Published date: December 10, 2024
A hotel exceeding expectations in both location and facilities. You can stay without any stress even without luggage.
Room Type Stayed
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Experience of the stay
I booked a twin room and stayed for three nights. Although it was a twin room, one bed was a semi-double and the other was a single, which was a rare combination. However, this allowed for a spacious room, which was great. Also, the bathroom, washbasin, and toilet were separated, which is uncommon and very convenient.
The room's TV was not connected to the internet, but there was Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.
This hotel has natural hot springs; although there's no outdoor bath, they offer two charming indoor baths that switch between genders morning and evening.
The bath amenities were all from DHC, ranging from makeup removers to lotions. The hairdryer was Refa, which I think is nice for women.
I didn’t feel dry even in Hokkaido's coldness thanks to DHC. It was great.
Also, the baths had small ice packs and mineral water available, and there were plastic bags in the bath tote for wet items, showing little details that made the experience stress-free.
Furthermore, throughout the hotel, you can move around in hotel attire and slippers, eliminating the need to wear winter shoes in Sapporo.
The location is near Tanuki Koji, so even on snowy days, you can quickly enter the arcade and from there access the underground shopping street, making mobility convenient.
Speaking of convenience, there is a FamilyMart next to the hotel lobby, making it easy for small shopping, which was also a bonus.
I think this hotel is recommended for both first-time visitors to Sapporo and those who have been here many times.
There are so many highlights that I can't list them all (laughs).
Experiences during the trip
This was my first winter visit to Sapporo, and I enjoyed the classic tourist experiences.
I used a service that helped carry my luggage from the airport to the hotel, and I highly recommend this. It was a relief not having a suitcase since the trains were crowded.
First, I visited Escon Field. It was mostly empty since it's the off-season, but I think it's a fun place for baseball fans.
In the evening, I went to a Michelin-starred sushi restaurant, Sushi Kuriya.
The chef prepared wonderful toppings with complex techniques, paired with delicious sushi rice seasoned with a strong vinegary flavor. Since there are only seven seats, I enjoyed pleasant interactions with other guests and had a wonderful time filled with the spirit of 'ichigo ichie' (one-time meeting). It may not be an exaggeration to say that it’s worth visiting Sapporo just for this experience. I highly recommend it.
Additionally, during this season, the Sapporo illuminations are stunningly beautiful, and together with the snowy scenery, it's incredibly romantic.
The next day, I went to Maruyama Zoo in Sapporo.
I wondered if a zoo in winter would be enjoyable, but most of the facilities allow animals and humans to spend time comfortably indoors, making it possible to enjoy even during heavy snowfall.
I couldn't meet the baby elephant Tao on this day, but I was happy to see the little orangutan named Late and the lively polar bears.
That night, I visited Sapporo Beer Garden.
In a restaurant as spacious as a gymnasium, everyone enjoyed Jingisukan (grilled mutton) while chatting cheerfully.
I really felt that I had come to Hokkaido.
The next day, I went to Otaru, which was incredibly crowded due to inbound tourism.
The beautiful scenery helped relieve my everyday stress.
I was able to refresh myself with plenty of delicious food.