Mikasa Tennen Onsen Taikonoyu Sparesort Hotel Taiko Bettei Hatago

The hotel's signature feature is its expansive natural hot spring (onsen), renowned for its healing and relaxing properties, with various baths including spacious open-air options. This makes it an ideal retreat for couples seeking a tranquil escape and families on a leisure trip, offering a comfortable base for exploring the region. Business travelers also find it a convenient and relaxing stopover. Guests consistently praise the onsen's quality and size, the overall cleanliness of the premises, and the friendly, professional demeanor of the staff. To enhance your stay, be aware that the onsen has specific operating hours, particularly closing earlier in the evening for overnight guests, and note that the walk to the baths from some rooms can be quite long.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel boasts an impressive natural hot spring (onsen) facility, featuring a large main bath, a daily changing bath, jet baths, and cold baths, all within a spacious area with high ceilings. Guests can also enjoy a sauna and a rock bath (ganbanyoku), with separate changing rooms for day-trippers and overnight guests for added convenience. The water is described as alkaline and smooth, providing a truly relaxing experience. In the lobby, guests appreciate the availability of a free coffee machine, cold water, and ice. Common areas include a dedicated relaxation space equipped with manga and massage chairs, offering a pleasant spot to unwind. For smokers, designated smoking rooms are available within the premises. While free Wi-Fi is provided, some guests have noted that the signal can be weak in certain areas.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests generally find the rooms to be clean and well-maintained, contributing to a comfortable stay. The beds are comfortable with crisp sheets, ensuring a restful night's sleep. Rooms are typically modern in design, though some are described as narrow, resembling a business hotel setup, while others, particularly Japanese-Western style rooms, are noted for their spaciousness. Many rooms feature private bathrooms, with some offering separate toilet and bath areas. However, some guests have reported specific issues, including a noisy refrigerator, thin walls leading to noise from neighbors, and occasional cleanliness oversights such as dust on ventilation fans or black mold in humidifiers. A few isolated incidents mentioned unpleasant odors or stains, though these appear to be exceptions.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel offers a half-buffet style breakfast, which typically includes a main plate such as fish or bacon, complemented by self-service options like rice, miso soup, bread, and various side dishes and salads. While many guests find the breakfast to be delicious and satisfying, some describe it as being on par with a standard business hotel, with mixed feedback on the quality of certain items like dry salmon or undercooked bacon. The miso soup, however, consistently receives high praise. For dinner, some packages include an irori (hearth) kaiseki meal served in private rooms, where guests can enjoy fresh sashimi, hot pot, and charcoal-grilled dishes in a traditional setting. This dining experience is often highlighted for its quality ingredients and authentic atmosphere, though some guests wished for more hot pot options in colder months or a wider selection of wine and sake.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts a highly convenient and central location, making it an excellent base for travelers. It is situated directly next to a roadside station (Michi-no-Eki), a Seven-Eleven convenience store, and a large Aeon supermarket/mall, providing easy access to shopping and dining options. The hotel is also conveniently located near the Mikasa Interchange of the Doto Expressway, facilitating travel by car. Free parking is available on-site. While the hotel is on a main road, which can lead to some ambient noise, its proximity to a park golf course and its position as a suitable stopover between Sapporo and Asahikawa or Furano are significant advantages. Public transport access from Iwamizawa Station is also possible via bus.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff consistently receives high praise for their friendly, helpful, polite, and professional service. Guests frequently highlight the team's attentiveness and efficiency, noting their positive attitude throughout the stay. The check-in process is generally described as smooth, and staff are commended for their willingness to accommodate requests, such as assisting with car battery issues or facilitating plan changes. Housekeeping is generally good, contributing to a pleasant environment. Staff working in the onsen facilities are also noted for their friendly and efficient demeanor. Overall, the commitment of the staff to providing excellent service is a recurring theme in guest feedback, significantly enhancing the guest experience.

Additional Information
A frequently mentioned aspect of the hotel is the onsen's operating hours, which many guests find restrictive. The main hot spring closes early at 22:00 for overnight guests and reopens from 6:30 to 9:00 in the morning, limiting evening access. Furthermore, the sauna and rock bath are often unavailable during the morning hours. The walk to the onsen from some rooms, particularly in the newer building, can be quite long, involving connecting corridors that sometimes feature local exhibits. Guests are expected to walk barefoot or use provided tabi socks in these areas. A notable omission is the lack of laundry facilities on-site or nearby, which can be inconvenient for guests on longer trips. Some rooms are equipped with refrigerators that are not very effective at cooling, and microwaves are only available on the first floor, which may pose an inconvenience for guests wishing to heat food. The onsen is also open to day-trippers, which can lead to crowding, especially in the evenings.