Scenes from the Japanese North
- The less visited part of Hokkaido -
Being in Japan for as long as I have, I should have visited Hokkaido much earlier. I feel that most people who have been here for a few years would have already visited Sapporo for the snow fetival, Niseiko for the fabulous japow snow filled ski slopes or took refuge here in the scortching Japanese Summer to cool down a bit.
One thing led to another and I finally got to visit Hokkaido - actually two times within two months. First in December 2022, when there was surprisngly no snow yet. It was really really cold nevertheless. The second time was a brief visit in January, when it finally felt like true winter with the white cover over the ground and hills.
The part of Hokkaido I visited is not a place tourists would usually visit - the North-Eastern part easily acessable from the Memanbetsu airport, one of the smallest airports I have visited recently.
What speaks for the lack of tourist spots is that the most famous sight is seven birch trees on a small hill. I have to admit though, they photograph very well.
I thoroughly enjoyed this lesser know side of Japan and the playces I have stayed were all wonderful - they were a part of the Tsuruga Resort Group and I can only highly recommend them! See below for more information!
Saromako Tsuruga Resort
A lovely hotel at the edge of lake Saroma, which is home to beautiful white swans. The highlight is definitely the lake view, but you can also enjoy a rooftop onsen, billiard, table tennis and a nice bar on the premises.
Hokuten no Oka
Easily one of the best hotels I have ever stayed at! The spacious room was completed with a private outdoor onsen, massage chair, sound system with lovely jazz music CD´s and welcome drink with a snack. The fireplace in the bar/lounge area and an outdoor footbath were just a cherry on top.
Akan Tsuruga
Besso Hinanza
This place found me via an instagram ad and I have to say it was targetted extremely well. The Akanko onsen village is a definiton of a hidden gem. A magical little place situatednext to lake Akan. Private onsen once again did not dissapoint as well as the bar offering seasonal drinks and a view of the snowstorm outside.