Sapporo’s Secret Onsen Sanctuary Marukoma Onsen Ryokan

I felt like a lord or king here. The rooms and dining room were well prepared, the onsens were ready to use, and the staff were professional and very polite. Other international visitors sometimes tried to talk with me, but they left me alone when I didn't feel like chatting. Make sure to book a food potion with the room. Breakfast was a tasty open buffet every day, with plenty to choose from and amazing quality. Dinner was incredible too, something different every day, and I always left full. From my room, the gorgeous lake view changed through sunrise, sunset, and moonrise, and it kept taking my breath away. I had my dream holidays here and recommend the place to everyone.

The staff were very kind to us as foreigners, and they knew enough English that I felt at ease. From central Sapporo, an Uber took about an hour in the morning and cost around $100 USD one way. We booked a private onsen because we have tattoos, and being able to enjoy the lake and mountain views in private was perfect. It felt well worth the trip from Tokyo to Hokkaido. You can book a day pass as well as a private onsen, but make the private reservation online through the link and form so they can confirm it. Both the day pass and private bath have separate fees. Arigatou gozaimashita! Hope I got the spelling right.

The room was great, but we hadn't booked dinner ahead and there were no seats left for us. There aren't any other restaurants nearby, either. It's strange to have overnight guests in such an isolated spot and not be able to feed them.

The onsens look straight out over the lake, so it's a lovely place to unwind with a view. If you're staying for a holiday, I'd get up early and catch the sunrise from the baths. It's also good for relaxing after a long day. Just keep in mind that the hotel is far from a lot of places, so getting out to do other things can be difficult.