This is a review of our stay at The Lake Suite Ko no Sumika.
We visited Lake Toya Onsen with our small children in cold February, hoping to enjoy onsens with a view of the snowy landscape. To get straight to the point, it is not a luxury resort, but the spectacular views from our room, lobby, and large baths, as well as the state-of-the-art amenities, were very nice considering the price range.
We took a flight from Haneda Airport in Tokyo around 10:00 a.m. and arrived at New Chitose Airport around 11:30 a.m. We then took the rapid airport line from New Chitose Airport to JR Sapporo Station, transferred to the Toho Subway Line from Subway Sapporo Station. When we got off the rapid airport line and transferred to the Toho subway line, we walked for more than 10 minutes. First-time visitors to Sapporo Station are recommended to check this YouTube in advance.
Then we got off at Odori Station, took Exit 31, and walked about 3 minutes to the free shuttle bus stop. The shuttle bus stop was a little difficult to find. We would recommend that you allow plenty of time to get there. Also, you need to make a reservation in advance to use the shuttle bus.
Then we took the 1:00 p.m. shuttle bus, which took about 2.5 hours to reach the resort where we were staying. The area around the resort was covered with snow, and there were piles of plowed snow on both sides of the road.
We got off the shuttle bus in front of the entrance of the modern building and entered through an automatic door decorated with a famous naguri wood process pattern to find a water basin with a cascading waterfall and a corridor with lanterns placed at equal intervals. As we followed the corridor, listening to the sound of running water, we came to another wooden automatic door and entered the lobby, where we were greeted with an amazingly spectacular view. The light blue sky, the bright blue Lake Toya, and the snow-covered islands of Lake Toya were very impressive. Even the children’s eyes were rounded and they gazed at the view from the large window for a while.
We then proceeded further toward the automatic door on the left to reach the lobby with its open atmosphere. The lobby overlooked a spectacular view that is beyond description. At this time, the lobby was very crowded with guests checking in. We decided to sit by the window in the lobby lounge, sipping beer for us and orange juice for the kids while we waited for our turn to check in. The lounge had coffee, tea, Asahi Beer, Sapporo Beer, green tea, vegetable juice, tomato juice, apple juice, Coca-Cola, Kirin Lemon, dried fruit, chocolate, and snacks available for free. After 15 minutes of waiting, we checked in here and head to our room.
This time we stayed in a room with a private onsen on the 7th floor. All rooms at this resort have private onsens and balconies overlooking Lake Toya. After taking off our shoes at the entrance, we proceeded to the bedroom, which was furnished with a modern interior in brown tones, a daybed next to the bedroom, a spacious porch with deck chairs and a table next to the window, and a window that opened onto the balcony. The balcony had a long couch. It was a great feeling to have the same view from our room as we had in the lobby. We decided to make coffee from the in-room coffee mill and sit on the deck chairs on the porch for a while to enjoy the spectacular view from our room.
After this, we changed into yukatas and decided to visit the communal onsen baths on the 8th floor. The resort had spacious indoor and outdoor communal onsen baths with amazingly spectacular views. The communal onsen baths were constructed like an infinity pool that made you feel as if you were in Lake Toya while soaking in the onsens. It would be hard to find an indoor or outdoor bath with such a powerful and spectacular view. It was such a blessing to be able to soak in the onsens while enjoying the endless blue sky and the beautiful snowy scenery of Lake Toya. This is worth a visit. The large bathhouse had indoor baths, outdoor baths, and saunas. There was also a spacious terrace in the changing room from which one could enjoy the spectacular view. There were also free popsicles and bottles of water available. In addition, there was a small gym and spa treatment store near the communal bath area.
After enjoying the communal onsen baths, we went back to the lounge in the lobby, sat by the window and enjoyed the spectacular view for a while while sipping our complimentary beer, but gradually thick gray clouds appeared in the sky, the area became dim, and it started snowing.
After this, we headed to the restaurant in the sister hotel next door for dinner. The restaurant was buffet style with a wide variety of Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes. For example, Margherita, fried chicken, paella, French fries, beef stew, beef curry, green curry, cream stew, hamburger steak with tomato sauce, crab and tomato basta, duck and vegetable pasta, shao mai, shrimp chili sauce, mapo tofu, steamed rice, char-grilled pork, charcoal-grilled scallop, beef steak, fried shrimp, miso ramen, tempura, soba noodle, crab kamameshi, nigirizushi, chirashizushi, scallop and salmon sashimi, snow crab, oden, appetizers, simmered dishes, salad, egg soup, chazuke, and more. Desserts include apple pie, muffins, croissants, yogurt, dried fruits, Haagen-Dazs ice cream, gelato, pudding, cream puffs, chocolate cake, financier, panna cotta, tarts, daifuku, fruits, etc. Overall, the buffet was not of a high standard, but the ingredients used were typical of Hokkaido, and all the dishes were delicious. Considering the price range, we were satisfied. What was a little disappointing was that the restaurant was crowded and hectic, much like a family restaurant. If you want to have a relaxing meal, it would be a good idea to have a kaiseki meal at the restaurant on the ground floor of the resort.
By the way, there are several local restaurants in the Toyako Onsen town, but it takes more than 15 minutes to walk there. Also, going out in the winter when it snows or rains can be a hassle. Especially with small children, it was difficult to move around, so we decided to eat on the resort grounds.
After dinner, we went back to our room and relaxed on the daybed watching Netflix while drinking white wine from the store near the lobby. We wanted to watch the moon and stars in the night sky and Lake Toya from the balcony, but it was freezing cold and snowing outside, so we decided to stay in the room. By the way, from the end of April to the end of October, a fireworks display is held every night from 20:45 for about 20 minutes, which you can see from the balcony of your room. For your reference, check the following information.
The next morning, we awoke a little after 7:00 a.m. and went out on the balcony to find the view once again spectacular. The snow that had been falling until midnight had already stopped. we sat on the coach on the balcony for a while, but it was too cold, so we sat on the deck chairs on the porch and watched the quiet Lake Toya in the morning for a while.
After this, we headed to the restaurant in the sister building for breakfast. Breakfast was a Japanese-Western buffet. For example, pasta with meat sauce, scrambled eggs, cabbage rolls, minestrone, French toast, pumpkin bread, bread, croissants, butter rolls, chicken salad, potato salad, sparkling wine, yakisoba, chicken curry, eggplant and meatballs with tomato, French fries, croquettes, simmered fish, meat and potatoes, sausage, broiled egg, grilled salmon, grilled mackerel, dumplings, hot tofu, onsen egg, omelette, sukiyaki, udon, porridge, red rice, white rice, natto, inarizushi, rice balls, salmon roe, salmon or tuna sashimi, 7 kinds of cakes, yogurt, Granola, Hagen-Dazs ice cream, gelato, Hokkaido milk, etc. were lined up. As with the dinner buffet, the food was satisfying considering the price range, but the crowded and hectic environment was disappointing.
After this, we returned to our room and again gazed at the spectacular view from the window for a long time without thinking, and fully enjoyed the private onsen in the room, before checking out around 11:00.
Overall, the buffet-style dining area lacked a sense of luxury, which was a bit disappointing, but the other amenities, our room, and the spectacular view of Lake Toya were truly superb. Next time we stay, we want to have meals at the restaurant on the first floor of the resort.
Check availability and pricing for the property on Agoda
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Is the location easy to access?
Take the rapid airport line from New Chitose Airport and get off at JR Sapporo Station. Then transfer to either the Toho or Nanboku subway lines and get off at Odori Station. When we got off the rapid airport line and transferred to the Toho subway line, we walked for more than 10 minutes. First-time visitors to Sapporo Station are recommended to check this YouTube in advance. We were not familiar with the Sapporo Station area and got lost.
Then, when you arrive at Odori Station, take Exit 31 of Odori Station and follow the sidewalk on the left to the shuttle bus stop. The free shuttle bus departs at 13:00. The trip to the hotel takes 2.5 hours. Refer to the info.
Then to use the free shuttle bus, inform the hotel of the date of your stay, the name of your booking, and your booking number after completing the room booking. Please note that the shuttle bus will depart on time even if there is a delay in the arrival of airplanes or other transportation. Particularly in winter, heavy snowfall often delays the arrival time of airplanes, trains and buses. It is advisable to travel with plenty of time to spare.
How about toiletries & in-room amenities?
All of the amenities are taken care of including enough toiletries, bathrobes, yukatas, samue outfits, welcome sweets, a coffee mill, bottled water, TWG tea bags, a Japanese tea set, etc. There were omnisens skincare products in the bathroom. A convenience store is located in the Toyako Onsen area, a 15-minute walk away. The free WiFi reception was excellent on the property. Also, a Bluetooth speaker and a humidifier were placed in our room. Room service is not available, but there is a cozy lounge on 3F. Complimentary beer, coffee, juice, snacks, chocolates, and dry fruits, etc. are available between 15:00 and 18:00.
How about In-house Facilities?
There are wonderful outdoor and indoor communal onsen baths on 8F. If you have tattoos, you may not be permitted to use the communal bathing areas.
Then there are a small gym and spa treatment shop on 8F. Sportswear and shoes are not available for rent. You need to bring your own. If you have a spa treatment service, you need to make an appointment in advance. A souvenir shop is located near the lobby.
Then this is a perfect universal design. Wheelchairs are available for borrowing. If you bring people with weak legs, you may want to inform the staff in advance as they can arrange a room near the lift.
Have a nice trip! Welcome to receive any questions about the resort from the below space. Check availability and pricing for the property on Agoda
Info about The Lake Suite Ko no Sumika
| Style | Onsen Resort Hotel |
|---|---|
| Check-in and out times |
15:00/11:00 |
| Estimated Price | 70,000 JPY for 2 adults per room |
| Contact E-mail |
reserve@konosumika.com |
| Internet Connection | Free WiFi in the hotel |
| Facility Information | Wheelchairs are available Pets are not allowed The free parking lot is available |
| Location | |
| Access | Free shuttle bus from Exit 31 of Odori Station |
| Address and TEL | 049-5731 Tel +81 142-82-412 |
| Official Homepage | The Lake Suite Ko no Sumika’s HP |
*All information above is as of the date that I posted on my blog.
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