Choyo Resort Hotel
7,1/10 Very good - Based on 446 reviews
Choyo Resort Hotel sits in the Sounkyo Onsen area of Kamikawa, on the western edge of Daisetsuzan National Park. The property blends contemporary Japanese resort styling with wide views of Mt. Choyo and nearby river valleys; with roughly 188 rooms it functions as a mountain retreat close to the Daisetsuzan Sounkyo Ropeway and the Ginga and Ryusei waterfalls. Guests visit year-round for alpine hiking, early autumn colour and the local ice-fall festival, and for the hotel’s hot-spring facilities that establish it as a ryokan with onsen in Hokkaido.
Wellness facilities centre on public and open-air baths, complemented by a staffed spa that offers premium hot‑stone treatments and private-bath options, plus a sauna and jacuzzi. Dining is provided through large buffet venues that mix Japanese and Western dishes alongside a relaxed lounge for coffee and light meals. Practical amenities include free parking, complimentary Wi‑Fi, family-oriented game spaces and meeting rooms, while a seasonal shuttle links the resort with nearby transport hubs and a sister property for extended itineraries.
Rooms range from modern twin and family layouts to traditional Japanese-style configurations, each equipped with air conditioning, refrigerator, electric kettle and in-room toiletries, and many overlook the surrounding mountains. The hotel operates as a full-scale resort with an activities desk and guided sightseeing suggestions, making it a convenient base for exploring Daisetsuzan. For travelers seeking an accessible ryokan with onsen, Kamikawa, Hokkaido offers both public bathing culture and the option to book private onsen experiences.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Choyo Resort Hotel
Positive Reviews
Relaxing onsen with multiple baths
Several reviews praise the onsen as hot, comfortable and restorative, noting large public baths and pleasant outdoor (rotenburo) options; some guests also mentioned the availability of private onsen rentals.
Convenient location for hiking and sightseeing
Guests highlight the hotel's proximity to Daisetsuzan, the Kurodake cable car, waterfalls and hiking trails, plus easy access to nearby attractions and on-site/free parking.
Helpful and friendly staff
Multiple comments mention attentive, kind staff who assisted with arrangements (for example booking transport), contributing to a welcoming experience.
Extensive buffet selection
Many guests appreciated a large dinner buffet with a wide range of dishes and international choices, providing variety for group and family stays.
Spacious rooms and traditional experience
Several stays report roomy rooms (including family rooms), good views of the river/cliffs or foliage, and the appeal of sleeping in traditional tatami/futon style for an authentic experience.
Negative Reviews
Dated property and decor
Numerous reviews describe the hotel as old and in need of refurbishment, with tired public areas and furnishings that feel out of date.
Cleanliness and maintenance issues
Guests reported cleanliness concerns such as dusty rooms, dirty corridors, mold in some onsen areas/ceilings and general signs of poor maintenance.
Dining problems: smoke and inconsistent quality
Several reviewers said the dinner area can be very smoky (grill/steak smoke), that smells can linger after bathing, and that buffet food quality and temperature are inconsistent or mediocre at times.
Small or uncomfortable rooms and bathrooms
Common complaints include cramped/tiny bathrooms, awkward room layouts, sunken or thin futons and mattresses, and general discomfort in some traditional-style sleeping arrangements.
Very busy with tour groups and noise
Many guests noted the hotel hosts large tour groups arriving by bus, causing loud crowded meals and early-morning bus noise that can disturb guests; some also mentioned the area lacks a town center beyond the resorts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rooms vary from twin Western-style rooms for two to Japanese-style and family rooms with up to five futons, so the hotel suits couples, small families and groups up to about five people in a single room.
Yes — the resort has multiple public hot-spring baths including an open-air bath, a large view bath and a healing bath, plus a sauna; bathing areas follow a gender-separated schedule.
In-room private onsen baths are not a standard offering; guests can use the property's public and open-air baths and may ask reception about any private-rental options or sister-property arrangements.
The hotel operates shuttle services between Sounkyo and nearby cities/stations on a seasonal schedule and also runs a short shuttle between its sister property; shuttle seats are limited and should be requested in advance.
Asahikawa Airport is roughly a 1.5–1.75 hour drive and New Chitose is about a 4–5 hour drive; you can reach the area by train to JR Kamikawa then taxi or by highway bus services to Sounkyo.
The hotel provides English information on its website and front-desk staff can assist in basic English, though Japanese is the primary language on-site; contact the hotel in advance if you need language support.
The resort is a short walk from the Daisetsuzan Sounkyo Ropeway and within driving distance of Ryusei-no-Taki Falls and the Daisetsuzan National Park, making it convenient for scenic walks, ropeway rides and nature sightseeing.
Dohoku bus routes serve Sounkyo and JR Kamikawa Station is about a 25-minute taxi ride; the hotel offers free on-site parking for guests arriving by car.
Standard check-in is from 15:00 to 19:00 and check-out is between 07:30 and 10:00; the hotel asks guests to notify reception of their expected arrival time if it differs or if you need shuttle seats.
Pets are not permitted at the property; for private-use requests (such as group arrangements or reserved facilities) you should contact the hotel in advance so they can confirm availability.