Otaru Kourakuen Reviews

We absolutely loved this ryokan experience! Stayed for 2d1n as a couple and absolutely loved the place! We booked the room with the private onsen and it was a lovely small space on the 2nd floor we could enjoy privately. The onsen is not too big, maybe 1.5 x 1.5 meters, but it was spacious for the two of us. We also found out that you can book a 45 minute slot for a separate private onsen for about ¥2200, which we may have done instead, had we known about it before booking. The japanese-style room was comfortable and had the usual amenities provided, alongside other nice additions like lotions and creams. The staff helped us to set up our futon (japanese-style bed) after dinner, and it was overall a very comfortable experience. The staff are super friendly and service was incredible. We got the dinner and breakfast package and the food was excellent. We had to choose both the dinner slot in advance, and it is first-come-first-serve. Dinner was served to us in the room over 1.5h and was a really amazing 12-course meal with instructions on the eating order. Breakfast was more standard, but still nice, we took it in the dining hall. The lounge is open till 10pm and we could take drinks and refreshment freely, including some small snacks and soft drinks. But they stop serving beer at 9pm. The onsens also have mini-fridges with free popsicles. There is also an outside area you can access from 3pm - 9pm that serves hot coffee and wine, with free marshmallows you can roast on the outside firepit. It was really nice. The garden is by far the nicest part of the hotel, it is really big and well decorated, with many nice places for photos and to enjoy a hot drink from the lounge. The space is quite large and might take about 20 minutes to fully explore. The only downside I can think of is that the location is quite hard to access. We chose to get to and from the ryokan by taxi, but there is also a shuttle bus service, from what I understand. When we arrived, the reception told us that there would be a shuttle bus leaving at 10:45 to Otaruchikko station. We still ended up requesting a taxi from the front desk though, which they were happy to help us book (I couldn't get any taxis by cab in the location). Overall a really amazing stay that we would absolutely recommend. The price tag might seem high for a "3 star" hotel, but the ranking is deceptive, we absolutely had a 5 star experience. Cheers! disclaimer: information is accurate as of 31 may, will try to provide info in as much detail as possible :)

We are suuuuuper satisfied with this ryokan. The staff were so nice and helpful. They picked us up at the JR station in heavy snow and greeted us with warm tea at the entrance. :) The dinner and breakfast were perfect and we had a wonderful time at the private onsen! Would definitely recommend to anyone.

Google map GPS direct me to go to the back door of the hotel and there is no light and signage to show. Suggest hotel management to put a signage and direction to guide customers how to access to the front door.

just perfect

Very kind and nice host. The room was very cozy and dinner was great.

Wonderful experience. Nice food and service, it really worths!

The place is absolutely sumptuous and magical! We went there in March, a group of three friends, and it was magical. The room was perfect, the service excellent. The people were so nice. The private hot bath is really a plus. We had an incredible evening. The meal is good, quality products even if we didn't eat everything because some things were very strange for our French palate. Thanks also to the masseuse! Thank you to everyone !

It was a perfect accommodation I visited on a day when there was a lot of snow, and it was really beautiful! They moved all my luggage to the room and the meal was delicious. Because the reservation was late, I wasn't able to reserve a room with a private ryokan, but the public baths were switched between men's and women's baths in the morning and afternoon, so I went to both and it was great.

Not very satisfied, I was allowed to eat dinner in the room. I hate eating in the bedroom. It must be arranged like this because there are too many people celebrating the New Year. The hot springs in the rooms are ordinary, nothing special. It’s not bad anyway, the price is right.

The room was large and the service was very good. As soon as the car saw the hotel door, the waiters began to bow. As soon as they entered the lobby, they all knelt down to greet us! It was a fully booked day, but the crowds were not crowded at all. The lobby bar was all free, and the snow scenery was super beautiful! The room with private bath is a duplex, with an open-air hot spring on the second floor, a room on the first floor, and a complete set of pola washing and skin care facilities! After soaking in the public hot springs, you can even eat ice cream! Dinner and breakfast are also very rich

Very standard Japanese service, with smiles and proactive help with luggage. The environment is antique and there is a convenience store near the hotel.

The hotel is extremely comfortable overall. The staff take great care of them and are very kind and courteous. They are very helpful and come from the heart. I can come back again indefinitely. I highly recommend it!

The price is not the cheapest, but it is definitely worth the price. I will definitely come back next year.

It was truly the best ryokan. The meals, open-air bath, minibar, and snow-covered outdoor garden were all perfect. If I go to Otaru again, I will definitely go to Korakuen.