Hotel Taisetsu ONSEN & CANYON RESORT in Sounkyo Onsen, Kamikawa Town, Hokkaido, is scheduled to open a new lounge, "LOUNGE 大雪山荘" (tentative name), in mid-February 2027. The lounge is being created by renovating Top of Canyon (トップオブキャニオン), the former restaurant in the hotel's 大雪山荘 building.
Alongside the opening, the hotel will introduce an all-inclusive system. All overnight guests will be able to enjoy drinks including alcohol, as well as light snacks and sweets served at the lounge, at no additional charge. The lounge will be open from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM. It is also planned to open to non-guests for a fee, with the hours and offerings for general use still under consideration.
Reviving a Historic Restaurant After a Quarter Century
Hotel Taisetsu's main building and the lodge-style 大雪山荘 building on the right (autumn scenery)
Top of Canyon, Opened in 2000
Built to blend into the nature of Daisetsuzan National Park, the restaurant stood in a separate building from the guest accommodations. Since opening, it served Japanese-Western fusion course meals, which were unusual in Sounkyo at the time, and welcomed many guests.
A New Role for a Historic Space
Use of the restaurant declined after the COVID-19 pandemic and the opening of a new buffet restaurant, and in recent years it was used only a few times a year. To make use of its fine views and mountain-resort-style building once again, renovation work began in October 2026.
A Lounge for Enjoying the Stay Itself
The bioethanol fireplace planned for the center of the lounge (artist's rendering)
85 Seats With Views of Daisetsuzan National Park
The 大雪山荘 building, where the new lounge will be located, sits on high ground within the Sounkyo Onsen town. Large windows look out over the natural landscape of Daisetsuzan National Park, with views that change through the seasons, including fresh greenery, autumn leaves and snow-covered scenery. A bioethanol fireplace will be installed in the center of the lounge, where guests can spend time as they like beside the flickering flames.
View and sofa seating (artist's rendering)
Drink and food counter (artist's rendering)
The furnishings include Asahikawa furniture such as pieces by カンディハウス, arflex sofas, and original furniture.
All-Inclusive Stays at the Hotel
Free Drinks and Light Snacks for Guests, With Public Access Too
The lounge plans to serve alcoholic drinks such as draft beer, wine, whisky, shochu, sake, fruit liqueurs and spirits, as well as soft drinks. Light snacks such as cured ham, cheese and nuts, and sweets such as chocolate, macarons and ice cream are also planned.
The menu is still under consideration and may change.
The lounge is also planned to open to visitors to Sounkyo who are not staying at the hotel.
Looking Ahead to the Hotel's 100th Anniversary
Hotel Taisetsu, founded in 1954, has been in business for more than 70 years and has been renovating its interiors in recent years. Through this renovation and the change in how the space is operated, the hotel aims to make guests' time at the hotel more comfortable and luxurious than ever.
Lounge Details
- Name: LOUNGE 大雪山荘 (tentative name)
- Opening: Scheduled for mid-February 2027
- Location: Inside the 大雪山荘 building at Hotel Taisetsu ONSEN & CANYON RESORT, Sounkyo, Kamikawa Town, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido
- Seats: 85
- Hours: 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Who can use it: Overnight guests (covered by the all-inclusive system) and general visitors
- Fee: Free for overnight guests (included in the room rate). A fee applies for non-guests, with offerings and hours still under consideration
- Offerings: Alcohol, soft drinks, light snacks, sweets and more
The lounge images are artist's renderings and may differ from the finished space.
