Otaru Village

The host and her little daughter were the loveliest part of our stay. They even made us herbal tea using herbs straight from the garden. Otaro Village sits between Otaru and Sapporo, in a countryside house with spacious rooms and a great view from the windows. There's a beach and mountains nearby, along with good local restaurants. Such a gem, we'd come back 100%.

We stayed here while taking the driving test, and would definitely return. The host was so kind and speaks English fluently. She offered to show us around the area and made sure we had a good time. It's a new house with a huge parking garage, and the location is handy for restaurants and the train or bus station for the beach and ski area. Our room was cozy, with a lovely mountain view.

It's better than a capsule hotel, and there's free parking. But the bathroom and toilet are shared, and you reach the front desk by phone only. It's just an old house that's been renovated, so I had doubts about security and safety. I wouldn't recommend it to women traveling alone.

The facilities are basic but comfortable, and the temperature was kept warm enough for a winter stay. There's a toaster, kettle, and microwave, though you'd want to bring your own paper cups and plates. Hoshimi Station on the JR Hakodate Line is under a 10-minute walk away. Even with snow in winter, the walk isn't too difficult, and it's handy for sightseeing in Otaru.