Shiretoko Daiichi Hotel

The rooms were clean, and the bedding was comfortable. The breakfast was delicious, and the hot springs were a delight. Besides the hotel's beautiful views, the dinner buffet offered a wide variety of delicious dishes to enjoy.

Stayed for three days, went whale watching in Rausu for one day, and on the second day, I decided to join the Shiretoko tour bus B route, visiting the Shiretoko Nature Center and Shiretoko Five Lakes. It was very relaxing. Staying an extra night would have made it even less rushed.

Highly recommended! We booked a Western-style room in the West Wing, and it was incredibly spacious with fantastic views. The only minor drawback was the bit of a walk to the onsen, restaurant, and smoking room. The dinner is an absolute must-try – super abundant and authentically Japanese, with high-quality ingredients. The scallops and wagyu beef are unlimited, and there's an all-you-can-drink alcohol option, plus daily rotating dishes. We even got to try venison and bear meat! We stayed for two days, and there weren't many tour groups yet, but lots of Japanese seniors. It made me wonder if it reminded them of the prosperity during Japan's economic boom. The onsen area is also huge, and the wash and shower areas were the largest I've seen in Japan. They clearly label whether the baths are regular tap water or hot spring water, and I saw staff meticulously checking the temperature and water quality of each one.

This hotel offered a fantastic experience! While it has a traditional feel, the onsen (hot spring) and dining were exceptional. Especially my Japanese-Western style room; it was absolutely massive by Japanese standards. I loved it!