ハル隊長
Excluding the year-end and New Year holidays, it has been two years since I last saw fireworks with my only companion. Setting aside the quality of the hot springs (bitter smile), my companion was attracted to the open-air bath with a great view and a feeling of liberation, so we decided to book a plan at the Toya Lakeside Hotel 5 days in advance. The plan was a discounted plan for 2 people sharing a room, including 2 meals, in a Lake View Japanese-Western style room (non-smoking) at a price of 12,650 yen per adult, totaling 25,300 yen (including tax and service charge). An additional bathing tax of 300 yen per person was charged. We used some points to reduce the cost, so each person paid 14,070 yen. We chose a discounted plan before the holiday, but the following Sunday was fully booked, probably due to a group of 300 people staying there. We were supposed to check in at 2:30 PM, but we were a bit late and checked in before 3:30 PM. Our room was on the 8th floor (the rooftop open-air bath was on the 9th floor) with a high view of the lake. The room, despite being an old establishment, was clean and well-maintained. We headed straight to the large bath with a fantastic view of Lake Toya. I noticed the crows again in the open-air bath, just like the last time I visited (laughs). They recommended the buffet dining time in the order of check-in, so we went when it was time, and there were still plenty of seats available (but by the time we finished, there was a long line). We grabbed as much food as we could eat. Although there was beer in the room, I bought two large 800ml jugs for my companion who seemed to want to drink (laughs). For some reason, our plan included a set of dishes from the inn, but it was unnecessary for a buffet (sweat). I tried it out alone, and I was surprised by the bamboo fish cakes and pickled radishes. There were also some saury, which was my first time this year (I think). The tempura consisted of three types (shrimp, salmon, and maitake mushroom) with tempura dipping sauce (with grated daikon and ginger), kombu salt, and lemon salt for seasoning. The steak, cooked as ordered, was good, but it became my favorite when I added plenty of Hokkaido onions and mustard sauce with garlic chips. The best dish was the salt ramen with young scallops from Funka Bay! The noodles, made from 100% Hokkaido wheat and cooked after receiving the order, were topped with two young scallops, seaweed, and green onions. The noodles had a slightly different texture, and despite still drinking, the unlimited squid sashimi was a joy (laughs). The steak, cooked as ordered, was good, but it became my favorite when I added plenty of Hokkaido onions and mustard sauce with garlic chips. The best dish was the salt ramen with young scallops from Funka Bay! The noodles, made from 100% Hokkaido wheat and cooked after receiving the order, were topped with two young scallops, seaweed, and green onions. The noodles had a slightly different texture, and despite still drinking, the unlimited squid sashimi was a joy (laughs). The fireworks display at the "Lake Toya Onsen Long Run Fireworks Festival" was from 8:45 PM for about 20 minutes. The combination of illuminated boats, boats launching fireworks, and maneuverable boats for fireworks on the lake was impressive, fitting for the 40th anniversary. Breakfast was also held in the same venue from 7:00 AM, and we lined up 5 minutes before to minimize waiting time (as there were many people waiting by the time we left). The warm chawanmushi from the previous night was served cold in the morning (laughs). The clam chowder was quite flavorful. The curry (which tasted like pork) could be adjusted to your preferred spiciness with garam masala and chili powder. A highlight was the "Japanese Mountain Menu" themed after Iburigakko from Fukui Prefecture, featuring grilled onigiri with salmon tea pickles. The triangular grilled onigiri with soy sauce-colored surface was topped with skin-on salmon slices, and after pouring dashi, mountain wasabi, bubu arare, and chopped seaweed were added. Making it was fun, and the taste was a step up (laughs). I was too full the night before, so I gave up on making my own soft-serve ice cream. I poured strong coffee over it and made a pseudo-affogato, satisfying myself (laughs). For those who love buffets and those who are a bit hesitant about buffets due to their age, the well-thought-out meals are not bad. The current cover photo is from a spot that is not yet well-known, so after taking the picture, when I asked the front desk how to get there, they said that some people show this type of photo and ask how to get there. However, I don't know the location, so let's try our best to find it ourselves.