On a beautiful day in Niseko, the finale of the drive was a day trip to a hot spring. After searching guidebooks and websites at the previous shop, we chose this place from several options. Passing through the welcoming arch, we arrived at this quite large hotel. The parking lot was empty, so we headed for a day trip bath. They even said we could have a beer after bathing! My partner was thrilled, thank you very much. The lobby was spacious and had a lovely atmosphere, so our expectations were high. On the last day of Golden Week, it was quite empty and comfortable, with plenty of space in the large communal bath. The outdoor bath after washing was almost like having it to ourselves, and it really opened up our hearts. They even offered Asahi Super Dry beer after the bath. I gulped it down from a medium-sized glass, ah, delicious! It was the best, thank you! It was a blissful time, thank you for the meal! They also offer accommodation here.

After leisurely enjoying the open-air bath with sweet hot spring water, I had a parfait at the cafe. When there were no staff around, I used the bell to place my order. I had the "Sweet Dorayaki Soft Serve" for 500 yen, which consisted of soft serve ice cream, white balls, sweet red bean paste, and corn flakes on top of a dorayaki pancake. The soft serve was quite sweet. It tasted great when eaten with the dorayaki pancake. The portion was also quite generous, and I left feeling full. I spent a relaxing time in the spacious cafe while enjoying the parfait. Apart from sweet treats, they also had alcoholic beverages like shochu and beer. It was a delightful dining experience!

This place was so good that I visited again with my sauna-loving partner 5 days later. I might be hooked on Niseko this summer. This time, I checked out the shop. Niseko has delicious tofu! I ordered the Sweet Bean Curd for 320 yen and a small Yogurt Drink for 180 yen. The tofu was soft and fluffy, really delicious!! It's from Sasaki Tofu Shop. It came with plum soy sauce, adding a nice touch. Takahashi Yogurt is always sold out, so I was thrilled to see it here. I bought it right away. This is a sauna I want to visit again in the hot summer. It was a great summer.

The next day after Niseko, we went to another main attraction recommended by a friend - Konbu Onsen. It was my first time visiting, and we also did a sauna tour in Kurosato, Niseko. We started by circling Mount Yotei, a mountain often referred to as the "Fuji of Hokkaido." The view of the mountain changes depending on the angle you see it from, but it generally resembles Mount Fuji. The rocky terrain is simply breathtaking. After that, we headed to Konbu Onsen, a stylish hotel with a beautiful hot spring. We had a simple and refreshing lunch of soba noodles and enjoyed a local beer. The sauna experience was great, with different temperatures for men and women. The outdoor bath was the highlight, surrounded by nature and providing a relaxing atmosphere. Overall, it was a fantastic summer getaway.

I had lunch before bathing at the Konbu Onsen. The Vegetable Pork Soup Set meal was full of local vegetables, including pork soup, 2 croquettes, salad, assorted tofu, small dish (butterbur), rice, and 2 types of pickles. The pork soup had plenty of vegetables in it. The croquettes had a crispy coating and a sweet and soft filling. It was delicious. Dining in the lobby with a view of the snow scenery and hina dolls is a lovely lunch experience.

I visited Niseko after a long time. As expected, there were few people around and many shops were closed. Annupuri Forest was also emptier than usual. However, the quality of dinner was still good. I opted for the half-buffet with the main course being meat. The buffet required wearing gloves to serve yourself. We had a semi-private room, which was nice and relaxing. The steak was delicious.

I visited the restaurant because it came with a hot spring tour ticket from Yuten-tei. I ordered soba for lunch as I had a big breakfast. The area is famous for its sweet spring water, so I had high hopes for the soba made with delicious water. However, the soba had a soft texture without much firmness. It had a sweetness and a refreshing taste. But it felt like a cross between ramen and somen rather than soba. Thank you for the meal.

We went rafting again this year after two years. We stayed here last time and the red tororo (grated yam) tasted really good... Huh? It doesn't seem that great this time, right? Both my husband and I had the same impression. There are plenty of menu options that go well with alcohol, but even with the half buffet, a good amount of food is brought to you without having to go get it... We can't finish it all (´Д`；) My husband doesn't eat soy milk hot pot, so it's a shame to waste it. Is it impossible to refuse anything other than sashimi?

I had some business in this area, so I left Sapporo early in the morning, but suddenly changed my plans and decided to stay in the Niseko area. I found this inn in the evening on the same day, and although I didn't have many options, I thought it would be fine as long as it included two meals and hot springs. I drove leisurely from Sapporo for about 3 hours and found that this inn was quite nice. In the winter, it's full of foreign skiers. The staff are fluent in English. The building is mainly black and red, with wooden objects and Japanese-style decorations designed for foreign tourists. The dinner consisted of 3 main dishes and a half-buffet. There was a sashimi platter, tofu hot pot, and a choice between Japanese beef fillet or fish. The half-buffet had a surprising variety of dishes, and I was pleasantly surprised as I had low expectations. There were various options like Fukkurinko and Yumepirika blend rice, ikura and tororo dish, and flavorful ochazuke. Mild curry, spicy black curry, Genghis Khan, gratin, and salt ramen were also available, along with home-style dishes, pickles, and local sake. The dessert, especially the baked pudding, was delicious. I was so full that I decided to postpone the bath and attended the evening event, a live piano performance from 19:30 to 21:00. The pianist, an older man, played ballads and QUEEN songs, captivating the audience in the lobby. The hot spring, Konbu Onsen, had separate male and female baths, and I enjoyed the snow-view outdoor bath in the cold weather. The water had a slight sulfur scent and was smooth. The breakfast had mostly Japanese dishes, but there were also various bread, desserts, and fruits available. The breakfast area closes at 9:30, but you can take your meal to the lounge for a more leisurely experience. I hope to visit again at a more convenient time.

On October 24, 2015 (Saturday), I revisited "Kanro no Mori," located near Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort. It was my second visit in 7 years. I wanted to experience the "Forest Sky Open-Air Bath" again, which left a good impression on me during my previous stay. However, this time, I noticed that the quality of the meals (dinner and breakfast) had decreased. The addition of a buffet during dinner created a chaotic atmosphere on the floor, completely eliminating the calm ambiance. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in international guests, and the presence of languages other than Japanese in the dining area made it feel like I was not in Hokkaido (Japan). The hotel no longer provided the quiet and relaxing environment it once did, which was a bit disappointing. The bath, with its skin-beautifying properties, was enjoyable, but I do not plan on revisiting in the future.

It had been two years, but the menu for dinner and breakfast was basically the same. The mackerel miso was delicious.

The bath is clean and the hot spring quality is good. The front desk service is good, and the shop and café are well-stocked.

The heating was noisy and there were some disappointing aspects, but...