Lake Shikotsu Daiichi Hotel Suizantei Review: Adults Only

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“I want to stay at a quiet, adults-only hot spring ryokan close to New Chitose Airport where we can savor authentic Hokkaido cuisine and unwind in peace.”

If that sounds like your ideal start or finish to a Hokkaido trip, we wholeheartedly recommend Lake Shikotsu Daiichi Hotel Suizantei (支笏湖第一寶亭留 翠山亭), nestled on the shores of Lake Shikotsu—renowned for having some of the clearest water in all of Japan.

With an intimate scale of just 24 rooms and a strict adults-only policy (guests must be 13 years or older; no children under junior high school age), Suizantei is a true sanctuary of calm. During our trip, we stayed in one of the inn’s top-tier suites—the 80 m² Special Suite with Private Garden Open-Air Bath (庭園露天風呂付特別室)—where we enjoyed uninterrupted soaks in our own outdoor hot spring bath, multi-course seasonal Hokkaido dining, and warm, thoughtful hospitality.

In this comprehensive review, written from the perspective of a Hokkaido native, we cover the suite layout, what the private garden open-air bath is really like, the complimentary lounge and bar perks, the gourmet kaiseki dinner, and how much our stay actually cost.

*Note: You can read our complete 5-day, 4-night Hokkaido itinerary—connecting Hakodate, Lake Shikotsu, and Tokachi—in our main guide below:

5-Day Hokkaido Itinerary: Hakodate, Lake Shikotsu & Tokachi

Skip urban Sapporo on this 5-day Hokkaido itinerary by a former local. Combine JR trains and a rental car to explore Hakodate, Lake Shikotsu, and Tokachi.

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1. Don’t Just Rush to Sapporo: The Luxury of Staying Overnight at Lake Shikotsu

When most international visitors land at New Chitose Airport (CTS), the standard move is to hop straight on the JR Rapid Airport train or pick up a rental car and head directly to Sapporo, Otaru, or Furano. Yet just a 40-minute drive from New Chitose Airport (and about an hour from central Sapporo) lies a breathtaking destination that most travelers only stop at briefly for an hour or pass by altogether: Lake Shikotsu (支笏湖).

We intentionally chose to spend the night at Lake Shikotsu because we wanted a high-grade suite with a private open-air hot spring bath where we could truly unwind—without paying sky-high metropolitan resort prices. Lake Shikotsu Daiichi Hotel Suizantei matched our wish list to perfection.

2. Why Lake Shikotsu? “Shikotsuko Blue” & Untouched National Park Wilderness

Lake Shikotsu’s greatest allure is its extraordinary water purity and clarity. Repeatedly ranked #1 in Japan in water quality surveys conducted by the Ministry of the Environment, the lake glows with a crystalline azure hue celebrated as “Shikotsuko Blue.” Formed by ancient volcanic activity, this caldera lake plunges to a maximum depth of 363 meters—making it famous as Japan’s northernmost ice-free lake, whose waters rarely freeze even in the depths of a Hokkaido winter.

In summer, visitors can experience its crystal-clear waters firsthand via clear-bottom kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding (SUP). In winter (late January to February), lake water is sprayed and frozen into towering ice sculptures for the magical Chitose & Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival (Hyoto Matsuri). Year-round, the lake is also famous for local Himemasu (kokanee salmon, known locally as chippu). In stark contrast to the urban bustle of Sapporo, Lake Shikotsu is protected as part of Shikotsu-Toya National Park, offering pristine forest silence that resets your mind and body.

3. The Philosophy of “Daiichi Hotel” & A Garden That Opens Directly onto the Lakeshore

Suizantei is operated by the prestigious Daiichi Hotel (第一寶亭留) ryokan group, founded in Jozankei Onsen in 1957. In Japanese, the group writes the word “Hotel” using the kanji characters 寶亭留—expressing their hospitality philosophy: “An inn (亭) where treasured memories (寶) remain (留) in our guests’ hearts.”

With only 24 rooms and an adults-only policy (ages 13 and up), Lake Shikotsu Daiichi Hotel Suizantei is designed as a quiet hideaway for grown-ups. Rather than feeling like a flashy, brand-new glass-and-steel resort, the interior exudes timeless warmth, wood-crafted gravitas, and classic Japanese serenity built up over decades.

4. Refined Facilities for Unhurried Adult Time: Terrace Lounge & Classical Bar

Suizantei’s shared spaces are thoughtfully curated for quiet relaxation. Upon check-in, the lobby and terrace lounge offer an afternoon tea-style welcome where you can freely select your favorite artisanal sweets and pastries, allowing you to slip into vacation mode the moment you arrive.

Guests can also savor the inn’s signature slow-drip cold brew coffee (mizudashi coffee), extracted drop by drop over hours using pure local water. After nightfall, a classic, atmospheric bar opens its doors—perfect for enjoying a quiet nightcap in a refined adults-only setting.

5. Guest Room Review: The Spacious 80 m² Special Suite with Private Garden Open-Air Bath

For this stay, we booked one of Suizantei’s highest room categories: the Special Suite with Private Garden Open-Air Bath (庭園露天風呂付特別室, 80 m² / 860 sq. ft.). Stepping into the suite, you immediately feel the openness that only an 80-square-meter floor plan can provide, with a generously proportioned living room and separate sleeping area.

To give an honest review: you will notice a sense of age and retro charm in some of the wooden fittings and fixtures. Travelers who strictly prefer ultra-modern, newly built minimalist hotels might find parts of the room slightly dated. However, because housekeeping and maintenance are spotless, there is zero discomfort—instead, the patina feels like the comforting character of a historic Japanese inn.

Above all, the ultimate indulgence was our private garden open-air bath (rotenburo). Breathing in the crisp forest air and listening to the rustle of the trees while soaking in silky sodium-bicarbonate hot spring water (“Bijin-no-Yu” beautifying water) whenever we pleased was pure heaven. Whether you are a couple seeking privacy or an international traveler with tattoos, having your own outdoor garden bath makes the stay deeply restorative.

6. Gourmet Hokkaido Dining in a Sleek Modern Restaurant & Late-Night Treats

What elevated our stay even further was the cuisine. In contrast to the classic, retro-infused guest wings, the dining restaurant features a sleek, contemporary design. Warm lighting and refined furnishings create an intimate, private atmosphere for enjoying your meals.

Both the multi-course kaiseki dinner and the traditional Japanese breakfast showcase seasonal ingredients harvested across Hokkaido, and every single course was delicious and beautifully presented. Even better was a charming late-night hospitality touch: the staff prepares complimentary late-night oinari-san (sweetly seasoned tofu pouches filled with sushi rice) for guests to take back to their rooms—the perfect comforting bite after a midnight soak in the open-air bath!

7. How Much Does It Cost & Who Is Suizantei Best For?

If you book an 80-square-meter suite with a private open-air hot spring bath, full kaiseki dinner, breakfast, lounge sweets, and late-night snacks at a luxury ryokan near Tokyo (such as Hakone), you would easily expect to pay ¥60,000 to ¥70,000+ per person. At Suizantei, however, we were able to stay in this 80 m² Special Suite with half-board for around ¥40,000 per person (*Note: rates fluctuate depending on season, day of the week, and booking plan; please check current rates for your travel dates).

While the building itself has a classic, retro feel, the sheer spaciousness of the private garden open-air bath and the ability to walk straight out to Lake Shikotsu from the garden won us over completely. Rather than travelers seeking a flashy urban luxury hotel, Suizantei is tailor-made for adults who want to immerse themselves in lakeside tranquility, stretch out in an oversized suite with a private hot spring bath, and savor fine Hokkaido cuisine in peace. It is well worth visiting not just as a side trip from Sapporo, but as a destination in its own right.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Lake Shikotsu Daiichi Hotel Suizantei

9. Summary: An Exceptional Lakeside Hideaway for Adults Seeking Silence & Fine Dining

While Sapporo and Otaru top most first-time Hokkaido itineraries, choosing to stay at Lake Shikotsu—just 40 minutes from New Chitose Airport—was the ultimate reward for adults looking to escape the crowds and slow down.

Enveloped in an adults-only (13+) atmosphere of calm, Lake Shikotsu Daiichi Hotel Suizantei brings together an expansive 80 m² suite with a private garden open-air bath, refined seasonal Hokkaido kaiseki dining, and immediate access to the breathtaking “Shikotsuko Blue” lakeshore right outside the garden gate.

If you want to step off the busy sightseeing circuit and treat yourself to a serene lakeside retreat on your first or final night in Hokkaido, Lake Shikotsu Daiichi Hotel Suizantei is an extraordinary choice.

*Be sure to also explore our 5-day Hokkaido itinerary (Hakodate, Lake Shikotsu & Tokachi) and our adventure guide to Tokachi’s disappearing “Phantom Bridge,” the Taushubetsu River Bridge:

5-Day Hokkaido Itinerary: Hakodate, Lake Shikotsu & Tokachi

Skip urban Sapporo on this 5-day Hokkaido itinerary by a former local. Combine JR trains and a rental car to explore Hakodate, Lake Shikotsu, and Tokachi.

ikumae.com

崩壊寸前の幻の橋「タウシュベツ川橋梁」へ行ってきた！予約方法・ツアー体験談と大量のエゾシカ【北海道旅行】

北海道・上士幌町にある崩壊寸前の幻の橋「タウシュベツ川橋梁」の見学ガイド！個人での林道鍵予約と現地ガイドツアーの比較、行き方、見られる時期、体験談を元道民目線で徹底解説。道中で出会った野生のエゾシカの群れも必見です。

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