Rakudo-An

Style

Mingei museum

Setting

Settled in Sankyo-son

Sandwiched between belts of green rice-paddies, rural Japanese hideaway Rakudo-An gives time-honoured tradition a craft-inspired makeover with its curated collection of local mingei (folk art), Tang and Yi Dynasty antiques, and specially commissioned contemporary pieces. This 120-year-old farmhouse – built to face the east as per the local Buddhist custom – comprises three elegant guest rooms, each inspired by natural materials (paper, silk and soil), a arty boutique and super-seasonal Japanese restaurant. But the real feather in Rakudo-An’s rural cap is its ongoing commitment to the local community, both environmentally and culturally, so you can soak up Toyama’s spiritual climate with a clean, green conscience.

Facilities

Habitaciones

Three.

Checkout

11am, but flexible, subject to availability. Earliest check-in, 3pm.

Más detalles

Rates include breakfast and a walking tour of the local village.

Also

In the hotel’s small boutique, you’ll find folk crafts, artworks and Toyama delicacies all produced by local makers.

Hotel Closed

The hotel is closed every Tuesday, except for national holidays.

Acceso gratis a internet

Restaurante en el hotel

At the Hotel

Boutique, reinterpreted ‘hijiri’ (sacred space), free WiFi throughout. In rooms: free bottled water, Toyama-made bath products, tea (black, Japanese and herbal) and coffee, Bluetooth speaker, and humidifier.

Our Favourite Rooms

The hotel's three rooms have their own unique character, though each is filled with folk crafts, antiques and contemporary art, and has a terrace with views over the paddy-peppered landscape of the Sankyo-son settlement. Serious art-buffs should opt for the Soil room for an exclusive peek of the – literally – earthy work by Yuko Hayashi.

Packing Tips

You’ll want sensible shoes for ambling around the local village, and a camera, too; there’s enough interior-design inspiration here to warrant its own Pinterest board.

Also

There’s no spa, but in-room aromatherapy treatments (with oils extracted from Toyama's forest) can be arranged for approximately US$75 a person.

Niños

Over-13s are welcome, but leave the little ones at home.

Gallery

Food & Drink

Top Table

In line with the retreat’s Buddhist philosophy, all tables are equal, lined up with satisfying symmetry in front of paddy-framing windows.

Código de vestimenta

Consider yourself a part of the art with origami-crisp folds and silken robes.

Hotel Restaurant

At Rakudo-An’s restaurant, Nei, dishes celebrate regional cuisine using hyper-local, seasonal ingredients (fish straight off village fishermen’s boats, and meat and produce farmed in the surrounding foothills). Lunch and dinner unfold over consummate tasting menus showcasing the best of the Toyama region. Our choice is the evening Chef’s Tasting Course, consisting of nine courses that change with the harvest.

Hotel Bar

Not a bar as such, but in the corner of the lounge you’ll find a small spot dishing out local craft beers, sake and whiskey as well as fruit juices and light snacks.

Last Orders

At Nei, lunch runs from Wednesday to Sunday, 11.30am to 1pm (last entry). Dinner is served at 7pm, Wednesday to Monday. On national holidays, Nei remains open but generally closes on the nearest following Wednesday.

Planes

Toyama Airport is the closest to the hotel, just half-an-hour’s drive away, while Komatsu Airport is 50 minutes away. Both are domestic, so those coming from abroad should fly into Tokyo’s Haneda Airport and take a short connecting flight (one hour) to either. From here, Rakudo-An can arrange transfers for a fee.

Trains

Takagi Station is a 12-minute walk from Rakudo-An, which serves the Toyama Prefecture from north to south. Transfers from here can be organised for an additional charge.

Automobiles

Driving can be convenient in the more rural parts of the country, but if you do go exploring, opt for toll roads and avoid driving into the cities as the traffic can make for a rather slow and stressful experience. There’s parking at the hotel, free for guests – just let them know how many spots you’ll need in advance.

Worth Getting Out of Bed For

Being outside of the city is all part of Rakudo-An’s rural draw, and makes it a perfect spot for all things Zen. Find a meditation perch out in the garden or roll out your mat for a stretching session among the rice-paddies. A walking tour of the surrounding Sankyo-son village is included in the rate, but the hotel can also arrange a Bon-Temae tea ceremony, and a sound-healing Suzugami workshop, where participants will learn to make a Buddhism bell from small paper-like tin plates; or attend a make-your-own-body-oil class, which uses locally-sourced essential oils that draw on the power of the forest. Musicians will love the Japanese drum performance, Etchu Isami Taiko – an ancient tradition which dates back over 900 years. The hotel can organise trips to the Kuwano Shrine(the birthplace of this percussive art), where guests can learn how to play from the locals. And, if all that rat-a-tat-tatting has left you with an appetite, have the hotel’s concierge book you onto a noodle-making experience followed by lunch at a local farmhouse restaurant.

Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt

This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .