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ANA to Hokkaido - Autumn Snow, Seafood and the Art of Onsen Appreciation

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  • #76
    Our room was stunning...



    ...with a view to die for...



    You left your footwear at the entrance...



    ...before stepping onto a raised wooden platform.



    This was a hybrid Western/Japanese style room, with Western style beds...



    ...and Japanese style low table and tatami flooring...



    Spacious wardrobe...



    Bathroom...



    Shower...



    Washlet equipped WC...



    Coffee and tea making facilities...


    Last edited by yflyer; 6 January 2025, 03:46 PM.

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    • #77
      In the evening, a futon bed was setup for the 3rd guest...



      What a lovely room this was.

      We spent a long time just sitting by the window taking in the view of the lake and surroundings.


      Last edited by yflyer; 6 January 2025, 12:22 AM.

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      • #78
        There was a wonderful spa and hot spring (onsen) at the resort.



        The spa was located on the top floor of the hotel, and had full length glass windows so that guests could take in views of the lake while taking in the waters.

        The onsen was split into two sides, one side for men and the other for ladies. They alternated sides on a daily basis, so you had to read the signs to know which side to use each day.



        There was also an open air spa on the roof level of the hotel, which was also incredible to experience.

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        • #79
          yflyer, how I have missed your TRs! I've recently been in a bit of a love affair with Japan, having travelled there 4x in the past 2 years (and with another trip planned in mid-2025!). I really enjoyed Takayama as a daytrip (did it from Kanazawa) and would return again, this time with a night or two to more thoroughly enjoy the town. Hokkaido is definitely one of the places on the list next, as is Kyushu (mid-2025 will be Tohoku time).

          I usually chronicle my trips on IG Stories nowadays, and save them. Perhaps I should just post the captioned images up here as a TR......hahaha.

          Looking forward to the completion of this TR.....and more to come!

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          • #80
            Originally posted by loldude333 View Post
            yflyer, how I have missed your TRs! I've recently been in a bit of a love affair with Japan, having travelled there 4x in the past 2 years (and with another trip planned in mid-2025!). I really enjoyed Takayama as a daytrip (did it from Kanazawa) and would return again, this time with a night or two to more thoroughly enjoy the town. Hokkaido is definitely one of the places on the list next, as is Kyushu (mid-2025 will be Tohoku time).

            I usually chronicle my trips on IG Stories nowadays, and save them. Perhaps I should just post the captioned images up here as a TR......hahaha.

            Looking forward to the completion of this TR.....and more to come!
            Thanks so much for your comments loldude333! I appreciate you reading the TRs!

            Wow, you have travelled to Japan so much. Mrs yflyer and I also share your enthusiasm about vacations in Japan.

            Yes, please do turn your IG stories into a TR, I am sure they will be amazing!

            Thanks again and I will definitely get round to completing this TR soon…

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            • #81
              Continuing with the TR...

              That evening, I went for an evening run along the shores of Lake Toya. I began right outside our hotel, the Lake Toya Nonokaze Onsen and Resort...



              I didn't do a lot of research on the running route, I just decided to run along the lakefront to see where it would take me.

              Should I turn left and head west, or turn right and proceed east?

              Totally at random, I decided to turn right and head east, along the wide path along the lake, and run along the circular lake in an anti-clockwise direction.



              There were many other hotels along this stretch of the lakefront...



              Along the way, stunning views of the lake, and the small island within it...



              It would have been great if this wide path extended right round the lake...



              ...but no. After a kilometer or so in that direction, the lakefront route stopped, and I had to run a short stretch along the pavement by the road, before cutting back towards the lake, this time on a narrow dirt track.



              It was still very scenic, though, a lovely route...



              ...with the views changing along the way...



              I continued along the lakefront...



              ...marvelling at the views.



              It was starting to get dark. I turned around and headed back the way I came.



              By the time I returned to the hotel, it was getting dark.



              I had run just a short stretch of the lakefront today. I wondered if it was possible to do a whole loop of the lake.



              The map of my route -- total distance that day was 5km.

              Last edited by yflyer; 19 January 2025, 05:12 PM.

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              • #82
                One aspect of an onsen or resort stay in Japan which we grew to like was that once in the hotel, it was pretty standard for the hotel to offer guests in-house attire, such as Yukatas, to wear while in the hotel. You could wear these when using the facilities, such as when heading to the onsen, or when dining in the restaurants.



                We got right into the spirit of things and dressed up for dinner at the main hotel restaurant.



                The dining hall was large and spacious, with full length windows facing the lake.




                The dinner spread here was simply stunning.



                This was a buffet selection comprising local Japanese and international dishes, along with many live cooking stations serving up freshly prepared delights.



                I was simply blown away by both the selection of dishes, and the quality of the preparations. This was a veritable feast!

                A selection of sashimi and sushi...



                Grilled whelk served in the shell...



                Tempura, including superb shirako tempura...



                One of the many live cooking stations...



                Bouillabaise...



                Steak...



                I washed it all down with beer...



                ...and shared a sake tasting flight with Mrs yflyer.



                The dessert selection was impressive too...



                ...with a good selection of sweet delights...

                Last edited by yflyer; 19 January 2025, 09:31 AM.

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                • #83
                  I work up early the next morning to savour sunrise views of the lake from our hotel room...



                  What an incredibly scenic spot...



                  Similarly stunning views could be had from the onsen on the fop floor as well, either through the full length glass windows running the length of the onsen, or on the rooftop, in the open air onsen, where you could admire the views while sitting outdoors in the hot spring water.

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                  • #84
                    At breakfast time, the views from the main dining hall were even more stunning, now that the lake was visible out of the full length windows...



                    What a picturesque spot for breakfast...



                    The breakfast spread was just as impressive as the dinner spread, and featured lots of local Hokkaido produce...



                    The live kitchen stations were in full swiing in the morning as well, serving up delights such as steaming bowls of noodles...



                    ...and fluffy pancakes.



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                    • #85
                      Apart from enjoying the onsen at the hotel, it was also possible to take a boat cruise on the lake.



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                      • #86
                        We had a great stay at the Lake View Toya Nonokaze Resort. The onsen was superb, and the rooms and in-hotel dining spectacular. I would highly recommend this resort for anyone planning a visit to Lake Toya as part of a Hokkaido tour itinerary.

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                        • #87
                          Our next stop, just a short 50 minute drive away, was Noboribetsu, the location of one of the most, if not the most, well known spa town in Hokkaido.

                          The volcanic crater from which the hot springs emerged was so hellish looking that the place had the nickname Jigokudani, or Hell's Valley, and the town had many statues of demons evoking the myths and legends of the area.



                          The volcanic crater itself was a sight to behold.



                          Anyone interested in natural hot springs and geothermal activity would have a great time exploring the many attractions here.



                          The resorts and onsens themselves were also on a grand scale.


                          Last edited by yflyer; 19 January 2025, 05:18 PM.

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                          • #88
                            We stayed at the Dai-ichi Takimotokan, one of the largest resorts there, and also the location of the largest onsen in Hokkaido.



                            This resort catered to huge numbers of guests, and yet the place was somehow still able to retain a relaxed onsen atmosphere.



                            By now, we knew the drill, once in the hotel, change into the hotel-supplied yukata's, and blend right in...

                            Last edited by yflyer; 19 January 2025, 05:18 PM.

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                            • #89
                              There were many different hotel wings, as the hotel and been build and extended multiple times over the years. Many different room types were also available, so it was important to do proper research before booking a room (which of course the ever diligent Mrs yflyer did...).

                              Our room was a Japanese style room in one of the newer wings...



                              You left your footwear at the entrance, before proceeding inside.



                              The floor was lined with delicate tatami mats.



                              The mats were very comfortable to sit and walk on -- cool, but not cold.



                              Welcome snack for guests.



                              Outside the window, a view of tree-lined hills, with the trees almost bare, now that it was Autumn.



                              Small fridge and tea making facilities...



                              By Western standards, the bathroom was small, but it was well appointed.



                              In-rooms safe, and wardrobe stocked with yukata's for guests.



                              In the evening, housekeeping staff came by to move the low table and seats aside. Very comfortable futon beds were laid out for guests.






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                              • #90
                                This hotel had an awesome onsen -- apparently the largest in Hokkaido.



                                This onsen had 35 baths spread out over 5000 sq meters of space. As no photos were allowed in the onsen, I have shared their website below, which highlights the multitude of different hot springs available at this amazing resort.

                                https://takimotokan.co.jp/en/spa/

                                Suffice to say, one could spend a long time taking in the waters at this onsen. The onsen was located directly next to Jigokudani, and full length glass windows gave guests a great view of Hell's Valley while soaking in the springs as well.

                                At this spa, it was also possible to buy drinks, and alcoholic beverages such as sake and beer, to drink while soaking in the small outdoor onsen as well.



                                I could not resist trying this out, and ordered sake, which came on a floating wooden tray, that I could bring into the water...



                                While there was definitely an element of novelty there, I did quite enjoy relaxing in the warm waters of the outdoor onsen while sipping slowly on my sake.
                                Last edited by yflyer; 19 January 2025, 05:21 PM.

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