Sanseikan

I got there at 12:15pm, but learned they don't open until 1pm. When I asked whether I could wait in the lobby, the manager told me, without apologizing, to wait in my car. I'm a paying customer, after all. An interesting experience in Japan. The service and attitude were awful. As many others have said, they basically don't welcome day-trip visitors. It's unfortunate they had such a strong brand in the past and chose to offer this level of service.

The hot spring was enjoyable, with two indoor tubs and one outside. The water ranged from hot to very hot, 41C and 43C, and I spent most of my time in the outdoor bath. The hotel is very Japanese in style and rather old, but it was clean and well maintained. Dinner and breakfast were both delicious. The house rules are strict: meal times are set, and curfew is 9pm. If you're not back by then, you're locked out. I enjoyed the stay a lot and recommend it.

The traditional breakfast was fantastic. If you don't want to drive into town for dinner, let the inn know ahead of time and they can prepare a meal. Sanseikan is a lovely choice for a quiet getaway to enjoy the hot springs, nature, and time with your travel companion. It's under 10 km from the town centre, away from the busy mega-resorts. Noboribetsu is known for its hot springs, demon statues, and natural scenery, in a part of Japan already famous for its beauty. Sanseikan has a nice blend of old and new. The rooms have low tables, tatami mats, and futons, and are spacious, clean, and comfortable. The onsen is separated by gender, with three pools on each side, two indoors and one outdoors. The bathing facilities are modern, clean, and well equipped. A quiet, quaint little gem in the popular Noboribetsu district.

We arrived around 7pm, and the staff were extremely friendly. The public baths were clean. They were open between 2am and 8pm. The front door is locked at 9pm, so let the hotel know if you'll be late. It's a clean onsen hotel, about a 15 to 20 minute drive from the main tourist area. Breakfast had plenty of variety and was filling. I'd definitely recommend it.