Hot spring resort in Japan

I spent two days at the Noboribetsu hot spring resort in Hokkaido, Japan. It is winter and snowing in Hokkaido.

Most of the guests at the hotel are Japanese. My wife and I are among the very few foreign guests. Although the staff are not familiar with English, they make a special effort to communicate with us. We were given clear written instructions in English on the arrangements for our meals and how to use the public bath.

The public bath, which is the key attraction of the resort, uses the mineral water from the hot spring.

The hotel is a Japanese style "ryokan". The room is furnished with tatami straw mats. A 13 course dinner is served in the room. Breakfast is served as a buffet in the breakfast room.

Most guests use a yukata and a happy coat to go to tbe breakfast room or to visit the public bath.

This is my first experience of a Japanese hot spring resort. I found it to be very relaxing and enjoyable.