A Hot Spring Retreat Hidden in the Mountains | Hoshino Resorts KAI Gujo.

Departing from Taipei, it takes about 3 hours by car, passing through Gujo Hot Spring Park and Meiji Hot Spring Old Street. Hoshino Resorts KAI Gujo is particularly well-hidden, with each frame reflecting the shadows of trees, and the entrance for guests is embraced by lush bamboo groves. Lobby: The interior of the poetic building is simple and grand, without too much decoration, replaced by the attentive service staff. To the left of the lobby is the reading room, serving as the main service area for guests in the hall. Garden: The 'Water Garden' filled with greenery is located at the heart of the hotel, gentle and full of Zen, a landscape painstakingly crafted by the hotel. Room Type: Suimei Room The room type we stayed in is Suimei, located at the end of the 5th floor of the hotel. The layout of Suimei is divided into two levels, with the first level for 'lodging' and the next level for 'bathing'. Upon entering the main room, it's hard not to be amazed by the view that catches your eye. One entire wall of the room is a floor-to-ceiling window that stretches from the ceiling to the ground. Looking outside, the full view of Hoshino Resorts KAI Gujo is in sight, with the misty peaks of Malun Mountain in the distance. Descending the stairs, you reach the 'bathing' level. The 'bathing' level consists of a dressing table, shower room, and a private hot spring bath in sequence from inside to outside. The bath faces the wooden lattice windows, which are double-opening, with no glass barrier behind the lattice, maximizing the introduction of the outdoor scenery. The hot springs in the Gujo area are colorless and odorless bicarbonate springs, very gentle on the skin. Hoshino Resorts KAI Gujo is blessed with the traditional hanging-flow hot springs (source hanging flow), which means that the spring water flows directly from the mountain base into the bath. The bath that is constantly filled with spring water greatly enhances the freedom of bathing and also enjoys the most direct way of hot spring. In summary, the accommodation at Hoshino Resorts KAI Gujo, whether it's the size of the space, the atmosphere created, or the high quality of the scenery, all provide an excellent sensory experience. Dinner: Kaiseki Cuisine The restaurant of Hoshino Resorts KAI Gujo is located in a corner of the 'Water Garden', continuing the hotel's elegant and grand style, with an orderly and open space. The key to creating the atmosphere comes from the large floor-to-ceiling windows, giving diners the illusion of being in a garden. As for seating, there are regular seats and Japanese-style seats with sunken foot wells (horigotatsu), and my wife and I happened to be seated at the Japanese-style seats by the window, a beautiful and comfortable dining environment that is also an important part of enjoying the food. The meal we booked in advance was a kaiseki cuisine for two. Each dish of the kaiseki cuisine has its own visual and taste memory points, maintaining the Japanese culinary tradition of presenting the natural flavor of food, focusing on natural harmony, and cooking with carefully selected seasonal ingredients. On the other hand, the chef, who is adept at blending different cultures and ingredients, brings a touch of novelty to the kaiseki cuisine. It must be said that the entire meal is very precisely balanced in terms of integration and innovation.