We stayed at Asahidake Onsen on the first day of our trip. It was the only place available for reservation during the Obon season. It's about a one-hour drive from the town of Biei, with a scenic mountain road where you can see Mount Asahi up close. The building looks a bit old from the outside, but the rooms are relatively clean. We had two types of rooms - a mountain view twin and a forest view classic. The forest view room had a tatami area. Due to the clouds, we couldn't see the mountain from the mountain view room. The hot springs included indoor and outdoor baths made of cypress wood, a rock bath, and a cypress bath. There were also private baths available. The private baths at Lavista can be used without reservation if they are available, so you can enjoy them by adjusting your timing. It was cloudy during the day, so we didn't expect to see any stars, but when we went outside, we were greeted by a sky full of stars. It had been a while since we last saw the Milky Way, and we even saw several shooting stars, which made us very happy. We had planned to visit the Asahidake Ropeway the next morning, but unfortunately, it was covered in fog, so we had to give up. By chance, we often stay at Lavista properties, so we have developed a routine of having soba noodles at night and enjoying ice candy and Yakult after bathing.

The bath rating is "3.5" with spring quality at 3.5, cleanliness at 3.5, atmosphere at 4.0, cost performance at 3.0, and sauna at 3.0. Located on the north side of Daisetsuzan National Park, at the foot of Mt. Asahi, there are several hotels and pensions. "La Vista" is famous for its hotel in Hakodate, but it is also affiliated with Dormy Inn, so it offers unique services such as night soba noodles and free ice cream after a bath. La Vista Daisetsuzan also offers similar hospitality. Now, onto the bath review. The large communal bath "Momunino-yu" uses a lot of wood, as "momuni" means driftwood. True to its name, the bath has a natural and unrefined design with a luxurious use of wood, allowing guests to feel the essence of nature. The open air and the view of the stars at night while soaking in the outdoor bath is fantastic. Since the hotel has few rooms, there was no overcrowding. I enjoyed leisurely baths in the evening and morning, and my skin became smooth and silky. Excellent. There are three private baths available without the need for advance reservations. If they are available, you can use them as many times as you like during your stay, making it perfect for families to enjoy the hot springs. The pricing is a bit on the higher side, but it was a great hotel. Winter must be nice too, but I wouldn't recommend it for amateurs, haha.

This was my third visit. Both the bath and the food (especially at night) were satisfying, so I always feel like it's a good deal to be able to eat this course at the hot springs. Since it was Christmas day, the dessert was a Bush de Noel. It was cute and delicious. The soup was also delicious, and there were many dishes, so even though there wasn't a lot of meat, I was satisfied with this if I came later. I want to go again.

It is breakfast at the same restaurant where I had dinner last night. It is a buffet style with a mix of Japanese and Western dishes. I mainly chose Japanese side dishes, but for the main dish, I went with a croissant. I also had soup curry and miso soup. They were all just average, not particularly delicious. The variety of ingredients and choices make it enjoyable for everyone. The standout was the milk, which was exceptionally delicious. Perhaps it's because it's from Hokkaido.

After sightseeing at Asahidake, we stayed at La Vista Daisetsuzan. It's a convenient place to stay for tired bodies within walking distance from Asahidake and Kurodake. The hotel is operated by Kyoritsu Resort, which also operates student dormitories and nursing facilities. The hotel was fully booked on this day, which is understandable during the peak season. We could only start our meal at 8:00 pm due to the late start. We headed to the restaurant "Nupuri" for dinner. Nupuri means "mountain" in Ainu. We ordered the local craft beers "Moe" and "Kera Pilkka" from the Daisetsuzan region. The meal started with appetizers, simmered dishes, sashimi, steamed dishes, and pickled dishes all served at once on a tray. It felt a bit rushed, but perhaps it's due to the shortage of staff. The crab in the pickled dish was delicious, and the simmered eel was also tasty. The sashimi exceeded our expectations. We finally received the beers we ordered after finishing about two-thirds of the tray. The next dish was the first main dish called "Hunter's Grill," a type of teppanyaki using beef, pork, and chicken. The meats used were Hokkaido beef, Kamifurano pork, and Nakasatsunai local chicken. We also had various vegetables and garlic chips to accompany the meats. The chicken was flavorful, and the vegetables were particularly delicious. The second main dish was the "Ezo Nabe" with Hokkaido snow crab, fish, and vegetables in a miso and butter soup base. The soup was unique and comforting, especially on a cold night. We finished the meal with a rice soup using the leftover soup from the Ezo Nabe, topped with an egg, and a dessert of sake lees panna cotta and Furano melon. We also enjoyed some refreshing pickles. The meal ended with coffee, and we received the bill for drinks and information about breakfast the next morning. Overall, it was a satisfying dining experience in Hokkaido.

It's a nice atmosphere restaurant. The service is a bit slow considering the number of staff. There are many varieties of appetizers, and they look very fancy. The desserts were average. They also offer the familiar Yonaki soba from the Dormy Inn chain. The breakfast is buffet style, and the ability to grill scallops is highly praised, but unfortunately it seemed to be limited in quantity and not refillable.

My wife and I stayed in Hokkaido for a trip. Since my wife doesn't like game meat, we chose a non-game meat restaurant for dinner. For lunch, we had French cuisine at Bibure in Biei Town, which was a once-in-a-lifetime experience! It exceeded our expectations and was delicious. The service was excellent. - Appetizers: Marinated spring fish, pate de campagne, Hokkaido Yumepirika crab with firefly squid in tomato sauce, cherry shrimp croquette, edamame mousse. I prefer a variety of dishes with small portions. - Pasta: Ring pasta with spring cabbage and shirasu. It was delicious with a hint of garlic. - Fava bean potage: I can't read kanji, but it's fava beans. - Bread: Bread made with local wheat called "Spring Love." It couldn't beat a specialty bread shop. - Fish dish: Grilled live scallop and head-on shrimp. The shrimp was firm and delicious. It is served with two sauces, and I particularly liked the American sauce as it had just the right shrimp flavor. - Meat dish: Low-temperature cooked local pork. It was tender and tasty. The Haskap sauce was also good. The aged potatoes aged for 540 days were flavorful and delicious. - Service: Having a hot towel is expected, but wiping your mouth with a towel you used for your hands is unpleasant. This restaurant provided a separate "mouth towel" along with the hot towel, which left a good impression. They prepared a private room for us as it was our anniversary, and the male staff provided detailed explanations with a smile. The dessert message service was appreciated. In addition, the hotel had a hot spring, and we were able to relax in the open-air bath without overlapping with other guests while enjoying the view of the snow. It was my first time using a coffee bean mill in the room, and the beans were from Misuzu Coffee in Hakodate, which was delicious. The next morning, we had a buffet breakfast with a focus on Japanese cuisine, including salmon soup, salmon roe, and soup curry, which was also satisfying. It was a great trip.

I stayed at "Lavista Daisetsuzan" in Asahidake Onsen, Higashikawa-cho. It is a mountain lodge hotel nestled in the embrace of the Daisetsuzan mountains. Despite it being October, the surroundings were already covered in winter scenery. For dinner, I dined at the hotel's restaurant "Nupuri". The menu included the following: - Aperitif: Plum wine and soda - Appetizer: Simmered green-lipped mussels, pine nut, myoga sushi - Main dish: Simmered Pacific saury, autumn flavors skewer - Side dish: Autumn assortment - Main course: Salmon, sweet shrimp, squid, red heart daikon, various accompaniments - Side dish: Chawanmushi with silver bean paste - Side dish: Warm mushrooms and chrysanthemum vinegar dish with needle ginger, Tosazu vinegar - Grilled dish: Hokkaido beef, himawari pork, Shiretoko chicken, lotus root, shiitake mushroom, onion, taro mochi - Hot pot: Oilfish, Hokkaido surf clam, red snow crab, napa cabbage, shiitake mushroom, white spring onion, garland chrysanthemum, cotton tofu, Satsuma sweet potato - Dessert: Kombu daikon, Aki purple water candy - Sweet taste: Miso soup with rice flour After the meal, you can choose from coffee, espresso, black tea, or black soybean tea for a post-meal drink. The delicious Japanese course meal made with fresh ingredients was satisfying. Even after eating so much, I also enjoyed the complimentary "night soba" for a late-night snack. It was a light and tasty half-size portion that I finished quickly. Afterwards, I enjoyed some drinks in my room. The next morning, breakfast was a buffet. They served warm vegetables with raclette cheese and made fluffy omelets on the spot. I was able to relax and enjoy the natural hot spring and luxurious meals, allowing me to unwind and relax after a long time.

Located near the Asahidake Ropeway boarding area and close to the trailhead of Mount Asahi, this hotel offers a full-fledged experience with magnificent views of the majestic Mount Asahi. It is part of the same hotel chain as Dormy Inn, which has a nationwide presence. The meals offered at this hotel, prepared by Chef Yamanaka, include two courses: a French full-course meal and a teppanyaki course. Since Chef Yamanaka specializes in French cuisine, I opted for the French course when making a reservation. After enjoying a hiking course and admiring the autumn foliage of Mount Asahi, we returned to the hotel with empty stomachs. And then, a surprise awaited us... (*´∀｀*) We witnessed the first snowfall, which transformed the previously brown mountainside into a glistening snow-covered landscape the next morning (it was truly moving). For dinner at Dining NONNO, we started with a pre-dinner drink, which was likely a sparkling wine made from Western pears. The appetizers included marinated small squid, pate de campagne, pumpkin mousse, Hokkaido cheese rice croquette, and today's pinchos (featuring prosciutto and melon). The pasta course was gnocchi with komatsuna in tomato sauce, while the soup was mushroom potage with a cappuccino finish. We also enjoyed Dutch bread and rustic bread. For the main courses, we had salmon Provençal and oven-baked Takikawa duck with green pepper sauce. The meat dishes consisted of sautéed Hokkaido beef fillet and oven-baked Takikawa duck with green pepper sauce. For dessert, we had Mont Blanc-style caramel roll and vanilla ice cream. We could choose between coffee or tea. At 10 p.m., we enjoyed delicious ramen. The ice cream after the bath was also delightful, with options like Hokkaido vanilla, hojicha latte, and black tea latte. The breakfast buffet offered a wide variety of items, with pictures of about two-thirds of the total selection. The beef tendon and potato stew was particularly delicious; I wished I could have had more of it, perhaps turned into a beef bowl (laughs). Considering the quality and variety of ingredients and dishes, the price of less than 20,000 yen per person was quite reasonable, especially during the off-season. Perhaps it was due to the discount period... But still, this was unacceptable! There seemed to be quite a few group tourists as well... Nevertheless, Mount Asahi was beautiful... I would like to visit again during the season when Asahidake is filled with flowers. The hot springs and rooms were also excellent, and the hotel staff's service was outstanding. Thank you for the wonderful meal.

On this day, I stayed at Lapis Taisho Mountain. I thought it looked like a big hotel from the outside, but when I went inside, it wasn't that big and was easy to use. I soaked in the hot springs and then had dinner. There were French and Japanese options, and I chose the Japanese one. A course meal with dishes like Ezo hot pot was served, and I was full. In the morning, there was a buffet breakfast with a wide variety of choices. The room was clean for an old hotel, and I felt it was a shame to hear that it was closing down.

I have stayed at this place before and stayed again when I went to Asahidake. The French cuisine they serve seems well-made, but I feel like I can't quite see the chef's personality in the dishes. It would be even better if there was a bit more uniqueness, but I understand that they have to cater to a large number of customers. What I value the most is the feeling of welcoming and cherishing the customers who come to spend this special day with them.

I made a reservation at La Vista Daisetsuzan after seeing a plan that seemed worth it (1 night stay with 2 meals included for 16,650 yen per person) on a website other than J, more than a month before the official website. The dinner was a creative French course, and breakfast was a Japanese-Western buffet. As a bonus, they offered (1) round-trip ticket for the Asahidake Ropeway (1 ticket per person, priced at 3,200 yen), (2) an original stainless bottle from Daisetsuzan (1 bottle per person, priced at 2,000 yen), and (3) drip coffee sets from 3 coffee shops in Higashikawa Town (1 set per person, priced at 750 yen). Originally, I planned to visit Asahidake the day after staying, but the weather forecast was not favorable. I called the day before and checked in quickly to receive the ropeway ticket (in reality, I just had to give my name to receive it) and received other assistance, as expected from Tokiwa Resort. After exploring Asahidake, I checked in with 3 staff members at the front desk who provided explanations about the hotel and other guidance. They also mentioned that if I had any questions, I could call the front desk. Dinner was served in two time slots (1st session: 17:30, 2nd session: 20:00), and I barely made it into the first session. First, I went to the bath! The large communal bath had few shower stalls, but it was good for this type of bath. I personally found it suitable for bathing twice a day. At night, they offered 3 types of ice bars, and in the morning, you could freely drink lactic acid beverages. My companion, who was eager to drink beer, ended up satisfied with the ice bars and drank fewer beers (lol). There were also 3 private baths available. If they were not occupied, you could use them freely, but since there were no shower stalls, you had to wash your body before using them. I was able to enjoy the "Kuponoyu" open-air bath twice, which satisfied me. For dinner at the Dining Nonno, I had the creative French course. The dishes were rated 3.2 out of 5. While I could have written down every detail of the menu, I will keep it simple. The meal included an aperitif, appetizer, gnocchi with tomato sauce and komatsuna, mushroom potage cappuccino, bread, Atlantic salmon, and a choice of main course (I chose the roasted duck breast from Takikawa). The dessert and post-meal drink were not included in the course. The food was delicious, but it did not leave a strong impression on me. The staff's explanations were a bit too fluent for me to understand, but they were helpful when I asked questions. I think it would be better if they provided more detailed information about the ingredients, especially for the main dishes. My companion wanted to try the famous night soba at 22:00, but there were quite a few people waiting, so we decided to skip it. For breakfast at the same venue (open from 7:30 to 9:00), they offered a Japanese-Western buffet. The food was rated 3.5 out of 5. They had COVID-19 prevention measures in place, such as wearing vinyl gloves and using individually portioned dishes. The crab soup of the day was made with Hanasakigani crab, and it was delicious. Even my companion, who usually doesn't like this type of food, went for seconds! The Yumepirika rice from Higashikawa was also tasty, and I would have gone for seconds if my stomach had allowed it. The made-to-order omelets with cheese and basil sauce were delicious. There was also a live station serving raclette cheese with vegetables, which I mistakenly piled onto 9 separate plates. Overall, the breakfast was enjoyable and satisfying.

On the second day, we stayed at Lapista Daisetsuzan. We took a ropeway to Asahidake and did a little hiking, and it was amazing to see the remaining snow even at this time of year. The temperature is low, making it very comfortable. Lapista Daisetsuzan is located about 500m downhill from the ropeway station. The exterior looks quite old, and at first glance, I thought it was an abandoned hotel. But it is well-maintained and clean inside. They have private outdoor baths, which is nice. For dinner, we went to the Western-style restaurant called NONNNNO. The dinner price was around 13,000 to 15,000 yen, and the menu included a variety of dishes such as hors-d'oeuvres, pasta, soup, bread, fish, meat, and dessert. Each dish was delicious, especially the Hokkaido cheese and rice croquette, the Furano melon and prosciutto skewers, and the Hokkaido corn soup. The meal ended with a dessert that resembled the Daisetsuzan mountain. Overall, the food was excellent and worth the price. I would love to come back to try their Japanese cuisine next time.

The restaurant is currently closed. Unfortunately, bars and other places were also not open. I wish there had been a notice in advance when making a reservation. The souvenir shops had almost no products. There were a lot of potato-based dishes, and I quickly got full. I might want to give it another try after the renovation!

I stayed at La Vista Daisetsuzan for 2 nights and 3 days, located near the Asahidake Ropeway boarding area. The exterior is a lodge-style mountain resort, with a wooden owl welcoming you at the entrance. The check-in process included temperature checks and thorough infection prevention measures. I received a plan with souvenirs, including lots of sweets. The lobby lounge had beautiful antique decorations. The room was a cozy twin room with a mountain hut atmosphere. The private baths were free to use, and the Kupo-no-yu bath was particularly relaxing. The dinner menu included a variety of dishes, such as chicken liver mousse, meatloaf, and salmon meunière. The presentation of the French cuisine was exquisite, and the flavors were delightful. The next morning, I enjoyed a hearty breakfast with salad, omelets, sausages, and bacon. The second night's dinner featured dishes like tuna tartare, scallop tartare, and Hokkaido beef rib roast. The dessert, including apple pound cake and chocolate cake, was also delicious. Overall, the meals were beautifully presented and flavorful, making for a memorable dining experience at La Vista Daisetsuzan.

After the hot spring, it was time for dinner. I headed to the restaurant Nonno on the first floor. The accommodation plan included two meals, and for dinner, I had the "Hunter's Grill & Ezo Nabe Course." Dining in this nice atmosphere with this course was fantastic. The course was amazing, featuring Hokkaido's representative dishes, Hunter's Grill and Ezo Nabe. It's not easy to find these kinds of dishes in Osaka. The drinks were also delicious. The customer service was excellent. I definitely want to come back here again.

I entered a building made of ice and drank from an ice glass. The ice castle is grandly located right in front of the main entrance. The counter and chairs are also made of ice, so it's freezing to sit on them. I had heard rumors about this place before, and finally managed to visit the so-called Ice Bar by carefully timing my trip to Sapporo. The selection of alcohol doesn't matter, as the experience of drinking from an ice glass is what truly counts. The bartender shaved ice right in front of us to make the glasses, which were thick and not very practical to drink from, but the aesthetics were everything. This was a great experience.

We couldn't find Kanpana Rokkatei, so we headed straight towards Mount Daisetsu. We arrived at the hotel before sunset after a smooth drive on a relatively flat road. Since dinner reservations were in order, we arrived early to watch the rugby game. We were lucky to get an early reservation and enjoyed a private bath. We relaxed at the log house-style restaurant "Nupuri". The pre-dinner drink was a champagne cocktail with mountain grapes, which was refreshing. They served Haskap juice for pregnant women. The Hokkaido cheese miso pickle in the appetizer was delicious. The green beans were ginkgo nuts. The sashimi was good, but the turban shell was a bit smelly. They served steamed button shrimp for pregnant women avoiding raw food. The tuna was tender and tasty. The fried whale had a slight taste, but different parts were soft. The meat dishes of the "Hunter's Grill" were good, especially the Lavista beef with marbling. The Shiretoko chicken was tasty, especially with tartar sauce. The deer meat was surprisingly mild, similar to liver. However, it might lose a bit when combined with ponzu sauce. The Kamifurano pork was lean. The vegetables were tasty with ponzu sauce. The Ezo hot pot had a sake-like aroma and was slightly sweet but flavorful. The "Fallen Leaf Mushrooms" were mushrooms that grow on the ground of larch forests. They were crunchy and delicious. By the time the Pacific saury rice came out, we were quite full. The Sanpei soup was also served, but we were a bit tired from all the food and drinks. The Taisetsu Chi beer had a mild pilsner aroma and a refreshing taste. The sake was served in single-serving sizes, so I chose the famous "Daihouraku" from "Wednesday's What's Up". It was a medium-bodied sake with a balanced sweet and savory taste that was easy to drink. After enjoying the rest of the Daihouraku bottle in the room, we had a great time watching the rugby match between Japan and Scotland. The next day, the Asahidake Ropeway offered a stunning view, although we missed the autumn foliage.

The room has a lodge-like feel with a bit of old-fashioned charm, but it is clean. The staff at the front desk are friendly and polite. For dinner, they serve French cuisine with Sapporo Classic beer and a local Pilsner beer. The Pilsner beer doesn't have a strong aroma, and they only serve it fresh. Now, let's talk about dinner. The highlight here is the Carpaccio of Flounder, but it could use a bit more sourness. The Pumpkin and Apple Potage is good, but the portion is small. The Foie Gras should be crispier. The Roast Beef portion is also small. Considering the price includes both dinner and breakfast, it's understandable, but the best value is when you stay overnight.

This hotel is located near the base station of the ropeway that climbs Mt. Taisetsu. We visited in the summer of 2019 (pre-COVID) with our family for a relaxing vacation in Hokkaido. We stayed here for 2 nights and had a wonderful time over 3 days. The meals were served in the dining area on the first floor, with a cozy atmosphere and attentive service from the waiter. The food was a full course meal starting with fresh vegetables, soup, fish, meat, and two desserts. The presentation was beautiful and the taste was delicious. The portion size might have been a bit small for my high school son, but we were all satisfied. The next evening, we were seated at the same table with the same waiter, which was a nice touch. The menu had changed, and we enjoyed another tasty meal. The room was also comfortable, and we had a great stay. The weather had been cloudy during our stay, but miraculously cleared up on the morning of our check-out day, allowing us to quickly take the ropeway to the mountaintop station to see the sights. We were grateful to the front desk staff for keeping us informed about the local weather forecast. Overall, it was a wonderful experience and we were glad we came.