Lakeside Villa Suimeikaku onsen — Hotel in Chitose

If you are ever in the Chitose area, or in Lake Shikotsu, this ryokan is the best place to be. To be honest, I don’t think 5 stars is enough. If I can give 10 stars without overinflating the rating scale, I would give Suimeikaku those stars.

First, exclusivity is top notch. This ryokan only houses about 12 rooms, I think. Maybe a bit more, but that’s about it. But, each room faces the lake, and it faces west, so each rooms have a chance to see the beautiful Shikotsu at sunset. Book it while reservations last.

Second, the engineering behind it. Both the wooden bath and the stone bath are facing west so you and your significant other can enjoy the outdoor bath and the sunset at the same time. Oh and did I mention that you get to have the whole bath to yourselves, and no one else for one hour.

Third, the staff are very friendly, very accommodating, and English speakers. I was able to speak Nihongo just fine, but there were some guests that can’t and I heard one of the staffers able to speak English just fine. They are quite the professionals both in the concierge area and in the dining hall.

Fourth, the food. Your stay includes both an 8 course luxury dinner and a Japanese style breakfast. Both are delicious and perfectly portioned that you will not feel empty or stuffed. Even the dinner, as it was an 8 course meal, was perfectly paced that we were able to enjoy our meal.

Lastly, the location itself. Very short walk to Shikotsu Lake proper and literally at the venue area for the Shikotsu Ice Festival. There are shops nearby and good hikes too.

The price we paid was well over $500. However, with everything I just said, the experience was worth every coin…and then some.

So come on over to Shikotsu Suimeikaku for a good weekend getaway...

This 8 room ryokan is 35 mins from New Chitose Airport. Perched on the water's edge of Lake Shikotsu, it has rooms that face the lake and the setting sun.|Each room has a little onsen tub of its own that is comfortable for one a cosy squeeze for two. Rooms 106 and 107 have the tub that faces the lake and is a beautiful place to watch the brilliant sunsets that the lake is renowned for.|There are also two open air onsets that you can reserve in one-hour blocks of time. One has a zen like large wooden tub and the other is a rock pool. With the booking you can enjoy an onsen with your significant other in privacy.|Rooms are small but well designed with space for arm chairs to watch the view through a large picture window. There is also a massage chair provided. Beds are very comfortable but two twin beds rather than a larger double bed.|Service is excellent but the typical restrained, quiet Japanese type.|The jewel in the stay is the really excellent Japanese-Italian fusion restaurant run a young Japanese chef. His food used super fresh local produce prepared with the lightest sauces that perfectly balance the flavours without detracting from the natural flavours of the meat, fish or vegetables.This trip was at the end of a 3 week stay at many other high-end ryokans throughout Hokkaido and this restaurant can easily best the finest served at other places! It was...

This 8 room ryokan is 35 mins from New Chitose Airport. Perched on the water's edge of Lake Shikotsu, it has rooms that face the lake and the setting sun.|Each room has a little onsen tub of its own that is comfortable for one a cosy squeeze for two. Rooms 106 and 107 have the tub that faces the lake and is a beautiful place to watch the brilliant sunsets that the lake is renowned for.|There are also two open air onsets that you can reserve in one-hour blocks of time. One has a zen like large wooden tub and the other is a rock pool. With the booking you can enjoy an onsen with your significant other in privacy.|Rooms are small but well designed with space for arm chairs to watch the view through a large picture window. There is also a massage chair provided. Beds are very comfortable but two twin beds rather than a larger double bed.|Service is excellent but the typical restrained, quiet Japanese type.|The jewel in the stay is the really excellent Japanese-Italian fusion restaurant run a young Japanese chef. His food used super fresh local produce prepared with the lightest sauces that perfectly balance the flavours without detracting from the natural flavours of the meat, fish or vegetables.This trip was at the end of a 3 week stay at many other high-end ryokans throughout Hokkaido and this restaurant can easily best the finest served at other places! It was...