The Hokuriku's "Adult Hideaway" Beckoned by the BMW X6 | BMW

BMW X6 | BMW X6

Hokuriku's "Adults' Hideaway" Beckoned by the BMW X6

This spring, Hokuriku has garnered attention with the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen. While the popular train is appealing, for those who desire a free and relaxed journey unbound by schedules, nothing beats driving yourself. Our partner for this long touring trip, seeking adult relaxation in Toyama, is the "BMW X6."

Text by KUSHIMA TatsuyaPhotographs by KASHIWADA Yoshitaka

Hokuriku: A Destination Reached by Car

I believe BMW's "X Series" has entered a new realm. SUVs are no longer a niche; they are mainstream. They are not merely secondary models to sedans. Last autumn, I visited the Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, where they are built, and felt this strongly. The vast site is a colossal plant, surpassing even the main factory in Germany. What's more, with ongoing investment, the facilities are continuously expanding, which is astonishing.

The X Series models produced there are also increasing in lineup. "X3", "X5", "X6", and last year, the "X4" was added. Furthermore, last autumn, the "X6 underwent a full model change."

With that said, I embarked on a long drive in the X6. The destination: Toyama in Hokuriku, a region buzzing with news of the Hokuriku Shinkansen's opening this spring.

Hokuriku's "Adults' Hideaway" Beckoned by the BMW X6

Access from Tokyo to Toyama is largely via expressways. While the route via Chuo Expressway, Nagano Expressway, Joshinetsu Expressway, and Hokuriku Expressway seems standard, the recent availability of the Ken-O Expressway has increased variations. This allows access to the Chuo Expressway and then onto the Kan-Etsu Expressway. Even from the Tomei Expressway, it's possible.

Toyama offers many sights to behold: Toyama Bay overlooking the Sea of Japan, the Tateyama Mountain Range, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, Jinzu Gorge, Gokayama and Shirakawa-go, Toyama Castle, and so much more. It's impossible to cover it all.

Its culture is refined, with numerous traditional crafts utilizing lacquerware, copperware, and Japanese paper. Incidentally, while researching Toyama for this trip, I learned it was the setting for the film "My Father's Drum" (Chachano Po ga Kikoeru), a work from 1971.

The inn we aimed for was "River Retreat Garaku." Situated along the Jinzu River, it exudes, as its name suggests, an "adults' hideaway" ambiance.

BMW X6 | BMW X6

Hokuriku's "Adults' Hideaway" Beckoned by the BMW X6 (Part 2)

Toyama's Hideaway: River Retreat Garaku

River Retreat Garaku (Garaku) is easily accessible, arriving in about 20 minutes from the Hokuriku Expressway Toyama Interchange. From there, it's about 40 minutes to Toyama Station, making it convenient to visit the station area, including Toyama Castle. Oh, and Toyama Airport is also nearby. Toyama Airport is unusual in Japan for being located next to a river. It was a small pleasure to be able to watch aircraft take off and land while driving along the riverbank.

A distinctive feature of River Retreat Garaku is that each of the 25 guest rooms has a unique interior design, meaning you'll never tire of visiting. Furthermore, the facilities are superb. With a hot spring bath, spa, aromatherapy, library, a river-view cafe, and dinner at the French fusion restaurant "L'évo" helmed by Chef Taniguchi, who trained in France, you can spend blissful moments. It's a luxurious experience that one night is hardly enough to fully enjoy.

Art is also scattered throughout the property, both indoors and outdoors, which is not to be missed. The sheer volume of exhibits makes the entire grounds feel like a museum. A notable feature is the prevalence of works by local artists, conveying a sense of necessity and love for the region.

Furthermore, River Retreat Garaku has an affiliated museum at the north exit of Toyama Station called Rakusuitei. This former residence, built in the early Showa period, has been renovated into a cultural property. The Japanese garden, imbued with the atmosphere of the Showa era, is a truly tranquil space.

For a drive in the surrounding area, I highly recommend Suwachō-Hon-dōri in Yatsuo Town. It's a place selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Roads. The scenery, which seems to preserve the townscape of the Edo period, is incredibly atmospheric, making you feel as if you've stepped back in time. The combination of cobblestone streets and wooden houses is exquisite.

BMW X6 | BMW X6

Hokuriku's "Adults' Hideaway" Beckoned by the BMW X6 (Part 3)

A Grand Tourer for Adults

While traveling to the now-popular Hokuriku region by Shinkansen is an option, visiting by car and taking your time is also worthwhile. A car is essential for exploring your chosen accommodation and its surroundings. Of course, renting a car is possible, but driving your familiar "own car" is undeniably better.

It's enjoyable to take commemorative photos with the car at the entrance of River Retreat Garaku or along Suwachō-Hon-dōri. What was peculiar this time was the pleasing balance between the BMW X6 and the traditional Japanese houses. Two objects with completely different nationalities and design concepts fit together in a single frame without any sense of incongruity. It's quite striking.

Thus, I drove to Toyama in the X6 seeking relaxation. The fatigue from driving was minimal. The X6 appears to be a highly capable grand tourer. With its ample V8 engine, its depth is considerable. This is understandable, as travel distances in North America are not insignificant. The X6 was designed with this in mind. The firm seats, fitting for its generous size, and the spacious interior offer no hint of crampedness for four adults. Luggage for four people also fits comfortably in the cargo area.

Indeed, it seems this might be the ultimate express for reaching an "adults' hideaway."