Toya Gokirakutei

“Great place for mid-budget travelers”

Just stayed here for two nights as a couple traveling on a budget (I speak decent Japanese). Since we booked relatively last-minute, this was one of the cheapest places we could find in the Toya Lake area (had to book via their website directly). After reading the Tripadvisor reviews, I wasn't sur… more

Just stayed here for two nights as a couple traveling on a budget (I speak decent Japanese). Since we booked relatively last-minute, this was one of the cheapest places we could find in the Toya Lake area (had to book via their website directly). After reading the Tripadvisor reviews, I wasn't sure what to expect, but we were pleased with what we got. The location was within the main Toya street area and has a 7-11 right around the corner with a couple of eateries nearby (there's a decent izakaya with oden and yakitori right next door called 味の一平 but there's no English menu). If you take the bus, get off at Moto Machi - not the Toyako Onsen bus terminal. Our check-in was smooth with a friendly greeting, and like others said, we had to grab our robes and towels at the front desk to bring up to our room. The room itself was spacious for the two of us and we received a small discount (couple of bucks) for agreeing to set up our futon on our own. No issues with cleanliness or things not working. Didn't use the shower since we bathed at the onsen. The daily breakfast that was included in our rate wasn't anything to write home about but better than nothing. The timing is a bit tight since it's limited from 7-830am. Guests at Gokirakutei are granted access to the onsen at the sister hotel Kohantei which is down the hill (short short walk) across the street. We used both the in-house onsen and the one across the street. The in-house onsen is very basic and small, but the water was very nice and hot (hotter than others that I had tried). However, it is definitely worth your while to walk across the street to Kohantei and use the onsens at the 9th floor. I used the onsen two days in a row and it seems they rotate the men's/women's sides like some onsens. The onsen on the further side of the hall has a nicer outdoor onsen (rotenburo) but both are huge and offer a great view of Lake Toya. For anyone booking this place who will be taking the bus in or out of Sapporo to get here, double check the website. I missed out, but during the time of my booking, the hotel was offering a cheap shuttle bus from Sapporo for something like 750 yen compared to the 2800 yen (ish) that I paid for the Donan Bus from Sapporo city. For the price of the accommodation and the access to Kohantei's nicer onsen, I'd definitely recommend this place for people looking for a cheap(er) stay. Honestly, we didn't find much to do in the town as many things were closed and the ropeway was under maintenance but it was a nice, relaxing stay.

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“Comfortable, but needs renovation”

The hotel is almost near the lake, but there is another hotel that prevents seeing it... Although, it's not far from the bus station by foot and also has a bus stop very close. What I liked the most was the dinner, very complete. The breakfast is also Japanese style and good. The rooms are tidy, tr… more

The hotel is almost near the lake, but there is another hotel that prevents seeing it... Although, it's not far from the bus station by foot and also has a bus stop very close. What I liked the most was the dinner, very complete. The breakfast is also Japanese style and good. The rooms are tidy, traditional style and very large. The bad thing is that the hotel needs a renovation... In the room, the window was broken and I couldn't see the outside clearly, and the baths are also vey old, they need new tiles, baskets... Although, there is one thing you should know: the water is quite brown, it may seem dirty but it isn't! And stay tuned for the fireworks of every evening in the lake, the are really beautiful!

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