Best Onsen Hotel in Abashiri: Hokuten no Oka Tsuruga Review
Looking for the best onsen hotel in Abashiri, Hokkaido?
My personal favorite in Abashiri is Hokuten no Oka Lake Abashiri Tsuruga Resort. It’s perfect for families or couples who want to stay at a comfortable, modern onsen hotel with relaxing hot spring and delicious local cuisine.
Hi, I’m Yuuka! I’m from Eastern Hokkaido, and over the years I’ve stayed at many hotels around the region. When my family and I stay in Abashiri, Hokuten no Oka is one we keep going back to.
Here, I’ll share my honest full review of the hotel, including about hot springs, buffet meals, and rooms, so you can decide if this hotel fits your trip.
Note: This post is not sponsored. All opinions are my own, based on personal experience.
Why You’ll Love Hokuten no Oka
✅ Cozy, stylish interiors inspired by the indigenous culture
✅ Fun shared spaces: a fireplace, outdoor foot bath, library…
✅ Relaxing onsen & hot stone spa
✅ Excellent buffet with local ingredients and desserts
Indigenous-Inspired, Warm & Cozy Stay
The interior design is my favorite parts of Hokuten no Oka.
The moment you walk in, you’ll notice the warm wooden space and the calm atmosphere. The whole hotel is inspired by the ancient indigenous people who once lived along the Okhotsk Sea coast, including Abashiri.
They’re different from the Ainu. The Okhotsk people had their own culture between around the 5th and 10th centuries, and their lives were closely connected to the sea.
As you walk around the hotel, you’ll see designs inspired by their way of life and the animals they lived alongside, like eagles and whales. It feels calm and cozy, with the atmosphere of a quiet weekend lodge.
You can relax at a lounge with a fireplace and enjoy with free coffee and soft drinks. It’s a nice place to sit after check-in or after the onsen.
Outside, there’s a tall monument inspired by the tent-style homes of the indigenous cultures. Inside the tower, there’s a small free foot bath you can sit and relax.
The hotel also has a small library with books about the Okhotsk region, history, and culture. There are some children books too.
🛌 Want to stay cozy here? Book your room now!
Onsen & Hot Stone Spa
Hokuten no Oka has both indoor and outdoor hot spring baths. The baths are not huge, but I especially love the outdoor bath surrounded by rocks and it feel like you’re deep in nature.
But my favorite part is the hot stone spa! (called ganbanyoku in Japanese)
This area is separate from the onsen and free for all guests. You lie down on gently heated stone floors, let your body warm up, and slowly start to sweat, a bit like a sauna but much calmer. It’s very relaxing, and it feels great for tired muscles after a day of traveling.
I usually come here after the onsen for extra relaxation, and this is one of the reasons I keep coming back to this hotel.
I’ve rarely seen hotels include a stone spa like this for free, so it really feels like a little extra treat you get to enjoy!
🧡 Book your relaxing stay at Hokuten no Oka
Buffet Meals with Local Ingredients
Both breakfast and dinner at Hokuten no Oka are served buffet-style, and the quality is honestly very good.
You’ll find a wide mix of Japanese dishes, some Western-style and French-inspired food, and lots of fresh seafood and vegetables from the region.
There are live cooking corners for some of the main dishes, which makes the meal feel more fun and fresh. And yes, there’s always a good dessert section too.
I’ve eaten here as a kid, as an adult, and also with my grandparents, and there’s enough variety for everyone to find something they like.
If you’re with a toddler, they have high chairs at the restaurant.
🤤 Want this buffet? Book Hokuten no Oka Now
Rooms: Cozy and Easy to Stay In
Hokuten no Oka offers a wide range of room types, including Japanese-style rooms with futon mattresses, Japanese–Western style rooms with beds, and special rooms with a private open-air bath and small garden.
Because the hotel sits on a hill, many rooms also come with nice open views of the surrounding nature.
For families with young kids, the hotel doesn’t have baby cribs, but they can provide bed guards for free. If you’re worried about your child rolling off the bed, I personally recommend choosing a Japanese-style room with futon mattresses.
Location & Access: A Great Base in Eastern Hokkaido
Hokuten no Oka is in a very convenient spot if you’re starting a trip around Eastern Hokkaido.
The hotel is about a 20-minute drive from Memanbetsu Airport and around 15 minutes by car from Abashiri city center. Free parking is available for guests.
If you’re not driving, the hotel offers a free shuttle bus (with advance request) from Memanbetsu Airport (summer only) and from the nearby JR Yobito Station (year-round).
From JR Abashiri Station, you can take a local train or bus to JR Yobito Station, then transfer to the hotel’s shuttle.
Abashiri itself is worth spending time in, with unique museums, summer nature spots, and winter highlights like the famous drift ice cruises.
From Abashiri, it’s also easy to explore the region, including Shiretoko (1.5 hours by car), Lake Akan (1.5 hours), and Lake Kussharo (1 hour).
⚠️ Rooms fill quickly during the drift ice season in February.
👀 Check Availability Before It’s Gone!
Price Range & Is it Worth It?
This hotel is a little more expensive than a typical mid-range onsen hotel, but I personally think the overall experience makes it worth it.
With the hot springs, the free hot stone spa, the quality of the buffet, and the warm, cozy rooms, it feels like a nice weekend cottage without being over-the-top luxury.
When I want a slightly fancier stay around Abashiri, this is the hotel I choose.
👉 Check prices at Hokuten no Oka now
Who Is Hokuten no Oka Best For?
✅ Hokuten no Oka is a great choice if you’re:
- Traveling as a couple or family and want a comfortable, relaxing onsen stay
- Looking for a hotel with a good buffet and lots of variety
- Interested in local culture and design inspired by the Okhotsk region
❌ Hokuten no Oka might not be the best fit if you’re:
- Looking for a central location in Abashiri
- Looking for a budget hotel (👉Stay at Dormy Inn Abashiri instead)
- Looking for a traditional Japanese ryokan (👉Stay at Kagariya instead)
Final Thoughts: A Cozy Onsen Gem in Abashiri
Hokuten no Oka is the best onsen hotel in Abashiri in my opinion, and one of the few hotels I keep coming back to in Eastern Hokkaido.
I love that it’s not just a place to sleep, but a place where you can slow down and relax in the onsen and the hot stone spa.
If you’re planning to visit Abashiri or travel around Eastern Hokkaido and want a comfortable onsen hotel, this is a stay I genuinely recommend.
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