Stay and Savor Toyama: A Curated Guide to Hotels and Ryokan

For travelers who value comfort, accessibility, and the reliability of an international brand, DoubleTree by Hilton Toyama is an ideal starting point. Located just a three-minute walk from JR Toyama Station’s south exit, the hotel offers immediate access to the city’s trams, museums, dining streets, and major attractions—perfect for both sightseeing and business trips.

Inside, the atmosphere is bright and modern. Guest rooms are designed for rest, featuring clean lines, soft lighting, and beds that invite you to sink in after a day of exploration. Many offer subtle touches inspired by the region, blending international ease with a sense of place.

Dining is a highlight: the hotel restaurant showcases Toyama’s seasonal bounty, including fresh seafood from Toyama Bay and local vegetables. For wellness-minded travelers, the property provides a guest-exclusive sauna, a spacious public bath, and a fully equipped fitness center—rare conveniences for a city-center stay.
 

DoubleTree by Hilton Toyama

Address: 1-1-10 Shintomicho, Toyama City, Toyama

Access: 3-min walk from JR Toyama Station (South Exit)

Website: https://doubletree-toyama.hiltonjapan.co.jp/

Overlooking rice fields and distant peaks, Kintarou Onsen in Uozu has welcomed travelers since 1965 with a promise of warmth and renewal. The inn’s name comes from Kintaro, a beloved folklore hero known as a strong, kindhearted boy who grew up in the mountains and symbolizes health and vitality. The founder hoped guests would leave the baths feeling just as restored.

The inn sits between two of Toyama’s iconic destinations—the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route and the Kurobe Gorge Railway—and offers shuttle service from nearby train stations. Inside, decades of thoughtful renovation have transformed the property into a soothing blend of tradition and modern comfort, from serene tatami rooms to luxurious suites with open-air baths. Mountain-side rooms look toward the Tateyama Range and surrounding countryside, while sea-side rooms frame Toyama Bay.

The onsen itself is exceptional. Fed by a natural hot spring that blends chloride and sulfur—an uncommon combination in Japan—the water is rich, silky, and renowned for its heat retention. The inn has earned a place on the “100 Best Hot Springs in Japan” list for 2023 and 2024, a rare achievement for a single, stand-alone property not part of a hot spring town. The scent of sulfur is distinct the moment you step inside the bathhouse, and guests often remark on how soft and smooth their skin feels afterward.

Kintarou Onsen offers several bathing options, including guest-only baths with striking wall art and a range of water temperatures, along with the adjacent day-spa Karuna no Yakata, which features expansive outdoor baths. In summer, the outdoor pool opens, creating a resort-like atmosphere.

Meals are served in spacious dining rooms or private spaces, depending on the stay plan. Expect fresh seafood from Toyama Bay, locally sourced vegetables, and thoughtful plating that honors the region’s flavors. A gift shop curated by staff offers specialty items from across Hokuriku.
 

Kintarou Onsen

Address: 6000 Tenjinnoshin, Uozu City

Access: Shuttle buses from Kurobe-Unazuki Onsen Station, Uozu Station, and Shin-Uozu Station (approx. 10 min each)

Website: https://www.kintarouonsen.co.jp/en/

For travelers drawn to Toyama’s great outdoors, Hotel Kurobe offers a stay immersed in the landscape itself. Perched beside the Kurobe River in Unazuki Onsen, the hotel is the only accommodation directly adjacent to the iconic Yamabiko Bridge, Kurobe Gorge Railway, and the dramatic Unazuki Dam. Here, the sounds of flowing water and the distant call of the trolley train become part of the stay.

Many guestrooms offer sweeping views of the gorge and the passing trolley—an unforgettable experience as the train whistles by, especially in autumn when the canyon glows red and gold. Room types include modern Japanese-Western hybrids with tatami, traditional Japanese rooms, and special dam-view suites. In some layouts, beds are positioned right by the window so guests can gaze out at the scenery from the moment they wake.

Inside the facility, there are two special spaces that railway fans will love. One is the N-Gauge Room, where Toyama’s landscapes are recreated in an elaborate miniature diorama. The other is the Toy Train Room (“Omocha no Tetsudo Room”), featuring a large-scale rail set popular with families. (Both areas require an additional fee. Please note that the N-Gauge Room is not open to children and is limited to guests with prior experience using N-gauge model trains.)

Meals highlight Toyama’s “kitokito” (fresh) seafood, from white shrimp sashimi to grilled fish from the bay. Dinner plans may include abalone steak or seasonal specialties, while breakfast features a generous spread of small dishes and Toyama-grown Koshihikari rice. A local favorite is the Yuyu Unagi, an eel dish soaked in yuzu-infused spring water for enhanced aroma and tenderness.

Hotel Kurobe’s baths use the gentle, silky waters of Unazuki Onsen, famous as a “beautifying” hot spring. Large windows in the indoor bath frame the surrounding cliffs, while the open-air bath brings you even closer to the gorge’s shifting colors.
 

Unazuki Onsen Hotel Kurobe

Address: 7 Unazuki Onsen, Kurobe City

Closed on every Tuesday and Wednesday

Access: 3 minutes by shuttle bus from Toyama Chihou Railway “Unazuki Onsen” Station.

Website: https://www.hotelkurobe.co.jp/

Just 15 minutes from JR Sasazu Station, River Retreat Garaku offers a different kind of Toyama experience—an escape that blends contemporary art, refined hospitality, and the quiet flow of the Jinzū River. With only 23 rooms and a design ethos rooted in serenity, the resort creates a world where time feels both expansive and carefully curated.

Art is woven into every part of the property. Sculptures, paintings, ceramics, and installations appear in hallways, courtyards, guest suites, and outdoor spaces. The collection evolves with rotating works by Japanese and international artists, and even non-staying guests can visit to enjoy the exhibitions.

Each room has its own design concept. Some incorporate upcycled materials—objects once destined for disposal transformed into thoughtful design elements—reflecting the hotel’s interest in sustainability and artistry. Most rooms overlook the river, and a select few include private onsen baths. Generous check-in and check-out windows (14:00 and 11:00 respectively) give guests ample time to enjoy the surroundings at a leisurely pace.

Dining at Garaku is a highlight of any stay. Breakfast features beautifully arranged dishes that showcase Toyama’s seasonal ingredients. Dinner presents a full French course crafted from local produce, seafood, and carefully sourced ingredients. The culinary team treats Toyama’s landscape as inspiration, creating dishes that feel rooted in place yet contemporary in execution.
 

River Retreat Garaku

Address: 56-2 Kasuga, Toyama City

Access: 15-min walk from JR Sasazu Station (hotel car service available)

Website: https://www.garaku.co.jp/english/

Each of these accommodations reflects a different facet of Toyama’s identity—its mountains and rivers, its craftsmanship, its cuisine, its modern ease. Whether you seek convenient city comfort, the rejuvenation of mineral-rich springs, dramatic canyon views, or an art-driven retreat, Toyama offers a stay that resonates long after check-out.

Let your next trip be guided not only by where you go, but where you stay. In Toyama, the right room can transform your journey.