River Retreat Garaku

This was my first solo trip to Toyama, and I chose to stay here. To sum it up: absolutely the right choice, and I was completely satisfied with my stay. Although it’s a small Hotel, the service struck a perfect balance—attentive yet not intrusive—and the entire property felt like an art museum, making every walk through the building genuinely exciting. Even during the Obon holiday period, the large public bath was never crowded, and I was able to use it—along with the sauna area (spa)—almost as if it were private, which was wonderful.Dinner is a course meal that takes about two hours, but everything about it—the taste, portion size, and presentation—was outstanding. Breakfast is Japanese-style, and the freshly cooked rice was unbelievably delicious! I wondered if I could eat that much in the morning, but I finished everything on both days of my two-night stay. Both my Room and all common areas were extremely clean. With such a spacious property you might expect to notice dust or spots that need attention here and there, but everything is carefully cleaned and well maintained. There’s also a waterside area that guests don’t enter—perhaps part of the art—and I was truly impressed to see it being cleaned with a net in the morning.The shop inside is unlike what you find at many Hotels; it also sells carefully curated art pieces. When a small child came in holding a toy stick (there are many glass artworks on display), I felt a bit nervous—but at the same time, I sensed kindness in how things are intentionally displayed so anyone can view them up close.There doesn’t seem to be anything like convenience stores within walking distance around this Hotel.Also, since Toyama Station is quite far away, rather than for sightseeing this place feels ideal for someone like me who wants a quiet retreat-style stay at this Hotel. There’s still more I can’t fully put into words here, but I would love to stay again! Thank you very much for taking such great care of me.

Upon arrival, we received a thorough explanation of the Hotel services. I was happy to learn about the many interesting offerings. We also joined a guided tour of the artworks displayed throughout the property, which was inspiring as I love art.The baths, sauna, and open-air bath were all top-class. It was deeply relaxing, and time seemed to slow down. The Room was spacious and equally relaxing—I slept better than usual, and before I knew it, it was time for breakfast.Since we had another appointment, we checked out in a hurry. I regretted not setting aside more time. Even though it felt unhurried while we were there, it passed in no time at all. I would love to visit again. We didn’t have dinner this time, so next time I definitely want to enjoy dinner as well.