This is a review of our stay at Zaborin.
In early June, after a long winter in Hokkaido, when the snow had melted and the spring sun was warming through the trees, we decided to stay at Zaborin, a place we had wanted to stay for a long time. To get straight to the point, we were able to take a deep breath in the great outdoors, soak in the high-quality onsen to our heart’s content, taste the seasonality of Hokkaido with its original cuisine, and relieve our daily fatigue. It was truly a one-of-a-kind place.
It was a hot and humid day with rainy season skies in Tokyo where we live, but when we arrived at New Chitose Airport, the sky was bright blue and a fresh breeze was blowing, making it the perfect season for sightseeing. We left Haneda Airport on a morning flight and arrived at Chitose Airport around noon.
We took the Rapid Airport Line from New Chitose Airport, got off at Otaru Station, transferred to the JR Hakodate Main Line, and got off at Kutchan Station. The trip took about three hours. When we got off at Kutchan station, a staff member was waiting for us at the ticket gate with a plate that said “Zaborin” on it.
We boarded a shuttle bus and drove along mountain roads through virgin forests of white birch and oak trees with beautiful fresh green foliage. After about 15 minutes, a modern building suddenly caught our eyes. The stylish building was designed by a prominent architect based in Sapporo. The exterior walls were constructed using a technique in which concrete is poured into cedar board forms to create a wood grain pattern. The modern architecture, which incorporates Western and Japanese elements, blends harmoniously with the virgin forest.
In front of the entrance, there is a pond made of spring water, which is circulated in summer to cool the building, and in winter, the hot spring water from the site is reused for floor heating and snow melting.
Further on was the lobby, a monotone space with as little color as possible, emphasizing shadows. The interior of the building was modern and simple, but the space, with its fusion of Japanese aesthetics, was like a museum. Behind the reception counter was a folding screen decorated with a Japanese painting. In addition, Japanese antiques and paintings were tastefully displayed throughout the building. Large windows offered a view of a beautiful birch forest.
Then next to the reception counter was a fireplace of modern design. Although it was June when we visited, the mornings and evenings in Hokkaido were still chilly, and the warmth of the fireplace, the aroma of the wood, and the crackling of the firewood all made us feel comfortable. The warmth of the flickering flames and the aroma of the wood relaxing our bodies and souls. In the quietness of the space, with the occasional sound of the wood burning, we noticed that the cares of daily life faded away and time simply began to flow more leisurely. We sat on a couch by the window, checked in, and were offered a drink made from 100% maple sap by the staff.
After a short while, a staff member escorted us to our room. Zaborin stands on a piece of land overlooking Mt. Yotei in Niseko, and all 15 rooms were equipped with private indoor and outdoor private hot spring baths. The rooms were arranged in a corridor around a courtyard. In addition, there was space between each room, making the rooms independent villa-like structures.
We stayed in a room, this time called Kumoriyuki. We opened the door and went inside, took off our shoes at the entrance, and proceeded to find a spacious living room with modern furniture and interior on the right, a bedroom with twin beds on the left, and a Japanese-style room with tatami mats on the right. Then the living room and bedroom had large windows that opened onto a beautiful birch forest and pasture, with grazing cows and horses grazing deliciously. We could also see the mountains in the distance. We were also impressed by the private hot spring open-air private bath in our room, where we could experience a sense of oneness with nature.
Then, as we lay on the soft beds, the view from the large window was as spectacular as a movie screen. It was a luxurious time to just do nothing but lie back and enjoy the view.
In addition, the guest room was casually decorated with a moss ball that the staff had painstakingly cultivated. The moss ball was in perfect harmony with the space where light and shadow blend with subtle nuance.
The large windows that bring the outside view of nature into the room as if it were part of the living room and the terrace of the room, which was designed to be large, were impressive and allowed the guests to feel nature up close. The pale light of dawn shining through the birch forest, the powerful sunlight of noon, the concentrated light of evening, and the darkness of night when the light was lost, the view from the room changed from moment to moment depending on the time of day, creating a profound emotional experience.
We sat on the couch for a while, brewed coffee from the Nespresso machine, and gazed at the spectacular view of nature while sipping our coffee. After that, we decided to enjoy the private onsen baths. While relaxing and soaking in the hot springs, we heard the unique sounds of birds and realized that a wide variety of birds live in the forest.
By the way, the beverages in the guest rooms were also a selection of the finest. There were vessels and cups by famous artists, brown rice barley tea blended with barley and yuzu, black bean tea blended with mulberry leaves and shiso, and tea sweets such as soybean karintou. Also available in the minibar were three types of juice from Hokkaido: apple, tomato, and carrot juice concentrate, and a bottle of drinking water drawn from a spring on the ryokan grounds.
After this, we went down the stairs next to the wine cellar, which was cooled with cold spring water, for dinner, which was served in a private dining room in the restaurant. The menu used traditional Japanese cooking techniques, but offered dishes with unique ideas and sensitivities. The wine cellar was also stocked with Italian and French wines, as well as wines exclusive to Hokkaido and special wines from the Zaborin collection.
After dinner, we took a walk around the building. There was a library, a living room, a bar, a courtyard, a store, and other spaces where we could spend our time as we pleased. The library was lined with books on Hokkaido’s history and culture, as well as art books, photography books, and novels. The living room with fireplace overlooked Mt. Yotei on a clear day, and a duck family swam in the pond in front of it. In the tea ceremony room next to the living room, free matcha tea was served from 10:00 to 17:00.
Then in one corner of the lobby was a gallery store. In addition to the works of the artists of the vessels featured in the dinner and breakfast menus, the shop also sold Zamorin’s original bath amenities, tea sweets, and other items.
In addition, the bar, with its 11-meter single-panel counter, was free to be used during the daytime for opening a PC or reading a book. Behind the counter was a view of majestic Mt. Yotei. In the evening, when the bar opens, award-winning whiskeys from the local Nikka Whiskey distillery and original cocktails were available here. As we sat at the counter, the illuminated birch forest was reflected in the window, creating a fantastic atmosphere that was different from that of the daytime.
We decided to return to our room and once again enjoy our private hot springs. Looking up at the night sky, the stars twinkled in abundance, and as we strained our ears, we could hear the hooting of owls from across the forest.
The next morning, we awoke around 7:00 a.m. and decided to take a walk in the courtyard. The clear blue sky and fresh green birch forest were dazzlingly beautiful in the morning sun.
After this, we headed to the dining area for breakfast. The staff showed us to a private dining room. We had a choice of Japanese or Western breakfast. I had the Western breakfast and my husband had the Japanese. The Japanese breakfast was rich in variety with seasonal ingredients, but the Western breakfast was inferior in comparison.
Overall, the ryokan is a place that is one with nature, standing alone in the mountains, with views of Niseko’s wilderness from every corner. It is not flashy but sophisticated, and it is an adult ryokan where you can spend a quiet time, so it is understandable why there are so many regular guests. The fresh green scenery was lovely, but we would like to see the snowy scenery next time.
Check availability and pricing for the property on Agoda
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Is the location easy to access?
From New Chitose Airport, take the rapid airport line bound for Otaru and get off at Otaru Station, then transfer to the JR Hakodate Main Line and get off at Kutchan Station. A free shuttle service is available from Kuchan Station. You need to book it in advance. The trip takes about 3 hours. If you rent a car, it takes about 2 hours from the airport. However, renting a car is not recommended during the winter season. Heavy snowfall can cause roadblocks, and the road surface is slicker than expected due to poor visibility. Use public transportation whenever possible.
Free shuttle service is also available around Niseko Ski Resort area.
How about toiletries & in-room amenities?
All of the amenities are taken care of including enough toiletries, yukatas, pajamas, samue outfits, a Japanese tea set, a Nespresso machine with 6 capsules, and a complimentary mini-bar. There are some kinds of pillows which you can choose from. Also, a humidifier, an Apple TV, and a DVD player were placed in our room. The free WiFi reception was good on the property. There is no convenience store within walking distance. You may want to buy your necessities before coming here.
Have a nice trip! Welcome to receive any questions about Zaborin from the below space. Check availability and pricing for the property on Agoda
Info about Zaborin
| Style | luxury mountain hut |
|---|---|
| Guest Rating | 14:00/11:00 |
| Check-in and out times |
170,000 JPY for 2 adults per room |
| Contact E-mail |
info@zaborin.com |
| Internet Connection | Free wifi in the hotel |
| Facility Information | Wheelchairs are available Pets are not allowed The free parking lot is available |
| Location | Zaborin’s MAP |
| Access | 2 hours’ drive from New Chitose Airport Free shuttle service from Kutchan Station |
| Address and TEL | 76-4, Hanazono, Kutchan-chō, Abuta-gun, Hokkaidō 044-0084 Tel +81 136-23-0003 |
| Official Homepage | Zaborin’s HP |
*All information above is as of the date that I posted on my blog.
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