日本的禪宗美學深耕至每個生活細節中，囊括日式建築對於大自然的敬仰，在井然有序的榻榻米上，那撲鼻而來的稻穀香氣，使人的身心靈都隨之放鬆下來。這次將帶領讀著們到台灣當地體驗日式和室之旅，台中的虹夕諾雅 谷關及宜蘭綠舞國際觀光飯店，宛如日本歌謠的旋律傳遞至耳中，完整呈現道地的日式風情。
The aesthetics of Japanese Zen is deeply rooted in every detail of life, which includes the Japanese architecture’s admiration for nature. On the well-organized tatami, a scent of rice paddy mends the body and mind in a relaxing state. This time we shall take a look at the Japanese styled rooms for vacations in Taiwan. HOSHINOYA Guguan in Taichung and Dancewoods Hotel in Yilan interpret an authentic Japanese style to the tune of Kayou music.
星空下的靜謐溫泉：虹夕諾雅 谷關
座落於台中的虹夕諾雅 谷關，在第一次踏入谷關這片溫泉勝地時，星野集團董事長星野佳路被溫泉的泉質與水量震撼，說道：「從沒遇過如此豐沛的泉源！」因此著手在自然環境的谷關，打造這座台灣最具代表性的溫泉渡假村，幾乎皆為樓中樓的獨棟房型，配置半露天的地道無循環天然溫泉（源泉掛け流し），無人工加水加熱，同時，保留賓客獨享溫泉的私人空間，在樓層的兩側設計有讓涼風通過的窗戶，而雄壯的山丘映在眼前，涼風吹拂即使盛夏也能體驗溫泉。客廳及寢室的樓層中設計有寬大的落地窗，庭園的光影以靜謐的情境營造清靜感受，使滿天星斗灑入夜空，讓整片風景有如屏風般隨時間的推移變幻無窮。
另外，飯店內的餐館特別準備了多種料理供給貴賓們，舒適的房型與多變的料理菜單，即使長期入住亦能感到驚奇無比，當台灣當地的食材和日本料理的烹調手法結合，道道皆是魅力美食，例如其中的南蠻醃鱘魚，透過事先油炸鎖住魚肉的鮮美滋味，在味道帶來新變化，而伴隨著淡淡酸味的南蠻醃漬醬汁，清爽且解膩，讓這道菜格外適合在溫暖潮濕的台灣享用。來自日本的元素，除了融合進烹調方法中，還展現在盛放美食的器皿上，將日本料理裝在九谷、備前、有田等聞名世界的日本瓷器中，雕盤綺食的鮮豔色彩，使一頓餐帶來味蕾及視覺的饗宴。
從不枯竭的谷關溫泉，常年噴湧，因此整年都有穩定的湧泉量，在虹夕諾雅 谷關，公共空間運用了豐沛的溫泉與台灣中央山脈的泉水進行設計，無色無味的鹼性碳酸泉水，對肌膚的刺激較小，也被譽為「美肌之湯」，有著能盡情享受這種溫泉的大浴場。室內溫泉按照日式溫泉的概念打造，露天溫泉則有著獨特設計，擁有開放的舒適空間，讓人能親身感受谷關當地的自然環境。在溫泉外的水之庭園中，涓淙流水聲迴響穿梭樹林間，各式花卉沿著水道，導向樹林中流淌的小溪，泡完溫泉後，隨著細細水道散步，到涼亭（Gazebo）渡過閒暇時光，營造和緩放鬆的空間與慢步調氛圍，帶來頤神養性的效益。
A Silent Hot Spring Below The Starry Sky
Hoshino Yoshiharu, President of Hoshino Resort Inc. was greatly surprised upon his first visit to Guguan, Taichung. It was the rich quantities of springs and high quantity of water that attracted him, “I have never encountered such a rich source of hot springs!” Because of this recommendation, HOSHINOYA Guguan started to develop focusing on the natural environment. This most symbolic hot spring resort in Taiwan are all individual duplex rooms. All rooms are equipped with noncircular semi-outdoor natural springs (water source directly comes from underground) to ensure that water is not heated artificially. At the same time, guests can stay in a personal space where they can enjoy the hot springs privately. The design allows the cool wind to pass through the windows on both sides of the floor while the gigantic hills present itself before you and you can experience the cool breeze the hot springs even in the midsummer. The living room and bedroom floors are installed with large floor-to-ceiling windows. The light reflections in the garden create a tranquil environment, allowing the stars in the night sky to be seen. The whole scenery looks differently at different times.
In addition, restaurants in the hotel prepare a wide variety of food for guests. Cozy rooms and ever-changing menus prepared to amaze the guests even if they are staying for a long time. Using fresh ingredients from Taiwan in Japanese cuisine, all the dishes made are extraordinary delights. For example, the Nanban pickled sturgeon, which was deep-fried in advance to maintain its freshness, paired with a slightly sour Nanban pickled sauce. This refreshing but not greasy dish is especially enjoyable in the warm and humid climate of Taiwan. With the ingredients coming from Japan that adapt their cooking methods, the style can also be seen on the utensils of the gourmet. Japanese cuisine uses the world-famous Japanese porcelain wares that were made in Kutani, Bizen, and Arita. The bright colorings and craftsmanship enhance the meals visually and deliciously.
The never-depleted HOSHINOYA Guguan spews all the year-round, a steady amount of water from the hot springs erupts throughout the year. In HOSHINOYA Guguan, the public space designed uses the rich hot springs and spring water from the Central Mountain Range of Taiwan. Colorless and tasteless alkaline water causes less irritation to the skin and is also known as “beauty springs.” A large bathhouse is also available for enjoying this type of hot springs. The indoor hot springs are built according to the same concept used in Japanese hot springs. The outdoor hot springs are uniquely designed with open and cozy spaces, offering visitors an experience of the local natural environment of Guguan. In the water garden outside the hot spring, the echoes of flowing water running through the woods. Various flowers are planted along the waterway that leads to a stream flowing through the woods. After enjoying the hot springs, walk along the fine waterways to the gazebo, spend your leisure time, in a slow-paced relaxing environment to cleanse your soul and body.