Lake Shikotsu Tsuruga Bessou AO no ZA

9.3
This Ryokan has an overall rating of 9.3/10, based on 162 reviews. ? Our score combines two signals: 50% based on traveler sentiment and guest feedback found online, and 50% based on our internal on-site evaluation plus ratings from verified travelers on our platform, who must provide proof of stay.
? This ranking compares properties in the same region. It is based on the overall rating and the number of reviews, using a weighted score so properties with more review data are ranked more fairly.
Check-in from 2:00 PM
Lake Views Forest Surroundings National Park Hot Spring Town Private Onsen Open-Air Bath
Staff 9,4/10
Facilities 9,5/10
Cleanliness 9,4/10
Comfort 9,4/10
Value for money 8,6/10
Location 9,2/10

Ryokan highlights

A high-end Lake Shikotsu ryokan focused on lakeside scenery, private baths, and polished service.

Lakefront SettingRight by Lake Shikotsu in Chitose, with scenic water views from the property.
Private Open-Air BathsPrivate open-air bath options add a more secluded, premium onsen experience.
Spacious Japanese RoomsTatami-style rooms pair traditional ryokan character with modern in-room comfort.
Excellent ServiceGuest review patterns consistently praise the staff for attentive, polished hospitality.
Strong Dining ImpressionMeals are a standout part of the stay, especially for travelers seeking a special occasion feel.
Airport Shuttle EaseFree airport shuttle support makes arrival simpler for New Chitose Airport travelers.

Who is this ryokan best for?

Recommended stay1-2 nightsScenery and in-room bathing are the strongest stay driver here. One night works for early check-in, private onsen, dinner, breakfast, and a lakeside walk; two nights suits travelers adding slow lake time, nearby nature stops, or a soft airport/Sapporo transition.
Trip-planning verdict: Best as a high-end destination ryokan for a short Lake Shikotsu retreat, not as a long sightseeing base.

Know before booking

Limited area depthLake Shikotsu is beautiful but compact. Most travelers risk over-staying after two nights unless they plan hikes or lake activities.
Not a public-bath ryokanThis property has no communal bath. The onsen experience is built around private in-room baths only.
Car or shuttle helpsAccess is manageable from New Chitose Airport or Sapporo, but this is still a lakeside onsen area, not a station district.

Food & drinks

Verified luxury ryokan at Shikotsuko Onsen with private-room Japanese dining, a teppanyaki counter, and a bar lounge.

Japanese Restaurant (on-site)
on-site

Private-room style Japanese dining for breakfast and dinner.

  • Seasonal kaisekifoodMulti-course meal using Hokkaido produce.
  • Japanese breakfastfoodRyokan-style set breakfast.
  • Northern ingredientsspecialtyCuisine built around the seasons of Hokkaido.
Teppanyaki Counter (on-site)
on-site

On-site counter dining with grilled dishes; exact menu details are limited.

  • Teppanyaki dinnerfoodGrilled course-style dining.
  • Hokkaido seafoodfoodLocal seafood may feature.
  • Local beeffoodPremium meat is likely a focus.
Seiran (on-site)
on-site

Bar lounge for champagne, coffee, and late-night light bites.

  • ChampagnedrinkServed in the piloti lounge.
  • Siphon coffeedrinkHigh-quality coffee service.
  • Whisky and winedrinkPaid rare labels available.
  • Late-night snackfoodSimple meal before bed.

Access, transport and nearby sights

This luxury lakeside ryokan is in the Lake Shikotsu Onsen area, best reached from New Chitose Airport or JR Chitose Station by reserved hotel shuttle, public bus, or taxi.

Distances are approximate and calculated from the ryokan coordinates. Travel times may vary depending on route, traffic and schedules.

Should you choose this ryokan?

This is a high-end lakeside ryokan for travelers who want space, privacy, and a polished Hokkaido retreat rather than a classic budget onsen stay. It is especially appealing for couples or special-occasion trips, but the premium style and secluded setting will not suit everyone.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points
  • Private onsen in every roomEvery suite includes its own open-air hot spring bath, so you can soak in privacy without relying on a shared public bath schedule. That makes the stay especially strong for couples or guests who prefer a quieter onsen experience.
  • Rare amount of personal spaceThe property has only 25 lake-view suites, and room sizes are unusually large at roughly 100 to 270 square meters. It feels far more spacious than a typical ryokan around Hokkaido.
  • Front-row Lake Shikotsu settingThe ryokan directly faces Lake Shikotsu, giving it a calm waterside atmosphere that feels immersive rather than urban. It works particularly well if your goal is to slow down and stay close to the lake instead of sightseeing all day.
  • Refined dining without big dining hallsDining is positioned as an upscale, seasonal Hokkaido experience, with private-room-style Japanese dining and a teppanyaki counter. That setup suits travelers who want a more intimate dinner than a busy resort buffet.
  • Convenient for an upscale airport-area escapeDespite the secluded feel, the ryokan offers a reserved shuttle connection from New Chitose Airport and Chitose Station, with travel time of about an hour. It is a practical luxury stop for the first or last nights of a Hokkaido trip.
5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs
  • Very expensive by Hokkaido standardsThis is a true splurge property, and the large suites and private-bath concept push it into a luxury price tier. Travelers mainly looking for a simple onsen stay may find the value hard to justify.
  • Remote if you want city activityThe lakeside setting is beautiful, but it also means you are away from Sapporo-style dining, shopping, and nightlife. If you get restless in quiet resort areas, the location can feel too isolated.
  • Not ideal for a quick overnightThe hotel is built around lingering in the suite, bathing, and dining slowly on property. If you arrive late and leave early, you may not really use what makes this ryokan special.
  • Luxury style over old-school ryokan atmosphereThe experience is sleek, spacious, and highly polished rather than intimate and rustic. Travelers seeking a more traditional wooden inn with a nostalgic local feel may prefer a different type of ryokan.
  • Shared transport needs planningThe free shuttle is useful, but it requires advance reservation and the service details are limited rather than turn-up-and-go. That can be inconvenient if your itinerary is flexible or you prefer total transport freedom.

Ranking around this ryokan in Hokkaido

Showing 5 above and 5 below the current ryokan. The full ranking loads only when you click or hover over this block.

Current position: 6th out of 97 ryokans in Hokkaido.

Rank Ryokan Rating Reviews
🥇 1st Wakamatsu Hot Spring Resort 9.4/10 284
🥈 2nd Spa and Esthetique Suichokan-Female&Adult Only 9.4/10 195
🥉 3rd Tokachigawa Moor Onsen Seijyakubow 9.4/10 165
4th Mimatsuso Ryokan 9.3/10 440
5th Ryokan Ichinomatsu 9.3/10 203
6th Lake Shikotsu Tsuruga Bessou AO no ZA Current ryokan 9.3/10 162
7th Dai-ichi Takimotokan 9.2/10 6,740
8th Senshoen 9.2/10 246
9th Yuyado DAIICHI 9.2/10 213
10th Niseko Konbu Onsen Tsuruga Moku-no-sho 9.2/10 206
11th ONSEN RYOKAN Yuen Sapporo 9.1/10 3,087
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