SUBLIME BEAUTY OF AUTUMN IN THE HOKURIKU REGION
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| Ah, autumn in Japan - as the hot summer gives way to cooler weather, the turning of the maple leaves (koyo) provides a breathtaking spectacle, as the country's mountainsides become splashed with bright colors like a painter's palette. Like cherry blossoms in the spring, the colored leaves in the fall are a cause for celebration, another opportunity for the Japanese to mark the changing seasons, relish nature's beauty, and have a party with friends. Koyo-viewing has been a favorite activity for centuries in Japan. The season generates great excitement as the koyo zensen (maple-leaf front) advances south from the northern island of Hokkaido and throughout the country. |
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Hokuriku, a region on the Sea of Japan coast opposite Tokyo, is a premium koyo-viewing region. Koyo season comes at various times, depending on your altitude in the mountainous region. The region is home to some of the Ryokan Collection's most beautiful member ryokan, including River Retreat Garaku, Beniya Mukayu and Kayotei. The Hokuriku region has plenty of places to admire the autumn leaves; here are some of the best: Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Kurobe Gorge Gokayama Of course, another great thing about the Hokuriku region is that, after a day of admiring the fall colors, you can relax in one of the area's many onsen (hot springs). A hot soak amid spectacular autumn colors - this is surely one of Japan's most sublime delights. |
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| OUR RYOKAN IN HOKURIKU AREA | |
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RIVER RETREAT GARAKU River Retreat Garaku is a truly unique Japanese resort hotel. Overlooking the scenic Jinzu River in rural Toyama Prefecture, Garaku seems a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city, but the short 15 minute drive from Toyama airport means Garaku is easily reached from Tokyo. Garaku is as much a showcase of Japanese contemporary art and architecture as it is a resort. The owner's passion for art, design and love for architecture is evident in the rooms, public spaces and the building itself. The architect's concept was to create a retreat enveloped in art, rather than simply a resort hotel, hence the name 'River Retreat'. The building includes a unique melding of Asian and contemporary Japanese design concepts. Each of the spacious and tastefully decorated guest rooms feature a unique layout, design concept and original artwork. But don't expect to spend all your time in the room as Garaku's extensive amenities include a full service day spa and fitness club, restaurants and cafe, an art museum and outdoor artwork to discover. Factsheet Area : Toyama Name of Ryokan : River Retreat Garaku Address : 56-2, Kasuga, Toyama-shi, Toyama-ken 939-2224 Total Number of Rooms : 25 Meeting/Conference Facilities : YES Check-In Time : 14:00 Check-Out Time : 11:00 Credit Card : Visa, Master, Diners, Amex, JCB For more information, click here |
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KAYOTEI As one passes through the entrance of Kayotei for the first time it is evident that this is a very special Japanese inn. This luxury ryokan is located in the small hot springs village of Yamanaka in Ishikawa prefecture. The village remains much the same as it has for many years, seemingly untouched by time. The inn is surrounded by majestic trees and lovingly nurtured gardens encircled by thickly forested hills. Kayotei's ten suite rooms are arranged in the traditional sukiya style of a tea ceremony pavilion. Guests wear no slippers in this ryokan; the walkways are tatami, as one would in the home of a relative or close friend. These are the rare and subtle differences that make time spent in Kayotei such a warm and welcoming experience. A stroll through Kayotei is one of discovery, for original painted screens, fine works of pottery, and antique tansu adorn the hallways and spaces of this inn. Factsheet Area : Yamanaka onsen Kaga-shi Name of Ryokan : KAYOTEI Address : 20, Ho, 1-chome, Higashi-machi, Yamanaka onsen, Kaga-shi, Ishikawa-ken 922-0114 Total Number of Rooms : 10 Check-In Time : 12:00 Check-Out Time : 12:00 Credit Card : Visa, Master, Diners, Amex, JCB For more information, click here |
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BENIYA MUKAYU Perched on a hill overlooking the city of Kaga, Ishikawa Prefecture, the beautiful Beniya Mukayu ryokan offers a perfect blend of friendly, attentive service and the serene tranquility of nature. In keeping with its motto, "Open air, open space," Mukayu makes the most of its natural blessings, using careful landscaping and floor-to-ceiling windows to bring the natural world and indoor spaces together. The Komatsu area has been a destination for seekers of inner peace and physical healing for over 1,300 years. A famous Zen Buddhist temple once thrived where Mukayu now stands, and the ryokan takes as its inspiration the clean, spare lines of Zen to encourage peace and serenity among its guests. The ryokan's name translates as "non-purpose" or "natural state," which expresses the traditional Japanese ideal of living in harmony with nature. Surely there is no more perfect place to watch the march of the seasons than from the warm comfort of your room's open-air rotemburo bath. The staff at Mukayu embrace the concept of yasashi, or friendliness - this is a family business, and the staff welcome guests like family. In operation for 83 years, Mukayu is run by the third generation of the Nakamichi family, under the friendly, watchful eye of the okami, or proprietress, Sachiko Nakamichi. The guests' happiness and comfort are paramount. As Nakamichi-san says, "We want our guests to feel like this is their own besso, or traditional private villa," soothed by the tranquil quiet of their room and nature, the natural aromas outside, and the tasteful clean Zen-inspired lines throughout. Factsheet Area : Yamashiro Onsen Name of Ryokan : Beniya Mukayu Address : 55-1-3 Yamashiro Onsen, Kaga-city, Ishikawa, 922-0242 Total Number of Rooms : 17 Check-In Time : 15:00 Check-Out Time : 11:00 Credit Card : Visa, Master, Diners, Amex, JCB For more information, click here |
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For more information and queries, please visit www.ryokancollection.com.
