Rakumi (River Retreat Garaku)

Set in the five-star River Retreat Garaku, one of Toyama’s most famous luxury hotels, Rakumi offers traditional Japanese fare made lovingly with local Toyama ingredients. Its position in the northern Japanese Alps, on the bank of the Jinzu River, gives it special access to some ingredients that can only be found in the area. Toyama’s unique position as both a mountainous and coastal prefecture mean that at Rakumi, mountain vegetables unearthed not just an hour ago can be served right after freshly filleted sashimi in a kaiseki course menu, followed by Hida A5-grade wagyu beef so finely marbled it melts in the mouth. The restaurant is particularly proud of its rice: it is grown in local rice terraces, using the Aigamo duck farming method, which uses Aigamo ducklings to remove insects and weeds without the use of herbicides or pesticides. After harvesting, the rice is then cooked in a donabe — earthenware pot — that is said to improve the rice’s natural umami and aroma. And speaking of rice, more than 50 types of sake are available at the restaurant, the majority of them heritage brands from local breweries — unsurprising, given Toyama’s reputation as one of Japan’s most renowned regions for sake production. Staff are always on hand to give pairing recommendations, to suit both the chosen menus of the day and guests’ personal preferences. Counter seating is available for individual guests who wish to have front-row seats to the chef, but the semi-private and private rooms are immensely popular choices thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows offering spectacular views of the rushing river and deep green forests outside. The best part? After the meal, restaurant guests can enjoy a complimentary soak in the hotel’s onsen, the perfect way to end a luxurious experience.