Akan Tsuruga Bessou HINANOZA

Location: 2-8-1 Akanko-onsen Akan, Kushiro-cho, Kushiro, Hokkaido, 088-0660, Kushiro, JP

Star Rating: 4 Stars

Property Type: Resorts

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 02:00 PM - 07:00 PM

Check-out: 11:00 AM

Amenities & Facilities

• Free breakfast
• Boat tours nearby
• Free WiFi
• 24-hour front desk
• Luggage storage
• Concierge service
• Elevator
• Gift shops or newsstand
• Shopping on site
• Downhill skiing nearby
• Bicycle rentals nearby
• Hiking/biking trails nearby
• Library
• Free breakfast
• Safe-deposit box at front desk
• Free newspapers in lobby
• Snowmobiling nearby
• Smoke-free property
• Snowboarding nearby
• Ecotours nearby
• Tours/ticket assistance
• Free self parking
• Free valet parking
• Boat tours nearby
• Free breakfast (local cuisine)
• Kaiseki meal
• Fishing nearby
• Mountain climbing nearby

Rooms Available

• MORI no ZA - Standard Suite with private hot spring (Forest View)

  1 Twin Futon OR 2 Twin Beds

  657-sq-foot individually decorated room, balcony with city views

  
  

  Layout - Bedroom

  Relax - Outdoor private hot tub and indoor private hot springs (onsen); in-room massage available

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - 32-inch HDTV, digital channels, and DVD player

  Food & Drink - Refrigerator, free minibar items, coffee/tea maker, and electric kettle

  Sleep - Premium bedding, blackout drapes/curtains, and bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, spring water bathtub and separate shower

  Practical - Safe, free newspaper, and desk

  Comfort - Climate-controlled air conditioning, daily housekeeping, and geta (wooden sandals)

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Safety deposit box
  • TV
  • Hair dryer
  • Bathrobe
  • Refrigerator
  • Desk
  • DVD player
  • Private bathroom
  • Slippers
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Bidet
  • Bottle of water
  • Free newspaper
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Premium bedding
  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • In-room massage available
  • Separate bathtub and shower
  • HDTV
  • Free WiFi
  • Partially open bathroom
  • Private spa tub
  • Separate bedroom
  • Spring water bathtub
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Toilet with electronic bidet
  • Geta (wooden sandals)
  • Outdoor private mineral hot springs (Japanese-style onsen)
  • Indoor private mineral hot springs (Japanese-style onsen)
  • Private spa tub (outdoor)

• KASUMI no ZA - Luxury Suite with private hot spring (Forest View) (In-Room Kaiseki Dinner included)

  3 Twin Futons

  700-sq-foot individually decorated room with a balcony

  
  

  Relax - Outdoor private hot tub and indoor private hot springs (onsen); in-room massage available

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - 32-inch LCD TV, digital channels, and DVD player

  Food & Drink - Refrigerator, free minibar items, coffee/tea maker, and electric kettle

  Sleep - Premium bedding, blackout drapes/curtains, and bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, spring water bathtub and separate shower

  Practical - Safe, free newspaper, and desk

  Comfort - Climate-controlled air conditioning, daily housekeeping, and geta (wooden sandals)

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Safety deposit box
  • TV
  • Hair dryer
  • Bathrobe
  • Refrigerator
  • Desk
  • DVD player
  • Private bathroom
  • Slippers
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Bidet
  • Bottle of water
  • Free newspaper
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Premium bedding
  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • In-room massage available
  • Separate bathtub and shower
  • HDTV
  • Free WiFi
  • Partially open bathroom
  • Private spa tub
  • Spring water bathtub
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Toilet with electronic bidet
  • Geta (wooden sandals)
  • Outdoor private mineral hot springs (Japanese-style onsen)
  • Indoor private mineral hot springs (Japanese-style onsen)
  • Private spa tub (outdoor)

• KAZE no ZA - Superior Suite with private hot spring (Forest View)

  1 Twin Futon OR 2 Twin Beds

  657-sq-foot room with city views

  
  

  Layout - Bedroom and living room

  Relax - Outdoor private hot tub and indoor private hot springs (onsen); in-room massage available

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - 32-inch HDTV, digital channels, and DVD player

  Food & Drink - Refrigerator, free minibar items, coffee/tea maker, and electric kettle

  Sleep - Premium bedding, blackout drapes/curtains, and bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, spring water bathtub and separate shower

  Practical - Safe, free newspaper, and desk

  Comfort - Climate-controlled air conditioning, daily housekeeping, and geta (wooden sandals)

  Accessibility - Wheelchair accessible

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Safety deposit box
  • TV
  • Hair dryer
  • Bathrobe
  • Refrigerator
  • Desk
  • DVD player
  • Private bathroom
  • Slippers
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Bidet
  • Bottle of water
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Free newspaper
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Premium bedding
  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • In-room massage available
  • Separate bathtub and shower
  • HDTV
  • Free WiFi
  • Partially open bathroom
  • Private spa tub
  • Separate bedroom
  • Spring water bathtub
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Toilet with electronic bidet
  • Geta (wooden sandals)
  • Outdoor private mineral hot springs (Japanese-style onsen)
  • Indoor private mineral hot springs (Japanese-style onsen)
  • Wheelchair-width doorways
  • Private spa tub (outdoor)

• UMI no ZA - Deluxe Suite with private hot spring (Lake View)

  1 Twin Futon OR 2 Twin Beds

  947-sq-foot room with lake views

  
  

  Layout - Bedroom, living room, and dining area

  Relax - Outdoor private hot tub and indoor private hot springs (onsen); in-room massage available

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - 32-inch HDTV, digital channels, and DVD player

  Food & Drink - Refrigerator, free minibar items, coffee/tea maker, and electric kettle

  Sleep - Premium bedding, blackout drapes/curtains, and bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, spring water bathtub and separate shower

  Practical - Safe, free newspaper, and desk

  Comfort - Climate-controlled air conditioning, daily housekeeping, and geta (wooden sandals)

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Safety deposit box
  • TV
  • Hair dryer
  • Bathrobe
  • Refrigerator
  • Desk
  • DVD player
  • Private bathroom
  • Slippers
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Bidet
  • Bottle of water
  • Free newspaper
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Premium bedding
  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • In-room massage available
  • Separate bathtub and shower
  • Separate dining area
  • HDTV
  • Free WiFi
  • Partially open bathroom
  • Private spa tub
  • Separate bedroom
  • Spring water bathtub
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Toilet with electronic bidet
  • Geta (wooden sandals)
  • Outdoor private mineral hot springs (Japanese-style onsen)
  • Indoor private mineral hot springs (Japanese-style onsen)
  • Private spa tub (outdoor)

• AMA no ZA - Premier Suite with private hot spring (Lake View)

  1 Twin Futon OR 2 Twin Beds

  1076-sq-foot room with lake views

  
  

  Layout - Bedroom, living room, and dining area

  Relax - Outdoor private hot tub and indoor private hot springs (onsen); in-room massage available

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - 32-inch HDTV, digital channels, and DVD player

  Food & Drink - Refrigerator, free minibar items, coffee/tea maker, and electric kettle

  Sleep - Premium bedding, blackout drapes/curtains, and bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, spring water bathtub and separate shower

  Practical - Safe, free newspaper, and desk

  Comfort - Climate-controlled air conditioning, daily housekeeping, and geta (wooden sandals)

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 5 (5 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Safety deposit box
  • TV
  • Hair dryer
  • Bathrobe
  • Refrigerator
  • Desk
  • DVD player
  • Private bathroom
  • Slippers
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Bidet
  • Bottle of water
  • Free newspaper
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Premium bedding
  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • In-room massage available
  • Separate bathtub and shower
  • Separate dining area
  • HDTV
  • Free WiFi
  • Partially open bathroom
  • Private spa tub
  • Separate bedroom
  • Spring water bathtub
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Toilet with electronic bidet
  • Geta (wooden sandals)
  • Outdoor private mineral hot springs (Japanese-style onsen)
  • Indoor private mineral hot springs (Japanese-style onsen)
  • Private spa tub (outdoor)

Guest Reviews

• Young Seok (10/5): - Fantastique service and food
• shuichi (10/5): - 従業員のサービスも、心遣いも良く最高のホテルでした。
• yoshikazu (10/5): - Excellent service. Staffs are very friendly and provided uncompromising service. Would stay again and definitely recommend to my friends and family
• Kim Chah (8/5): - We enjoyed very much , very nice n comfortable.
• Jessica (10/5): - Our stay was absolutely amazing the staff went over and above the best ryokan experience we have had and will cherish forever
• Justin (10/5): Worth staying at! - Highly recommend this hotel. Staff were super helpful and the food was delicious. Onsen facilities were impeccable and the rooms were large and comfortable
• Chikako (8/5): - ご飯も美味しく、岩盤浴もお風呂も何度も入りました。お夜食、オールインクルーシブのバー、全て満喫しました。スタッフの方も親切で、とても良い時間を過ごせました！ありがとうございました！ 何度目かの宿泊で、朝食の海苔が大好きでしたが、 以前の高級ノリではない気がしたのが残念でした。
• michaeljinnyc (6/5): Leaves much to be desired - Stayed at the hotel for three nights. The lake was fine should weather permit, but lacks adventurous activities. Can’t swim in it, drive any boat by yourself and even canoe rentals have to be accompanied… We went on a guided speedboat twice which was cheap and fun. The service at the hotel isn’t great across the board. Most of the local employees were cold and aloof, like they were doing us a favor by letting us stay here, spoke no English and didn’t try. One said “I don’t know” in Japanese and no then hung up the phone. Some ladies at the front desk were very kind and always remembered our room number. Foreign staff were amateur and ignored/misunderstood many of my requests. For example, saying that there were no canoe rentals on the lake which turned out there was and being overly intrusive at dinner. Stayed at about 10+ just this year and the service here sits in the bottom. One Southeast Asian waitress that unfortunately served most of our meals mafe us feel very uncomfortable. She spoke poor english, talked way too much and was quite rude. Food was initially supurb, but kept declining night after night. Still extremely innovative within the constraints of Kaiseki cuisine. Breakfast had free flowing portions of salmon roe which is great if you like it. Very generous too with all kinds of alcohol free at dinner and later at the lobby lounge. Onsen facilities were excellent with a unique stone sauna where you put on a towel dress and lay on the stone on another towel and never crowded. The town was depressing and only one main street long, everything except souvenior shops was closed during our time and restaurants all seemed like cafeterias. We never had lunch. Rooms, albeit standard was spacious and very well-maintained and designed. Had very nice stereo tower speakers connected to a CD player, with jazz CDs beside it. Three nights, which I booked is too lengthy even for the lake. There’s only a short path to walk along the lake and a small unpleasant forest trail. Not to mention we arrived from on a propeller powered plane which was the scariest flight of my life and I love to fly. A car is a must here if you don’t want to pay the $100+ cab ride from/to Kushiro airport. What’s interesting is that service magically improved on the third day of my stay. I’ve had employees gawk/stare at me before and especially male ones never smiled.
• Mizuki (10/5): - 何回泊まっても素晴らしいと思える宿です！
• MIE (10/5): One of my favorite ryokan! - Great service, great food, and great Onsen! They even arranged breakfast alternative for giving us access to other Tsuruga hotel to get western style breakfast
• Verified traveler (10/5): Hospitality and amenities with amazing food - This hotel, their staff, the food and the surrounding area make it an absolute must go to if you’re in the area. Not to mention the indigenous, Ainu village and Illumination Forest adventure, Boat trip and Everything else. Driving over from the airport we saw foxes, deer and a TSURU or crane in the wild. Not to mention the area has some of the best seafood, dairy and veggies around. Do I even have to mention that it’s a hot spa hotel so it was so luxurious And all the food and drinks are included. It really is fantastic.
• Ting Fan (10/5): - Excellent environment and facilities for onsen plus relaxation. Staff is friendly from front desk to concierge to dining! Marvellous feeling of being respected as a family!
• ?? (10/5): - 全て素晴らしいと思います。 ぜひ一度利用してみては？
• Maria (10/5): One night-stay - The hotel was absolutely fantastic! We were greeting outside the hotel, they carried our bags to our room and we were asked to relax with some tea and creme brulee. The meals were excellent and so tasty, a huge experience. Everything was perfect!
• ?? (8/5): - 素晴らしい宿です
• Chat_BlissEvent (10/5): Best Ryokan experience in Japan - This is the most beautiful place on all Japan trip in Hokkaido and I feel so luckily that we stayed here. People and place are a truly Japanese tradition with high quality of food and beverage. Bath room amenities are so good and they also offer free minibar. View from our room is so nice with full lake view, we stayed at 5th floor. Huge room with plenty space for you to enjoy here and there. Private onsen is so good and I love doing that every morning and evening.
• KI-NRT (10/5): Superb room, Onsen and food in a wonderful (but not too crowded) tourist area - We spent two nights at this property earlier this month, as Akanko (i.e. Lake Akan) has a variety of things to do and we wanted to make the most of our time there. The Lake Akan area of Eastern Hokkaido is blessed with some of the country's most incredible natural environments including old-growth forests, a pristine lake, scenic mountains, mud volcanoes and the Marimo, a unique and unusual freshwater green algae that is shaped like a green ball and which can grow to about the size of a volleyball. There is also a cultural element to the area, as Ainu Kotan is one of Hokkaido's largest Ainu (indigenous people) settlements with roughly 130 individuals calling the place home. Aino Kotan has a main strip that has a variety of stores selling Ainu handicrafts as well as restaurants serving traditional Ainu cuisine. There is also a museum and a performing arts center, giving visitors the opportunity to enjoy a variety of Ainu performing arts. You can also reserve a private guided tour with an Ainu descendent who you will follow through a pretty forest while he/she explains how the Ainu used to live. Akan Tsuruga Besso Hinanoza (that's its full name) is a luxury ryokan established in 2004 by the Tsuruga Group, and is just steps away from the lake shore. It's ideally situated - almost everything we wanted to experience (Ainu Village, Lake cruise, hiking, shopping) is within short walking distance from the ryokan. That said, the entire town is clustered in a small area along the South shore of the lake, so wherever you stay, it's going to be convenient. The property is in a nondescript 7-story building, although it's in pretty good shape from the outside (which is not the case with many older ryokans of this type.) Inside, in the common areas there are a variety of wood carvings that are on display; the indigenous Ainu are renowned for their woodworking skills, the displays are a wonderful tribute to the local Ainu artisans. Of the 25 rooms at Hinanoza, 4 of them are Tokubetsu-shitsu ("Special") units that are 110m² in size, and are denoted as Ama no Za Suite. Our Tokubetsu-shitsu was on the 6th floor (the highest floor among guest rooms), and was named the Hina no Za (#601.) As is the case with most suites at top ryokans, it featured a living room, a tatami room and a separate bedroom. The decor and furnishings were Japanese-contemporary and of high quality - the hard product was fantastic overall. The Onsen bath is located on the deck, and is free-flowing and not recirculated... perfect. As was the case with Sanyoan, our Special room had two toilets in different areas of the Suite, although - curiously - featured only one sink. Mrs. KI-NRT would take that trade-off any day of the week. Hinanoza does have the obligatory Daiyokujo (gender-segregated communal Onsen bath), but given that every room here has en-suite Onsen, the vast majority of guests will never leave the comforts of their room. It was empty every time we took a peak in the Daiyokujo. All meals are served in private dining rooms for each group of guests, although on one occasion they could not accommodate our dinner time preference, which was a bummer. On the bright side, the kaiseki cuisine was terrific. The kitchen did a wonderful job bringing out the goodness of the locally source ingredients, including Okra, Butterbur, Mountain Yam, Corn (very sweet!), Squash and Bamboo Shoots, as well as Salmon, Trout, Whelk and Sea Urchin on the seafood side. Hokkaido beef is better known for its quantity rather than quality, but the charcoal-grilled Kuroge Wagyu that they served was almost at the level of more renowned beef varieties such as Hida and Matsusaka. Breakfast was equally inspiring. Rather than the typical stuff - miso soup, some fish, rice, pickled vegetables and tofu - they went out of their way to serve them in a creative way, again focusing on Hokkaido-sourced ingredients. One of the highlights on both mornings was the Ikura (salmon roe.) We're not strangers to Ikura, but the ones they serve at Hinanoza are never frozen and have no preservatives. We had no idea that Ikura could be so plump, firm and delightful. I usually try to lay off heavy carbs, but I made an exception here and had two helpings of rice with heaps of Ikura on top. It was sublime. Service was fine, but not exactly a highlight. I'm guessing it has to do with the ryokan not being family owned; compared to top ryokans, the approach was formulaic and a bit less personalized. They tended to our every needs (which were very few), but the staff didn't seem to wear pride and the Omotenashi ethos on their sleeves. No matter - everything worked like clockwork, our (rather infrequent) needs were dealt with efficiently and there were no service failures to speak of. We really dug Lake Akan, and Hinanoza did nothing but to add luster to the experiences that we had there.
• Janice (10/5): - The service here was impeccable. Appreciate the hospitality of the staff.
• toshihide (10/5): - 最高
• Tsz Chun (10/5): - 服務很好 整家酒店都不錯 就是有點偏 適合自駕人士
• Li-Hao (10/5): - 還是會繼續住宿並介紹親友
• Yvonne (10/5): - 一間用心經營的酒店，酒店設計雅緻，私人風呂温泉很好，懷石料理和早餐不錯，下次去阿寒湖必訂此酒店
• IVY (6/5): 一間不會再試的酒店 - 房間很凍，幾乎沒有暖氣，後來職員上來我們房開了暖氣機，但是吹出來的不是暖氣，而係東風感覺很不舒服，後來他們把一個暖爐放進房裏，但依然唔夠暖，離開酒店就生病了 食物方面也不怎麼好，炸的食物特別硬，口感不好, 也不新鮮, 送餐又超級慢，最好食是宵夜的腐皮壽司
• Verified traveler (8/5): また釧路に行く機会があれば、絶対泊まりたい旅館 - 部屋に付いている露天風呂及び食事のクオリティーが特に高かったです。また、アルコール飲料含めて、ドリンクが追加料金無しで飲めたのも魅力的でした。この宿に泊まるためだけでも阿寒湖まで行く価値は十分あると感じました。
• Verified traveler (6/5): 普通でしょうか。 - 事前に電話し確かめ、お願いしていたことが伝わってなく、残念。・・本日は満室なのでを、何回か聞きました。確かにゆったりできよいところだと思います。ただ、食事はそこまで美味しくなく、期待外れでした。
• YANAGIDA (10/5): 非日常感 - 落ち着いた雰囲気と静けさ、さらに行き届いたサービスなどに非日常感をたっぷりと味わえました。
• Verified traveler (10/5): 癒やされる露天風呂の宿 - プライベートには、最高の宿です。全てスィートで露天風呂があり静かで特に釧路漁港からの魚が新鮮でめんめの白味噌仕立ての鍋が甘くとても美味しい料理でした。また癒やされに行きたいです。スタッフも対応素晴らしいです。
• HIRO (10/5): - 宿泊してみると思ってた以上に落ち着いた雰囲気でしたの でとても居心地が良かったです。 料理もとても美味しく食事担当の方が素晴らしい対応でした。
• Alvin (10/5): - Everything was excellent: location, meals, onsen, view, staffs, etc. My wife loved the massage chair so much. If you have time, do check out the guest books in the lobby, next to the gift shop. You'll find interesting messages inside.
• 175jqc (10/5): heaven - booked the Ama no Za 天の座 suite room. suite w living room, jap tataki room, bath area, private onsen and massage chair. dine in your own room at the restaurant and free drinks and supper at the bar. the highlight was the nightly fireworks (fuyuhanabi) from your room. valet parking and luggage services are provided.
• Chao-Chieh (10/5): 非常舒適貼心的溫泉飯店!! - 面對阿寒湖的房型，視野景色非常好。 房間設施非常舒適，泡完湯還有按摩椅可以使用。 晚上一樓酒吧還有免費的飲料，也有免費的消夜。 另外，足湯和大眾溫泉池也很優 最好的是，因為不接待12歲以下兒童，所以也不會有小而喧鬧跑跳等情況，清幽許多
• 308wingc (10/5): Hinanoza - We chose to stay in Hinanoza for our wedding anniversary. Before departure, we worried about the service and food quality because there were a number of negative reviews, but the photos showing the environment seem very beautiful, so we decided to give it a try. We were very happy with our visit, the concierge was very friendly and the food is very good. We had a nice stay in a very comfortable room with an outdoor hot spring and a massage chair. Our journey was very memorable and we will definitely return Hinanoza next time. I definitely recommend this hotel to people who wish to experience a peaceful and quiet stay for a recharge from the busy life.
• trippyNYC (8/5): Nice stay in cute little town - This town has a short strip of lodging. Hinanoza is probably the most boutique of them of all, if you're not into large hotels. It's located kind of at the end of the lake so it doesn't really have a central view of the lake. I had a partial lake view room which only has a partial lake view from the rotenburo, so you can't see the lake at all while hanging out in the room. It was nice to be able to walk out and stroll around town tho they do offer shuttle service if anything within 1000m is too far to walk. It's a very calm and serene environment. The staff is all very friendly and attentive. My main "complaint" was the restaurant staff. The food was very good with nice variety but for a high-end dining venue, I would think the staff should know food/Japanese cuisine better. I felt like they did what they're supposed to do, but in terms of knowing food, it wasn't the same as like a nakai in more traditional-type ryokan. Each morning all guests' shoes are laid out in the semicircle entrance hall.
• RX61 (10/5): Excellent - We spent three relaxing days here. Our room was spacious and comfortable with everything provided, including a selection of yukatas in pink and blue in different sizes. Most people wore a yukata in the evening. Our room had a private open-air hot bath which was very relaxing. As the weather on one of our two full days was wet we spent quite a lot of time in the room. The bluetooth router was great and enabled me to stream music. We were a bit disappointed that the bar didn't open for aperitifs. Also the barman refused to serve drinks to anyone not seated at the bar, which could be full. The food was really first class - 10-course Kaiseki meals each evening, accompanied by a menu with an English translation, although the friendly staff explained each dish well as they were brought in. The meals comprised a wide variety of dishes, for example: an appetiser; maybe tofu or egg pudding, followed by salmon, shrimp and whale meat; sashimi; hot pot; pan-fried fish; simmered king crab, scallop or other seafood; beef steak or duck; pickled fish,; boiled rice; dessert and coffee. We usually had Japanese red wine and/or sake with each meal. The Japanese-style breakfast was also a feast. It was a really nice place to stay and to use as a base for touring the area.. It is close to the pier from which you can cruise the lake and see the extraordinary bright green marimos. All the staff were friendly, helpful and welcoming
• Kenichi (10/5): - レイクビューならば、もっと良かった。 食事にはもう一工夫があればと感じた。
• xyzlamqq (8/5): Not worthy for USD 1100 per night - The 2-night stay at the hotel was awesome with great food and springs. The only thing was that the room was too bright for us to sleep in as dawn breaks at 4-5 am. We requested for a room that has curtains on it but they only offered us to shift our beds to a tatami place at the living room, which was quite unacceptable for a USD 1100 per night hotel. In addition, it seemed like the in-room servant has forgotten to make-up our room after dinner service(in-room dining), and our cutlery was still in our room at 10pm. If you haven’t tried exquisite Ryokan experience in Japan, it’s a hands on experience for you. However, I may not choose to stay in this hotel consider its high price during peak seasons.
• goodtimes1950 (10/5): -23C on arrival - Nothern Hokkaido in the dead of winter. Deeeevine. Food was beautiful to look at and beautiful to eat. Our room was enormous with 2 bathrooms and an extra shower to service our outdoor private onsen. Very traditional. Our driver took us to the Red Crowned Cranes. We were free to walk in the forest and across the frozed lake, where people enjoyed winter sports. The village of the Ainu people was interesting. Sad to think another 'traditional' way of life is being reduced to tourism, I guess. I highly recommend this place. Absolutely worth the effort.
• Verified traveler (8/5): - アレルギーあるため食事の変更を依頼しました。きちんと対応していただきました。しかし、お膳に用意されていたお品が元の内容のまま記載されていまして、大丈夫か？と少々不安になりました。
• Glynda (10/5): - The warm welcome was much appreciated - the valet parked the car and brought in our luggage while the concierge presented us with a welcome drink.
• Verified traveler (10/5): - とても社員教育のしっかりした旅館です。 色々な高級旅館に泊まってきましたが、正直北海道の田舎なのでさほどな期待はしておりませんでした。実際他府県で、お値段は東京並みに高いけれどサービスは酷いところもありましたから。 ですがこちらのホテルは若い社員さんであってもおもてなしの心がキチンと表れた素晴らしい旅館でした。 お食事も朝も夕食もとても美味しかったです！ 是非阿寒湖行かれたり、知床半島行かれるかたらお値段が少し高いかもですが、それ以上の快適さと温泉が楽しめます。 是非記念の旅行に彼女やご両親連れておススメの宿です
• Verified traveler (10/5): Boutique luxury on Lake Akan. - We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. We arrived quite late and were warmly greeted by the staff and shown to our beautiful room; a suite with private Onsen overlooking Lake Akan. The room was spacious, clean and beautifully decorated Japanese style with the option of western beds. The staff were friendly and helpful offering to book tourist taxis to see the red crowned cranes or driving us to the Ainu village on a chilly day. English is limited so learning a little Japanese will go along way but the staff did everything to ensure we were looked after given the language barrier. The food was delicious, plentiful and presented beautifully. A little too much food on occasion and we felt terrible wasting it. The hotel was quiet and located right on the lake, they also don’t allow children so the public onsens and dining rooms are peaceful. Getting there can take some time but it’s worth the trip. The hotel is 1.5 hours from Kushiro JR Station, try to time your arrival with the once daily shuttle bus or one of the local buses otherwise it is an extremely expensive cab ride. All in all this hotel ticked all the boxes; comfortable, clean rooms and facilities, friendly staff, great location and lovely food. I would definitely return.
• C (8/5): - Nice location, great lake view Excellent facilities. Dinner can be improved
• Verified traveler (10/5): Great view and experience - The hotel has a wonderful lake view. The rooms are very spacious and comfortable. The food and service are great. We actually made a reservation scheduled on the 8th of September. However, because of the earthquake we couldn't make it. Even though we had passed the free cancellation date, the hotel gave us a full refund without a question. After 10 days we booked again and we really enjoyed staying there.
• DO JIN (10/5): - 시설, 음식, 서비스, 주변환경 모두 최상이었습니다.
• DexperienceReview (10/5): Undercover Service Quality Surveyor Ratings - Category: Travel Name: Akan Tsuruga Besso Hinanoza Address: Japan, 〒085-0467 Hokkaido Prefecture, Kushiro, 阿寒町 阿寒湖温泉 Dexperience Undercover Service Quality Surveyor Ratings: Value 4/5 Quality 5/5 Ambience 5/5 Service 4/5 Experience 4/5 Verdict: Wonderful getaway! 😍😍😍😍
• bona_tiger (10/5): Prestigious holiday in Hokkaido - What an experience to soak in a private hot onsen, overlooking the beautiful Lake Akan at dusk! Leaving aside the perfect view, our room has all the facilities one could endulge oneself, including a massage chair. Free access to hot stone bath just exceeded any expectation for a relaxing holiday. Their two breakfasts and dinners were impressive. A decent selection of sake. Supper also at one's disposal each evening starting at 10pm. All you can drink and eat in one bill. Pricy, yet worthy.
• Sebrina (10/5): - We had a fantastic time staying there. It was such a pampering experience, the hotel staff are super friendly and helpful. The dinner was served in a very professional manner and they had a great selection of sake. We enjoyed our stay and would like to return in near future.
• Verified traveler (6/5): 設備は良いが、サービスと料理は料金に見合わない - 天の座スイートに宿泊。上層階をリクエストしていたものの、最も低層の部屋がアサインされたがリクエストしていたことへの何らの言及はなし。部屋食の係りは間合いが良く気遣いもできてとても良かったが、案内係の女性は最悪（愛想皆無。いくつもの間違った説明）。料理は料金に釣り合わず残念。浴場や部屋の露天、マッサージチェアなど、設備面はとても良く清掃も行き届いているが、畳のささくれは対処が必要。最も楽しみにしていた冬華美が中止になったのは残念だったが、中止になったことを知らせてもらえなかったのはさらに残念であった（花火のことを宿の方複数と話していたにもかかわらず）。
• MAN YEE (10/5): 值得一住的溫泉酒店 - 房間很大好舒服 室外溫泉在房入面很好 整體滿意度很高 但是食物一般
• JEHSAH (10/5): Exquisite- in awe! - Superlative in every respect. Entrance, welcome, service, decor, design, architecture, rooms, food- enchanting. As minor a criticism- the rooms are too hot (its minus 12 degrees outside) and the strange food takes getting used to, but the chefs are more than accomodating- just ask/ arrange in advance. Absolutely exquisite and fantastic. A FANTASTIC Japanese experience.
• たにやん (8/5): - 大変良いクリスマスを過ごさせていただきました。 ぜひまた来たいです。 最高のおもてなしをありがとうございました。
• C (8/5): - The hotel has great view. Room is aged, and meals can be improved a lot for the price. Staff cannot communicate well in English
• Nyson (6/5): Standard can't be kept - This is my third visit. Everything in the hotel become old. Staffs not professional as before. Price still very high. Some furniture in my room even broken. I can't even see smile on staffs' face. As a conclusion. No fourth visit.
• petercJ6576UB (10/5): A really nice and beautiful ryokan - This ryokan is featured in many books showcasing the best Japanese hotels. Located on the side of Lake Akan, we drove here after our visit to Furano. The onsen street area is basically on one area of the lake and most of the hotels are those big ones with many rooms. But Hinanoza is different, being the type with only a small number of rooms, offering more privacy and exclusivity. After parking our car, the entrance already gave me a good wow. The wooden plaque showing the name of the ryokan and the stone facade has a local tribal element and walking through the gate of intricate design of a crescent moon, there is a big wooden chair right in front, where a majestic eagle is perching on top. The eagle is an animal the local people worship and signify glory and power. The staff helpfully brought our luggage in and processing our registration, so I took the time to walk around. There are many wooden sculptures, showing wild animals like wolf and bears from this northern land. The wooden table and chairs are also of amazing quality and craftsmanship. But the one thing that really took my breath away was the very very long wooden bar table. Extending for ten metres, it is made of solid wood and must have cost a fortune. Finishing the snacks and drinks while relaxing comfortably and admiring the beautiful lake view outside, we were then shown to our room. There are only 25 rooms in total for the ryokan, and we had booked the Ama no Za Suite, which has a huge tatami room of more than 1,200 sq. feet. Our room is 301, with the Japanese style living room has the traditional low table, facing the balcony where there are seatings to look at the lake view outside. Adjacent is the western style living room, with the sofa and coffee table, a small writing table and a pantry. Another great facility is the high-end sound system available. There are couple of CDs the ryokan had prepared to provide nice music to smooth our nerves, and the music quality was also great. One can just spend hours listening to the music, admiring to the view and let your mind totally relax and wander wildly. The bedroom is comfortable, with a soft, cozy mattress and blanket that would put you to sleep in seconds, and while you can close the paper door at night, opening them leads to the make-up room, where there are two sets of basins so you don't need to fight in the morning to clean up, there is also a massage chair. Facing outside and leading out is a Japanese cypress shower-room, and then it leads to the semi-open onsen bath. Made from cypress, the bath is huge, good enough to accommodate a couple easily. There are also a chair that one can take a rest between baths while looking out to Lake Akan. The whole experience is really wonderful and put all my work pressure beyond me for the time being. Another special service the ryokan provided is that for female guests they could choose their own yakata. My wife picked a very pretty pink one but instead of just letting her to figure her own way, the staff came and helped her put that on, very helpful indeed!! After taking a walk at the onsen street, we return to get ready for our dinner. The first course is Grilled Tomato and Potato, made such beautifully that it resembles more like a flower than the tomato. The appetizers include Boiled Shrimp, Scallop Salted in Pickled Vegetables and Stewed Duck Meat. Again presenting in such a nice way and all the ingredients amazingly have their flavors so rich and pronounced. The sashimi included Japanese Hucho Perryi, Bluefin Tuna, Sea Urchin and Prawn. They are very fresh, with each sashimi so intense on the individual flavors. Again a great demonstration of the quality of the ingredients from Hokkaido. Next is the signature hot pot cooked at the table, with a Thornhead cooked in Hinanoza style. The fish itself is a high-end type, with the flesh very soft, tender and sweet. Cooked in the hot pot highlighted the good qualities of the fish and the tofu and other vegetable in the pot has absorbed the flavors of the soup and fish making it extra tasty. Then we have the Rockfish Broiled, Soaked in Yuzu Sauce. The fish is special as mostly this dish is made using cod, but Hinanoza had chosen Rockfish instead, which has a nice texture, firmer than cod, and equally tasty. It is grilled perfectly with a nice charcoal skin while the flesh was not dried out. The simmered dishes include the King Crab with Ginger, which has a nice delicate taste. The other option is the Steamed Neptunea with Sake. The shellfish has a nice chewy bite but not rubbery, and the seaweed jelly giving an extra dimensions. The main dish is of Beef Steak with Red Wine Sauce. The beef is of top quality wagyu, and they are grilled nicely, with the skin crispy and caramelized but the flesh still soft, and tender. On the sides there is the broccoli and potato to accompany. Then we have the Abalone and Shredded Pumpkin. The abalone is chewy but easy to bite, full of the intense flavors of the shellfish. The lotus root provided a good contrast with the abalone and offer another dimensions to the overall enjoyment. Then we have the Boiled Rice with Crab, which has generous amount of crab meat. A great way to conclude the meal, the rice is sweet, and pair perfectly with the fish roe and crab meat to make it another highlight of the evening. Finally for dessert we have berry ice-cream and fruit preservatives. Honestly this is probably the least impressive of all the courses on the night. Nothing special, not bad really but considering the overall quality of the meal it is a bit of a disappointment. After the meal and having a nice bath, before retiring for bed we decided to go to the bar to enjoy. The bartender is very professional, and I had the signature cocktail (forgot the name) which we saw how it was mixed. The place is quiet with only the two of us, so it was relaxing, peaceful, and unfortunately I could not speak Japanese or otherwise it would be a good time to chat with him. On the next day we got up and was greeted by a beautiful weather, with a perfect view on Lake Akan and seeing the cruise ship coming to the pier. This view honestly was already worth a high price. After another bath we went to breakfast. Again the meal was wonderful, with all the dishes, including the salad, Japanese pickles, grilled and steamed fish, toasted seaweed, rice and fruit all very good, and in no time I finished all the food, without any single thing left. The services overall are nice, operating in an interesting way where you would not find the staff normally but when you need them they would materialize. I think this is one of the secrets of the service of the Japanese ryokan and Hinanoza certainly live up to that. The cost of staying in the room we chose was not cheap, at 172,800 yen it is one of the most expensive ryokan I have stayed. But it was one of those places I still recommend to come if you can afford. My overall rating is 8.0/10.
• Lap Pong Calvin (10/5): Tremendous stay with family! - My family and I went on road trip around Hokkaido in June and decided to choose Akan Tsuruga Bessou HINANOZA to stay for a night while visiting the Lake Akan area. Hands down the best hotel stay that we have had in the entire trip, esp. comparing with other ryokans that we have stayed in other areas. Attentive services, well equipped standard suites and friendly staffs are the three highlights I would point out based on my stay. The vibe of the lobby area was relaxing and welcoming. The kaiseki ryori they served were utterly outstanding! I certainly would come back when visiting the area again in the future! Definitely value for the money!
• Hotabouthotspring (6/5): Good service but average food and weak air conditioning in summer - Had to move from suite room 501 to 401 in middle of the night cos the air conditioner failed to function. 401 only has two chairs while 501 has a sofa set good for lounging. Food was average unless you like plain steamed or cold healthy food. Only saving grace were the miso seafood hot pot first dinner. View was better for 401. Do try the marimo night cruise as well as day cruise of lake akan. Ainu village and shopping street accessed through hotel shuttle service. Get some marimo souvenirs as this algae like balls were found only in lake akan. Staff provided fruit platter as part of service recovery. Hot spring here mainly sodium and dries the skin after bathing. Nice CDs provided.
• rotterdamerik (10/5): Beautiful and zen hotel!! - We spent one night here during our Hokkaido trip. The hotel is beautiful and really quiet and peaceful. The moment you enter you are in a zen and quiet place. Service was very professional and great. The room we had was beautiful. It was on the 3rd floor with your own onsen. The food was very good quality and all looked beautifully. Service round dinner and breakfast again was very professional and friendly. There are no small children aloud and all rooms are very private, so the whole atmosphere is very tranquil and peaceful. I have two smaller complaints. First one is I would expect that during dinner (when you are not in your room) the staff would visit your room and make the room ready for the night and tidy the place a bit. Normally in this class of hotels this happens. And the second complain is when we went to the onsen at the top floor and returned to our room we encountered someone from the staff who asked what we were doing there and looked very stern. We were standing for our room, so this was a bit awkward. You would expect the staff to recognize who belongs in the hotel and who does not! But further we loved the hotel and would highly recommend it.
• pawarisc2017 (10/5): A beautiful ryokan, rich in culture and hospitality - Situated in Lake Akan area, about a 2 hour drive from Kushiro station, Akan Tsuruga Bessou Hina no Za is definitely my most memorable stay at any hotel. We went there during early April 2017 and luckily it was still snowing so the town was beautifully covered in white. Starting with the preparation, I had emailed the hotel inquiring about hotel shuttle bus services as the area is mainly accessible by local bus or rental cars. The closest one was from Kushiro and had to be booked in advance so the online admin who had been corresponding with me assisted with that. Upon arrival at the hotel, it was like entering a different world with hallways decorated with wooden carvings of bears, owls, various other creatures representing their Ainu culture. The hotel staff greeted us with a very gracious bow as we stepped into the reception area and they took our shoes for safe keeping in their storage room. After dealing with the registration, the staff lead us to our room which was on the 2nd floor. I had booked the Kazumi-no-Za which offered the view of Lake Akan and it was a great choice. The room was very spacious, divided into sections by shoji or paper walls, and had a balcony area overlooked the lake where the private onsen tub was situated. My favorite part of the room was the massage chair (lol), I actually fell asleep on it several times. We were introduced to our room attendant before dinner, who would help us prep the dining table, lay out our futons after dinner, etc. She would tend to us for almost the entire duration of our stay and although she wasn't very fluent in English, she had a very delightful personality. Our dinner was served in-room, kaiseki style, with high quality ingredients and beautiful presentation. I almost didn't want to eat it because of how meticulous the dishes were prepared. After dinner, our room attendant helped clean everything up and laid out our futons which were very comfortable. By the end of our trip, we felt like we had to come back here again despite the long journey not just because of the beautiful accommodation but the warm and welcoming staff that ensured we had a wonderful stay. If the hotel staff is reading this, thank you very much for your service and making our honeymoon truly memorable. Otsukaresama deshita.
• Verified traveler (10/5): 酒店很棒 - 很棒的入住体验。酒店就在湖边，景色优美，酒店服务也很到位。下次还会住这里。酒店的晚餐没有预想的惊艳，中规中矩。其他都很棒。
• Verified traveler (10/5): Excellence - More than excellence and comfort to our two nights stay.
• Kin Fai (10/5): - 酒店服務超水準，早晚餐食材一流，房內設施比其他同區高一級，價格較高但物有所值。
• cj (10/5): Right on the lake - Private outdoor onsen overlooking gorgeous Lake Akan.
• Noriko (10/5): いいところ。感謝です。 - コンパクトなホテルなのにしっかりしたバーがあります。 このあたりでは、ダントツのパーソナルなサービスがあると思います。 夕食の担当の女性も感じよくもてなし上手でした。 部屋も広く窓一面に阿寒湖が見下ろせて、良い景色を堪能しました。 しいて難点を言わせてもらうと、トイレ、部屋のエントランスなどの床や壁の素材のグレード感が欲しいです。
• Verified traveler (10/5): - 非常棒的一個頂級溫泉飯店，相對價位不便宜，但是絕對物有所值
• Robert (10/5): My favourite in Japan - Not a cheap hotel, but really excellent. The evening meals are a particular treat and although few if any of the staff speak fluent English, we were able to communicate well with all the staff we met. We booked a superior suite and had a reasonably good view of the lake, booking the next price up and I think you'd get a really excellent view. Of all the places we stayed in Japan, this was my favourite.
• Verified traveler (10/5): - Nice private onsen and artistic lounge. Breakfast and Kaiseki dinner is good but could be better given the price tag (I strongly recommend king crab and Menme Nabe but poultry ans pork is less impressive. Sashimi is not one of the best I've ever tried yet it's quite understandable given the transportation condition in the mountain).
• Pui Lam (10/5): Excellent service! Feel like VIP. - High privacy hotel. All the room with private spa, room is spacious with good amenity kit. Not many people using public spa. Public spas are located at 6/F and 7/F, both with hot stone therapy. 7/F outdoor spa is better because you can enjoy the view of lake Akan. Room rate with breakfast and dinner, both meals are sumptuous feast. I was staying at room 503 on 12th November 2015. The lady who served breakfast and dinner was incredible, I forgot her name. She is very friendly. Excellent service!
• I-HSIN (10/5): 優質溫泉飯店 - 服務很好 晚餐早餐都是一室一間 不會跟其他房客打擾到. 可以自由選擇浴衣 我們不會穿可以請飯店人員幫忙. 房間空間很大 備品很優 房間內的溫泉也很棒 不輸大眾用的溫泉 還不用帶浴巾去..什麼都有 泡完還有牛奶可以喝,一樓還有泡腳池 整體感覺很優 很好的住宿體驗 就是價格高阿...沒辦法多住一晚阿
• Kin Fai (10/5): - 服務及食物都很高水準
• Verified traveler (10/5): Everything is perfect ! - Amazing hotel, meticulously and perfect services made us having an unforgettable journey, cannot using any words to explain the feeling of staying in. It is the best of the best and we will come again ! This hotel should over 5 stars.
• Gershon (10/5): Mind-blowing! - This was the most excellent stay we have ever had. From the moment one walks in, you feel the extreme hospitality of the service staff. There are pretty non-standard yukatas for the ladies to use and the rooms are amazingly huge. The massage chair was so comfortable we spent hours in it. The meals were nothing short of amazing and the onsen, while small, was good. We could also use the bigger onsen in the sister hotel Tsuruga Yuku no Sato and that was awesome. We didn't want to leave!

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