Zaborin

A place I’d been wanting to visit for a long time. Our room was upgraded, and we were shown to a Japanese-style room with an adjoining sitting room—and that extra room was wonderful.My husband and I are both self-employed, so we work even while traveling. Having a separate space where we could set up a laptop and get things done was incredibly helpful; it’s often just a sofa, but this time my husband basically took over the adjoining room as his workspace.We were also shown a Western-style room, but we chose the Japanese-style one. The view felt more open from the Japanese-style room, and I was also a bit concerned that in the Western-style bedroom you could see into the open-air bath through glass. If I had been traveling alone, I think I would have chosen the Western-style room.When staying at an onsen ryokan, we bathe multiple times a day—so if you lower the roller screen you lose that sense of openness in the room, but having everything fully visible also felt uncomfortable.The pantry—something I haven’t seen at other accommodations—was extremely convenient. We like to tuck away empty bottles and used glasses, so being able to quickly rinse them at the pantry sink and leave them there kept the main room neat.As for the bath water: since we had stayed in Noboribetsu Onsen the night before, it initially felt a little mild by comparison. But little by little I came to love it—the water had a lovely woody scent. It feels light on the skin yet leaves it smooth.The bathroom amenities (shampoo etc.) were also excellent. My skin is often sensitive so I usually bring my own products, but these were comfortable for me to use. If anything, I would have liked to have had a bathrobe—though perhaps I simply missed it.The meals let us enjoy truly high-quality ingredients prepared deliciously. Nothing felt overdone; while it was slightly more than we usually eat, I think most guests would find it just right. There were many kinds of Hokkaido-specific ingredients as well as items we don’t normally get to try—very satisfying overall.All of the interior design throughout the property felt comfortable; even back in our own room there was an ease that somehow made us feel at home. The view through the windows was calming and refreshing as well.Most of all, every staff member was wonderful—warm and attentive while maintaining just the right amount of distance. It seemed occupancy wasn’t very high that day, which made our stay feel even more relaxed and enjoyable from start to finish.The birthday cake was delicious too. We will be back again.

It was a wonderful Room with a stunning view of rolling hills and distant mountains.The meals were beautifully presented, highly original Japanese cuisine, and the distinctive tableware—together with the interior—created a strong sense of cohesive style. The service was also pleasant, and their dedication really came through.Thank you for allowing us to spend such a relaxing, peaceful time.