurated with a lot of love for detail. Kazuo is a very attentive and welcoming host, offering us freshly made matcha with sweets at arrival. She gave us a lot of recommendations for the area and was answering all our questions very quickly. The location is perfect for exploring Kanazawa on foot, with the famous fish market just around the corner. Highly recommended!

I think the pictures provided represent the property very well. I read all of the other reviews before booking and agree that the location, price, and especially the bath, are all superb. I don’t want to repeat what has already been said in those reviews, but I want to highlight just how fantastic this host has been. From the green tea and preheated blanket upon our arrival, to the little welcome card with my name beautifully written on it at the entrance, to the binder with hand-picked recommendations for food, shopping, and sightseeing—everything was so thoughtfully arranged that it honestly left us speechless. The attention to detail was incredible and on a level I have never experienced anywhere. It was stunning to see how much effort was put into even the smallest things to make everything more enjoyable. You’ll find pictures near all electronics with translations for all the buttons, which makes it super easy to turn things on and off, even if you don’t speak Japanese. The little garden stays green even in winter since it’s made of bamboo and moss, so the view while bathing is amazing year-round. That said, here are a few things to consider before booking: The house is almost 100 years old and, of course, not insulated. If you come in winter, don’t expect evenly heated rooms like you would find in a modern house. That being said, there is a heater in almost every room, a heated blanket, and AC in the kitchen and bedroom that kept us warm. Coming here with kids might not be the best idea. Some doors are made of paper and could easily rip. Also, the stairs leading up to the bedroom are steep and can be slippery. We were very careful not to break anything—I wouldn’t feel comfortable with an energetic kid running around. Lastly, tall people, watch your head! Finally, thank you, Ms. Fujita for your hospitality and for letting us stay in your beautiful home. We’ll definitely come back, and I highly recommend this place!

A unique and characterful home. We loved it

The stairs were a little steep, but not a big problem.

Beautiful traditional machya house in a great location. Very comfortable beds and well-equipped kitchen.

Nothing really, except do keep in mind that it's an old house, and does not have central heating.

Beautifully presented original style Machiya House. We loved sitting by the garden and also using the amazing traditional cast iron bath.

Nothing

Beautiful historic property. House is like a museum. Welcoming host - great communication. Lots of room.

Only complaint - I wanted to stay in the house for much if the stay rather than exploring the town!

Everything! The traditional elements of the Machiya, The proximity to all of the best Kanazawa attractions, the amenities; and the host. This was a fantastic stay!

I wish I could have had just one day to read and relax in front of the Tsuboniwa; and hang out at the Machiya enjoying its atmosphere. Unfortunately my stay in Kanazawa was only 2 days.

Location was very good next to the Omicho market and the castle. The facilities were good

Sunrise is 4:30am and it didnt have curtains.