Accommodation

Sounkyo has a number of accommodation options ranging from small pensions and backpacker lodges to exquisite hot spring hotels. The accommodations are located around the base of Kurodake and most places are within walking distance, including a convenience store, some restaurants and bars, the ropeway and the Ice Water Festival.

Restaurants & Bars

The village of Sounkyo is quite small. Outside of the hotels, convenience store, ropeway and Festivals there is not a lot of action in town. Walking along the paved promenade from the base of the ropeway, you will come across a number of small cafes, bars and restaurants. Some of these places serve great dishes including a delicious Italian, a number of quaint Japanese restaurants and bars and a great Italian bar with delicious meals. Not all restaurants are open everyday with Sounkyo very much being a village which moves at its own pace, especially in the winter months. The summer months, with the incredible sightseeing at Kurodake and the waterfalls, and beautiful nature and environment bring more crowds through the area.

Ice Waterfall Festival

This is one of the most incredible winter festivals in Hokkaido. The festival is located right at the base of Sounkyo town and is within walking distance to all the hotels and base of the ropeway.

A huge area in the gorge is used to create an iced over spectacle where ice tunnels, ice domes and ice castles. The entire site comes alive each night with music and lights illuminating the festival. Weekends bring firework displays over the festival.

The festival runs from January until the last weekend of March.

This is a must see festival for any winter and snow lover and is a great way to finish any day after skiing and enjoying hot springs in Sounkyo.

Onsen

Sounkyo has some of the best hot springs with soothing and mineral rich water along with onsen locations; on the top of hotels, on the edge of mountains, overlooking the festivals, guaranteed to inspire and bather. Each hotel and pension generally has its own onsen where bathers can experience a different view or bath style.

When taking a hot spring, please be sure to follow all the appropriate rules and try to obey the bathing etiquette for onsen. If you do not know, it is generally best to simply watch a local, and then follow their experienced lead.