Hotel Taisetsu ONSEN & CANYON RESORT, located in Sounkyo Onsen in Hokkaido's Kamikawa-gun, has unveiled a brand-new guest room category called "Forest Room," following a full renovation of 10 Japanese-style rooms on the canyon-facing 5th floor of the East Wing. The new rooms opened on January 23, 2026.
This renovation marks the first large-scale refurbishment of the East Wing in approximately 40 years. In recent years, a growing number of guests have been requesting Western-style rooms with beds rather than the traditional futon-on-tatami setup. Demand has been especially strong from elderly guests and international visitors who prefer the ease of bed-type rooms, and this renovation directly addresses those needs.
"Forest Room" Concept: A Forest Stay Evoking a Mountain Resort
Sounkyo is one of Hokkaido's most celebrated mountain scenic areas and a well-known hot spring resort at the gateway to Daisetsuzan National Park. The "Forest Room" brings the hotel's "forest" and "mountain resort" vision to life within the guest room itself. With interiors that highlight the warmth and texture of wood, and a calm design anchored in earth tones, these rooms aim to give guests the feeling of truly relaxing in the middle of a forest.
Comfort and Safety Considerations
The renovation prioritized both design and improvements to comfort and safety:
- A completely renewed bathroom area, with the toilet made independent and a shower room installed in place of a bathtub.
- Step-free flooring throughout the room, with handrails added to create an accessible environment suitable for wheelchair users and elderly guests.
A Retreat Experience Blending Forest and Hot Springs
The hotel features large communal baths and open-air hot spring baths offering views of the canyon scenery. Combined with a stay in the "Forest Room," guests can enjoy a retreat experience unique to Sounkyo — a fusion of nature and hot springs. The rooms cater to a wide range of travel styles, from sightseeing and adventure travel to workcation stays and anniversary trips.
Forest Room Overview
- Room name: Forest Room
- Size: 32.5 m²
- Capacity: Up to 3 guests
- Beds: 2 (extra bed for 3rd guest)
- Opened: January 23, 2026
- Location: East Wing, 5th floor (canyon-facing side)
- Number of rooms: 10
Note: Bathroom is a shower room only (no bathtub). All rooms are non-smoking.
Room details: https://www.hotel-taisetsu.com/stay.php#room_forest
Hotel Overview
- Hotel name: Hotel Taisetsu ONSEN & CANYON RESORT
- Location: Sounkyo Onsen, Kamikawa-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido
- Total rooms: 188
- Main facilities: 3 large communal baths, 2 open-air hot spring baths, sauna, restaurant, banquet hall, bakery cafe, and more
- Official website: https://www.hotel-taisetsu.com
