One of the main attractions of the Obihiro is the Makubetsu Onsen. It is one of the largest onsens in Tokachi.
The Makubetsu Onsen, housed just on the first level of the Tokachi Makubetsu Onsen Grandvrio Hotel, is nicknamed “Oka no Ue no Bijinnoyu,” which means beauty onsen. The spring water contains rich, natural constituents that moisturizes the skin and leaves it feeling smooth after a bath.
The indoor onsens include a couple of cold baths, leg baths, the main onsen at 41 degrees and a super-hot pool at 43 degrees. There is a beautiful rotenburo (outdoors onsen) decorated with beautiful rocks, which gives it a traditional Japanese vibe.. I was particularly fond of the small circular bath tubs. I felt like an olden day maiden soaking in one!
Apart from that, there are family shared onsens, saunas, massages and other therapy sessions as well. The relaxation area is expansive and equipped with massage chairs and a drinks bar. Facilities for karaoke, table tennis and billiard are also available.
As the hotel is perched on a hill, the views are fantastic. I was assigned a room on the 9th floor, and the views that I enjoyed on my stay were just amazing and changes every moment according to the weather and time of the day. Hotel guests can also access the onsen on the 12th level, where you can soak and enjoy a panoramic view of Tokachi.
The room was very spacious and equipped with everything I could need. There was a LAN cable available, and high-speed wifi is available in the lobby. The room has a mini refrigerator. Bathroom amenities come with a hairdryer and toiletries that are replaced daily.
Every hotel guest is entitled to a breakfast buffet at the Royal Green Restaurant on the first level. There are both Japanese, traditional foods like soba, porridge, rice, miso soup, as well as international choices such as breads, cereal, scrambled egg, etc. Minor changes were also thoughtfully made daily to the spread of food so that the hotel guests who are staying for longer periods will not be bored.
Apart from the onsen, you can explore the city of Obihiro. You will not have a hungry moment in Obihiro! Some of their specialties include desserts, sweets, buta-don (pork and rice), and food from yatai (small food stalls)!
To explore the Obihiro city, Grandvrio hotel operates a shuttle bus that sets off from the Route Inn hotel in front of Obihiro train station. The hotel only provides shuttle bus two times a day from Obihiro at 11:05 am and 15:05 pm. A bus sets off from the hotel to Obihiro at 10:30 am and 14:30 pm. However, from the bus terminal, a public bus goes to the Makubetsu onsen every 2 hours. It costs 400 yen one way. The hotel is a 5-minute drive from Satsunai station and 30 minute drive to Obihiro station.
