Name: Kussharoko Hotel
Address: 088-3464, Teshikaga, Nibushionsen Sawanchisappu, Teshikaga, Teshikaga, Teshikaga, 088-3464, Japan
Rating: 9

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Memanbetsu Airport

Nemuro Nakashibetsu Airport

Kussharoko Hotel

Teshikaga

child-bed

child-bed-fee

external-private-bathroom

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limited-time

lounge

treatment

no-window

bay-view

bosphorus-view

canal-view

city-view

courtyard-view

garden-view

golf-view

harbour-view

inland-view

lake-view

land-view

mountain-view

ocean-front

ocean-view

oceanside

panoramic-view

park-view

partial-ocean-view

partial-sea-view

partial-view

pool-view

river-view

sea-front

sea-view

street-view

sunrise-view

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water-view

with-view

annex

basement

main-building

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not-guaranteed

wired-internet-access

smoking

sauna

duplex

safe

mini-bar

breakfast-for-1

breakfast-for-2

pets-allowed

wi-fi

kitchen

If you do anything on your travels, stay at Marukibune. And if your budget allows it, stay in the Ainu room: Y 34000 per night, excluding food. Yes, mega expensive, but it is a double room, basically almost a little apartment, with a stunning view of the lake, and completely decorated in Ainu style, can't even explain it, you have to see it for yourself. Plus the owners like things electronic, so the lighting is amazing, the beds are adjustable and there is a very extensive sound system in the room. Downstairs the wonders continue, decorations, Ainu food, and surprise surprise a performance put on by the owner, family and staff of the Ryokan. This is not just music, it is dance, light effects, the works! 
Also there is a beautiful lakeside open air onsen, which doesn't belong to the Marukibene as far as I know, but is right behind the hotel. The only (very) slight criticism I have is the emphasis on money, for example, we wanted a second cup of coffee at breakfast, and immediately we were told how much the extra cup costs. Nevertheless, this is truly one of the most memorable places I have ever stayed at.

Not to be missed

Having read Lonely Planet’s rave but having found no Trip Advisor reviews in English, we weren’t sure quite what to expect of this place, although we knew that we wanted an off-the-beaten track Ainu experience. We stayed for four nights and were very happy with our decision.

Folks from the lodging, including Atuy (the owner) met us at the Mashu railway station. The train arrived at night, so we couldn’t see any of the beautiful surroundings. We could, however, see that the pick-up vehicle was rather rusty, and we wondered what we were getting ourselves into.  Any uncertainty was allayed, though, once we arrived at the place: everything was lovely and clean. 

Marukibune is located on the southern end of Lake Kussharo --- easy to access if you have your own transportation. We didn’t, though, which meant that we did a lot of walking. The Museum of Ainu Folklore was next door; a public onsen was on the other side. A couple of restaurants were within easy walking distance. The Wakoto Peninsula was a couple of miles away.

We had reserved a Western-style twin room, which was attractive, adequately sized, and well furnished, complete with sound equipment, a television, wifi, a low table with two chairs, a refrigerator, a coffee maker, a tea set, an air conditioner, and a heater. (Note that “twin” beds in Japan are sized about halfway between twin and double beds in the U.S.)  It had a private toilet and a sink; showers were available in the shared bath/onsen down the hall.  The place had six additional rooms --- four singles, one Japanese-style twin, and one Ainu room. The latter was a breath-taking, lovingly constructed and decorated space that was equivalent in size to two regular twin rooms; unfortunately, it was a bit beyond our price range. The twin rooms and the shared bath/onsen all had huge picture windows facing Lake Kussharo and the mountains. All rooms were nonsmoking, but there was a smoking area available on the second floor.

Our first night, we (and the two other guests) were greeted with an arrival concert. The hotel employees, all “friends of music,” played several “new age Ainu” pieces composed --- and led --- by Atuy. This group performs in the area under the name of Moshiri. On subsequent evenings, we were treated to videos of Moshiri’s earlier performances, including a particularly touching one in remembrance of extinct species. We also made good use of the on-site onsen.

Meals, although not included in the room price, were available on site. Our breakfasts were Japanese style and were served at a prearranged time in the morning. They were different each of the four days of our stay and were always excellent. Typical of such meals, they included a wide variety of items; in addition, they always contained a small portion of Hokkaido-grown fruit … much appreciated, given the cost of such items in area markets. The lunch/dinner menu, although small, had surprisingly detailed English descriptions and featured local fish (some of it caught by Atuy; served cooked or as sashimi) and venison. The several items we tried were very good.

The only limitation that we encountered was communication. We could deal with a little Japanese, and the employees could deal with a little English. Our initial e-mails were answered promptly, in English, and we managed to figure out the important details. After we arrived, we all wanted to chat and learn more, but efforts to do so required phrasebooks, body language, and liberal doses of good humor and patience. Attempts to use computerized translators nearly always produced nonsensical results. Nonetheless, all important information was accurately conveyed. The staff members were very helpful, we all did our best, and we’d return without hesitation.

Kussharoko Hotel

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