Toya Kohantei

The room had picturesque views, and its style blended ryokan and Western influences. The bathroom was small, though. We had a pleasant stay, and at dinner the staff went out of their way to surprise us with a special dessert for our wedding anniversary. The rooftop public bath was nice too. I lost count of how many onsens we visited during the trip.

Be careful with the booking confirmation. We booked yesterday for tonight at $US297, but the confirmation charged us the equivalent of $US450. We didn’t check the email closely enough because it was a next-day arrival. I’m certain we selected the $297 price and clicked the button beside it, not the much higher $450 one. The staff were polite but couldn’t fix it. We’d stretched our budget for an onsen stay, and the extra charge alone could have paid for a couple of days of accommodation on our trip. Even if it was an administrative error, we feel scammed. Check every detail in the confirmation if you use the hotel’s website. I don’t know whether the hotel can be trusted either. For what we’re now paying, we could have stayed somewhere else without the shock and disappointment, and probably somewhere nicer.

The price bears no relation to the room quality. Lake Toya has far better hotels, and I’d advise spending your money elsewhere for a decent, peaceful vacation. Our room was dim and not properly cleaned. The facilities throughout were severely outdated and neglected, with mould and mildew stains everywhere, especially in the ancient bathroom. That’s a serious health concern. I’ve visited Lake Toya before, and this is by far the worst maintained and cleaned hotel I’ve encountered there. The public spaces were even worse. The elevator constantly smelled strange and foul, while the shabby hallways and common areas were filthy and falling apart. It felt more like an abandoned inn from a survival horror game than an operating hotel. Photos show the squalor better than words can. A large Korean tour group was staying there at the same time. The lobby, dining room, our floor’s hallways, and the public onsen were constantly full of noise and commotion. Children ran around screaming with no staff intervention. Most unacceptable, adults brought very young boys into the women’s bathing area, violating onsen etiquette and other guests’ privacy and peace. This stay was an absolute nightmare and crossed every line of what a functioning business should accept.

Dinner was the saving grace, with lots of choice and, finally, some fresh fruit. The rooms were dated but clean, and the shared areas looked just as old, with badly stained carpets. The bathroom was tiny and made of plastic, with cracks around the bowl and mould above the shower. I asked for a mountain view, thinking I’d see Mt Usu, but that’s considered a lake view and costs more.