OTARU KOURAKUEN -Extra Reports(5)-

Not only Otaru, but Hokkaido as a whole has many sightseeing spots that you should definitely stop by. Living in Japan, Hokkaido seems very large, but with the recent increase in inbound (tourists visiting Japan), many people go sightseeing from Otaru to other parts of Hokkaido.
Let us introduce some of Hokkaido's sightseeing spots.

Nikka Whisky's Yoichi distillery became more famous after it was the setting for NHK's morning TV series “Massan".
In addition to touring the distillery, visitors can enjoy tastings at the on-site restaurant.

Nikka Whisky's Yoichi distillery 1

Nikka Whisky's Yoichi distillery 2
Nikka Whisky's Yoichi distillery 3 Nikka Whisky's Yoichi distillery 4

Nikka Whisky's Yoichi distillery

There is also "Yamamoto Fruits Farm" in Yoichi, where you can enjoy seasonal fruits.
At the time of the interview, it was July, so cherries were at their peak.

Yamamoto Fruits Farm 1

Yamamoto Fruits Farm 2

Yamamoto Fruits Farm

Cape Kamui, located at the tip of Shakotan Penisula in Hokkaido, is a spot where visitors can feel the grandeur of nature. 80-meter cliffs of sea erosion extend toward the Sea of Japan.
There are also the ruins of a watchtower that was used to prepare for the arrival of the Russian fleet during the Russo-Japanese War.

Cape Kamui 1
Cape Kamui 2 Cape Kamui 3

Cape Kamui

"Farm Tomita" is famous for its lavender fields. The vast lavender fields are filled with the fragrance of lavender. There are also some special foods that can only be enjoyed here, such as soft-serve ice cream made from lavender.

Farm Tomita

Farm Tomita

The Panaromic Flower Garden, "Shikisai-no-oka” in Biei is also famous as a so-called "Instagrammable spot". Colorful flowers bloom along the gentle slope, as if a brilliant picture is painted on the earth as a campus.

Shikisai-no-oka 1
Shikisai-no-oka 2 Shikisai-no-oka 3
Shikisai-no-oka 4 Shikisai-no-oka 5

Shikisai-no-oka

"Shikisai-no-oka" has an alpaca farm on its site. You can even feed the alpacas by hand.

Alpaca Farm

Alpaca Farm

The "Blue Pond" in Biei is also attracting attention as an Instagrammable spot. The water in this pond contains a trace amount of aluminum, which is diffusely reflected, making it appear blue. The dead larch trees create a more fantastic atmosphere.

Blue Pond 1

Blue Pond 2

Blue Pond

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OTARU KOURAKUEN Travel Journal


Articles
Articles

Otaru City is relatively mild climate in Hokkaido. However, when compared to the climate of Tokyo, it is Hokkaido. In image, the impression is that there is a difference of almost one month each. Cherry blossoms are in full bloom from late April to early May. In August, after the Obon season, it gets cold all at once, especially at night. Otaru Kourakuen is located in Otaru Asarigawa Onsen, a 10-minute drive from the city center of Otaru. Moreover, it is blessed with a location just a minute or two from the Asari Interchange on the expressway that connects to Sapporo......

Private & Open-air Bath Reports
Private & Open-air Bath Reports

The private bath "Kokage-no-Ideyu" was newly built on July 21, 2007. The large windows create the semi-open-air bath atmosphere. The bath is located on the second floor and offers a view of the Japanese garden, the pride of the inn......

Facilities & Hot Spring Reports
Facilities & Hot Spring Reports

Otaru Asarigawa Onsen is located about 15 minutes by car in the southeast direction from the center of Otaru, one of Hokkaido's leading tourist cities. Although it is called a hot spring area, there are no more than 10 lodging facilities......

Guest Room Reports
Guest Room Reports

"Otaru Kourakuen" has 35 guest rooms on its vast grounds. Surrounded by a Japanese garden with many kinds of trees and plants, the inn has a unique appearance of being in the great nature that is typical of Hokkaido......

Cuisine Reports
Cuisine Reports

In July 2009, the restaurant Saryo Kanon was opened. Dinner at Otaru Kourakuen is basically served in a room for up to three people, except for guests using a Western-style room......

Extra Reports
Extra Reports

After the renovation of Kourakuen, a new "Select Store by the Landlady" was opened. The store, built in front of the main entrance of the main building, features works by local Otaru artists as well as special items that are also used at the inn......

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Keywords for this ryokan
Japanese garden spread over an area of 8,000 tsubo (approx. 6.5 Acres)
Various types of 28 guest rooms with open-air baths
Cuisine that offers the best of Hokkaido's seasonal ingredients
Esthetic course using Chinese herbal oil
Easy access to Otaru Canal and Yoichi Distillery

OTARU KOURAKUEN Basic Information

Accommodation Information

Check-In 3:00 p.m.
Check-Out 11:00 a.m.
Card usage Allowed
Room Views Garden
In-room Meal Dinner is basically served in the room for up to 3 persons except for guests using Western-style rooms.
Breakfast is served in the restaurant.
Dinner Japanese Kaiseki (partly in combination with French cuisine)
Breakfast Japanese-style meal

Room Rates ※Rates are for 1 person when 2 people stay in 1 room (tax not included)

Official website's online reservation benefits The most economical rates are available for reservations through official website.
3% discount for reservations made from the Official Website
Special Packages A special package for a reason♪ etc. Check theOfficial Website for details★
Western-style room (twin) (Max. 2 persons) From 26,400 yen ※Room "Icho" (2F) ※Twin bed room + Restroom
Japanese-style room (Max. 2-5 persons) From 33,000 yen ※Five rooms: "Kikyo", "Tsubaki", "Kashi", "Suzuran", and "Suisen" (all on 2F) ※10 tatami mats Japanese-style room + Veranda + Restroom
Japanese/Western style room with open-air bath (Max. 2-4 persons) From 44,500 yen ※Three rooms: "Karin", "Shirakaba", and "Hagi" (all on 1F) ※6 tatami mats Japanese-style room (dining table) + Twin bed room + Wooden room + Open-air bath + Shower room + Restroom
Barrier-free room with open-air bath (Max. 2-4 persons) From 44,500 yen ※Two rooms: "Momiji" and "Keyaki" (both on 1F) ※6 tatami mats Japanese-style room (dining table) + Twin bed room + Wooden room + Open-air bath + Shower room + Restroom
Japanese-style room with open-air bath (Max. 2-4 persons) From 44,500 yen ※11 rooms in total: "Kaede", "Katsura", "Ayame", "Sumire", "Fuji", "Kiku", "Yanagi", "Popura", "Take" (1F), "Nire", "Kobushi" (2F) ※10 tatami mats Japanese-style room + Indoor veranda + Open-air bath + Shower room + Restroom
Maisonette room with open-air bath (Max. 2-4 persons) From 44,500 yen ※Eight rooms: "Ume", "Matsu", "Hinoki", "Hiba", "Aoi", "Akashiya", "Sugi", and "Tsutsuji" (all on 2F) ※10 tatami mats Japanese-style room + Indoor veranda + After-bath living room + Open-air bath + Shower room + Restroom
Room with open-air bath and second room (Max. 2-6 persons) From 46,750 yen ※Two rooms: "Hamanasu" and "Tsukimisou" (both on 2F) ※10 tatami mats Japanese-style room + 9 Ryukyu tatami mats second room + Wooden floor + Veranda + Open-air bath + Shower room + Restroom
Special room with open-air bath (Max. 2-6 persons) From 50,050 yen ※Two rooms: "Tamo" and "Kiri" (both on 2F) ※10-12 tatami mats Japanese-style room + Twin bed room + Wooden floor + Veranda + Open-air bath + Shower room + Restroom

Facility Information

Establishment / Reconstruction Established: 1957 / Reconstructed: 1992 / Renovated: 2010
Partially new constructed: 2016
Number of Rooms All 34 rooms / Guest room with open-air bath: 28 rooms (25 Japanese style rooms and 3 Japanese/Western style rooms)
General guest rooms: 6 rooms (Japanese-style 5 rooms, Western-style 1 room)
Number of People Accommodated 160 persons
Private bath ・Private bath ×1 ・Open-air baths in room ×28
Bath Information Guest room open-air baths, Open-air baths, Public baths for men and women, Private bath "Kokage-no-Ideyu"
Parking Area 30 cars
Pets Not allowed
Barrier Free Two rooms: "Momiji" and "Keyaki"
Esthetics / Massages Face esthetics: From 6,000 yen (tax not included) ※Not available for men only
Internet Wi-Fi available on all floors
DVD Available
TV Channels NHK: 2 stations, Private Broadcasting: 5 stations
Facilities Lounge, Tea room, Esthetic salon, Smoking room, Banquet hall, Finnish sauna, Kanon cafe
Vending Machine Beer and juice
Sales shop Available

Private bath Information

For overnight stay Private bath "Kokage-no-Ideyu" : 2,000 yen (tax not included) / 45 min.
Usage hours ①3:30-4:15 p.m.
②4:45-5:30 p.m.
③6:00-6:45 p.m.
④8:00-8:45 p.m.
⑤9:15-10:00 p.m.
⑥10:30-11:15 p.m.
⑦7:30-8:15 a.m. (next morning)
⑧8:45-9:30 a.m.
⑨10:00-10:45 a.m. ※Limited to 9 groups
How to reserve Reserve at check-in

Private Day Trip Hot Spring Information

Charges Private bath "Kokage-no-Ideyu" : 2,000 yen (tax not included) / 45 min. ※Additional bathing fee: Adult 800 yen, Child 400 yen (tax included)
Usage hours ①12:00(noon)-12:45 p.m. ②1:15-2:00 p.m. ※Limited to 2 groups per day
Others

Bath Facility Information

Private bath "Kokage-no-Ideyu" ※If a window is opened, it is a half-open-air bath. There is a lounge.
View of private bath Garden
Other baths Public open-air baths for men and women / Sauna

Room Information (Amenities)

Refrigerator System Report only what you use (with space for drinks you bring in)
Freezer No
Drinks in the refrigerator Beer, juice

Other Service / Rental Information / Extra Information

Wheelchair Wheelchair-accessible guest rooms / Entrance slope / Stairway and passageway handrails / Free wheelchairs for rent
Child
Foreign Languages English / Chinese

Extra Information

Recommended Souvenirs
Nearby Convenience Store 1 min. walk (Seicomart)
Cellular Antennas ◎docomo ◎au ◎softbank

Amenities

Yukata Bath towels
Towels Soap
Body wash Shampoo
Conditioner Rinse in shampoo ×
Shower cap Toothbrush
Hair dryer Brush
Comb Razor blade
Cotton bud Toilet with washer

OTARU KOURAKUEN Hot spring Information

Spring quality Weak Alkaline Simple Hot Springs (Hypotonic, Weak Alkaline, Low-temperature springs)
Hydrogen ion pH 8.4
Total dissolved substances (excluding gases) 404mg / kg
Temperature of the source 27.4℃
Gushing of the source Private source of power pumping hot water (pumped from 500 m underground)
Output rate 60ℓ / per min.
Add water / Circulation Filtration Some yes
※45 minutes of the one-hour period is circulation only, but for 15 minutes, new hot spring water is poured into the bathtub at the same time (combined use of source and circulation/filtration) ※Basically, it is 100% spring water from the source without addition of water, but a few percent of the spring water on the premises is used when changing the hot water
Water heating Yes (Details: Heating circulation)
Sterilization of bath Yes (Details: Chlorine sterilization during cleaning)
Replacement of hot water in bathtub Once a week
Bath Additive No using
Indications by Spring Quality (Revised on July 1, 2014) Autonomic instability, Insomnia, Depression
General Indications for Bathing (Revised on July 1, 2014) Chronic pain or stiffness of muscles or joints (chronic phase of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lower back pain, neuralgia, frozen shoulder, bruises, sprains, etc.), muscle stiffness in motor paralysis, excessive sensitivity to cold, peripheral nerve disorder, decline of gastrointestinal function (slow digestion, intestinal gas formation, etc.), mild high blood pressure, impaired glucose tolerance (diabetes), mild hypercholesterolemia, mild asthma or emphysema, hemorrhoid pain, autonomic instability, various symptoms from stress (sleep disorders, depression, etc.),convalescence stage of illness, recovery from fatigue, promotion of health.
Color of water Almost clear and colorless
For drinking Cannot
Indications for drinking
Smell / Taste Tasteless and odorless
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OTARU KOURAKUEN Access & Nearby Information

Access

By train ●From JR New Chitose Airport Station
Take the rapid airport train bound for Otaru (approx. 80 min.) →JR Otaru Chikko Station Approx. 10 min. by cab after train.
●From JR Sapporo Station
Take the rapid train bound for Otaru (approx. 30 min.) →JR Otaru Chikko Station Approx. 10 min. by cab after train.
Shuttle bus None
By car Approximately 60 minutes from New Chitose Airport (from Chitose IC to Asazato IC on the Hokkaido Expressway)
Approximately 40 minutes from Sapporo (to Asazato IC on the Hokkaido Expressway)
Approximately 1 minute from the Asazato IC of the Sapporo Expressway

Nearby Information

Nearby Sightseeing Spots Otaru Canal
Recreation (tourist farms, parks, etc.) Tourist farms around the city, Otaru Aquarium
Sports Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort, Sapporo Golf Club, Otaru Country Club
Staff messages Messages from President Yoneyama: Customers often tell us that they are surprised to discover such a green ryokan just outside the city center of Otaru.
Please enjoy and relax while listening to the sound of birds playing in the garden and the sound of the waterfall.

Publication ・ Update information

Publication Date May 2016
Information Updated June 2024

※When making a reservation, please mention that you saw "kashikiri-onsen.com"

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Comments from guests who stayed at this inn
30's Female, Ms. S

Living in Sapporo

This was my fifth time staying at this inn and the last time was a year and a half, still the same warm hospitality and relaxed family time. The food was very satisfying. The bath was wonderful and we would like to come back again on another visit.

Room "Aoi" where guests stayed

30's Female, Ms. A

Living in Tokyo

We invited our parents to celebrate our one year old son. We will never forget the way the staff took care of our one year old son. Thank you very much for your hospitality. We would like to stay here again.

Room "Kashi" where guests stayed

40's Female, Ms. B

Living in Hakodate

The food was very good. The interior of the Japanese ryokan was very nice. The person who guided us to the room was lovely and made a good impression.

Room "Icho" where guests stayed

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Article creator of this ryokan

CEO of Onsen.com Co.,Ltd.

For more than 30 years, he has been visiting hot spring ryokans all over Japan, persuading innkeepers of the need for "private baths". He is still a traveler who spends half of the year at a hot spring. In addition to being a article creater, photographer, and drone pilot, he also designs websites and provides consulting services.