Takinoya

This is a review of our stay at Takinoya.

In late March, when the cherry blossoms were beginning to bloom in Tokyo, where we live, we decided to visit Hokkaido, which still had some snow on the ground here and there. This time we decided to stay at the most popular ryokan in Hokkaido, Takinoya. To get straight to the point, everything was top-notch, as the ryokan is considered the best luxury ryokan in Hokkaido, and we were impressed by its more than 100 years of history, sophisticated amenities, and hospitality.

My husband and I, along with our two small children, took a flight from Haneda Airport around 10:00 a.m. and arrived at New Chitose Airport around 13:30 p.m. At that time, the area around New Chitose Airport was hit by a snowstorm, which delayed our arrival by more than 60 minutes. Then, from New Chitose Airport, we took an express Noboribetsu Onsen Airport bus to Takinoya, where we would be staying this time. Bus tickets need to be reserved in advance.

We arrived at Noboribetsu Onsen Chuo Bus Stop at 15:39. It had been snowing earlier, but the snow had already stopped by this time. As we got off the bus, we could smell the sulfurous aroma of the hot spring from nowhere. Then, a five-minute walk from the bus stop brought us to the ryokan. At the entrance, we crossed a brown pedestrian bridge with paper lanterns hanging down, and turning left, we found a long, magnificent corridor. Further on, an automatic door made of wood opened and in front of us was a dynamic flower arrangement in a large urn vase.

Then, to the right, we found a spacious entrance and lobby. A staff member dressed in a kimono greeted us with a smile. Here we took off our shoes and walked down a tatami-matted hallway to the lounge in the back. The tatami-matted hallway was equipped with heated floors. The lobby was decorated in a sophisticated Japanese style with comfortable sofas and large windows overlooking the red bridge and snow-covered Japanese garden. Next to the lobby was a tea ceremony room with a snowy view and a local souvenir shop.

Then there was the spacious lounge with jazz music playing and large windows overlooking the snow-covered Japanese garden. There was also a fireplace of modern design in one corner of the lounge. By the way, the lounge had complimentary coffee, tea, and snacks available. After checking in, sitting on a couch in the lounge and looking at the snowy scenery, the staff prepared matcha powdered green tea and sweet bean jelly for us. The bitter taste of the matcha and the refined sweetness of the yokan were exquisite. Orange juice was prepared for the children.

After a while, a staff member showed us to our room. This time we stayed in a room on the third floor called Yae, which had a private outdoor hot spring bath. Upon entering the entranceway, there was a small alcove with flowers and hanging a scroll on the left. To the right was a Japanese-style bedroom with twin beds on tatami mats. The living room had a Japanese-style tatami mat room on the left and a Western-style room on the right, with a modern couch and a sofa with an ottoman. Then there was a spacious balcony by the window and the private outdoor onsen bath on the right side of the balcony. Also to the left of the balcony was a dining room. It was perhaps a little too spacious for a family of four. We spent some time sipping Japanese tea and looking out the window at the snowy landscape of the forest. When we looked up at the sky, it was covered with thick clouds and it looked like it was going to snow again.

After this we changed into yukatas and headed to communal onsen baths on the basement floor. The ryokan has two communal onsen baths, one on the top five floors and the other on the basement level. The onsen water are milky white and have different qualities, making them perfect for onsen lovers who are particular about the quality of their hot spring water. The communal outdoor baths on the basement floor are especially worth seeing, as they are surrounded by dynamic nature and have a sense of openness. There were saunas in the communal onsen baths on the basement floor.

Then, when we returned to our room, the staff prepared dinner in the dining room next to the balcony. The ryokan has a chef for each of the Japanese and Western cuisines, so the food was very good, similar to Kyoto-style kaiseki but with an inventive blend of Japanese and Western dishes. Although the quantity of each dish was not large, we were full by the time we finished. There was also a wide selection of wines. You can choose to start dinner at 5:30, 6:00, 6:30, or 7:00 PM. We enjoyed a very nice dinner with a mystical view of the illuminated snowy landscape floating in the dark night from the dining room window.

After dinner, we decided to enjoy the private onsen in our room. Soaking in the milky white water amidst the scent of sulfur and the steam of the hot spring, we almost lost track of time. As we gazed at the snowy landscape in the darkness, we were surprised to see three Ezo sika deer and their parents pass by. It happened so fast that the children were a little disappointed.

After enjoying the private onsen, the children were tired and went to bed. We wanted to visit the bar next to the lounge, but since we were with small children this time, we decided to have Hokkaido fruit wine that we had just bought at the store while looking out the window of our room at the snowy landscape outside. This room was so quiet and serene that you could almost hear the snow falling.

The next morning, we woke up around 7:00 a.m. and went out on the balcony to find a clear blue sky and a silver world glistening in the morning sun. It was as if we had wandered into the world of a picture book.

We headed to the communal onsen baths on the top floor before breakfast. From the half-open-air baths on the top floor, we could see the divine snowy landscape of the forest bathed in the morning sun.

When we returned to our room from the communal onsen baths, the staff prepared breakfast in the dining room. We could choose between starting breakfast at 7:30, 8:00, or 8:30. Breakfast was only Japanese food, standard dishes, but each dish was carefully seasoned.

Finally, although the ryokan was a sophisticated, ultra-luxury ryokan with more than 100 years of history and the latest amenities, it was a little disappointing that there were no sukiya-style historical buildings, interiors, furnishings, or archives registered as Important Cultural Properties on the ryokan grounds. However, it is without a doubt the best ryokan in Hokkaido. It is truly an impeccable ryokan. We would definitely stay here again if we had the chance.

Check availability and pricing for the ryokan on Agoda

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Is the location easy to access?

Express Noboribetsu Onsen Airport-go from New Chitose Airport to Noboribetsu Onsen depart at 12:30 and 14:10. The fare is 1,800 yen per adult. Bus tickets need to be reserved in advance. The trip takes about 75 minutes. Get off at Noboribetsu Onsen Chuo Bus Stop, and from there it is a 5-minute walk to the ryokan.

Then, it would not be recommended to use trains when visiting Noboribetsu Onsen. This is because you need to get off at Noboribetsu Station and take a bus bound for Noboribetsu Onsen, but the buses tend to be crowded and there can be a long queue. You can also take a taxi from the station, but it may not be easy to find. Noboribetsu Station is small and old. Cabs are not likely to be waiting, especially at night. From Noboribetsu Station, it is a 10-15 minute cab or bus ride.

How about toiletries & in-room amenities?

All of the amenities were taken care of including enough toiletries, yukatas, bathrobes, a complimentary minibar, a Japanese tea set, etc. Also, a DVD player, a CD player, and a humidifier were placed in our room. Room service was not available. The free WiFi reception was good on the property.

Then this is child-friendly. Staff will provide samue outfits, amenities, and meals for children if you request in advance.

How about In-house Facilities?

There are large indoor and outdoor communal hot spring baths on 5F and B1. If you have tattoos, you may not be permitted to use the communal bathing areas. You may want to book a room with a private hot spring bath.

Then this is a perfect universal design. There are some universal rooms. Wheelchairs are available for borrowing. If you bring people with weak legs, you might want to inform the staff in advance as they can arrange a room near the lift. Also, you may want to book a room with a private onsen bath. Once you enter your room, you wouldn’t need to move around.

Then there is a modern and cozy lounge. Complimentary coffee, English tea, Japanese tea, etc. are available at the lounge. It’s open between 7:00 and 22:00. 

Also, there is a spa treatment shop, bar, and souvenir shop on the grounds. There are some vending machines for drinks. There is a convenience store nearby. 

Have a nice trip! Welcome to receive any questions about Takinoya from the below space. Check availability and pricing for the ryokan on Agoda

Info about Takinoya

Style	Traditional Ryokan
Check-in and out times	14:00/11:00
Estimated Price	100,000 JPY for 2 adults per room
Contact E-mail	reservation@takinoya.co.jp
Internet Connection	Free WiFi in the ryokan
Facility Information	Wheelchairs are available Pets are not allowed The free parking lot is available
Location	Takinoya’s MAP
Access	75min by bus from New Chitose Airport
Address and TEL	162 Noboribetsu Onsenchō, Noboribetsu-shi, Hokkaidō 059-0551  Tel +81 143-84-2222
Official Homepage	Takinoya’s HP *Japanese Only

*All information above is as of the date that I posted on my blog.

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