Natural Resort Hygeia

After retiring, I came at the end of June hoping for a relaxing stay. The massage after the bath was wonderful, and the whole visit felt special. The food was excellent too: juice made from Aikotomato, house-baked focaccia with homemade cottage cheese, and mi-cuit made with locally caught tokishirazu. The Hokkaido edamame and shrimp fritters really brought out the ingredients’ flavors, and made me want more wine.

The starry sky at night was stunning, and the beautiful natural setting made it easy to forget the time and relax. The staff gave wonderful service, so the stay was very pleasant. Both dinner and breakfast were delicious, with Hokkaido Hidaka ingredients beautifully arranged. I’d highly recommend the hotel to anyone visiting Hokkaido.

It’s a spacious, luxurious place where there’s not much to do, so you can enjoy some quiet time. We visited while my son was recovering, and the nature around us got him so lively that he disappeared somewhere into the mountains. The stars are beautiful, and they’ll listen to food requests. We could take our time over meals and relax in the lounge. Next time I’d like to unwind with a cocktail. There doesn’t seem to be much snow, so I’d recommend visiting in winter too. With a fireplace, the lounge would be lovely for a glass of wine or a cocktail. The spa is nice as well, and the private baths are wonderful.

I stopped in for work, not an overnight stay, so I’d give it three stars for that, but the atmosphere was great and earns four. I’d love to stay here sometime. The quiet mountains seem like a good place to clear your mind and relax. The final turn can be easy to miss because of the overgrowth, so turn at the last sign marked “Higashibetsu Route 2.”