Asahidake Onsen Yumoto Yukomansou

The access to the cable car and visitor center was easy, which made our three-night stay even better. We loved the experience, especially the multiple onsen options. There’s one in the main building for hotel guests only, and another in a separate building with an outdoor pool and a stunning view. It was -17°C while we were there, with snow everywhere, and that made the outdoor onsen feel even more special. The staff were kind and attentive, and the food was so good. I’d strongly recommend choosing the option with both breakfast and dinner. They also provided coffee beans and a grinder, so we could make fresh coffee every morning. We’d love to come back someday.

The rooms are pleasant, though a little dated, and most don’t have showers. There are two onsens, both somewhat old. One had peeling paint and a little mould, and really needs renovation. Some staff were nice, but the manager overshadowed that. He shouted at my partner and me, and made us pay the onsen tax for a room we’d paid for but didn’t use. They wouldn’t accommodate our requests, especially our specific dietary restrictions. It made for a very unpleasant stay, all the more so since this is meant to be the area’s premium hotel. I wouldn’t recommend it.

We spent much of our time by the fire and trying the three different onsens. The hotel sits in the forest at the foot of Mt. Asahidake, Hokkaido’s tallest mountain, and the setting felt magical. We stayed three nights and really didn’t want to leave. The food, service, rooms and baths were all top-notch. There’s a trail behind the hotel where we went snowshoeing with boots borrowed from the hotel. One day we walked about 20 minutes to the ropeway and went up the mountain, though it was bitterly cold. The owners’ daughter is an Olympian snowboarder, and it was cool to see the exhibit about her. They also call the place an “honorary Swiss consulate,” which adds to its uniqueness. As a foreigner, I felt I got to experience “the real Japan.” I’m already thinking about when I can return. I’d recommend it to travelers looking for peace, quiet and a place to unwind.

The room was clean and comfortable, and we booked one of the newer rooms with nice furniture. The location was convenient enough, around a 15-minute walk to the ropeway up the mountain. We also had a warm welcome, and even though we don’t speak Japanese, we could communicate well with the staff. The meals were excellent, and the menu changes if you stay two nights, as we did. The onsens were big and beautiful. One thing that made sleeping difficult was the lack of blackout curtains. Sunrise came very early in summer, and we’re used to sleeping with those curtains, so we didn’t rest very well. They should install them.