Tokachigawa Onsen Daiichi Hotel Hoshutei Toyotei

The outdoor bath's rock waterfalls make for a particularly beautiful view, and there are plenty of onsen options, from the natural hot spring and sauna to a jacuzzi and standing bath. We came back for a second visit after nearly a decade and found the onsen just as lovely. The hotel also has a lot to do, including table tennis, a bakery, and a library. It is a big place, though, and felt crowded and busy everywhere. Staff could seem cold or indifferent, perhaps because they were too busy to spend time helping.

Dinner and breakfast were good, with lots of choices, fresh ingredients, and free-flowing alcohol. The outdoor onsen was lovely on a cool autumn day, and the stay cost less than at other onsen hotels, so it felt like good value. The drive to the resort was pretty dull, mostly past farmland, but staying at Tokachigawa onsen resort gave us a chance to explore the Obihiro area, including Iwanai Senkyo Gorge.

We had the best stay of our Hokkaido trip here. The staff were kind and professional, and both breakfast and dinner were tasty and high quality. The onsen is spacious, with a great outdoor bath.

The baths were a highlight, with two indoor pools at different temperatures, a large outdoor bath, and a sauna. The water is natural hot spring water with circulation and disinfection. It's clear and brown, with a woody scent that reminded me of tea or whiskey, different from other moor springs. I couldn't detect any chlorine smell. The buffet meals were just okay, though there were free drinks, including Sapporo classic beer, Tokachigawa onsen moor beer, Ikeda wine, and sake. The place was very clean, the staff were nice, and it seems especially good for families with children.