Hoshinoya Guguan.

Hoshinoya Guguan is Hoshino Resorts’ first luxury hot spring property outside Japan, an architectural retreat carved into a plateau above Taichung’s Dajia River. Designed as a modern ryokan, the resort emphasizes seclusion and a slow, deliberate pace of arrival. The layout is centered on the local alkaline carbonate springs; most accommodations are maisonette-style suites where an entire floor is dedicated to a private, semi-open-air bath fed by natural thermal waters. Outside the rooms, the grounds feature a bamboo-lined entrance, a public bath, and a winding water garden that connects the property’s gazebos and library. Dining follows a formal kaiseki structure, blending Japanese techniques with seasonal Taiwanese ingredients served on traditional stoneware. It is a highly controlled environment built for staying put, offering a rare fusion of Japanese onsen culture and Taiwan’s rugged Central Range scenery.