Hotel Marukoma Onsen

Set on the banks of Lake Shikotsu, Marukoma Onsen is a hundred-year-old ryokan surrounded by nature. This retreat features a natural open-air bath, where hot springs bubble at your feet as you gaze at the lake, as well as a spa and wellness centre, gardens, and local cuisine.

Most of the guestrooms are Japanese style with tatami mats and futon bedding, though there are a handful of Japanese/Western and Western rooms as well. The rooms are minimalistic, with en suites and yukata (traditional Japanese robes) for guests.

The breakfast buffet is a mixture of Japanese and Western cuisine, while dinner is an entirely Japanese affair showcasing kaiseki cuisine made from locally sourced produce. There’s also a karaoke restaurant.

The highlight is the natural open-air hot spring, one of only 20 in Japan, believed to have therapeutic properties. Guests can also enjoy boat cruises, fishing and canoeing on the lake, trek to picturesque waterfalls, and local seasonal festivals.