Hotel Gozensui
7,9/10 Very good - Based on 434 reviews
Hotel Gozensui sits on the shore of Lake Akan and presents a traditional Japanese inn experience with rooms that overlook the lake or surrounding peaks. Accommodation ranges from classic tatami-and-futon Japanese-style rooms to mixed Japanese-Western layouts and a limited number of special rooms fitted with private open-air baths. The property draws its bathing water from a natural spring and operates spacious public hot-spring facilities with both indoor and open-air sections, allowing guests to relax while taking in seasonal views of the lake and forested slopes.
Facilities are arranged to serve both leisure and sightseeing stays: two on-site restaurants focus on Japanese-style menus that reflect local, seasonal ingredients, and there is a small leisure area offering games and souvenir shopping. Practical amenities include on-site parking, lobby wireless access, a sauna and massage services, and banquet/meeting rooms for larger groups. Day-use bathing is available for non-residents, and staff provide hospitality in a way that accommodates requests such as local excursion information and shuttle arrangements from nearby transport nodes when prearranged.
Located within easy walking distance of the Ainu Kotan cultural area, the lake cruise pier and the Akanko Eco Museum Centre, the hotel is a convenient base for boat tours to see the region’s marimo and for hikes around the Akan caldera. Typical access from the region’s main rail hub takes roughly an hour and twenty minutes by car, and standard check-in/out times are mid-afternoon and mid-morning respectively. For travelers seeking a ryokan with onsen in Lake Akan, this property provides direct spring bathing, lakeside views and practical services characteristic of a Hokkaido ryokan with onsen.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Hotel Gozensui
Positive Reviews
Excellent lakeside location and views
Many reviewers praised the hotel's position on Lake Akan — rooms often offer direct, beautiful lake views and easy access to the lakeside, nearby shops, Ainu Kotan village and the boarding jetty.
Friendly, attentive staff and service
Staff were repeatedly described as warm and helpful, with quick responses to requests (e.g. fixing a shower head), helpful recommendations, and small thoughtful touches like complimentary baked goods at checkout.
Relaxing onsen experiences
Guests enjoyed the hot baths and onsen facilities, calling them very pleasant and a highlight of the stay (many noted the baths were hot and relaxing). Some also appreciated the availability of onsen-related amenities.
Spacious, traditional Japanese-style rooms
The Japanese-style rooms were frequently described as large, well laid-out and comfortable, providing a peaceful atmosphere and often a lake-facing panorama; parking and rear access were also convenient for many guests.
Good dinners and overall meal quality
Multiple reviews mentioned quality meals and varied dinner options (meals described as good or excellent), with several guests appreciating the dinner offerings even when breakfast was criticised.
Negative Reviews
Property feels dated and needs renovation
A recurring concern was the hotel’s vintage/aged appearance — many guests noted worn décor, older public areas and rooms and suggested renovations would improve the overall experience.
Breakfast quality and variety is disappointing
Numerous reviewers found the breakfast mediocre: limited choices, some items served cold, weak hot drink options and an overall lacklustre buffet presentation compared with expectations or price.
Firm futons and bedding (sleep comfort issues)
Several guests reported very hard futons and firm pillows, making sleep uncomfortable for visitors who prefer softer bedding.
Bathrooms and some facilities show wear / cleanliness issues
Comments pointed to aged bathrooms (including male bath areas), low ceilings in some rooms, small or claustrophobic toilets and signs of wear that affected perceived cleanliness or comfort.
Onsen location/conditions and extra charges
A few guests mentioned the onsen was dated, located in a basement with a dungeon-like, windowless feel, and noted that baths are sometimes charged separately (even if inexpensive), which detracted from the experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rooms are traditional Japanese style with futon bedding and typically accommodate 2–4 guests depending on the room type; check the selected room’s maximum occupancy when booking as extra beds and cots are not available.
Yes — the property has public indoor and open-air natural hot spring baths, and some room types offer a private open-air bath; day-use bathing is available at set hours.
There is no regularly advertised hotel airport shuttle; Kushiro Airport is about an hour by car, so guests usually arrive by taxi, rental car or regional bus; contact the hotel in advance if you need pickup help.
Staff provide some English assistance and the hotel lists English-friendly services, but not all staff may be fluent; basic Japanese phrases or a translation app can be useful.
Expect tatami rooms with futon bedding, public onsen baths, local décor and access to Ainu cultural sites nearby for an authentic regional experience.
Lake Akan shoreline, the Ainu Kotan (folk village) and the Akanko Ainu Theatre are a short walk away, with the Akankohan Eco Museum Centre also nearby.
The area is very walkable for lakefront sights and shops; taxis and local buses serve longer routes, and on-site parking is available if you rent a car.
Standard check-in is from 15:00 and check-out by 10:00; the property asks guests to inform them in advance of late arrivals, especially after evening hours.
Some room types include private open-air baths you can book as part of the room, but pets are not allowed on the property.
The hotel has two on-site Japanese restaurants and a breakfast service is commonly offered; convenience stores and several eateries are within a short walk for snacks and supplies.