Sasai Hotel
8,1/10 Excellent - Based on 49 reviews
Sasai Hotel is a long-established Japanese spa hotel set in the Tokachigawa Onsen area of Otofuke, Hokkaido, known locally for its rare moor hot spring. The property combines traditional tatami-style guest rooms with a range of communal bathing options: indoor thermal pools, an open-air bath and a sauna, plus facilities geared toward groups and families. Public areas include a spacious restaurant serving regionally focused meals and a large public performance hall that preserves a classic, early‑Showa era atmosphere rather than a contemporary resort aesthetic. The hotel operates as a ryokan with onsen in Hokkaido and maintains practical services such as luggage assistance, bicycle rental and free on-site parking.
Guest rooms are primarily Japanese-style, arranged with futons on tatami and many have views across the Tokachi plain toward the Hidaka mountains; some room types include en-suite bathrooms while others share corridor facilities, so room selection should match your comfort needs. Meals emphasise local ingredients and are offered in buffet and set formats, with the dining room geared to hearty, seasonal dishes rather than minimalist fine‑dining. Staff communication is mainly in Japanese, and the property’s layout and fixtures reflect decades of continuous operation, which some visitors interpret as characterful and others as dated; practical conveniences such as coin launderettes and vending machines are available on site.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Sasai Hotel
Positive Reviews
High-quality onsen (hot springs)
Many guests praised the onsen water quality and large public baths (mōru onsen), describing the baths as a highlight for relaxation and rest.
Delicious and plentiful meals
Reviews repeatedly noted tasty meals and a rich breakfast selection; the buffet style dinners and breakfasts were described as abundant and very good.
Friendly and attentive staff
Multiple comments mentioned polite, caring and helpful staff whose service made guests feel comfortable and well looked after.
Convenient location and parking
Guests appreciated transport convenience (bus stop outside the hotel, some free shuttle arrangements), a nearby convenience store and ample parking, making arrivals and short shopping trips easy.
Good value, spacious rooms and practical amenities
Several reviewers highlighted the hotel's value for money: large rooms, useful facilities like coin-operated laundry, effective air conditioning, and a pleasant nostalgic/Showa atmosphere that felt comfortable rather than luxurious.
Negative Reviews
Aged or dated rooms and facilities
Many guests reported the property feels old or shows its age—worn decor, squeaky floors, small/old TVs and general need for updates were mentioned several times.
Occasional onsen/bath problems
A few reviews reported problems with the baths on certain days: cleanliness concerns for the men's bath, water feeling reused, cold bath temperatures, or temporary closures/works affecting use.
Limited room temperature control
Some guests could not adjust heating/temperature in their rooms (preset to around 22°C), which made sleeping uncomfortable for some parties.
Meal timing and limited buffet variety
A few visitors experienced dishes not ready when the meal service began due to time limits, and some asked for more variation in the buffet menu over multiple days.
Small bathrooms and dim common areas
Specific complaints included narrow/toilet-sized bathrooms in rooms and dimly lit hallways; some guests suggested improvements like better lighting or remote-controlled switches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Room capacity varies by room type; options range from single occupancy up to rooms that sleep as many as eight guests—check the selected room’s maximum occupancy when booking.
The hotel offers multiple hot-spring facilities including large public baths, open-air baths and a rare moor onsen; note that tattoos may limit access to some public baths.
You can get a free bus ticket from the north exit bus terminal at JR Obihiro Station (tell the ticket counter you are staying at Sasai Hotel); the Milky-Liner from the airport stops at Tokachigawa Onsen, about a 3‑minute walk to the hotel.
Standard check‑in begins at 15:00 and check‑out is by 10:00; if you expect to arrive late please inform reception in advance.
Staff primarily speak Japanese and English support is limited; basic English assistance is often available but contact the hotel ahead of arrival if you need specific language help.
The hotel has an on‑site restaurant offering buffet breakfast and dinner prepared with local ingredients; special dietary requests can be made in advance.
Bicycle rental is offered and the hotel can help arrange local transport and taxis; there is also free on‑site parking if you travel by car.
The property is known for its public and open‑air baths; private‑rental baths are not prominently listed—please contact the hotel directly to request or confirm private‑bath availability.
Pets are not permitted on the property, and guests with visible tattoos may be restricted from using public bathing facilities.
Nearby highlights include Tokachi Hill Observatory, Tokachi Ecology Park, Makubetsu Strawberry Farm and the Tokachi River area; the front desk can provide maps and local day‑trip suggestions.