We ended up with a room we really, really liked. When we booked a few months ago for a late September 2023 stay, we could only book a Japanese room on booking.com. When we arrived at the Toya Kanko Hotel, we were able to pay to upgrade to a Japanese-Western twin room on a high floor, the 6th floor. From memory it was about 6600 yen in total to upgrade for the 3 nights (on top of the previously quoted 59,400 yen). (As with onsen resorts there is also a small daily onsen tax.) The room rate included a smorgasbord breakfast which had both Japanese and some Western food. There was a huge diversity of Japanese food. Don't expect to find European pastries though. The Toya Kanko Hotel is on Lake Toya, with just the pedestrian promenade separating the Hotel from the Lake. We had superb views across the Lake to the islands within it. The room was, overall, quite large by Japanese standards, with an entry foyer, bathroom, tatami room with twin beds and a Japanese dining table and seating and, finally, a sitting area with two chairs and a table, for viewing the Lake through the large picture window. I know some reviewers have said the decor is "dated", but we found it charmingly retro. The tatami and sitting areas were very calming. The location was excellent, being on the Lake and close to the departure point for the Lake cruises and powered swan boats. We were travelling by train in Hokkaido for 3 weeks and the Donan Bus met our train arrival at Toya Station and took us up into Toyako Onsen where the Hotel is. We got off at the Bus Terminal, next to the Tourist Information Centre, but there is another bus stop immediately in front of the hotel entrance, which is more convenient if you have luggage. There is a convenience store (Seicomart) immediately opposite the Hotel Entrance and it has long hours. The in-room fridge was excellent and moderately large by Japanese hotel standards.

It's worthwhile noting that the hot water for drinks (green tea provided) came in the form of a thermos which was replenished each day with hot water. I think an electric kettle would also be useful, as found in most Hotels. The bathroom was compact, but we were happy to have the extra space in the main living and sleeping area.

Check-in staff and restaurant staff were friendly and efficient. Older hotel. The view from the room on our upper floor was amazing. Had a traditional room with comfortable futons. Unlike many hotels nearby this hotel looked directly over the lake and was right on a nice lakeside pedestrian walkway that had various tour boats, swan boats, etc. avail for rent. The men had an indoor and a really nice outdoor garden onsen to use. The outdoor onsen had a section of very hot water and one a bit more comfortable to us amateurs. We were treated to a fireworks show over the lake at night. (As another reviewer pointed out this hotel enjoys the first half of the show and to see the second half you would have to leave your room and walk on the pedestrian sidewalk around the corner ). Meals are in a large basement very brightly lit banquet room that accommodates tour bus groups. We enjoyed a very good set meal for dinner with a nice sake and a not so nice sake (avoid the sake with the beautiful lake toya photo). The large ( almost exclusively Japanese ) breakfast buffet was fine and had lots of options. Certainly not as elegant as many of the breakfast buffet spreads we enjoyed throughout Japan but certainly enough options. A cute "hand onsen" out front of hotel. Very nice stay, great value, and would definitely recommend this hotel.

The super bright lighting in the "large tour" group banquet room for meals

Our room on the 7th floor had a lovely view of the lake and the night fireworks. The hotel was right in the middle of the Main Street, so we were near plenty of food options, convenience stores, and the lake. The room was comfortable and large, and the toilet felt pretty new. The staff would set up the room for sleeping while the guests went down for dinner. They had private onsens available for booking, and it was easy to do so.

Included breakfast and dinner was decent, but can get crowded with tour groups. Parking was free, but not sure if it'll become difficult to get a lot if you return to the hotel a bit later than everyone else.

A lovely onsen hotel overlooking the lake. The lake view from our room was wonderful and you could also see the nightly fireworks. Good food and plenty of it. Helpful and friendly staff. There is a bus stop outside the hotel where you can catch a bus to the Usuzan ropeway. Private baths are available for hire at an additional cost. This is a large hotel used by tour groups, but we didn't find that a problem. Good value for money. There is a shuttle bus to Toya station and when we left the staff waved an Australian flag to farewell us!

All good

The location of the hotel was great - right in front of the lake and next to the main bus stops. We were also right next to the outdoor foot spa and good food locations. The breakfast buffet was excellent (plenty of vegetarian options for my husband) and we loved the onsens, particularly the outdoors one. We very much appreciated the free shuttle to the train station - they proceeded with the bus booking even though we were there only ones booked at that time.

Ideally the onsens would have a view of the lake, but there is a privacy screen impeding any view.

Good location, near to convenient store and restaurants. Love the cave onsen.. Traditional room with futons, might seem old but it's cosy and rustic feel. Additional wash basin outside toilet. Staffs are friendly, daily housekeeping. Hot, cold drinking water are refilled daily, towels and yukuta are also changed daily. Staffs even set up the futons bedding when we were out.

Maybe should consider to refresh the hotel...make it more modern and new. The bulky door key... should replace with card

Very cozy and pleasant stay. Initially I had an issue getting replies to my questions over email, probably due to language barrier, but after reaching the hotel, everything was fantastic - from free shuttle service from Toya station, assistance to book cab to my destinations, clear fireworks from room, large room size, clean facilities, everything was perfect. Stay was very comfortable and very very good.

No, all is good!

Spacious tatami room with lake view. Breakfast and dinner not bad. Location quite good. The bus stop just in front of the hotel.

I email the hotel on the day before for the free shuttle bus from JR Toya station but no reply from them. If they replied at least I can arrange my arrival time at the station. I requested for 2.30pm bus and my arrival time is around 2pm. Waited until 2.30pm and no shuttle bus coming. End up I take public bus to the hotel. On top of that, they charge 300 yan per person for the public bath on top of the hotel charges for the hotel guest.

The traditional Japanese dinner and the courtesy of the staff are commendable. The dinner is delicious and well served and the staff are fast and polite to requests even though we don’t speak Japanese language.

The room is very small and with the futon laid out, we can hardly walk within the room. Dinner is delicious and different each day. The portion was too small as we have 2 young adult sons. They were still hungry after dinner.

Love the onsen there, but we didn't managed to use the Cave onsen as it was closed. The green tea powder provided taste so good! And they even provided flask of hot water in the room. They also provided yukata for the whole family to dress in which is so cool! I believe you can watch the fireworks from the hotel as it has such a breathtaking view of the lake! Also the breakfast provided has a good local and international spread!

The hotel room looks abit old and run-down.