location

Gorgeous location right on a pristine lake with no other buildings around it that we could see. Sakura blooming outside our window. Good breakfast w chef making Japanese omelets fresh, good variety, quality, Japanese or Western. Good onsen w perfect outdoor rock pool w lake water mixing with hot spring water, but men only. Wonderful unpaved wildlife trail just outside, deer, long ear squirrels, woodpeckers, no people.

All pre-arrival messaging answered late and trouble with language. Shuttle service denied, but then provided free when we got there. Late checkout denied, but then given free when we asked on arrival. Early check-in denied, though room was ready and we just sat twenty feet away, waiting. No lunch service at all. Onsen very nice looking out onto lake, but private onsen for couples small and blocked by walls/foliage. Traditional mixed bathing no longer possible for couples, families, friends.

The staff and the public onsen and the outside scenery was very nice. Some parts of the dinner were acceptable.

The dinner was terrible. 2 of the three sashimi were very fishy and tasted off. The clams in the miso soup were off as well. The grilled fish was so difficult to eat due to the absurd amount of bones. The indoor private onsen had a fishy smell and some parts of were slimy. Overall the onsen in Hakone was much a better experience.

Loved the view of the lake right outside our room, the traditional ryokan feel of the place without it feeling too old and dark, also am grateful for the good service overall

The onsen and breakfast buffet ends rather earlier, wish there was more time for both!

I specifically created this vacation around the criteria of wanting, Onsen in Hokkaido in the winter. I wanted remote location, natural environment, nature, and snow to be falling around me while I was in the hot spring. I also wanted authentic decor, and history. Marukoma delivered. I loved everything about this place. The futons were perfectly comfortable. The service was excellent. The food was amazing! And the hot spring was perfect. I especially loved the cold plunge.

There was very little that we didn't like. I can't recall anything specific that we would suggest a change. I think the only thing that might have been a bit nicer would be more options for entertainment during the day. The village was nice but we unfortunately visited when the season ended so there was very little to do.

beautiful scenery everywhere, beautiful onsen, very delicious food for dinner and breakfast buffet,good service, traditional Japanese onsen ryokan experience

heater in room didn’t seem to work well, very long and cold outdoor walkway to female outdoor onsen after changing room (suggest to install some heating in winter and less dim lighting), did not inform us private onsen has charge until checkout

The stay in Marukoma Onsen Ryokan is overall satisfying and we truly enjoyed the onsen facilities. The room that we booked was a traditional Japanese room (tatami room). The room is spacious and the bed is comfortable. The room comes with a lake view and we can bump into wild deer as we explored the exterior of the hotel. The room package that we took is inclusive of both dinner and breakfast. The meals are delicious and it is highly recommended for travellers to book them. One main reason is that there is no other food option around the hotel. We were a little disappointed with the snack options offered in the shop located in the hotel. We wished that there were instant noodles available. However, the dinner was very filling hence you do not really need the instant noodle. The hotel comes with a great onsen facility where both private and public baths are available. My husband and I truly appreciate the availability of a private bath. However, do note that you will need to pay extra to utilize the private bath. We spent an additional ¥2,750 for an hour of usage of the private bath. The hotel also has a photography session in the morning (9.10 am to 9.30 am) so that we can take photos and videos of the bath facilities and environment.

The ryokan is located near Lake Shikotsu We need to take a bus to the bus station and the hotel will pick us up from the bus station. It is relatively far and inconvenient especially since we are travelling with big luggage. It is extremely inconvenient to travel with big luggage in Japan by bus. There is a limited schedule of what time the pick-up is, please double-check with the hotel to ensure that you do not miss the schedule. Similarly, there is a fixed schedule of what time you can leave the hotel, please check and discuss with the reception during the check-in. It is extremely challenging to travel with big luggage on a bus in Noboribetsu. The bus is packed with people and their luggage and the door only opened from the front near the driver. My recommendation is to stand or sit nearer to the front side of the bus so that it is easier to get out of the bus. There was an ongoing ice festival near Lake Shikotsu and the hotel did arrange for a shuttle to go to the site. However, we were given only less than an hour to explore the festival and it was too short, especially since we have paid ¥500/ pax to enter the site. There were quite a lot of people on the site hence we need to take time to queue up to enter some locations.

Probably one of the best stay we had on our trip. The view from the room is absolutely stunning: overseeing the lake with mountains on the back, snow falling, ideal to watch sunset in the morning. Rooms are cozy and warm, quite spacious as well. Although not mentioned in our reservation, a traditional japanese style dinner was included: duck nabe, raw sea food, grilled fish, soup, etc. Breakfast Buffet was good as well, offering mainly Japanese food and a few continental options. The onsen was an absolute dream. Four pools are available, 2 inside and 2 outside with an amazing view on the lake. It opens from 4AM to 9AM and from 4PM to 11PM. It was such an amazing experience to go to the onsen at night under the snow but also to watch the sun rising in the morning. It felt like a movie. Our biggest concern was the transportation as we didn't have a car. From Sapporo, we took the JR train to Chitose and then took the Chuo bus SORA4 (about 50 min and ¥1050). The bus was super crowded as all passengers going to Shikotsuko had heavy luggage. The bus was delayed but the hotel shuttle bus waited for us. Would recommend to contact the hotel beforehand to inform them that you will take the shuttle bus. The whole road to the Hotel was such a delight for the eyes, many deers on the way and lakeview on the other side. Would highly recommend this hotel!

pick up service from shuttle from bus terminal to hotel, a comfortable bed and hot spring. by the way, dinner is delicious as well. worth to stay if make a visit to Shikotsu Lake Area.

everything is good

Onsen Comfort upgrade room Excellent view

The meals included in our package were delicious.

There is no bath area in the room. Everyone got to go to the onsen to take shower.

Onsen View Good service

This historical and iconic facility has offered great view and a friendly staff. the View from the Ryokan was absolutely beautiful, and access to the onsen was easy. The facility was neat and clean.

We were expecting Gaiseki in the room, but it had to happen in the restaurant. Though the resturant was great and staff were friendly, but as a tourist, i was hoping the lifte time experience to happen just as i wished for. Also, I have sent the messages enquirying shuttle bus information in advance through Booking.com, but unfortunately i was not recieved any reply tho. I suggest you may have to ring them directly instead of the message if you have any requets or enruity

Onsen

Slippery staircase

The lake view, the dinners, the staff helpfulness, the comfort of the mattress and blankets, the complimentary tea set with biscuits.

sound insulation was a little thin.

view was amazing

Beautiful location, clean and organized, comfy beds, delicious food.

Nothing. The only thing I would mention is that some people might find the location a bit isolated/inconvenient if they intend in exploring the region more.

Hot spring and meal

no air conditioner

Loved the outdoor onsen right near the lake. It was open 24 hours, and not too hot not cold.

The onset and view were beautiful

The rooms did not have proper beds. There were two cockroach cans that were on display because of the area. No shower I’m the rooms! Bad service.

the hot springs were amazing.

The facilities were very old.

I liked the great variety of spas and the nature. The seafood barbecue was also excellent.

The room felt a bit small.

the view is good .

the food is very very very bad and not fresh and expensive !!!! the worst experience in my life!!!!!