As usual, I spent the New Year's holiday snowboarding in Niseko. During this time, ski resorts and surrounding shops, restaurants, and accommodations are at their busiest. Niseko is a world-renowned ski resort, attracting not only Japanese visitors but also Australians, Asians, and some Europeans. The accommodations in Niseko tend to have high prices, but one reliable option is the "Yusui Onsen" where I stay every year. Located in Kyowa-cho, a town next to Kutchan-cho, Yusui Onsen offers reasonable rates compared to other accommodations in the Niseko area. The prices for one night with two meals and taxes included are 6,914 yen, while staying without meals costs 5,410 yen. The onsen's water volume has decreased recently, leading to limited bathing hours from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm (until 8:00 pm for day visitors), which may not suit those who prefer morning baths. Despite some inconveniences, the quality of the onsen water makes Yusui Onsen a charming and affordable option. The meals during my stay included sukiyaki, hot pot, sashimi, grilled squid, marinated salmon, simmered dishes, New Year soba, pickles, and fruits. The next day's breakfast featured grilled mackerel, sautéed burdock, boiled cabbage, ozoni soup, natto, and raw egg. The dinner menu included fried flounder with sweet vinegar sauce, hot pot, sashimi, simmered dishes, tempura, potato salad, pickles, and fruits. The following day's breakfast had salted salmon, spinach salad, sautéed burdock, ozoni soup, natto, and raw egg.

I used it for skiing in Niseko. It takes about 20 minutes by car to get to the Hirafu gondola base and Hanazono ski slopes. Once you pass through the center of Kutchan, there are no traffic lights, so it was closer than I thought. You can also reach the Village, Annupuri, and Moiwa in about 35-40 minutes. Additionally, you can reach Kiroro and Rusutsu in about an hour, so there is a wide variety of ski resorts to choose from. It is a suitable accommodation for skiing. However, there is no drying room, so you will need to dry your ski equipment and clothing in the room. There is nothing around the accommodation, so it may not be suitable for those who want to enjoy après-ski activities during their trip to Hokkaido. It is recommended for those who want to enjoy skiing and just use the accommodation for sleeping, or for those who want to enjoy dining and drinking in the accommodation at night. The meals are plentiful with a variety of dishes, and even for someone with a big appetite like me, it was almost too much to finish, so if dinner is included, you may not have enough room to eat out. The food is described as simple, home-cooked dishes using local ingredients, but it is more like a mix between home-cooked and traditional ryokan cuisine. It is not as luxurious as the meals at onsen ryokans in places like Atami, Hakone, Gero, Hokuriku, Arima, Dogo, Beppu, etc., but it is still comparable to accommodations near ski resorts in Zao, Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen, Hakuba, Joetsu, Okumino, Hachiman, etc. Considering the accommodation price, the content is more than satisfactory. At least compared to the meals at accommodations in this price range near the Niseko ski resorts, it is more than enough. Some reviews on accommodation websites mention that the food is cold due to pre-preparation (there is a microwave in the dining room for reheating), but personally, I think that is asking for too much at this price. If you want that kind of quality, you should spend more money on a higher-end accommodation. The hot spring bath is a natural spring with only one indoor bath, and the temperature is just right (I like hot baths, so it may feel hot to others). The water quality warms your body from the inside out and is very pleasant (note: the hot spring water is available only between 10:00 and 21:00 due to decreased spring output, so you cannot take a morning bath before checkout). The hot spring water is really good quality. Many locals also visit as a day trip, and I can understand why. Although it is not mentioned in the facilities section of the accommodation, body soap and shampoo are provided in the bath. However, I stayed for three nights, and there was only toothpaste on the first day, so if you are staying multiple nights, it is recommended to bring your own toothbrush. It is said that the local ice cream from Mita Farm in Owani Town, which is delicious, complements the warm body after a bath, but I did not try it so I cannot say for sure. Well, it seems to be delicious. The rooms are spacious, almost too spacious for one person, and can comfortably accommodate a family of four. There seems to be a variety of room sizes, so it is suitable for group travel.

I always use the Waisu Onsen on my way back from the Yamagoka family in Kutchan Town. The bathhouse has only one indoor bath and feels a bit small. The hot spring water is a little on the hot side, but it has a very smooth and soft feel. The shower water here also uses the hot spring source, so even when washing your body after bathing, the hot spring effect remains on your skin, making it healthy. The ice cream from Mita Ranch in Kyowa Town, sold next to the dining area, is exquisite. Unfortunately, it was sold out when I visited. It's a must-try for next time.

This is a business trip to Niseko, and the accommodation is located in the town of Kyowa. It seems a bit far from Kutchan, but I can't go against what the company has decided. I saw a sign on the window that says it's the only hot spring in Kyowa town, so I decided to try it before dinner. The bath wasn't very spacious, but it was a hot spring, so I enjoyed it. The water was a bit too hot, maybe because I thought it would be cold. Oh well, now onto dinner. The meal was already set up in the dining room, with rice, miso soup, and tea ready to be eaten. The main dish was minced cutlet, which wasn't bad, but it would have been tastier if it was freshly fried. The simmered dish was very lightly seasoned, leaving my tired body wanting more flavor. Bring on the salt! The sashimi, made with salmon and octopus, was delicious. The sweet potato tempura had a crispy coating and was quite tasty. The hotel staff were friendly and it was a pleasant dining experience. Thank you for the meal.

Waisu in Kyowa Town, Iwanai District, Hokkaido. The katakana place name sounds lovely♪ Located along a national road connecting from Niseko and Kutchan to Iwanai Town on the Japan Sea side, the access is good. There is a large sign by the roadside, and the parking lot is spacious. The Waisu Onsen facility is old and has a rustic charm, but it is open for day trips from 6 am to 10 pm (!), which must make the locals happy. You can enjoy a morning bath and even come to relax after work at the end of the day. How nice~♪ - Onsen Day Trip: 500 yen The bathhouse is separated for men and women, with only indoor baths. The changing room is plain, but the tiled bath is quite clean. There is a large square tiled tub in the center. There were about 5 or 6 shower stalls, and the tub is surprisingly spacious, allowing 7-8 people to relax comfortably. On this day, I was lucky to have the women's bath all to myself...＾＾ The hot water in the tub was around 43 degrees, a bit hot for me who prefers lukewarm baths, but the nearly colorless and transparent water felt pleasant. Although it felt hot at first, the bathwater was soft, making it bearable even when it's hot. The bath was not too steamy, and the ventilation was good. I liked the atmosphere! The bath made my skin smooth and refreshed after getting out. - Mita Ice Cream (Rum Raisin) from Mita Ranch Handmade ice cream from a ranch in Kyowa Town. The stress-free cows raised in the mountains provide fresh milk, and the ice cream is made without sugar, corn syrup, egg yolk, or preservatives, allowing the natural flavors to shine. The Rum Raisin flavor is made by mixing homemade raisins soaked for several months into milk ice cream. The strong taste of alcohol gives it an adult flavor. The ice cream itself is not too sweet, while the raisins are plenty sweet. Delicious! Other flavors available are Milk, Vanilla, Strawberry Milk, and Matcha, with a focus on high-quality ingredients. I would like to try different flavors next time. Accommodation with 1 night and 2 meals ranges from around 6450 yen. During winter (November 1 to April 30), an additional 300 yen per person is charged for heating. Dinner consists of a daily changing Japanese set menu with seafood, mountain delicacies, and meat dishes. - Source: Waisu Onsen (Mixed source of Ichihara No. 2 and No. 3※) (？/min, motorized lifting) Quality: Sodium-chloride-sulfate spring Temperature: 46.2°C Colorless and transparent, no heating or adding water, (chlorine-based chemicals are used for hygiene management). Although a small amount of chlorine is added, I hardly noticed any chlorine smell. The amount of hot water is abundant! It was nice to see the water constantly overflowing from the tub...☆

During a day trip to a hot spring, I discovered cup ice cream at Mita Ranch nearby! They had five flavors: milk, vanilla, strawberry milk, matcha, and rum raisin. The "milk" flavor was 250 yen, with a strong taste, smooth texture, and mild sweetness. The hot spring here is very relaxing, perfect for soothing a tired body. I stayed here once before and remember the rooms and meals being more business-like. The hot spring is separate for men and women, with simple indoor baths. The spring water is sodium-chloride-sulfate, 46.2℃, pH 8.5, and pumped up naturally. They mix the source water, so they use a minimal amount of chlorine as required by health regulations. Despite this, the chlorine is hardly noticeable during bathing. They also do not add any extra water, keeping it all natural. Day trips are available from 6 am to 10 pm, with prices ranging from 500 yen for adults to 300 yen for infants. Overnight stays with two meals start at 6,450 yen.

The ohagi they were selling was delicious!