Manseikaku Hotels in Toyako

Our first stop in Hokkaido, and after much deliberation over various hot spring hotels, this one offered the best overall value for money. We were very satisfied, and here are the highlights: The lake-view room was fantastic. While not huge, the tatami setup was perfectly fine for three people. The scenery was stunning, offering different beautiful views from morning to evening, plus a direct line to watch the nightly fireworks. The rooftop onsen has alternating male and female access each day. Since we stayed two nights, our entire family got to experience both. Soaking in the hot springs while watching the Lake Toya fireworks was a truly wonderful experience. The half-board plan (dinner and breakfast) was of great quality and offered plenty of variety. We feasted on delicious seafood donburi until we were absolutely stuffed – though having it two days in a row was a bit much! The location was also excellent, making it convenient for catching buses and accessing the boat pier for island excursions. And yes, the legendary large bird actually paid a visit to our balcony!