Lake Shikotsu Tsuruga Resort Spa Mizu no Uta
9,1/10 Exceptional - Based on 455 reviews
Lake Shikotsu Tsuruga Resort Spa Mizu no Uta sits on the forested shore of Lake Shikotsu in Chitose, Hokkaido and is planned around water and wellbeing. The resort frames the lake and woodland through large windows, quiet public lounges and a focused spa programme that emphasises bathing, beauty treatments and gentle exercise. Public bathing facilities are varied, with indoor jet and standing baths, sleeping and sitting baths and an outdoor open‑air thermal pool, arranged to support both restorative solo use and relaxed social bathing.
Guest accommodation ranges from modern Japanese–Western rooms to expansive premier suites; several categories include private onsen facilities, with open‑air baths set in garden or terrace settings and a renewed 64 m² room type featuring an indoor private onsen. Rooms combine tatami living areas and Western beds with warm wood finishes, tea and coffee facilities, refrigeration and a comprehensive set of toiletries and linens. For travellers seeking a ryokan with private onsen in Chitose, Hokkaido, the property offers a clear way to pair private thermal bathing with full resort services.
Dining balances a seasonal buffet concept with a calmer dining room serving Japanese set meals; a patisserie and bar supply lighter options. Practical services include a scheduled shuttle to the regional airport and nearby stations, bicycle rental, fitness facilities and a spa salon offering massages and beauty treatments, while day‑trip bathing plans are available. The lakeside setting makes short walks, viewpoints and seasonal photography straightforward, allowing guests to design either active excursions or a slower, wellness‑centred stay.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Lake Shikotsu Tsuruga Resort S…
Positive Reviews
Exceptional food (kaiseki and buffets)
Multiple guests praised the quality and variety of meals—both the multi-course kaiseki dinners and the breakfast/dinner buffets were described as excellent, changing nightly and using very fresh local ingredients.
Outstanding staff and Japanese hospitality
Reviewers repeatedly noted attentive, courteous and helpful staff; many called the service excellent and emphasized the authentic Japanese hospitality and personal care throughout their stay.
Beautiful lakeside location and atmosphere
The property’s setting on the banks of Lake Shikotsu was highlighted as breathtaking, peaceful and very scenic, contributing strongly to relaxation and the overall experience.
Excellent onsen and spa facilities (including private baths)
Guests loved the onsen offerings—large public baths, outdoor baths, and private in-room or terrace baths were praised for quality, privacy and the relaxing experience; spa and massage services were also commended.
Comfortable, well-appointed rooms and thoughtful amenities
Rooms were described as spacious, beautifully designed and comfortable, with useful touches like a pillow selection, well-prepared futons for families, in-room fridges with treats, and suites with open-air baths.
Negative Reviews
Access and transport limitations
Several reviews mentioned that reaching the hotel from Chitose station can be lengthy and requires planning—there are only a few buses per day and guests may need to pre-book a shuttle or take a taxi.
Post-checkout service failure / lost-item handling
At least one guest reported a serious problem with lost items and poor follow-up after departure: messages went unanswered for days and recovery efforts were inadequate, leaving the guest very disappointed.
Dining experience issues (noise and beverage/value concerns)
Some guests noted problems in the dining experience: loud groups in the open dining room disturbed romantic meals, and a few mentioned dissatisfaction with the quality or value of beverages (sake) or wished dinner offerings better matched the price.
Occasional language/communication difficulties
A few reviewers reported limited English or unclear explanations (for example about dinner arrangements), which caused minor confusion despite staff effort and overall attentiveness.
Room comfort/detail complaints (bed firmness / open-air bath improvement)
A minority of guests noted specific room issues such as preferring a softer mattress or suggesting improvements to the in-room open-air bath design or facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Standard check‑in starts at 15:00 and check‑out is by 10:00; please inform the hotel of late arrivals as guests should check in by around 19:30 if they plan to eat dinner at the property.
The hotel is roughly a 40‑minute drive from New Chitose Airport; there is also about a one‑hour journey by shuttle or public bus depending on the route and stops.
A free shuttle (Chitose Liner) runs between New Chitose Airport, Chitose stations and the hotel for registered guests; reserve the shuttle in advance (seats are limited and the hotel asks for several days' notice).
Yes — the property offers communal indoor and open‑air onsen baths and some room types include a private open‑air hot‑spring bath available only to staying guests.
Guests with visible tattoos may not be permitted to use the public bathing facilities, in line with the hotel's onsen policy.
Pets are not allowed on the property; private in‑room onsen are reserved for overnight guests and the hotel does not offer separate private bath rentals for day use, though day‑trip spa+meal packages are available by reservation.
Maximum occupancy depends on the room type — the hotel offers rooms suited to couples and families, but cribs and extra beds are generally not available, so check the specific room description or contact the hotel for group needs.
The resort has a buffet restaurant and a Japanese dining option, plus a bar and patisserie; light late‑night meals are available at the bar but full dinner service requires timely check‑in.
There is an on‑site souvenir shop and vending machines, and a seasonal hotel garden kiosk; for a wider selection of groceries or convenience stores you will find options a short drive away in the Chitose area.
The hotel is on Lake Shikotsu with the visitor centre a short walk away, offering hiking, cycling, boating and nature walks; Sapporo and other destinations in Shikotsu‑Tōya National Park are reachable by car for day trips.