Dai-Ichi Takimotokan Onsen Resort (Noboribetsu, Hokkaido) Review

To me this is a touristy mid budget hotel to both locals and foreigners although I noticed that the presence of foreign tourist is higher in this resort as compared to others. It is the first onsen (hot spring) Resort in Noboribetsu hence the name Dai-Ichi which means number one in Japanese. Being the first established resort here also means that this is a very old resort which retains the traditional Ryokan design. We paid about 36,288 yen for a night which includes a buffet dinner and traditional Japanese breakfast.

The room is fairly spacious with pretty simple design. It is separated into two sections. Upon entering the room, we found ourselves at the dining area which is covered by tatami mats. The second section is the resting area equipped with a sofa set for 4 persons. Complimentary Japanese traditional jelly is placed on the dining table in place of welcome fruit basket usually provided by Western hotels. You can usually buy those jelly at supermarkets and are usually quite pricey. Yup of course it is delicious. So delicious that I ate it almost immediately and I forgot to take picture of it :).

  

Our room at Dai-Ichi Takimotokan

At the sofa area, we found two equipment for neck and shoulder massage respectively which reminded us that we are in Japan, a country famous for quirky inventions. 

By now you should have noticed that there is no bed in the room. That is because housekeeping will only bring out our futon bed after we left the room for the buffet dinner.

The futon bed is just as comfortable as the normal conventional bed. I slept soundly throughout the night, 

Dining Experience

Buffet dinner was at one of the resort's restaurant which looked somewhat like a canteen (understand that it had been renovated recently). Frankly, I went there with quite a low expectation and I even left my camera in the room as I figured out that probably there wouldn't be much things of interest. And....I was proven wrong. The food was actually quite delicious but the thing that is worthy to note here is the all you can eat crab legs (Red King Crab). It is super fresh, sweet and would have cost us a bomb if we had this in Malaysia. Anyway, I doubt that we can get crabs in Malaysia that is as fresh as what we had.

Source: Tripadvisor

Source: Tripadvisor

Breakfast was at another restaurant where we are required to first make a reservation for a time slot. We were given option of either Japanese or Western breakfast and of course we chose the former to enhance our experience in Japan. The dining area are set up in cubicles for additional privacy. 

Rice served with grilled salmon, japanese omelette, condiments comprising of various types of pickles and a bowl of soup made from soybean. 

The bowl of soup tasted like soybean milk except that there is no preservatives and sugar added.  

Onsen (Hot Spring) Experience

After spending much time reading about the dos and don’ts when going to a Japanese onsen, Wifey and I finally were going to our first onsen experience at Dai-ichi Takimotokan. The first thing one need to know and overcome before heading to the onsen is that the only thing you are allowed to wear is your “birthday suit”. As a first timer, we decided to go later at night around 11pm so that there will be lesser a crowd and therefore allowing us a slow start to blend in lol.. This particular one that we went opens 24 hours so there was no rush. Sorry no pictures since no camera is allowed inside the onsen. 

Picture from resort's website.

There are also procedures to follow (click on link for recommended site for a quick reference) if you do not want embarrass yourself in front of the locals. Fortunately most onsens adopt similar procedures so once you get a hang of it, you can go for a Onsen escapade in Hokkaido without any further issues. One thing to note is that sometimes the resorts in Hokkaido alternate / swap the onsen between male and female to allow both genders to enjoy the different scenic views in the resort. So make sure you check the signage at the entrance carefully before entering. Imagine, if you are a man and you just walked into a changing room full of naked ladies...oh my....total disaster. 

Anyway, Dai-Ichi Takimotokan's onsen offers 7 types of different pools which consist of different properties and minerals which carry different health benefits from healing your skin to improving 

your blood circulation and blood pressure. One of the pool is located outdoor. For a "gaijin" (meaning foreigner in Japanese) like myself who probably won't be able to do this over a long term to extract that kind of benefits, I just tried out the pools randomly and relax. After soaking myself in the pools, I especially like the refreshing feeling of taking a cold shower at the area just nearby the pool. The complimentary premium shampoo and shower gel with fantastic aroma enhance that experience as well. 

Shower area looking something like this. You are supposed to take your shower seated at the stool provided. For a little privacy... try to find hidden corners :) 

To sum it up...

Good and comfortable resort with fantastic location just nearby hell valley and near shopping street. Good value for money.
Food is fantastic. Triple stars for the buffet crab.

Click on LINK to Hokkaido Travel Blog (Overview)

Watch my entire Hokkaido Trip below:

PREMIUM WATER CHALET, AVILLION PORT DICKSON RESORT REVIEW

This resort has been around in Malaysia for quite a number of years. Probably as far back as 2010 and was once recognized as one of the best resort not only in Port Dickson but in Malaysia. This resort is not to be mistaken as another resort of similar name, Avillion Admiral Cove Port Dickson which is located nearby and is managed by the same company. Avillion is also Malaysia's very first water chalet resort. Today it is rated as the Top 3 / 4 resort in Port Dickson by Tripadvisor due to increasing competition from newer water chalet resorts like Grand Lexis and the recently opened The Hibiscus. 

Avillion PD

Over the years, the resort may look a bit tired and in need of more refurbishment works but I will have to say it still retained its own charm which its competitors may be lack of. I have been to Grand Lexis twice but I still think Avillion is still my preferred choice very much due to its all natural village like environment which just feels more authentic than the other competitors.

I brought my family to Avillion over a long weekend holiday in May 2015. I booked 2 premium water chalets which comes with free daily buffet breakfast as well as complimentary access to Avi Lounge for afternoon tea and evening cocktail. Each room cost me about RM900++/night but I think its still a good value if you spent enough time in the resort.

If you review the comments in Tripadvisor, you may find a couple of complaints on their car park, customer service at lobby, long que during breakfast and etc. Unfortunately, it is all true especially during peak periods but if you plan your time well enough, you can still have wonderful time just like I did. Watch a video of my trip below.

The Lobby

Source: Expatadventure

In the past, many have complained about the lack of service attendants to assist with the luggage and I kind of agree with that as well. Nevertheless, it is fortunate that things has improved now. Check in time is 3pm and during peak season do expect the que to check in is usually long and sometimes your room may not be ready yet. To avoid this problem, my family and I checked in slightly after 3pm to avoid the que and since the room is not ready yet, we headed straight for afternoon tea at the Avi Lounge.

Avi Lounge

This place is really a nice place to hang out with family, friends or loved ones to basically chill out and chit chat. If you are alone, well its still a good place to spent your time reading a book or something. Avi Louge is located in some sort of a glass house which offers a fantastic panoramic view of the ocean or to be more exact ....The Straits of Melaka. The Avi Spa is also located in the same building.

If you are staying in the premium water chalets, your access to Avi Lounge is complimentary for afternoon tea and evening cocktail. It is not a big place so I advise people to be there early or you may be disappointed if you can't find yourself a seat. A mini buffet spread of sandwiches, tarts and cakes will be served during each session. You will have a choice of coffee, tea, variety of juices and soft drinks for the afternoon tea. Alcoholic beverages and cocktails are added to the menu during evening cocktails. I usually go for only 1 session each day as the gap between afternoon tea and evening cocktail is not really that far apart.  I prefer to go for the afternoon tea as it is just right time to catch a snack since I usually skip lunch after a heavy buffet breakfast. The food and drinks quality is not bad though I have to say the overall ambiance is the main attraction here.

The Premium Water Chalets

To me, its really a wonderful experience. So wonderful that I actually visited this place twice in a year. First was with Wifey and for the second time, I brought along my mum and dad as well. On both occasions, my objective was the same which is to find a place that allow me to have a break from my hectic city life and have some alone time with my loved ones.  Most city folks feel that there is nothing much to do in Port Dickson but that is exactly the point!! You are not supposed to do anything in PD except to chill, relax and unwind.

View From Our Balcony. Sometimes you can see people fishing right from their own balcony

So whats so wonderful about Avillion? The answer is the Premium Water Chalets which are the chalets that are located furthest out to the sea and comes with an unobstructed sea view. I always enjoy watching the change from low tide to high tide as I listen to the the waves lapping beneath our chalet. 

The chalets may not be as big or luxurious looking as the ones in Grand Lexis but it is comfortable enough. The chalet is fully equipped with a king sized poster bed and a pangkin bed which is located right beside the window.  During the day, I really enjoy myself doing some reading at the backdrop of a wonderful seaview outside the window. At night, sometimes I just doze off on the pangkin bed while watching and listening to the ocean waves. Fantastic...wish that my daily life is like that :). 

I did have some issues with the air conditioning which was not cold enough especially during the day. Nevertheless, it did not bother me too much. As for the free wifi system, it was a total let down as it barely works most of the time.

Evening view from our balcony.

Wifey reading on pangkin bed...

The bathroom on the other hand is quite big and luxuriously equipped with an open air shower, a bathtub and separate basins. The toiletries provided unfortunately were unable to deliver the premium feel which I am usually accustomed to when I am at other higher end holiday resorts.

The usual toiletries provided @ Avillion

The packaging looks too plain for a RM900+ room... 

Petting Zoo

Located not far away from the main building is the petting zoo. It is one of the main attraction of the resort. There, you will find different breed of animals from cute bunnies to colourful peacocks living together harmoniously. Each morning around 10am, its feeding time at the petting zoo and guests are allowed to go into the usually confined area to feed the animals. Every time my family and I past by the petting zoo, we never failed to spent a couple of minutes observing what the animals are up to.

The Beach 

I will really recommend a stroll on the beach during low tide which is usually early in the morning or late afternoon. I go there not only to catch some sea breeze and have some exercise, I also find it interesting to observe the abundance of little snails and crabs in their natural habitat. You can easily spot them along the beach during low tide. I was wondering where are the adult ones.. then can catch them and have them for dinner..lol.

The resort used to have two private beaches but one has been cordoned off to the public. Still, I find the fact that the resort has its own private beach is an added advantage. To be honest, I do like the water chalets offered by Grand Lexis but they do not have a private beach and I felt that this is a real downside. 

That's me in the middle. 

Little crabs and snails found along the beach. 

Restaurant / Food Review

On our first night, we decided to have dinner at Crow's Nest located in the resort. It was pretty quiet on that day with only two tables filled with patrons. My family ordered local food (fried noodles), steak and lamb rack. I can only remember that the meal was quite pricy and I can agree that there are better options outside the hotel. Nevertheless, if you want to spent more time in the resort or if you want a more exclusive, comfortable and quiet place to have your dinner then this place is a pretty good option. Overall, food quality was just satisfactory and I felt that much can be improved. The teh tarik (which comes with chocholate chip cookies) was pretty good though.

Interior of Crow's Nest

Steak

Lamb rack

Teh Tarik & cookies

Buffet  breakfast is usually served at Village Court which is located just beside the swimming pool. Breakfast is usually only included for the package for Premium Water Chalets. So if you have booked the normal water chalets, breakfast is usually not included and you will have to pay for it separately. Again, the buffet spread was just okay similar to those you normally find in a 4 star hotel. In terms of food quality, Grand Lexis wins with a better buffet spread. Although buffet breakfast is normally not included in the price for the normal chalets, the restaurant can get pretty packed during peak season. So if you want to dine comfortably and skip the que you may want to start your breakfast before 8am in the morning.

Facilities

The resort has two swimming pools. I liked the idea of having an adult only pool so that one can enjoy a peaceful session without the need to tolerate noisy kids.

Adult only Cochin Pool 

Village Pool which is open for all hotel guests. 

There is also a gym which was pretty small and equipped with basic equipment only. I recalled the treadmill was pretty old but was usable. As an added advantage, the resort also provides steam bath and sauna facilities.

Ratings

Overall, I feel that this resort is excellent especially for those who is looking for a relaxing break from the hectic city life. Like most holiday destination, you will tend to get more value if avoid peak period like school holidays or long weekends. Signing off with more pictures of the resort below.

Hokkaido Travel Blog Day 2 (Noboribetsu and Kani Goten / かに御殿) Restaurant Review)

Finally... our first meal in Hokkaido. After driving for about an hour we reached our very first destination in Hokkaido to have our lunch. It was already about 2pm and my tummy was growling for some authentic Hokkaido cuisine :). We had our lunch at a restaurant called Kani Goten which literary means Crab Palace in English located along the Muroran Highway. I chose this place for lunch since its location is pretty strategic as it is located en route to my hotel in Hokkaido. We will be staying at Dai-ichi Takimotokan Hotel for the night which is just 20 minutes away. It is not easy to miss this place as there is a big crab sign board right outside the restaurant and a giant bear statue on the roof of the restaurant. To be exact, this place is not only a restaurant but also a small seafood market where a variety of seafood produce are sold. 

Kani Goten Family Restaurant

Bear Statue on the roof of the restaurant

To get here, exit Hokkaido Expressway at Exit 8 (Shiraoi) and head towards Noboribetsu. After a short 15-20 minutes drive, you should find the restaurant on your left. Despite the restaurant known for crabs, we did not order any as I felt that I would have much of it over the next few days. With the intention of going simple and nice, we ordered a Donburi (a bowl of rice with mixed seafood ie tuna, shrimp, salmon roe and sea urchin) and Stuffed Squid with Black Ink Sauce.  

Donburi

As a person who don't prefer to eat raw seafood, I still find the Donburi to be really delicious. Funny... The rice was sweet and had a nice flavour to it. If I am not wrong, vinegar is added when the rice is cooked. The seafood was fresh and there was no fishy or foul smell at all. Really nice. 

Stuffed Squid With Black Ink 

Source: kanigoten.co.jp

Can't say the same for the  squid stuffed with rice though. It tasted too bland for my liking. After lunch, Wifey and I walked around the area selling seafood located next to the restaurant. You can find all sorts of seafood here including different types of crabs, scallop, sea urchin, oyster and etc kept mostly alive in aquariums. I guess it caters more to local Japanese tourist who can make purchase here and get the seafood delivered to their homes anywhere in Japan.

After lunch we continued our journey to Noboribetsu. If you are driving to Noboribetsu from Chitose, I would suggest you take this route ie via Muroran Highway instead of all the way using the Hokkaido expressway. Firstly, there are a few seafood restaurants along the way that you can try and secondly you get to catch the view of Hokkaido Coastline. Not that it is really a magnificent sight but I guess it is more interesting especially if you are a foreign tourist.  

First Japanese Car Parking Experience

After about 20 minutes driving, we finally reached our hotel for the night, Daiichi Takimotokan Hotel. We were directed by a hotel staff to go to the basement level for parking. As soon as we there, another based at the parking directed me to park a an empty lot right in front of the entrance. I thought to myself how lucky can I be right? Wrong!!!

As I was preparing to alight from the car, it started to turn 90 degrees to the left and soon I found myself facing this. 

Yikes... I was totally not prepared for this. The staff manning the parking asked me to retract my rear mirrors and I didn't really know which button to press since I just got the car. So I decided to go trial and error and luckily I managed to find the right button. Once the car was parked inside the space provided, Wifey and I quickly grabbed all our belongings and ensure nothing is left behind. Once outside the car, I tried to lock my car with the remote but somehow the car lock did not work. ??? After several tries, I decided to give up and just leave the car as it is since it was going to be in a cage anyway and..  of course we were in Japan, one of the countries in the world with low crime rate :). The morale of the story is to get to know your rented car well enough including some of the controls or otherwise you may end up like me. I later found out that the reason why I wasn't able to lock my car with the remote was because my car engine was not switched off. Luckily, the car system knows how to auto shut down after the car was left idle for a while.

Daiichi Takimotokan Hotel, Noboribetsu

A great hotel although I find it to be a bit touristy. Will write more on a separate page. :)

A walk in the evening

After checking into the hotel, we decided to take a short walk outside the hotel before our much anticipated buffet dinner. The good thing about Daiichi hotel is that it is nearby to the main tourist attraction area like Hell Valley, Sengen Geyser and the main shopping street. 

Main shopping street (a bit quiet since it is late evening already)

Some of the statues you find along the road...

The smog in front is actually hot steam from Sengen Geyser

Sengen Geyser (Note that it sprouts every 3 hours only)

Watch the video of our Hokkaido Trip: