Once a month, I go on a hot spring tour in Hokkaido. This time, I visited Lake Toya after a year. It was a snowy day, and it took about 3 and a half hours by shuttle bus. I'm glad I didn't drive myself. They were having a winter hot buffet fair with lots of meat, fish, and root vegetable dishes. I love simmered dishes, so I was grateful for that. In a buffet, oily and high-calorie foods are common, but simmered dishes are easy on the stomach. The highlight of the buffet was the smoked and aged beef, both of which were delicious. The steak was amazing, tender and flavorful. I usually don't eat the same thing twice, but I couldn't resist having more of it. The smoked dishes were okay, the quail was tasty, but some dishes were bland or too salty. The restaurant was huge, and it was very crowded, probably because of the discount period. We had a 5:15 pm reservation, but we finished eating around 7:30 pm. There were long lines to enter the restaurant and to get food. The breakfast quality was exceptional! It was just as good as dinner, with a wide variety of fresh dishes. The French toast made right in front of us was delicious! It was a wonderful hot spring trip. I hope I can go back again someday.

On the way to my outing, I made a detour to Toyako as recommended by my friends for a perfect rest stop with delicious coffee and foot baths. When I arrived, I found the Manseikaku. It's not a place for overnight stays or day trips, but rather a cafe located underground. Facing the lake, the cafe has a high ceiling and large glass windows, creating a spacious and open atmosphere. The chairs and sofas are stylish and comfortable to sit in. The secluded space in the back has a calm ambiance, with a corner dedicated to books on art, travel, and more. I spent some time flipping through books here. I later moved to a table by the window, which also had a great atmosphere. In addition to drinks, they offer croissant sandwiches and ice cream. The iced coffee, priced at 650 yen, was decent. I chose to have it in a glass inside, but if you want to enjoy it in the foot bath area, they will provide it in a take-out container. After the cafe, I moved to the foot bath area and had a great time. However, the iced coffee was disappointingly weak compared to my previous visit, making me wonder if they changed their brewing method. It's unclear if it varies by person or if they intentionally serve it diluted now. I would have given a higher rating if the coffee had been delicious.

I had dinner at a buffet. The salmon, octopus, and shrimp sashimi were fresh and delicious. I made a seafood bowl and ate until I was full. The dessert selection was also very satisfying.

Lake Toya Manseikaku Hotel Lakeside Terrace is a rather long name for a hotel. I wonder when was the last time I visited this place. Back when I first visited, there was no Tabelog, and the deep brown color of the building feels nostalgic. However, despite that, it doesn't feel old but instead exudes a sense of character, probably because they renovate it each time. From after Golden Week in 2023, due to the settling down of COVID, it gets quite crowded, so early reservations are necessary. Check-in is from 2 pm, and check-out is at 10 am. From April 28th to October 31st, there is a long-running fireworks festival. The dinner and breakfast buffets offer a wide variety of dishes, including Japanese, Western, Chinese, sushi, steak, tempura, pizza, spaghetti, and more. The quality of the food has significantly improved over the years. The French toast for breakfast is particularly delicious. The view of Lake Toya from the room is fantastic, and the fireworks show at 8:45 pm for 20 minutes is a must-see. The large communal baths are luxurious, with a sauna and open-air baths. The garden open-air bath on the basement floor and the observation bath on the 8th floor are both great spots to relax and enjoy the view of Lake Toya. The bath switches between genders at 3:30 am, so you can enjoy both the evening and morning baths. Overall, it's a great place to stay for around 15,000 to 18,000 yen per night on Saturdays. I would like to visit a place like this at least once a year.

Breakfast was served at 7:00, which seemed to be earlier than usual, so there weren't as many people as expected, which was nice. Other than a line forming at the onigiri corner, the flow of people was smooth. The bread in the rotating toaster didn't always toast well, resulting in a dry texture. The French toast made from baguette was slightly sweet but delicious. The soup was just okay. The yogurt and cheese were of high quality, as expected from Hokkaido. The variety of Japanese side dishes was plentiful and tasty, including tamagoyaki, squid shiokara, mentaiko, and croquette. However, the rice was a bit dry and not the best I've had in Hokkaido. The sesame dumplings for dessert were delicious, but other desserts were too sweet for my liking. The coffee was from a machine, but they also offered espresso and cappuccino options for takeaway. I left the breakfast buffet feeling satisfied, but I confirmed once again that buffets are not my favorite.

This time, we stayed at this hotel in the Lake Toya Onsen town at the request of my companion. We checked in in the evening, but there was no choice in the dinner time, only the 20:00 slot. It seemed crowded, probably due to Golden Week. Normally, there is a course meal for dinner, but on this day, there was only a buffet. I'm not a fan of buffets. I don't like going to get my own food (I prefer it to be brought to me), it's difficult to choose what to eat, and I'm not good at plating. Oh well, let's do our best. When we arrived at 20:00, there were people waiting in line for the reception, and we were asked to wait for a while. Some of the waiting customers were getting impatient, wondering how long they would have to wait. After about 10 minutes of waiting, we were shown to our table. Let's go. The plates and trays weren't rotating smoothly, and some were wet or still dirty, which was a bit disappointing from the start. This buffet didn't have an overall map, so you wouldn't know until you went there. If they had such guidance on the table, you could leave knowing where to find what you want, making it clear what you're looking for and allowing you to leave your seat. It seems like they weren't replenishing the vegetables, leaving a small amount as it was. The tempura was already fried and dry. The sashimi was covered to prevent it from drying out, which was a good idea. However, the sashimi itself was just okay. The sushi was also just okay. The beer we ordered took a while to arrive despite reminders. The cheese and smoked food were delicious, but the rest, which included a variety of Japanese, Western, Chinese, and ethnic foods, unfortunately didn't have anything that stood out. I guess buffets are like that... I caught a glimpse of some fireworks that I might have been able to see from my room at certain times. It was a disappointing dinner in many ways, but thank you for the meal. The baths and sauna were good, though not related to the meal. Especially the sauna in the basement, if you like saunas, it's a must-try! [Recommended for solo diners] 3 *1 (ideal) 2 (if you're used to it) 3 (depending on the situation) 4 (impossible) We used it for two people. Large families were very noticeable. Whether it was the season or just a coincidence, I didn't see any solo diners. A buffet for one person might be a bit difficult to use...

Breakfast buffet at the Lakeside Terrace of Manseikaku Lake Hotel. A very typical buffet menu. In hotels around Lake Toya, homemade rice balls seem to be a staple. All the dishes tasted quite salty. Thank you for the meal.

I wanted to relax and heal the exhaustion from the busy March, so I decided to spontaneously go to the Manseikaku Lakeside Terrace hot spring. The one-night stay with breakfast and dinner buffet for two cost just under ¥30,000. The buffet menu featured simple dishes made with Hokkaido ingredients, allowing us to enjoy a variety of options. Thank you for the delicious meal.

This ryokan is perfect for families with children!! We stayed for one night. For a 2-year-old, the entrance fee is only 1,100 yen. ✨ ⭕️ There is a place for children to play. ⭕️ During the buffet, families with children tend to sit together, which is reassuring. ⭕️ You can choose your dinner time during check-in, so it's not too crowded. ⭕️ The hot springs are shallow and lukewarm. ⭕️ There is a field and foot bath outside. ⭕️ The food is delicious, with a lot of creative and cheese dishes that are too good. ⭕️ There is a nursing room. ⭕️ Children are allowed in the hot springs. ⭕️ There is a Finnish sauna. It's the best! Among the places around Lake Toya, this is the most recommended as it is not too expensive. I highly recommend it to people from outside the area. ✨ ♨️ For two adults staying for one night with breakfast and dinner on the weekend, it costs around 19,000 yen.

I had this at a hot spring trip to Lake Toya. Among all the hotels I have visited, this one had the most delicious buffet. The snow crab that came with the plan was especially amazing. I couldn't get enough of the pasta and scallop potage, they were so delicious. You can enjoy lots of delicious Hokkaido cuisine. The Lake Toya dyed in the sunset during dinner time was incredibly beautiful. I would love to go on another trip to Lake Toya. The hot spring also offers a spectacular view of Lake Toya.

We used it for a family trip. The price includes accommodation, so it's a very cost-effective breakfast. The menu includes mozzarella cheese and fresh vegetables that are carefully selected. There are also plenty of desserts. The spaghetti was subtly made with fresh pasta, which was chewy. The venue had an open space with Mount Yotei, still covered in snow, in front. The accommodation price was not the high Golden Week rate but more like a business hotel. The room was clean and the bath was excellent. It's great for families with small children, as the fireworks display at Lake Toya is starting. It's quite far from Sapporo, but I think it's a hot spring worth visiting. Highly recommended.

At the end of 2021, I stayed at this hotel to relax and heal from the fatigue of the year. Although I have used the facilities of the Manseikaku Group for day trips several times, this was my first time staying overnight. The room had a view of Lake Toya, and the large communal baths, separated by gender at different times, were spacious, allowing me to relax and unwind. We opted for the buffet course for dinner and breakfast, and the variety and quality of the dishes were impressive. Despite the restrictions due to the pandemic, we were very satisfied with the content. The price for one night with two meals included was around 15,000 yen per person (for two people), but the satisfaction exceeded the cost, so I would like to stay at other hotels in the same group if I have the opportunity.

My wife and I stayed overnight on a weekday. The dinner was in buffet style. Each dish was well-prepared and there were no disappointments. It was nice to be able to watch the cooking right in front of us. We were very satisfied with the all-you-can-drink option, and we ate and drank to our heart's content. The bath, sauna, meals, and the view from the room were all excellent. I wanted to come back many times.

This is a record of a family trip in August. The next morning after checking our weight on the scale together at the public bath, we had breakfast. There were a lot of things I liked, so I was satisfied. I will start my diet when I get back home. I ate as much as I wanted of my favorite foods during the trip.

Forgot to post this series! August 2021 visit. With the lifting of the state of emergency, I finally went on a 1-night trip that I had been holding back. My favorite hot spring hotel, No. 1, is the Toya Lake Manseikaku Hotel Lakeside Terrace!! The rooftop large communal bath "Hoshi no Yu" offers a spectacular view, and the variety of dishes at the buffet is excellent. I love everything about this place, and I want to stay here again and again in the future! Thank you, Lakeside, for the wonderful experience♪

We stayed at the Toyako Lake Tsuruga Resort WORLDSHOTEL with breakfast included. The homemade omelette was juicy and delicious. They cooked onigiri and French toast right in front of us. The variety of dishes was overwhelming and everything was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

I stopped by a hot spring on my way back home since I had traveled all the way to my hometown. It seemed like ordering directly from the hotel was the cheapest option. I've only been to hot springs near Hakodate, so this place felt crowded. I could hear laughter from the next room, which gave me a feeling of nostalgia. Overall, it was nice to stay overnight, have a meal, and relax in the bath. The dinner menu was mostly homemade, with desserts being the highlight. The dishes using homemade cheese were particularly delicious. For breakfast, I tried the miso curry, which caught my attention. The buffet offered a variety of dishes that I wanted to try for both breakfast and dinner. I received a freshly made hot spring bun from Toya Lake Tenseikan, which was made here, and it looked delicious even when it cooled down - a moist and tasty bun.

Even without the GOTO, without fireworks, and even with bad weather, I stayed at the Toyako Lakeside Terrace. However, the sauna temperature in the underground bath is too low! They need to improve it quickly. On the other hand, the sauna on the top floor bath is great, with a high temperature and self-loyly available. As always, I stayed for the sauna, but the buffet here is still doing its best. The homemade cheese and smoked items that go well with alcohol are excellent. Dishes like Ezo deer stir-fry and lamb with beans (forgot the name) are very Hokkaido-like. It would be even better if there were more seafood options...but maybe that's difficult at this price point. I forgot to take a picture, but I saw a buffet cart for the first time. You can load your plate onto the cart to easily get your food. This is great! It's a thoughtful consideration for older guests with weaker arms. So, I will definitely come back again.

I had lunch at Shimo Tomo De Nahe from 2:00 pm and ended up staying overnight in Toyako because I was exhausted. I wasn't hungry at all, so I booked a plan with breakfast included. Since GOTO was going on at that time, I got a really cheap deal and even received a regional coupon. There were various things available in the hotel like a café and massage, which were just the right price to use the coupon. I enjoyed homemade ginger ale and parfait at the café in the hotel and used up the coupon. The breakfast was quite good, with only a few groups around and they made onigiri for me right away. The restaurant and rooms seemed to have been renovated without me noticing, and they were clean. The best part was the hot spring. There were hardly any people in the spacious hot spring, and I had the sauna and outdoor bath all to myself. The sauna was really nice. I practically only paid for the sauna fee haha.

This morning it was not raining yet. During dinner time, we were shown to our seats, but during breakfast time, it was open seating. I chose a seat by the window. Before picking up the plates for the food, I put on vinyl gloves on my right hand. I started by getting a plate and chopsticks for the salad corner. I selected lettuce, onion slices, mini tomatoes, and cucumber with sesame dressing. I also picked up soft-boiled eggs, omelette, and sunny-side-up eggs. I added tempura, bacon, and sausages. For drinks, I had orange juice and milk. Since my wife enjoyed the curry, I decided to have some curry as well. I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast by the window with a nice view. Thank you for the meal.

On the first night in Hokkaido, we stayed at this large facility, Toyako Onsen, which was fully booked. The parking lot was also full, so we were directed to a nearby parking lot where a microbus took us to the hotel. They also provide a shuttle to the parking lot in the morning. Due to the full occupancy of the rooms, we couldn't specify the dinner time. However, we were seated promptly when the time came. At the entrance, there was alcohol disinfection available. In the buffet restaurant, vinyl gloves were provided at the dish station to avoid touching tongs with bare hands. The buffet restaurant seemed to be the main dining option, with various cooking stations such as sushi, steak, tempura, pizza, and more. There was even omurice at the rice corner. I had a lot of salad, so I skipped dessert today. Despite the many guests, the dining experience was relatively smooth. Thank you for the meal, and we look forward to breakfast tomorrow morning.