BBisiligecengbuOut of the three onsen hotels I stayed at in Lake Shikotsu, Suizantei, which is popular online and hard to book, was actually quite average with no scenic views from its onsen. Then there was the extremely overpriced Aigashiro, which was even worse – no service, no ambiance. Marukoma was my last stay and also the cheapest. Reviews online were mixed, but seeing it was a century-old onsen, I wanted to give it a try. Turns out, it was the only one of the three worth visiting. First, the onsen views are the best because of its elevated location. I wouldn't recommend the wild onsen as it's unmaintained and the water is very cold. However, the outdoor public onsen truly offers fantastic views and a great panorama. And the view from the public cafe is incredibly comfortable; just sitting there and daydreaming is a pure delight! The rooms are just for sleeping, small, and without a view, but the previous two hotels weren't any better. Dinner, I think, was decent for the price! The ingredients seemed fresh, and it wasn't as bad as some online reviews claimed! Overall, Lake Shikotsu is worth visiting, and Marukoma is worth experiencing! It's an old brand, and the service is quite good! When we checked in, we casually mentioned needing a taxi the next day, and at breakfast, a staff member came to ask if we needed help calling one! That was really heartwarming! No discrimination whatsoever! The private paid onsen is also good! It's not expensive and I recommend trying it out.
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