La Vista Akangawa (Kyoritsu Resort)

A hot spring hotel set along the Akan River, which flows from Lake Akan in Akan-Mashu National Park. Wrapped in untouched riverside and forest scenery, it’s a place to enjoy a stay that lets you experience nature just as it is.

Designed to blend into the landscape, the building makes the most of the terrain. The hot springs also draw from naturally gushing sources found along the riverbank. Inside, you’ll find plenty of open spaces with large windows so you can take in the ever-changing views of the Akan River and the forest beyond. Guest rooms follow the same idea: across room types like Twin, Double, Triple, and Suite, all river-view rooms feature big windows plus a bench—perfect for unwinding and forgetting the everyday.

For soaking with a view of the Akan River, there’s the large public bath, “Kawagami-no-Yu,” along with three different types of private reservable baths. Enjoy a natural hot spring—simple spring water rich in iron—fed directly from the source. Another highlight: the private baths are free to use and don’t require reservations.

Don’t miss the seasonal dining made with Hokkaido ingredients. At restaurant “Wakka Pirika,” whose name in Ainu means “beautiful water,” you can enjoy seasonal kaiseki meals, including the signature “Kotan Nabe,” while looking out over the Akan River.