Perched on the edge of Lake Shikotsu, in the forested tranquillity of Southern Hokkaido, Tsuruga Resort Spa Mizu no Uta is more than a hotel, it’s a retreat designed around water, wellness and sits in the stunning natural beauty of the area.
From the moment you step into its high ceilinged breezy welcome lounge you’re invited to unwind. A large sunken fireplace dominates and is surrounded by comfy couches where weary travellers can toast marshmallows and relax with a selection of music available to be played on vintage sound systems, perfect for relaxing post bathing (in supplied Yukatas) or after indulging in top notch food.
With 49 guest rooms that span styles from Japanese-Western hybrid layouts to deluxe suites with open-air baths, Mizu no Uta offers a stay that suits many tastes. Some rooms open onto the lake or forest, letting you slip into morning mists or evening dusk at the water’s edge an ideal setting for travellers seeking calm after a day of activity. The onsite pillow choice area even lets you determine what pillow you wish to use to achieve the perfect rest. Some rooms even have private massage chairs for relaxing while viewing the forest or lake vistas.
Inside, the resort blends understated design with thoughtful amenities. You’ll find a traditional onsen (“Shikotsu Biyu”) whose soft, moist waters have earned the lake region’s reputation as a “beauty spring.” There are jet-bubble baths, reclining baths, sitting baths, and an open-air outdoor bath plus a Finnish-style aromatic sauna that evokes the lakebed itself in mood and ambience. There is also gym facilities, beauty and relaxation treatments along with a water bar where you can choose from over 20 types of mineral waters.
Dining at Mizu no Uta keeps the wellness theme alive. The buffet restaurant champions fresh local vegetables, seafood and meat, while a more formal Japanese-style kaiseki section offers refined seasonal courses. Dessert lovers can indulge at the in-house pastry lab and made to order desserts, smoothies and pizzas should be experienced. Guilty as charged, every dessert option was sampled!
Nature and activity at Lake Shikotsu
What makes a stay at Mizu no Uta especially appealing is that it pairs onsen comfort with access to the raw, clear-water magic of Lake Shikotsu. In summer and the green season, the lake boasts water of exceptional transparency — ideal for diving, SUP, snorkeling, or paddling in kayaks and canoes. Electric bikes can be hired for further exploration of the area, with famous moss walls only a short ride away through lush forested areas.
Those drawn to calmer exploration can enjoy a serene stroll along water’s edge, or a “Nordic walk” through forest trails around the lake, guided by local experts. There is also the option of sailing on a pleasure cruise or taking a flamingo boat on the open water. For families or travellers looking for gentle activity, private canoe tours and sightseeing boat rides offer effortless enjoyment of Shikotsu’s shimmering surface and clear translucent blue waters.
The lake itself is Japan’s most northerly lake that doesn’t freeze and has a depth of 363m at it’s deepest point. It’s surrounded by 3 active volcanoes and the setting sun presents a glorious splash of colours and contrasts perfectly for nature photographers, especially in the autumn where the changing colours add red and yellow hues to the expanse of forests.
The town is a small tourist town with an architecturally impressive interpretive centre, various adventure guide options and a variety of traditional Japanese foods and more casual street foods plus creamy tasty Hokkaido ice creams.
A source of life
Mizu no Uta’s ethos is built around water as the “source of life”, the resort promises a holistic rejuvenation that marries lake, forest and comfort. Its spaces are designed to respect and enhance the natural environment around Lake Shikotsu and long winding corridors slowly open up different spaces to be enjoyed.
For travellers from urban centres like Sapporo, about an hour by car or arriving at New Chitose Airport roughly 40 minutes away Mizu no Uta offers a convenient yet transformative escape with private transfers from both available. Rates start at approx $580 per night for a standard room.
If your travels take you to Hokkaido and you want more than a quick overnight if you seek slow mornings, clear waters, forest peace and an onsen to melt away the stress Mizu no Uta is a destination in itself.
Book online or find more information by visiting the hotel website
The author stayed as a guest of the hotel and all opinions are true reflections of the experience.
