Hotel Masyu

Traditional Japanese-style hotels are a good choice to experience Japanese culture. The hotel is relatively old, but the room space is quite good. There is also a large resting area at the front desk. There is a hot spring bath, and cold water is thoughtfully provided. You can have a cool drink to quench your thirst after bathing. The facilities are generally older and relatively cheaper. There are relatively few restaurants in the entire area, and most of them are izakayas in the evening. There are convenience stores and supermarkets nearby by car in two or three minutes.

This is probably the largest hotel around JR Mashuko Station. JR Mashuko Station itself is a small station, but it is located in the transportation center of Akan Mashu National Park, so it is very convenient for independent travelers to stay here. The hotel is a very old traditional hotel, with 24-hour hot springs, breakfast is a set meal delivered to the room, and free pick-up service is very convenient. I wrote an email in English to inform the JR train and someone was waiting for me when I left the station. The check-in time at night is also relatively loose, unlike some B&Bs that require check-in from 16:00 to 18:00, which makes it more difficult to plan the itinerary (it gets dark a little after 16:00 in Hokkaido in winter, and you have to take the time to visit the attractions during the day and then take the bus to Mashu Station. It is basically too late at 18:00). It is also the only hotel that can be cancelled for free on the same day, which is quite rare in Japan and is very convenient for temporary adjustments to the itinerary. From JR Mashu Station, you can take the winter-only eco Kussharo bus to visit Sulphur Mountain, Sunayu, Mashu Lake First Observatory, etc. You can also get off the SL Winter Wetland Steam Train from Bidecha Station, and the scenery is beautiful.

Perhaps because it is a bit remote, parking is easy. Please note that there is no elevator as it is a two-story building. It's a Japanese tatami room and it's clean. There is nothing special around the hotel. There's a Japanese omakase across from the 7-Eleven convenience store, and it's great. The price is a bit high. It's cheaper than Korea, so I recommend going there once.

The room is very clean, the tatami is very comfortable to sleep on, the hotel service is very good, breakfast and dinner are rich, there are indoor hot springs, table tennis and other entertainment facilities, all free for hotel guests

It was nice to be able to stay in a place in Kussharo that was unexpectedly well-equipped, tidy and in a good location. It is spacious inside and has a traditional feel.