RIVER RETREAT GARAKU

Very, very good, so good that it feels like a high-end membership hotel that would be so meticulously crafted and spare no expense. The two hotels I like most for my cherry blossom trip in Japan in 2025 are Taotaoan and this one. I am traveling alone. The hotel is located in the countryside 40 minutes away from Toyama. There is no pick-up service from Toyama Station, but there is a pick-up service from the station near the hotel. This station does not have a taxi and it takes 20 minutes to walk. Be sure to make an appointment for the pick-up. There is a bus to Kasuga Onsen at 1 pm on Saturday. It takes nearly 50 minutes to get to Kasuga Station. You can see the hotel sign and walk for 4 minutes to arrive. There will be staff at the door who will greet you immediately. Check in at 2 pm. The staff who checked in were serious and responsible, and the introduction was accurate and fast. Then I was welcomed into another lobby to enjoy welcome drinks and desserts. The staff reminded me again that there was 3,000 yen to spend. My room faced the beautiful river during the cherry blossom season, and the whole hotel was beautiful. The experience will be much worse if the room is not near the river. Please note that you must book a room near the river. Each room will be slightly different in design. I didn't find a shabby or dirty place when I stayed there. Some comments say that the facilities are old because there are too many light switches in the room and they can't be turned off with one button. The air conditioner is a little loud. I turned on the air conditioner when I went out and turned it off when I returned to the room. The light switches are okay. The hotel is very well maintained. The carpets and sofas in the public space are very clean. Meals must be included. There is no business nearby. Now the default dinner is Western and breakfast is Japanese. The Western restaurant is a Michelin restaurant: very attentive and delicious. A 3,000 yuan gift voucher can be used to order a glass of champagne, and a dessert in the afternoon. The breakfast is a little simple. Both halls of the hotel provide free coffee and tea. One hall also provides homemade desserts from the hotel, which are very delicious. After soaking in the hot springs, there is free milk, which is very delicious. There are two hot springs, one Japanese and one Western. The Western one cooperates with Rafa. Both hot springs are very good. It is best not to open the balcony door in the countryside. Mosquitoes will come in. When introducing the hotel's artwork, a big four-legged snake appeared. Although it is harmless, it is quite scary. There are artworks inside and outside. There are two tea rooms on the third floor for free. Check out at 11:00, listen to music in the lobby. The shuttle bus takes you to Toyama Station at 11:30. I enjoy the beautiful music every moment here, including on the shuttle bus. I think the hotel's service is impeccable. When checking out, I was given a gift certificate for another stay. I will book again.

As one of the top ten "art hotels" in Japan, the entire resort stands quietly in the quiet mountains and waters of Jinzu Gorge in Toyama Prefecture, which is refreshing and especially suitable for relaxation. @Resort🈶23 guest rooms of different styles,🈶two unique "Japanese & Western SPA" hot springs♨️,🈶More than 300 works of art are carefully arranged in every corner inside and outside the hotel, which are worth slowly appreciating,🈶Library related to art,🈶Melodious background music,🈶Recreation area decorated with practical artworks,🈶Intimate and meticulous service...Low-key luxury, experience super value. @One night and two meals dinner is French cuisine. The ingredients are selected according to the concept of "eating in season", and all are selected from Toyama. After slowly enjoying it for 2.5 hours, the taste buds are fully satisfied; breakfast is Japanese style, tasting mountain specialties, refreshing and delicious. @The art trail along the river, there are many artworks that reflect nature, covered by heavy snow, so you can only appreciate one or two, leaving a little regret. @On a snowy day, the hotel added a free pick-up service between Toyama Station and the hotel, which was very heartwarming. #High cost-effectiveness

The hotel's French restaurant has one Michelin star, which is great. It takes about 20 minutes by taxi to Toyama Airport.

Design hot spring hotel, generally good. Facilities are a bit old.

A very good designer resort hotel. It is only about 20 kilometers away from the airport. You can ask the hotel to hire a taxi to go directly to the hotel. Moreover, the French and Japanese food in the hotel are excellent. The waiters also provide butler service and give discounts to repeat customers. Will come back.