Sapporo’s Secret Onsen Sanctuary Marukoma Onsen Ryokan
8,9/10 Excellent - Based on 299 reviews
Set on the northern shore of Lake Shikotsu near Sapporo and Chitose, Marukoma Onsen Ryokan occupies a secluded lakeside site where a century-old inn meets raw caldera scenery. Its most distinctive feature is a natural open-air onsen that literally connects to the lake—the water level and views shift with the seasons—alongside indoor thermal pools and a Finnish-style sauna. Bathing rhythms here emphasise quiet and ritual: early-morning sunrise soaks, late-evening star views, and options to reserve small private baths for undisturbed bathing, making it a compelling ryokan with onsen Hokkaido.
Guest rooms range from traditional tatami suites with low furnishings and lake-facing windows to modest Japanese-style rooms intended for longer stays; several rooms include irori hearth seating or tatami sitting areas. Meals centre on multi-course kaiseki built from Hokkaido seafood and seasonal produce, and the ryokan offers lake excursions and a small fleet cruise for short tours. Facilities include a restaurant, lounge spaces, free parking and on-site services for sauna sessions and private bathing reservations, qualifying it also as a ryokan with private onsen Hokkaido.
Access is by regional bus or a drive from the airport and Sapporo, with the reachability balanced by the sense of retreat: winding roads, forested approaches and a single lodge at the water’s edge. The proprietors highlight conservation measures—self-generated power, careful water use and sustainable sauna fuels—and the inn is integrated into a protected national-park landscape. Seasonal highlights include cherry-bright spring melt, clear summer lake swims, autumn colours and crisp winter vistas; the overall stay focuses on restorative pace and lakeside immersion.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Sapporo’s Secret Onsen S…
Positive Reviews
Stunning lakeside location and views
Many guests highlight the property’s location right on Lake Shikotsu with panoramic views from common areas, rooms and the onsen — often described as breathtaking and a key reason to stay.
Exceptional outdoor and indoor onsen experience
Reviewers repeatedly praise the hot springs (especially the outdoor baths at sunrise and the secluded evening sessions), calling them magical, tranquil and a major highlight of the stay.
High-quality, varied meals (kaiseki and breakfast)
Numerous comments note excellent dinners and abundant, well-presented breakfasts (kaiseki dinners, buffet and Hokkaido specialties), with staff accommodating late arrivals to serve meals.
Friendly, helpful staff and good service
Many guests mention attentive, kind staff who resolve issues (e.g., noise complaints, waiting to serve late dinners) and provide patient assistance despite language limits.
Traditional charm, spacious rooms and peaceful atmosphere
The ryokan’s historic character, traditional Japanese rooms (spacious lakeview rooms, comfortable futons, yukata provided) and overall calm, secluded setting are frequently appreciated.
Negative Reviews
Some rooms feel dated or musty
A number of guests describe certain rooms as old-fashioned, sanatorium-like or having a musty/unpleasant scent in areas such as toilets, suggesting uneven room condition.
Thin walls and occasional noisy guests
Thin room partitions meant noise can travel; there are reports of late-night partying that disturbed sleep, though staff intervened to resolve problems.
Transport and access limitations
Travelers warn that public transport to the hotel is limited, the courtesy shuttle requires a prior reservation and missing the last bus can make reaching the ryokan difficult.
Limited in-room facilities (no shower) and walk to some onsens
Some reviews note no in-room shower (reliance on communal baths) and that accessing certain lakeside/picnic onsens involves a longer walk along a passageway.
Occasional language/communication and service variability
A few guests found staff English limited which made onsen etiquette or pickup arrangements less clear, and some experienced less friendly interactions or mixed impressions of dinner quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rooms range from two-person twin or tatami options to family rooms that sleep up to four on futons; check the specific room's maximum occupancy when booking.
The ryokan offers a public indoor onsen, an open-air bath at lake level, hot and cold pools and a sauna, all fed by natural hot spring water.
Private (kashikiri) baths are available on a limited basis; please request and reserve them with the ryokan in advance.
There is a limited hotel shuttle and public bus links to Lake Shikotsu, but schedules are restricted; reserve the ryokan shuttle ahead of time or plan for a taxi or rental car if needed.
By car the property is roughly 40–45 km from the airport and typically takes under an hour; public buses to Lake Shikotsu take about 50 minutes—confirm timetables before travel.
Staff primarily speak Japanese; some team members use basic English and the staff are generally patient and willing to assist with simple English or phone translation help.
Expect a traditional ryokan stay with tatami rooms, yukata provided, and set Japanese-style meals (including irori/kaiseki options), plus guidance on onsen etiquette.
Pets are not allowed; the property accepts group bookings and has meeting/banquet facilities—contact the ryokan directly to discuss private-event arrangements.
The ryokan sits in a remote lakeside location with few shops within walking distance; the nearest supermarkets and convenience stores are in Chitose and are easiest to reach by car.
Check-in is from 14:00 to 20:00 and check-out from 07:00 to 10:00; the entrance is closed between 22:00 and 07:00, so notify the ryokan if you expect a late arrival.