Hanasaku Iroha centers around Ohana Matsumae, a 16-year-old living in Tokyo, who is left in the care of her estranged maternal grandmother, following her mother's elopement with her boyfriend.

Ohana arrives at her grandmother's country estate to realize she is the owner of a Taishō period hot spring inn called Kissuisō.

Initially feeling discouraged, she decides to use her circumstances as an opportunity to change herself for the better and to make amends with her deteriorating relationship with the Kissuisō's staff for a more prominent future.

A manga adaptation, illustrated by Eito Chida, was serialized between the December 2010 and October 2012 issues of Square Enix's Gangan Joker magazine.

A spin-off manga with Minko Tsurugi as the main character, illustrated by Jun Sasameyuki and titled Hanasaku Iroha: Green Girls Graffiti, was serialization in Bandai Visual's online Web Comic Gekkin magazine between July 1, 2011[7] and July 2, 2012.

[8] The paper edition, which includes revisions to the e-book version and additional materials, was published in two volumes by parubooks in July 2022.

[18] An image song titled "Patricia" (パトリシア, Patorishia) by Nano Ripe was used for the promotional videos and anime; the single was released on September 22, 2010 by Lantis.

Mania praised Kanae Itō's voice as Ohana, the animation quality, and execution of the plot.

[26] Hanasaku Iroha received a Jury Selection award in the Animation division of the 15th Japan Media Arts Festival.

In 2011, shortly after the show finished airing, the town of Yuwaku decided to bring this Festival into reality where there had previously been no equivalent celebration.

More recently, the town has attempted to broaden the appeal of the festival to beyond anime fans, including by inviting traditional musicians.