Rooms with a view

Situated near Lake Akan in Kushiro city of Hokkaido, Tsuraga Wings, or Akan Yuku no Sato Tsuruga as it used to be known, perfectly combines Japanese tradition with the culture of the Ainu, the indigenous people of northern Japan.

Two magnificent Japanese red-crowned crane carvings made by master wood carver Masamitsu Takiguchi stand tall in the main lobby. Revered by the local people as the deity of the marsh, the Japanese red-crowned crane is also the namesake of the Tsuruga Group. The character tsuru means crane while ga translates as elegant.

The hotel’s two annexes, Tsurugakan and Hishokan, are connected by an access way known as Tekkup, or wings in Ainu language. The Hishokan lobby welcomes guests with a chic space inspired by traditional Ainu culture while the Tsurugakan lobby is filled with life-like sculptures by noted local artists. 

The lobby is busy with onsen lovers, since the hotel is renowned for traditional hot springs and offers a total of 27 different thermal baths. The main bath area on the first floor, holding seven different types of bath, is famous for its outdoor onsen in the garden overlooking Lake Akan.  

My personal butler is a young lady who speaks fluent English. She leads me to my Japanese style room with private outdoor bath. My jaw drops when she opens the door – this is a house, not a room. During my countless nights in different hotels around Asia, this room is the closest to a cosy home I’ve ever seen. The main sliding door leads to the entrance area where we take off our shoes. In my room, another kimono-clad lady, is preparing hot green tea with traditional snacks for my arrival. 

Off the entrance area is a small kitchen equipped with glasses and cups, electric kettle, sink, and a refrigerator boasting with a cup of ice cream. The bathroom and the toilet are at the end of the wooden floored passage, to the right of the entrance area. The bathroom is spacious, not as roomy as western style bathroom in a major chain hotel but the separate toilet equipped with a computerised toilet seat more than makes up.

These small rooms can easily be turned into one large room by opening the sliding doors made from wood and paper. The tatami flooring is soft and warm to the touch and its sweet smell is relaxing. There are three main rooms; a Japanese style dining room, living area which can be transformed into a sleeping area with a futon at night, and a reading area to sit back and relax with your favourite books. Next to the reading area is a private outdoor bath with a view of the Akan lake. 

The English-speaking butler shows me the facilities and then gives me the map of the hotel so I will not get lost trying to find the dining places.

After 15 minutes in my room, I walk to my friend’s “house” next door to call him for dinner. It takes him 20 to 30 seconds to walk to the front door to answer my call. 

“I can’t find my shoes,” he laments.

I tell him that one of the ladies probably put them in the shoe cabinet around the entrance area.

The shoes are indeed there and then we head to Hapo restaurant on the first floor of Hishokan building. The food is superb and while we are enjoying dinner, a waiter offers us a lucky draw. My prize is a 20-per-cent discount on the food.

After dinner, we head to a cultural show at the Ainu museum but my mind keeps wandering back to my room. Once inside, I have a quick shower then soak in my private outdoor onsen surrounded by snow. 

      

At a glance

High points: The rooms are spacious and the private outdoor onsen allows you to luxuriate in the hot spring tub anytime.

Low points: It is quite far from other attractions in the area.

Pay for it: Check out the best rate from the website.

Find it: 4-6-10, Akanko-onsen, Akan, Kushiro, Hokkaido 085-0467, Japan

Call it: (+81 154) 67 4000, (+81-154) 67 2531

Browse it: http://www.tsuruga.com/en/