Jozankei Tsuruga Resort Spa Mori no Uta
8,9/10 Excellent - Based on 341 reviews
Jozankei Tsuruga Resort Spa Mori no Uta sits within a wooded gorge known for its seasonal forest scenery, offering a deliberate contrast between a calm, timbered interior and the wider landscape. The resort presents itself as a forest spa retreat with a design concept that draws on natural motifs and measured contemporary Japanese detailing, creating an atmosphere aimed at slowing the pace of arrival. Public spaces include a tea terrace and lounge areas that look out over tree-shaded slopes, and the property markets itself as a ryokan with onsen Hokkaido for guests seeking a traditional bathing experience set within a modern resort context.
The Forest Spa hosts a bright main hot-spring bath and an outdoor bath tucked into the trees, alongside an exclusive hot-stone sauna and an esthetic treatment room that uses Jozankei’s waters; public bathing is segregated by gender, and the property enforces a no-clothing, no-towel-in-bath policy and restricts access for guests with visible tattoos. For privacy-minded visitors, a limited number of cottage-style guest rooms include private open-air hot-spring baths reserved for staying guests only, while other room types offer spacious, non-smoking layouts with in-room conveniences such as tea/coffee facilities and free Wi‑Fi. Operating windows for the onsen and sauna are set daily with short overnight closures for cleaning, and day-spa plus lunch packages are offered by reservation.
Accommodation is paired with a buffet restaurant, light-meal options and a small selection of bars, and the hotel provides on-site parking and a reservation-only shuttle to the nearest subway station for connections into central Sapporo (approximately 25–30 km away) and onward access to the island’s airports. Guest services include a 24-hour reception, a gift shop and optional massage or spa treatments, making the property suitable for couples and families seeking forest-centred relaxation; for travellers comparing regional stays, this ryokan with onsen Aomori phrasing may appear in searches, though the resort’s setting is within the Jozankei hot-spring valley near Sapporo in Hokkaido.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
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Review summary for: Jozankei Tsuruga Resort Spa Mo…
Positive Reviews
Excellent hot springs (onsen)
Multiple guests praised the onsen facilities — indoor and outdoor baths are clean, relaxing and a highlight of the stay; some guests booked cottages with private open‑air baths or enjoyed stone sauna options.
High‑quality buffet dining and special treats
The dinner and breakfast buffets received consistently strong praise for variety and quality. Reviewers mentioned standout items (e.g. steak, almond tuile, soft‑serve ice cream) and optional add‑ons like free‑flow wine/sake for extra enjoyment.
Attentive, friendly and English‑speaking staff
Many reviews noted very helpful, courteous staff and a personal touch (welcome in room, assistance with guests), with staff attention to detail making stays more comfortable.
Beautiful property, atmosphere and entertainment
Guests described the architecture, mountain/forest views and relaxing design as breathtaking. Nighttime lounge experiences (harp performance, marshmallow toasting) and sightings of deer were repeatedly enjoyed.
Comfortable rooms and useful amenities
Rooms were described as comfortable and spacious by many reviewers; facilities such as tatami areas, cottages with private baths, shuttle service and ample parking were appreciated.
Negative Reviews
Spa/massage service quality inconsistent
At least one guest reported a poor Thai massage experience and considered it a waste of money, indicating variable quality for paid spa services.
Limited private onsen availability for some bookings
Some guests noted that private onsens were not available to book with certain room types, which was a disappointment for those expecting private bathing options.
Small bathrooms and slipper policy discomfort
A reviewer found the in‑room bathroom and toilet rather small. Several guests also complained about the hotel slipper policy (no bedroom slippers provided; provided slippers were uncomfortable) and the need to remove and lock shoes in the lift lobby.
Signage and onsen gender guidance unclear
One guest reported unclear signage for the women’s onsen, which led to an accidental entry by a male guest and his wife — indicating wayfinding for changing areas could be improved.
Price, portioning and operating hours concerns
Some guests felt the hotel was pricey relative to certain aspects of the experience. Complaints included small steak serving portions and perceived staff attitude when requesting extra portions, an early checkout time (10:00 AM) and inconvenient spa/onsen opening hours that did not align with check‑in/out times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — solo travellers are welcome; if you have any booking questions about occupancy options please contact the hotel in advance.
Public baths are gender-segregated and used without swimwear; towels may not be brought into the bath and guests with visible tattoos may be refused access to public onsen.
Some cottage and select guest rooms include private open-air onsen for registered guests, but private public-bath rentals are not offered for day use.
Yes — a free shuttle runs between Makomanai Subway Station and the hotel; reservations should be made at least five days before arrival and changes or cancellations are requested 72 hours prior.
New Chitose Airport is about a 90-minute drive; there is no hotel airport shuttle, so public transport or taxi is recommended. From central Sapporo, take the subway to Makomanai Station then the hotel’s free shuttle (total journey roughly 40–60 minutes depending on connections).
The hotel offers multilingual assistance and a telephone interpretation service to help international guests; contact the hotel front desk for language support.
Standard check-in is 14:00–19:00 and check-out is by 11:00 (some room types have different check-in/check-out windows). Guests who arrive after 19:00 may not be served dinner, so notify the hotel if arriving late.
Pets are not allowed on the property, and public bathing areas cannot be privately rented; private baths inside some rooms are reserved for staying guests only.
Dining includes a buffet restaurant and a kaiseki option; breakfast is typically 07:00–09:00, buffet dinner runs around 18:00–21:00 (last seating about 19:30) and kaiseki last seating is earlier, so check your reservation for specifics.
The hotel sits in a forested Jozankei gorge with onsen, a hotel gift shop and local eateries nearby; the area is enjoyable year-round with summer and winter especially popular for outdoor activities and scenic views, and the front desk can advise on local transport and attractions.