Imazu Sun Bridge Hotel

I really enjoyed the lake view from my large room, and the staff tried their best. The service was good, though their English could be better, especially for a hotel in such a nice setting. They even cater for bicycles, and you can rent one if you don't have your own, which is a big plus given the location. The hotel is old, the bathroom was rather small, and there's no laundry service. Still, the view is awesome.

The rooms are clean and comfortable, and the hotel is a peaceful place to relax. We appreciated the staff's hospitality and hope to return. Staying here also gets you a discounted hakodateyama ski resort ticket for 4000 yen per person, with transport both ways included. Getting around takes some planning. Activities listed on the hotel website may not be readily accessible, and renting a car is recommended. If you're up for an adventure, you can take a train to makino station and then a local bus to a nearby onsen or the famous tree stretch. Food nearby is limited, and dinner at the hotel can be a bit expensive, though I recommend Nishian, the izakaya right outside the train station. Breakfast is the same each day, although they do switch up the fish. Room service doesn't make the bed, so keep that in mind. Please be patient with the staff, since the hotel mainly caters to domestic tourists rather than international visitors.

The hotel's views are beautiful, and it has lovely chandeliers, a nice little restaurant, and amazing service. They take pride in maintaining the place. Breakfast is entirely traditional Japanese food, with fish and pickled vegetables, so skip it if that's not your thing. The building clearly dates from the bubble era, with a quirky old-fashioned feel and worn wooden furniture. Don't expect many modern conveniences, for example, there are no USB charging ports. The bathroom has a big step up, a common feature in Japanese buildings from before 2000. The TVs have YouTube and screen mirroring. Miracast can be tricky to set up, and some DRM-protected content, like Amazon Prime, may not play.

The hotel is neat and clean, with a lovely lake view from the windows and a beautiful mountain view as well. The food is good, even for a pure Indian vegetarian. A shopping mall, McDonald's, clothing shops, and electronics stores are all about a five-minute walk away.