Quiet Luxury Resort in the Heart of Awaji Island

Grand Chariot is a tranquil glamping retreat located in the north of Awaji Island. At this unique retreat, guests are accommodated inside luxurious yet cosy and understated cocoons. Cocoons are available to suit solo travellers, couples, and families, and even include pet-friendly options.

Themed Character Rooms

By far the most popular are the themed character rooms. Grand Chariot has collaborated with Naruto, Dragon Quest, Crayon Shin-chan and Hello Kitty to create six fun-filled rooms that are sure to delight fans of these super-popular franchises. Surprises hide in every corner, and guests can even take home a range of exclusive, original merchandise from their room of choice.

Panoramic Views and Spa

Having visited a lot of hotels on past trips, I can confidently say that Grand Chariot really stood out to me in terms of facilities, hospitality, and beautiful scenery. I think the place’s secluded location makes it an ideal escape from hectic city life. Sweeping panoramic views of Awaji Island and the Akashi-Kaikyo bridge can be enjoyed from the observation deck by day and night, and the spot also offers exceptional stargazing opportunities. With the clear view of the starry sky at night, I was blown away with the view and took some beautiful pictures of the starry sky. The modest spa facility offers a uniquely Japanese experience—a cypress enzyme bath that gently warms the body with natural fermentation. This treatment promises many benefits for both health and beauty. 

The Interior of the Cocoon

The interiors make abundant use of natural materials such as cedar and fragrant cypress, creating a sense of warmth and rusticity. And from the moment I entered the cocoon, I was welcomed with a unique aromatic scent that turned out to be cedar wood. Cedar offers a woody and citric smell that immediately gives you a relaxing effect. It is believed to help reduce stress. After looking at the facilities that the cocoon has to offer, I took my time in the bathroom, and to my surprise the bathroom also offered a cypress bath, known as a deep Japanese bath. Being surrounded by the cedar wood of the interior wall and the fragrant cypress bath, my body was able to relax quickly after a long day. Moreover, since the cocoon itself is comfortable and aromatherapeutic, I am sure that everyone will have a good, relaxing sleep here after a long day spent at Nijigen no Mori, the anime-themed park, alongside Grand Chariot, in the Hyogo Prefectural Awajishima Park.

Luxurious Japanese Cuisine for Dinner

After taking my time in the cypress bath, I went to the restaurant for dinner. For their dinner menu, the restaurant offers exquisite Japanese cuisine made with Awaji’s finest seasonal ingredients. Since I visited during the winter season, the dish that stood out for me was the Awajishima Sannen Torafugu Nabe that can be translated as Awaji Island 3-year-old Japanese puffer fish milt. As the name suggests, these puffer fish have been cultivated over the course of 3 years and it was, without a doubt, the best puffer fish I have ever tasted in my whole life. (Note: the puffer fish is only offered from December though February.)

Healthy Breakfast

I returned to the restaurant in the morning for breakfast. Again the menu offered exquisite Japanese cuisine made with Awaji’s finest ingredients. Their popular breakfast set, known as Asa no Ohajime Gozen (which can be translated as Morning Banquet), consists of grilled Awaji fish, rolled egg with fish and kelp stock, and freshly cooked Awaji Island rice. With the high quality ingredients they offer, this meal is guaranteed to make your belly feel both full and happy.

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