Choyo Resort Hotel

From the moment the shuttle picked us up from the Tabist Hotel in Asahikawa to our check-in, the staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. We accidentally left our thermos on the shuttle, and they quickly retrieved it for us. The onsen (hot spring bath) itself had a distinct sulfur smell, which I absolutely loved! The bingo game at 8 PM (500 yen per card) really got the atmosphere going. The only downside was dinner; when we arrived around 6:45 PM, almost all the food was gone. A large tour group arrived shortly after, and even then, the food wasn't replenished. They just brought out fried chicken wings and fried fish, and even drinks weren't restocked in time. We ended up just eating ice cream, which made us feel colder and colder. It felt like they were afraid of people actually eating, which I really disliked. I would have been more impressed with a kaiseki meal in that situation. However, what I really need to complain about is the 'Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival.' It's unacceptable that just because we arrived on the last day, there was absolutely nothing left. All the attractions were gone, leaving only sponsor flags. How many fireworks were there? If the organizers charge an entry fee, shouldn't there be corresponding insurance? There wasn't any. I know that ice sculptures can be slippery, but simply throwing down a few plastic anti-slip mats isn't a proper solution. I had to keep reminding my elderly companions, 'Watch your step!' Unfortunately, one of our elders still fell. When we asked the event staff for assistance, we were told that since we were independent travelers, only our own insurance would cover it. The most they could do was have our hotel staff call an ambulance. Is that right? The rest of our trip was completely ruined because of this... completely ruined.

The hotel was clean and tidy, but getting around was a bit inconvenient. I'd recommend driving if you're staying here. The breakfast and dinner were also quite good.

The environment is fantastic. As soon as you walk into the lobby, you're hit with the smell of sulfur, which confirms it's a real hot spring. They even offered complimentary buffet breakfast and dinner for the kids, which was unexpectedly plentiful. The hot springs are great for soaking, and the Ice Waterfall Festival nearby was also a beautiful sight.

The hotel is a bit old, but it seems all the hotels in this area have a lot of history. The room we booked was quite spacious, and the living room even had a massage machine, which was great for unwinding after a long day. The buffet was also delicious.