The ryokan where you will want to spend a whole day! An onsen paradise for travelers
The one thing that travelers often worry about when spending a night at an onsen ryokan is how long they can spend there.
They want to see the beautiful scenery and experience what the area has to offer, but they also want to make the most of the ryokan or hotel…
These feelings are greater when the ryokan is good, and if you want to enjoy all the services and facilities then you have to check-in earlier!
Dai-Ichi Takimotokan is one such ryokan.
This is a large ryokan with 399 rooms.
Although there are many smaller scale ryokans which are just as good, there is something truly special about the larger ones,
as is the case with Dai-Ichi Takimotokan which is a real onsen.
Even in the hot spring paradise of Hokkaido,
this hot spring ryokan is unrivalled and we recommend an early check-in so as to spend as much time as possible in the hot waters.
What type of hot spring do you like? Here they have them all
When entering the baths at Dai-Ichi Takimotokan, visitors are first surprised by the size.
First wash before entering public baths in Japan
These baths are so large that it is difficult to comprehend their size, covering 5,000㎡.
Adding together the men’s and women’s baths,
there is a total of 35 different ones which surprisingly have 5 different spring qualities drawn from 7 different springs.
The spring quality depends on the source,
but springs in the same area often have the same qualities and it is very rare for one ryokan to have such a wide variety of water sources.
As you go around the bathtubs, you will see that each one has its own description.
You should try entering them for yourself to see the difference between those which contain sulfur, chloride and other qualities.
Even if you only take a quick dip in the onsen, you will surely be surprised at how different each one is to what you first thought.
Perhaps you will be able to understand why Japanese people like onsen so much,
and if you enter them all, you will surely find your favorite type of water.
The men’s indoor bath is enclosed by a large glass window,
which looks out on Noboribetsu’s famous ‘Jigokudani’, or ‘inferno valley’.
In Autumn
This name comes from the way in which clouds of water vapor blow out from the ground as if it were hell itself.
It is especially enjoyable to enter the relaxing bathtub which looks out over the landscape as if you are looking out over hell from heaven.
The best way to enjoy an onsen is to enter the baths at your own pace.
Watch the scenery while immersing yourself in the tubs, and if you get too hot, sit on the edge to cool down.
If you fancy a change, head to the outdoor baths.
Spend a day taking as many baths as you like at Dai-Ichi Takimotokan, where it will take many hours to try all of the different baths.
There is a swimming pool too in this Ryokan.
There is also a swimming pool located on the floor directly below the hot springs.
Swimwear must be worn in the pool which is open 08:00 – 22:00, and this is a fun area to play with the children.
This area is like a real theme park, and even has a water slide.
Swimsuits are also available to rent, so you can join in the fun even if you have forgotten to bring your own.
(Women ¥700 (size S – L), girls ¥300, men ¥500 (M – 4XL), boys ¥300, swim rings ¥300)
The 10 tatami mat room is the most reasonable
There are four buildings for accommodation, the Main Building, South Building, West Building and the East Building,
with each being different in size and style.
As for evening meals, the price will change depending on which option you book, with a buffet, a restaurant called ‘Yunosato’,
and three kinds of room service available.
The most reasonable is the Japanese-style 10-tatami mat type room in the East Building with a buffet plan.
(No bath room type)
For 2 people the cost per night is from 11,880 yen per person with evening meals included. Rates increase before holidays.
However, for those who would like to enjoy traditional ryokan meals, we recommend the restaurant plan at ‘Yunosato’.
Here you can enjoy a 12 course dinner in a smaller room with a calmer atmosphere than the buffet.
The prices start from ¥13,500 per person for a 2-person meal.
Japanese cuisine using Hokkaido ingredients
If you choose dinner at Yunosato, you can taste Japanese cuisine cooked fresh by the chef.
The meals change according to the season allowing you to taste Hokkaido’s seasonal foods.
From seafood to wagyu beef and vegetables, you can taste the essence of Japanese cuisine which uses the flavors of each ingredient.
This year’s summer main is ‘Awabi Chirinabe’, a hot pot made with abalone.
With abalone is dipped in a soy sauce broth, and this is an impressive menu that displays the texture, smell and flavor of shellfish.
There is also Japanese sake available to try at the restaurant
The staff are qualified sake masters and they purchase different sake every season,
so that the customers can experience the luxury of tasting seasonal dishes alongside seasonal liquor.
Although Japanese sake is made in winter,
it is preserved and aged throughout the year with ‘seasonal sake’ being sold when it complements the seasonal flavors.
The sake is even more enjoyable if you ask the sake masters about it while tasting it.
JAPAN Travel Concierge
Qlip 
