OTARU KOURAKUEN -Extra Reports（6）-
In Shinshinotsu Village (Shinshinotsu-mura), you can fish for wakasagi (pond smelt) in Lake Shinotsu.
It may sound cold, but you will not have to worry too much since the area is separated by tents and a stove is provided inside. The wakasagi you catch will be cooked for you at the restaurant next to the lake, and you can enjoy them.
Wakasagi Fishing in Lake Shinotsu
Shikaribetsuko Kotan in the Tokachi region is a spot where visitors can fully enjoy the Hokkaido winter.
There is a kamakura (a small snow house) on the frozen lake. It is said to be especially popular with foreign tourists from warm countries.
There is also a bar made of ice (“Iguru” building), which looks like something out of “Frozen”. Cocktails are served in glasses made of ice.
Shikaribetsuko Kotan
Not only is the ice bar a specialty here, but the open-air bath on ice is also famous.
The hot spring water, which is brown in color, gushes out from the lakeside, and the amount of water injected is delicately adjusted so that the bathtub is 42 to 43 °C.
The baths are surrounded by ice, which makes the experience of bathing in the baths even more special.Be careful when bathing, though, as the extreme cold temperatures can cause a surge in blood flow and strain the blood vessels.
Shikaribetsuko Ice Open-air Bath
The Tsurui-Ito Tancho Sanctuary is also highly recommended.
The tancho was once respected by the Ainu people as sarurun kamui (god of the marshlands), but was once thought to have become extinct due to overhunting since the Meiji era.
Since then, more than 20 birds have been discovered, and protection efforts are underway in cooperation with the public and private sectors.
Feeding is conducted here from November to March, when food tends to be scarce. A maximum of nearly 400 tancho can be spotted here.
Tancho
How about taking an icebreaker in Abashiri?
The Abashiri Drift Ice Sightseeing Ship "Aurora" pushes the drift ice away from the ship as it goes. Because it is a large ship, it is stable with little swaying.
Abashiri Drift Ice Sightseeing Ship "Aurora"
Drift ice
For those who wish to experience drift ice more directly, how about the "Drift Ice Walk"? This tour is offered by Shinra (Shiretoko Tourist).
You can actually go into the sea, but since you wear a special dry suit over your clothes for the drift ice walk, you will not feel the cold at all.
Drift Ice Walk
OTARU KOURAKUEN Travel Journal
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
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
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
"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
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
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......
| Keywords for this ryokan | |||
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| 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 |
| Check-In | 3:00 p.m. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 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. |
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| Dinner | Japanese Kaiseki (partly in combination with French cuisine) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Breakfast | Japanese-style meal | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 |
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| 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 | ||
| Establishment / Reconstruction | Established: 1957 / Reconstructed: 1992 / Renovated: 2010 Partially new constructed: 2016 |
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| 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) |
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| 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 | ||
| For overnight stay | Private bath "Kokage-no-Ideyu" : 2,000 yen (tax not included) / 45 min. | ||
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| 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 |
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| How to reserve | Reserve at check-in | ||
| 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) | ||
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| Usage hours | ①12:00(noon)-12:45 p.m. ②1:15-2:00 p.m. ※Limited to 2 groups per day | ||
| Others | － | ||
| Private bath | "Kokage-no-Ideyu" ※If a window is opened, it is a half-open-air bath. There is a lounge. | ||
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| View of private bath | Garden | ||
| Other baths | Public open-air baths for men and women / Sauna | ||
| Refrigerator System | Report only what you use (with space for drinks you bring in) | ||
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| Freezer | No | ||
| Drinks in the refrigerator | Beer, juice | ||
| Wheelchair | Wheelchair-accessible guest rooms / Entrance slope / Stairway and passageway handrails / Free wheelchairs for rent | ||
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| Child | － | ||
| Foreign Languages | English / Chinese | ||
| Recommended Souvenirs | － | ||
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| Nearby Convenience Store | 1 min. walk (Seicomart) | ||
| Cellular Antennas | ◎docomo | ◎au | ◎softbank |
| 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 | ◎ |
| Spring quality | Weak Alkaline Simple Hot Springs (Hypotonic, Weak Alkaline, Low-temperature springs) | ||
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| 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 |
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| 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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| 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. |
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| 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 |
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| Nearby Sightseeing Spots | Otaru Canal | ||
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| 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. |
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| Publication Date | May 2016 | ||
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| Information Updated | June 2024 | ||
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※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. 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
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.
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