Yumoto Ginsenkaku
7,6/10 Very good - Based on 112 reviews
Yumoto Ginsenkaku is a mountain ryokan set within the natural amphitheatre of a national park, a short walk from the ropeway that leads up Mt. Kurodake. The property presents a traditional Japanese inn experience with tatami-floored guest rooms, buffet breakfasts featuring local seafood and a nightly hot‑pot buffet option, plus a single on-site restaurant serving seasonal Japanese dishes. Public spaces include a small lobby, a manga corner and shared leisure facilities such as karaoke and a ping‑pong area, creating a relaxed, communal atmosphere suited to couples and small groups.
The ryokan’s bathing facilities rest at the heart of its appeal: the house advertises 100% source-onsen flow from four different springs combined across seven outlets, with both indoor and outdoor bathing areas and a sauna. Guests can also reserve a private bathing room on a complimentary basis with certain plans, so the property functions as both a ryokan with onsen in Hokkaido and an option for travellers seeking a ryokan with private onsen in Hokkaido. Basic etiquette and facility rules are observed for shared baths, and some outdoor or specialty features may be seasonally adjusted.
Practical amenities include free parking and complimentary Wi‑Fi, and the location makes the inn a convenient base for hiking, sightseeing and the nearby waterfalls and cable car access. Staff offer multilingual information and the property promotes easy access to local trails and viewpoints, making it well suited for visitors who want a straightforward, service‑oriented stay framed by mountain scenery and natural hot springs. Reservations and plan details are managed directly through the property’s booking channels.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Yumoto Ginsenkaku
Positive Reviews
Excellent location near ropeway and attractions
Many guests highlight the ryokan’s prime location — within walking distance of the ropeway/cable car, tourist centre and local attractions (shows, fireworks). Several also noted on-site parking which is convenient for drivers.
Good onsen facilities
Multiple reviews praise the hot-spring facilities: public onsen access, pleasant baths and a small outdoor area. Guests appreciated being able to relax in the bath after hiking or a cold day.
Friendly and accommodating staff
Staff and management are frequently described as kind and helpful, with some English speakers. Guests mentioned efficient check‑in/out, assistance with booking changes and helpfulness with issues like refunds.
Comfortable, traditional tatami rooms and cleanliness
Reviewers liked the Japanese-style (tatami) rooms — generally comfortable, reasonably spacious for the type of property and kept clean. Some guests also noted good bathroom/toilet facilities and useful amenities (washing machine, massage chairs, karaoke).
Generous breakfast offerings
Many guests praised the breakfast buffet as very good, varied and plentiful, citing it as a highlight of their stay.
Negative Reviews
Variable food quality and dining experience
Several guests found dinner and some breakfast items to be ordinary or below expected quality. Complaints include undercooked eggs, repetitive hot-pot dinners and an overall desire for higher-quality meal options.
Rushed meal times and additional charges
A number of reviewers reported restricted dining time (about one hour) which felt rushed for hot-pot meals; some said exceeding the time incurred extra charges. This limited eating schedule reduced enjoyment for groups and hikers.
Service and housekeeping issues
Some guests reported poor service: no daily housekeeping during multi-night stays, amenities left outside rooms, check-in delays or unfriendly interactions, and restrictive or inconvenient luggage storage policies (use of coin lockers only).
Dated facilities and comfort issues
Multiple reviews note older finishes, dated décor, tacky background music and occasional problems like kerosene smell from room heaters or thin futons, suggesting parts of the property need updating or maintenance.
Perceived poor value or pricing concerns
A few guests felt the stay was expensive for what was provided, mentioning that price did not always match expectations given the service, dining quality or condition of some facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Room capacity varies by room type; family rooms are offered but the property does not provide extra beds or cots, so book a room that fits your whole party.
The ryokan has public indoor and outdoor hot-spring baths and a sauna; private-use hot spring baths can be reserved at reception. Note that public-bath rules apply and guests with tattoos may be restricted from some bathing areas.
The property does not provide an airport shuttle; Asahikawa Airport is the nearest (about 71 km) and Sounkyo is reachable by scheduled buses or by car.
Staff can assist in English, and multilingual support (commonly Chinese and Korean) is often available, though assistance level may vary by shift.
Yes — rooms feature Japanese-style elements and guests may be asked to lay out futon bedding themselves; the on-site restaurant serves Japanese cuisine and local specialties.
The Daisetsuzan Kurodake Ropeway is about a 3‑minute walk, and Sounkyo Gorge, hiking trails, seasonal festivals (e.g., the ice festival) and visitor facilities are all within the Sounkyo Onsen area.
Take a Dohoku bus from Asahikawa or Kamikawa stations to Sounkyo (check timetables in advance, as services are limited), or drive — free private parking is available at the ryokan.
Standard check-in begins at 15:00 (the property’s check-in window extends into the evening) and check-out is by 10:00; if you plan to have dinner on-site, arrive early enough (typically by 19:00) or notify the property in advance.
Yes — private-use hot spring baths can be reserved at reception after check-in; reservations are usually on a first-come, first-served basis.
Pets are not permitted at the ryokan; Sounkyo town has small local shops, souvenir stores and vending machines for essentials, while full supermarkets and larger shops are located in Asahikawa or other nearby towns.