Top 5 Hotels and Traditional Ryokan Inns in Hokkaido: Enjoy Enchanting Snowscapes

1. Kitakobushi Shiretoko Hotel & Resort: Enjoy Shiretoko, the snow-shrouded World Natural Heritage Site

Image: Booking.com

Image: Booking.com

Kitakobushi Shiretoko Hotel & Resort, located within the boundaries of the World Natural Heritage Site-Shiretoko, offers unique and awe-inducing scenery! The hotel is around a one-hour and 50-minute drive from Memanbetsu Airport, and a roughly 40-minute drive from JR Shiretoko-Shari Station.

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The hotel’s large public bath offers views of drift ice that stretch across the horizon. What’s more, large windows make you feel as though you’re right on the water!

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At the open-air bath, enjoy the magical experience of feeling as though you’re bathing in the Sea of Okhotsk! This unique bath allows you to feel a deep connection with the Shiretoko region.

Image: Booking.com

Image: Booking.com

The hotel is adjacent to Utoro Harbor, enabling you to enjoy seasonal views of the Sea of Okhotsk and the surrounding mountains. Foreign guests have left raving reviews, such as: “The view of the harbor and sea is just amazing!” and “The location is great!”

The area around the hotel is also great for exploring! Utoro Harbor and Oronko Rock are both highly recommended for strolls upon arrival or early in the morning.

Moreover, there are sightseeing boats and cruiser docks within walking distance! Kitakobushi Shiretoko Hotel & Resort is a great sightseeing base, as the Shiretoko Five Lakes are a mere 20-minute drive away, and the Shiretoko Pass is only a 25-minute drive.

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The “nature desk” in the lobby provides information on the Shiretoko area. Here you can also enjoy irregular slide-show presentations of Shiretoko’s nature! Many of the staff are said to be hard-core fans of the Shiretoko region, so don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations on where to visit!

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The guest room’s walnut brown interior gives it a modern and relaxed atmosphere. Most rooms have a view of the ocean, which enables you to take in the relaxing scenery and enjoy a leisurely stay! You can choose from single or twin rooms and Japanese-style or Western-style rooms. There are also options to book rooms with hot springs or open-air baths!

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“Terrace Dining Buffet Hane” offers a selection of 50 dishes at their Japanese and Western-style buffet! This buffet is a hit amongst guests of all ages! Dishes served from open kitchens can be enjoyed for both dinner and breakfast. Additional breakfast options include freshly-grilled French toast, and there is a range of decadent desserts such as gelato!

Hotel facilities and services include saunas, massages, and facial treatments. A playground is also available for families with children, and some hotel staff can speak English.

2: Chalet Ivy Hirafu: Enjoy the snow-covered Niseko Ski Resort at a luxury boutique hotel

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Chalet Ivy Hirafu is located in the heart of Niseko’s Hirafu area, renowned for its powdery snow. The hotel is nestled in the heart of Niseko’s iconic Mt. Yotei, and offers panoramic views of slopes covered in beautiful, powdery white! What’s more, it’s a mere 15-minute drive from JR Hirafu Station.

Image: Booking.com

Image: Booking.com

Enjoy a luxurious soak in the open-air bath with an exhilarating view of snow-capped mountains. The private hot springs are popular among foreign guests, as they offer a refined atmosphere and intimate views of powdery snow covering the outdoor rock garden!

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Unique and artistic interiors will stimulate your senses! Moreover, the spacious guest rooms offer varying and breathtaking scenery! This includes sweeping views of majestic Mt. Yotei and the Niseko Grand Hirafu Ski Resort. The natural interior design of the guest rooms compliments the beauty of the Niseko area.

Room types range from twin rooms, suites that can accommodate four to five guests, to penthouse suites that accommodate groups of up to eight adults. There are many options, no matter how many people are in your group!

Image: Booking.com

Image: Booking.com

The casual restaurant, “HirafuZaka,” offers a dinner filled with seasonal flavors! Dishes include grilled meals, salads, fried foods, and hot pot. There’s also a hearty breakfast menu, and a cozy bar you can enjoy in the evenings. You can even ask for a room with a small kitchenette when making a reservation!

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Chalet Ivy Hirafu is very close to the ski slopes and is a hit among foreign guests who enjoy skiing and snowboarding! Comments include, “The ski rental service was very efficient.” and “The shuttle service to the gondola lift was convenient.”

What’s more, the NAC Niseko Adventure Center, where numerous snow activities can be enjoyed, is only an eight-minute walk away. Staff speak English and Chinese.

3. Midorinokaze Resort Kitayuzawa: Watch the snow fall from a large open-air hot spring!

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Image: Booking.com

Kitayuzawa Onsen is a famous hot spring resort located in the center of Shikotsu-Toya National Park. Midorinokaze Resort Kitayuzawa is situated in the resort’s center, approximately a 35-minute bus ride from JR Date-Mombetsu Station. You can reserve a free shuttle service from JR Sapporo Station or a paid shuttle service from New Chitose Airport upon booking a stay!

Image: Booking.com

Image: Booking.com

Image: Booking.com

Enjoy a soak in the great outdoors at the large open-air bath surrounded by beautiful snow-covered virgin forests! There are also baths along outdoor decks and footbaths. The baths are beautifully illuminated at night, creating a fantastic atmosphere different from the daytime.

Foreign guests have commented, “It’s a spacious and comfortable hot spring resort with a great atmosphere. The open-air hot springs are wonderful, and there are so many options to choose from!” and “The open-air hot springs are truly amazing. They’re huge, with more than enough space for everyone! The baths blend well with the natural environment and stimulate all my senses.”

Image: Booking.com

Image: Booking.com

You can choose from Japanese and Western-style rooms that accommodate a range of stays! All rooms have a chic, quiet, and relaxing atmosphere. The top three floors were renovated in 2021 to include suites with open-air baths and rooms designed to cater to women.

Image: Booking.com

Image: Booking.com

Furthermore, you won’t be disappointed with the variety of dining options! Meal plans include “Morinokaze Saryo”, which serves kaiseki, a traditional Japanese multicourse meal; “ZEN,” which serves French and Italian cuisine inspired by a quaint inn in the forest; and “Seseragi,” which serves Japanese and Chinese cuisine buffet-style. From December to February, you can enjoy a buffet featuring yellowtail or cod from Uchiura Bay, Rusutsu pork, and local vegetables.

There are many attractions around the hotel-including the Osaru River! English-speaking staff are available.

4. Akan Yuku no Sato Tsuruga: Relax in a luxurious open-air hot spring bordering Lake Akan

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Image: Booking.com

Akan Onsen is the most famous hot spring resort in eastern Hokkaido. It is located on the banks of Lake Akan. Akan Yuku no Sato Tsuruga is a traditional hot spring inn that emphasizes Japanese hospitality and has the best that the Akan region offers.

The inn is an 80-minute bus ride from Kushiro Airport. In the vicinity is the World Heritage Site of Shiretoko, as well as Lake Mashu and Lake Kussharo.

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Image: Booking.com

Akan Onsen boasts baths with an abundance of high-temperature, high-quality spring water. A soak in the open-air baths will bring you to eye level with Lake Akan! What’s more, you can cool down with a refreshing breeze that blows through the surrounding mounds of snow. The baths offer a relaxing and peaceful experience and make you feel one with the nature of Lake Akan.

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Image: Booking.com

Guest rooms include Japanese-style rooms, Western-style rooms, and a Japanese-Western-style mix. Some guest rooms come with open-air baths and are larger for group stays-accommodating a wide range of guests!

The interiors also vary, with some implementing traditional Ainu designs inspired by Lake Akan, some blending traditional and modern styles, and some with traditional and peaceful color schemes. No matter how often you visit, you’ll never get bored with so many room choices!

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The main dining room, “Tenga,” offers a buffet featuring Western, Japanese, and Chinese cuisine! Many foreign guests were satisfied with their buffet experience, commenting: “It was nice to be able to choose from so many dishes, and the sushi was especially delicious!” and “The range of dishes is very nice!”. Other dining options include the Japanese restaurant, “Ryotei Kita Rikyu.”

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The inn’s interior is calming. We recommend enjoying views of beautiful winter fields from the common area, warmed by a fireplace. Moreover, there are many sightseeing spots around the hotel!

Lake Akan Ainu Kotan, one of the largest settlements in Hokkaido, is only 150 meters away, and Akandake Shrine is a mere ten-minute walk. Services are available in foreign languages such as English and Chinese.

5. Marukoma Onsen Ryokan: Enjoy a snowy secluded hot spring overlooking Lake Shikotsu

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Image: Booking.com

Marukoma Onsen Ryokan is a long-established traditional Japanese inn located on the banks of Lake Shikotsu-one of the clearest lakes in Japan. It’s around an hour’s drive from Sapporo City and about a 50-minute drive from New Chitose Airport.

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Marukoma Onsen Ryokan boasts hot spring water that flows freely from a natural spring source! Foreign visitors who’ve stayed at the inn have commented: “It’s a historic hot spring inn with wonderful views of the lake! It’s gorgeous. The open-air bath is located at the end of a secret, tree-shrouded path, and a soak here is blissful! It’s the best place to enjoy a traditional Japanese hot spring and regain peace of mind.”

Other comments include, “I love the open-air hot springs! It’s the nicest water I’ve ever bathed in”, and “My favorite experience was the outdoor baths right next to the lake. It’s open 24 hours a day, and the temperature is always just right”, “There’s an outdoor bath connected to the lake. The hot spring water is said to have beautifying effects, and the temperature is just right!” and “The outdoor, natural hot spring was great. There weren’t too many people, and the scenery was superb!”

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At night, warm lighting illuminates the grounds-allowing you to enjoy peaceful snowscapes. Soaking in warm waters and watching the beautiful snow will gently melt away your fatigue and worries!

Image: Booking.com

Image: Booking.com

The inn welcomes its guests with softly-lit rooms and refined spaces that enhance your traveling experience.
The beautiful guest rooms come in either Japanese style with traditional decor or Japanese-Western style rooms. Rooms also offer attractive views of either the surrounding lake or mountains!

Image: Booking.com

Image: Booking.com

Meals implement seasonal seafood and locally-grown vegetables. Kaiseki cuisine is served around a warm, open hearth, enabling you to enjoy a Lake Shikotsu specialty using kokanee salmon.

Foreign guests have commented, “Both breakfast and dinner were delicious!”, “Dinner was wonderful. Excellent value for the cost!” and “Dinner served a wide variety of Japanese dishes. Excellent service! Everything was delicious, and the ingredients were fresh!”

The area around the inn is blessed with beautiful nature such as Lake Shikotsu and Mt. Eniwa. Marukoma Onsen Ryokan is the perfect choice for guests who want to enjoy activities such as hiking and skiing.

A blanket of white, powdery snow covers Hokkaido during the winter. Soaking in warm waters while gazing at these beautiful snowscapes is a one-of-a-kind experience! Head to Japan’s northernmost prefecture for an extraordinary wintertime trip!

Text by: minna no kotoba sha

If your preferred hotel is fully booked, here are some other recommendations

Are the onsen ryokans and hotels with beautiful snow views in Hokkaido all booked up? Don’t worry!
Hokkaido still has plenty of other fantastic hotels where you can enjoy snow activities, not to mention many other charming, highly-rated stays.
Let’s find the perfect hotel that fits your travel style!

Hokkaido Hotels for Snow Activities

Top-Rated Hotels in Hokkaido

*This article has been rewritten as of August 2025 since its original posting in October 2022. Please check the official websites for the latest information.

Written by:

Minna no Kotoba Sha is a production company founded by an editor with extensive experience in editing local magazines in Sapporo. For over 20 years, our team has conducted research and written articles across Hokkaido, with Sapporo as our primary hub. Our diverse portfolio includes the production of various books such as travel guides, informational magazines, and collections showcasing the picturesque landscapes of Hokkaido. Comprised entirely of women, the team at Minna no Kotoba Sha boasts diverse interests, including a passion for travel, culinary delights, and alcoholic beverages. The scope of our communication efforts spans a wide range, covering everything from introducing notable restaurants to providing coverage of local events and sharing stories of leisure experiences.