Rakudo-An
Toyama, Japan
In less than three hours, the bullet train will whizz you from Tokyo to Tayoma; located along the Sea of Japan coast, it’s an urban antidote, a prefecture where you can bathe in hot springs and fill your lungs with cool mountain air. Here, in the Tonami Plain Dispersed Settlement and surrounded by rice paddies, you’ll find Rakudo-An, a micro-hotel with just three rooms. It’s set in a 200-year-old ‘Azumadachi’ farm house, with quietly considered interiors using natural, earthy materials. Indeed, the trio of guest rooms are called Paper, Silk and Soil – this is a place where minimalism leads, creating the perfect backdrop for local mingei (folk art), Tang and Yi dynasty antiques and Middle Eastern textiles that dot the property. Add to the mix works by contemporary Japanese artists and there’s always something to catch the eye. There’s a library and lounge for quiet contemplation, plus a bar and the 20-cover restaurant, which serves time-honoured Toyama cuisine across set menus that use ingredients from the sea, misty mountains and countryside. There’s a small boutique, too, selling locally-crafted pieces, artwork and edibles, with proceeds going towards environmental and cultural conservation within the local community.
Key Information
- Rooms: 3
- Starting Rate: $335
- High Season: April-June October-November
- Dining: Nei
- At the Hotel: Library, cultural experiences
- 81 7 6377 3615
- Visit Rakudo-An's Website
Location
645 Nomurajima, Tonami-shi, Toyama, 939-1334
