Sounkyo Kanko Hotel

LOVED the onsen! You could either use a private bath separated between men and woman or a mixed outdoor bath - swimsuits provided! The outdoor onsen is right next to the river so you can hear it nearby while bathing. The breakfast was buffet style with many options. Beds were very comfortable - and our room looked directly out into a mountainside where we saw deer grazing!

If you miss the dinner in the hotel, there are not many options nearby to grab something to eat. My friend and I just barely missed the hours, so we weren't able to sit down somewhere for dinner. Also, during check-in the staff do indeed copy your identification if you are foreign, so that is something to note if that bothers you.

The hotel itself is obviously a bit dated, but our room was clean and had everything you need for a few nights. Breakfast buffet was excellent as long as you are not awaiting a western style buffet. All the japanese dishes were very tasty and there was plenty of choice. There were no big tour groups when we stayed there, so breakfast was also very relaxed. If you don't opt for the dinner plan be aware that (at least off season in March) there are no open restaurants for dinner near the hotel! Luckly there is a 7/11 and a Seicomart close by. The highlight of this hotel definitely is the amazing outdoor onsen. It's a mixed bath with swimwear (the swimwear is provided by the hotel), so perfect for couples or families that want to enjoy the onsen together. We had a very nice and relaxing stay, for a very reasonable price. Staff spoke very limited english, but we came along nicely.

Large outdoor bath is huge with good view. Mixed bath that we can spend time together with our family. Though the hotel is not new but well maintained facilities and clean. Breakfast is good with various kinds of food. A Thai staff at the front desk is lovely with good service mind. Hotel offers the shuttle bus back to Asahikawa station. Very nice!!!

Tranquil atmosphere. Distinguishly spacious room with a separate tatami area. Yukatas provided, as well as swimsuits for visiting the magnificent onsen (outdoor pool was mixed genders). Very wide selection of Asian breakfast treats.

As it seems to be everywhere in Japan, the breakfast has only few vegetarian/vegan options. As smoking is allowed in some rooms, you cannot totally escape cigarette smell.

The hotel is much better than it appears at first glance. Helpful staff, good onsen, clean rooms and excellent restaurant buffet. Somewhat tired facilities but very good value for money.

I understand that many hotels have been under financial pressure because of Covid lockdowns, but some of the overdue maintenance could be fixed for very little time or expense. Lifting joins in the carpets, in particular.

Room had beautiful view. The outdoor onsen was amazing morning and night, I didn't feel cold even with snow falling and -7°C! Buffet food was decent for hotel standards.

The walls of the room were marked and ripped in some places. 2 of the 4 provided robes you wear over the yukata were dirty (but they did have nice designs).

I like the location of the room - it has a mountain view. I was able to watch autumn and snow on the mountain.

It’s not really something I didn’t like but it’s just that the location is far and it took several train transfers and a bus to get to this beautiful destination.

Comfortable room with place to sit Big windows Good onsen

The bicycles had to park outside in the rain, although the house is VERY big, only the entrance hall has 200m² or more, so how they could not find a safe place for two bicycles? Free coffee available only in the afternoon

Great location and nice outdoor onsens. Breakfast was good.

Dinner was not as good as I remember it, and I have stayed in Kankou 2 times before so I was slightly disappointed since some food was not fresh. Also, there was a hair in the shelf of the toilet room, so the room wasn't cleaned properly and it worried me about what other parts of the room were not cleaned well.

Great Japanese style room. A bit aged but that just made it feel all the more special. Huge space! Outdoor onsen great for families. Would stay here again in Sounkyo Onsen given the size of the rooms and price!

Outdoor onsen got a bit dirty after so many people in it.