Ginrinsou

We stayed at Ginrinsou for just one night in deep winter (Feb 11–12) — sadly too short a stay, due to our early departure the next morning. We had asked the staff if breakfast could be served a little earlier, which initially wasn’t possible. But to our delight, the restaurant opened ahead of schedule, and we left just in time. The staff remembered we were in a rush and served breakfast promptly. Everyone was kind, helpful, and attentive. The food was world-class. Dinner was breathtaking, including live abalone prepared right at the table — a first-time experience for us. We also enjoyed a beautiful sake pairing with the meal. Breakfast was light and elegant. The interior of the hotel is stunning. Classic, full of small artistic details — a real photographer’s dream. There's even a tower you can climb (if you’re not afraid of heights) for a beautiful view. The hot springs alternate daily between men and women, which we hadn’t seen before in Japan. The best part: we each had the bath entirely to ourselves — and could even sneak a quick visit across 😉. The sea view from the bath is magnificent. The facility is a bit aged, but clean, and absolutely full of character. Pricing was fair. We paid around €620 for two adults, including dinner, breakfast, and sake pairing. For this level of service, quality, and uniqueness, the price felt justified. This isn’t a budget stay, but it’s a refined, memorable ryokan experience. One thing to note: an intricately carved ship made of ivory is on display in the lobby. While we understand this is a historic piece and the hotel follows Japanese law, ivory objects can feel outdated to today’s guests. A small sign offering context, or replacing it with alternative artwork, might align better with global values in 2025. Finally, we must mention the lovely lady who welcomed us. A bit shy, but extremely polite and warm. She showed us the room, worked at reception, and even served dinner. Truly exceptional service — we were touched. We hope to return one day — and stay longer!

I wanted to stay here once because it was an inn that had been relocated from the Sage Palace, and I stayed there for the first night of this trip to Hokkaido. 　It looks great, but when you enter the entrance, you will find the hall where the virtuoso game was played, just to the right, which gives you a majestic atmosphere. You can also appreciate art in the lobby, hallways and rooms, where paintings by famous painters are displayed. 　What impressed me more than anything was the food. It was a taste that showed that everything from the tip to the water confection was carefully made. There are a few inns that I thought were great for making sushi, but I felt Ginsonso was a step above the rest for both freshness and deliciousness. In particular, button shrimp was the freshest and most delicious thing I had ever eaten. "It was a dish I wanted to taste again so quickly that after a meal I checked my schedule and said, ""When can I come next?""" 　The staff who responded were also very nice. The large open-air bath was spacious, well timed, and I was not able to join the other guests, so I was able to spend a relaxing time with a view of Otaru Bay. 　This is an inn I would like to revisit in the near future.

The most luxurious hot spring inn in Otaru. The building is a cultural heritage site that was renovated from a former herring palace. You can choose between seafood-based kaiseki cuisine or French cuisine. We chose kaiseki cuisine, which was very delicious. It was renovated from a former mansion, so it is a little inconvenient as an inn, but the atmosphere is also nice.