HOKUTEN NO OKA Lake Abashiri Tsuruga Resort

What People are saying

Toasted marshmallow, harp music, onsen, food -- EXQUISITE

alohatripperon 07/11/2017 02:27

Oct 18
The tallest building in the area, this onsen hotel is not exactly lakeside. I rented a bicycle to see the lake from the Yobito fishing pier. It took about 10 min. On the way I spotted a red fox cross in front of me.
We all enjoyed the luxurious room appointments, such as the double sink, sofa and easy chair, tatami "rug," big picture window, and size. We are in room #535 at $342/night.
For dinner we chose the Japanese set upgrade over the buffet option. In a private room setting, we enjoyed Hokkaido's best seafood including snow crab. After a wonderful dinner, we sneaked a look at the buffet and got a cup of delicious soft serve. We took our prize cups into the lounge where seats encircled the fireplace. Matcha ice cream was served during the breakfast. Hokkaido's dairy products are not to be missed.
Both my wife and I used the onsens. I was alone in the men's onsen. It is so beautifully laid out with rocks lining the perimeter.
Not until we were departing did I see the enclosed foot bath. I would not have missed that except for the time.
This is an exceptional onsen hotel high on my list.

Exquisite experience (Hotel, Onsen, service)

Genevieve Lon 15/10/2017 11:42

We are not exactly used to the public onsens in hotels in Japan and booked at Hokuten no Oka Laks Abashiri Tsuruga Hotel their Japanese style room with private outdoor bath.
Gotta say that having stayed at various such rooms in Japan, this is tops!
The room was large with a private semi enclosed area with western mattress on tatami, a Japanese style sitting area, not to mention a nice area (beside the glassed outdoor area) a massage chair with music and CDs, and a very cosy outdoor bath tub and outdoor area with greenery.
The service upon reaching the hotel (we parked our car instead of driving into the lobby driveway to drop off our luggage but bell boy wheeled the luggage cart all the way to our car to load our luggage) right to entering the floor for private rooms and attention given to every amenities in the room (coffee machine, tea, welcome dessert, music) and well designed layout gave us a sense of luxurious enjoyment for each of us.
The bedroom package we got came with Japanese-French ala carte cuisine and food was exquisite. Thanks to Hokuten we got to taste Japanese-French food though our original preference would have been a Japanese kaiseke dinner.
The only teething issue we experienced was the wifi is not avail in the hotel room and restaurant (though avail in the rest of the hotel).
I rate this hotel full marks in: hotel room, private dining Restaurant, service, facilities. If this hotel is right on the lake or had views of the lake, the experience would have been sublime.
All in all, a great experience.... Would highly recommend this hotel and the bedroom package, if u like to pamper yourself.

A little disappointed

tpan916on 28/08/2017 19:34

We stayed at this hotel in May during our trip to eastern Hokkaido. The service, room, and onsen are all great. The only disappointment is related to dinner. Our package includes a dinner buffet. However, we are very disappointed about the food it serves. The variety is limited. The only thing we like is the hot pot. Dessert selection is terrible as well. Being located in Abashiri, we thought they would have more seafood dishes. Maybe our expectation is too high because it is a Tsuruga hotel.

The hotel is on top of a hill; there are no shops within walking distance. It may be inconvenient for travelers who don't have a car.

A truly exceptional hotel

Magnus Gon 20/08/2017 19:28

This hotel, located on the outskirts of Abashiri is modern and quirky at the same time. Our room was of Japanese/Ainu design but with western beds, relatively spacious and really clean and comfortable over all.
The food was truly excellent, huge buffet both for breakfast and dinner, offering everything from sushi and hot pot to Italian pasta dishes.
The Onsen area was amazing, it was true bliss putting on a "Japanese gown" and walk down to the bath and just relax. There are pools of different temperatures and sizes and an indoor part as well. A lounge area outside with an open fire and free marshmallows to roast is a nice and cozy bonus!

The only slight downside is the WiFi network that doesn't work that well, your beat chance of getting a signal is in the reception area, in our room we got nothing. This should be s minor issue though, since this a place to stay and relax and forget about the digital world for a while!

An excellent combination of modern with tradition spa resort

ahleongsanon 19/07/2017 03:19

This is our last stop in Hokkaido before flying off to Tokyo. Our agent made an excellent choice for us to enjoy Hokkaido at one of its best resorts. From check in to dinner to checkout, everyone and everything were great.
Going to our rooms was an experience by itself. We had to leave our shoes at the lobby entrance to our rooms. There are lockers to leave our shoes and sandals as replacements. The long corridor to the rooms was dust free and well decorated with traditional and modern pieces of art.
The room is very spacious with a parlor and also a massage chair! I was pleasantly surprised that though we were on the second level yet there was a outdoor garden in front of the onsen!
Both dinner and breakfast were excellent and we looked forward to our return.