Grandia Housen in Awara Onsen - Hot Spring Resort in Fukui
Have you ever wanted to find a luxurious and authentic Japanese hot spring resort where you can relax a bit from the rush of sightseeing all across Japan? Look no further because I have a perfect place for you. It is called Grandia Housen and it is a ryokan, a traditional Japanese hotel. It is located in Awara Onsen, a town in the north of Fukui Prefecture which is famous for its hot springs. This prestigious ryokan has been around for over 50 years and during all that time it was known as a prestigious and high-quality establishment. In addition to beautifully decorated rooms in both Japanese and Western styles, this ryokan has three different high-quality hot spring water sources, which are said to have many healing properties. I am a huge fan of onsens, so this is a huge plus for me. There is no better way to relax for a hectic day that to spend a part of the evening in a hot bath. The thing that goes perfectly with a hot bath for me, and you as well I am sure, is a delicious dinner. That is why I was delighted to find out about many delicious types of Japanese food served in Grandia Housen's several restaurants. More about that later.
Even though Grandia Housen is located in Fukui Prefecture, a little bit off the usual tourist routes across Japan, that is what gives it even more charm in my opinion. It is a perfect detour and a place where you can slow down the quick temp of sightseeing. I recommend that you rent a car if you like driving and take the short trip to here from Kyoto or Kanazawa. If don't like driving, don't worry. There are many ways you can simply access Awara Onsen and Grandia Housen. You can reach it via train or bus to JR Awara Onsen Station from which a shuttle bus can take you to the ryokan. You can find out more details on their website.
However, the area around Awara Onsen is not just a good place to rest and enjoy many hot springs; it also has its fair share of interesting places to see. Probably the most famous one is Tojinbo. It is a spectacular series of steep, rocky cliffs that stretch for about a kilometer along the coast. These giant, pillar-shaped rocks are a unique geological formation that can only be seen in a couple of other sports in the world, and nowhere else in Japan. This Japanese natural monument can be explored via trails that lead along the rocky embankment to various chasms and promontories. If you love visiting traditional temples and shrines, Eihei-ji Temple is a place you might be interested in. This important temple of Zen Buddhism was founded in 1244 and is one of the head temples of the Soto Sect of Zen Buddhism. If you are interested in art, one place you would love to see is the Kanaz Forest of Creation. This facility was set up to display and introduce creative artworks, and visitors also have the chance for hands-on experiences of creative arts such as glass-blowing, ceramics, and fabric dyeing, all set in the middle of nature. Fans of history will also be delighted to learn about the historic ruins of the Ichijodani Asakura clan. This is a castle town from which the Asakura clan ruled over this area for over a hundred years. For fans of Japanese food, there is Awara Onsen Food-Stall Village "Yukemuri-Yokocho", an area dotted with small food establishments where you can interact with locals and try their tasty dishes. If you are looking for a bit of entertainment, Shibamasa World is the place for you! In this huge leisure complex, you can find all kinds of entertainment, including a putter golf course, a water park with huge slides, a fully-equipped campsite, and more! Additional interesting places include the Echizen Matsushima Aquarium, Fukui Prefectural Children's Science Museum, and the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum. As you can see, there are a lot of things to do here which many tourists never get the chance to visit!
Grandia Housen itself is an amazing place where you can easily spend several days and still not get enough of it. Guests can enjoy beauty treatments, take a stroll in the lovely garden, or browse the souvenir shop. There is also a vibrant nightlife with a karaoke bar, private karaoke rooms, mah-jong rooms, a Japanese noodle restaurant, and more. The rooms, as you can see, are absolutely amazing. Perfectly designed, equipped with the highest quality furniture and many also have private outdoor hot baths. These are perfect if you want a bit of privacy; they are yours 24/7! However, the public baths in Grandia Housen are also exceptional. Tenjo no SPA, located in the main building, was recently renovated and was transformed into a high-end, comfortable, and modern bathing facility. Outdoor baths here at Grandia Housen enable you to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the surrounding area which looks wonderful no matter the season. When the weather is good, you can enjoy the spectacular night sky. If you choose to stay at the Kotobuki-tei Villa or Yutorogi-tei Annex parts of the ryokan, you will have access to one more bath, Hinoki large public bath.
As I already said, I am a huge fan of Japanese food and for me, the best evenings are those where I can enjoy a nice hot bath and a delicious dinner. If you are like me, you would love the wide variety of dishes offered in Grandia Housen's restaurants. I love trying as many local dishes as possible when traveling so I was happy to see that the local area is rich in high-quality ingredients from the mountains, countryside, and nearby sea. These seasonal ingredients are used to prepare exquisite dishes of the highest quality.
As I said, there are several restaurants in Grandia Housen, so there is something for everyone. At the Kotobuki-tei Villa, traditional Japanese meals are served in the guest room or a small banquet room. At the ryotei Yuuzen or the restaurant Tokinokura, you can enjoy dining in a sophisticated atmosphere. Staying guests are served Japanese breakfast and a traditional multi-course dinner featuring local seasonal specialties. If you stay at the Kotobuki-tei Villa, the head chef himself will prepare traditional kaiseki course dishes of the highest quality that will be both delicious and perfectly presented. A Japanese fine-dining restaurant called Yuuzen is also available. The dinner courses feature dishes of vivid color and presentation with ingredients selected on a daily basis.
All in all, I am certain that stay at this wonderful and luxurious ryokan is something that you will remember fondly. If you are a person who enjoys spending some time relaxing and exploring less known parts of Japan look no further than Grandia Housen. Make sure to visit their website to learn more about this amazing ryokan.
