• 2026-09-15 Published
• 2026-09-15 Updated
• Japan,
• By Cat Head

Hoshino Resorts Tomamu The Tower Review: Rooms, Breakfast & Dinner at Buffet Dining hal

Hokkaido has plenty of resorts, and Hoshino Resorts Tomamu is one of its most popular. Located in Shimukappu, in Hokkaido’s Yufutsu district, it sits roughly between Sapporo, New Chitose Airport, and Furano.

Surrounded by mountains and forests, this sprawling resort feels far removed from city life. Within the grounds, you’ll find hotels, restaurants, UNKAI Terrace, an indoor pool, a farm area, winter ski slopes, and seasonal activities. In summer, the biggest draw is UNKAI Terrace, where you may see a sea of clouds stretching across the mountains. In winter, visitors come for the powder snow that inland Hokkaido is famous for.

During the green season, UNKAI Terrace typically opens from mid-May to mid-October. Guests staying at Tomamu The Tower or RISONARE Tomamu can ride the UNKAI Gondola up to the terrace for free.

In winter, Tomamu becomes a ski resort, with the slopes generally operating from early December through early April.

Summer is a great time to see the sea of clouds, explore the farm, and enjoy family activities. Winter brings skiing, frost-covered trees, and snowy landscapes. For a first visit, I’d recommend at least one night in summer and two or more nights in winter.

I stayed at Hoshino Resorts Tomamu The Tower in mid-June. In this review, I’ll share my room experience, breakfast and dinner at Buffet Dining hal, and my overall thoughts on the stay.

🏨 Hoshino Resorts Tomamu The Tower Overview

Tomamu The Tower is in the central part of Hoshino Resorts Tomamu. Compared with RISONARE Tomamu, it offers more convenient access to restaurants, shuttle stops, and some of the resort’s activities. For first-time visitors, The Tower is a good introduction to the resort and a relatively affordable place to stay.

This is a large resort hotel, with rooms that offer more space than you’ll typically find in Japanese city hotels. The common areas are spacious, too, with plenty of places to sit and relax.

📍 Address: Naka-Tomamu, Shimukappu, Yufutsu, Hokkaido 079-2204, Japan

🚆 Getting there: The train journey from New Chitose Airport to Tomamu Station takes approx. 70 minutes, including a transfer to a JR limited express train. From Sapporo, the JR limited express journey takes about 100 minutes. A resort shuttle connects Tomamu Station with the hotel.

⭐Hotel Star Rating: 4-star resort hotel

📑Guest Ratings: Trip.com: 8.6/10; Google: 4.1/5

💰 Room rates: Approximately US$190–475+ per room, per night for two guests, including breakfast.

Ready to book your stay? 👉Check the latest rates:  Trip .com | Klook 

😼 Cathead’s Pro Tip

👉 Transportation tip: Resort shuttle buses connect JR Tomamu Station with the hotels, making a stay straightforward to arrange even without a rental car.

👉 Driving tip: The hotel has free outdoor parking, with no advance reservation required. Tomamu works well as a stop on a central Hokkaido road trip that includes Sapporo, New Chitose Airport, Furano, or Obihiro.

👉 Booking tip: The resort is popular during the summer UNKAI Terrace season, summer vacation, weekends, Japanese holiday periods, and the winter ski season. If seeing the sea of clouds or skiing is part of your plan, I’d book as soon as your itinerary is confirmed. During peak periods, availability may be limited to stays of several nights.

Nearby Attractions: UNKAI Terrace in summer / Terrace of Frosted Tree in winter, Mina-Mina Beach, the Farm Area, Hotalu Street, Tomamu Ski Resort, Furano, Biei, and Obihiro.

Tomamu The Tower vs. RISONARE Tomamu: Which Should You Choose?

Hoshino Resorts Tomamu has two hotels: Tomamu The Tower and RISONARE Tomamu. Both give you access to the resort’s main facilities, but they differ in location, room size, and price.

Tomamu The Tower is closer to the resort center, making it easier to reach restaurants, shuttle stops, and activity areas. It is usually more affordable than RISONARE Tomamu, making it a good option if you’re on a budget or plan to spend more time exploring the resort than relaxing in your room.

RISONARE Tomamu is the more upscale, all-suite option, set on a quieter forested hillside. Its biggest selling point is the room size: every suite measures more than 1,076 square feet (100 square meters) and includes a jetted tub with a view and a private sauna. It offers more privacy and a stronger sense of retreat than The Tower.

🐱If convenience, value, and easy access to activities are your priorities, I’d recommend Tomamu The Tower. If you’d prefer more space and a quieter setting, consider RISONARE Tomamu.

👉 Check the latest rates of Tomamu The Tower : Trip .com

👉 Check the latest rates of RISONARE Tomamu : Trip .com

🛏️ Room Tour: Twin Room

Room Features & Amenities

I stayed in a Twin Room in Tower 1, one of the hotel’s entry-level room categories. It measured approximately 258–291 square feet (24–27 square meters) and was on the 32nd floor of the 36-story tower.

By Japanese hotel standards, the room felt spacious. If you’ve spent the previous few nights in city hotels in Sapporo or Asahikawa, you’ll likely notice the difference right away. Even with two large suitcases open, there was still plenty of room to walk around.

The hotel has been around for a while, though, and the decor and some of the equipment show their age. Its main strengths are the resort setting, natural scenery, dining choices, and variety of activities.

In-room amenities:

📌 Two twin beds

📌 Coffee table

📌 Sofa

📌 TV and refrigerator

📌 Closet

📌 Air purifier with humidifier

📌 Vanity desk and mirror

📌 Chair

📌 Hair dryer

📌 Pajamas, slippers, toothbrushes, and basic toiletries; some amenities are available for pickup in the lobby

📌 Bathroom (with a bathtub)

📌 Complimentary bottled water

The View

My 32nd-floor room had a wide-open mountain view. Tomamu sits among the forests and mountains of Shimukappu, with few tall buildings nearby to interrupt the scenery. Looking out the window, I really felt surrounded by Hokkaido’s countryside.

During the day, the view took in green hills, mountains, and the resort grounds. It was especially beautiful in clear weather, and the peaceful setting made it easy to slow down.

If you love mountain scenery and want a break from the city, you’ll appreciate the view as much as I did.

😺 Cathead’s Room Experience

Overall, the room was comfortable, with three clear strengths: plenty of space, a beautiful view, and a roomy bathroom. For an entry-level room at Tomamu The Tower, it felt larger than I expected.

My favorite part was opening the curtains in the morning to see the forest and mountains. It immediately put me in vacation mode. Being able to leave two large suitcases open was also useful, especially for travelers carrying plenty of luggage and souvenirs on a longer Hokkaido trip.

The bathroom was more spacious than those in many Japanese city hotels. It had separate wet and dry areas, a bathtub, and decent water pressure. The fixtures also looked a little newer than the rest of the room.

There were a few drawbacks, though.

First, the decor and some of the equipment were dated. The air conditioner looked particularly old, and the overall room design felt stuck in the 1980s.

Second, there was noticeable dust around the air-conditioning vent. The room was generally tidy, but this might bother you if you pay close attention to cleaning details.

Third, the vanity desk was small, with limited space for your belongings. With two people trying to organize toiletries, cameras, chargers, medications, and other daily essentials, it could get crowded quickly.

A quick tip: The room’s biggest strengths are its space and open views. If fresh interiors and stylish design matter a lot to you, it helps to set your expectations accordingly. If you want room for your luggage, beautiful scenery, and convenient access to the resort, this basic room category offers a comfortable stay.

👉 My verdict: A spacious, comfortable room with beautiful mountain views and a good-sized bathroom. The main drawbacks are the dated decor, older equipment, and cleaning details that could be improved.

🍽️ Breakfast at Buffet Dining hal

I booked a breakfast-inclusive stay, with vouchers that could be used at 3 designated restaurants: Forest Restaurant Nininupuri, Japanese buffet restaurant Mikaku, and Buffet Dining hal.

I’d really enjoyed dinner at Buffet Dining hal the night before, so I decided to try breakfast there too.

During my stay, breakfast ran from 6:30–10:00 a.m., with food service ending at 9:30 a.m. It was a buffet, with no reservation required, and the adult price was approximately US$20. Guests with breakfast included in their package could use their breakfast vouchers.

Breakfast Selection

Breakfast focused mainly on Japanese dishes, with a smaller selection of Western options. There was a good variety, including several dishes that gave the meal a distinctly Hokkaido feel. Overall, it was a well-rounded resort breakfast.

The selection included:

🐟 Salmon and salmon roe rice bowls

🥢 Japanese pickles

🍤 Assorted fried dishes

🐟 Grilled salmon

🥦 Steamed vegetables

🍞 Assorted Japanese breads and pastries

🥣 Miso soup

🍛 Japanese curry and rice

🍞 French toast

🥣 Clam chowder

🍲 Stewed dishes

🥓 Bacon and ham

🥗 Salad bar

🍰 Cakes

🥛 Yogurt

🥤 Drinks: Juice, coffee, milk, yogurt drinks, tea, and more

😸 Cathead’s Breakfast Picks

🐟 Salmon and Salmon Roe Rice Bowl

White rice topped with salmon and salmon roe made for a satisfying breakfast. The salmon was flavorful, while the roe added a burst of brininess. I was impressed to find a dish like this at a resort breakfast buffet.

🍞 French Toast

The French toast was soft and sweet, and it went well with either coffee or milk. If you enjoy something sweet in the morning, I’d definitely try it.

🥐 Croissants

The croissants were fragrant and crisp on the outside. They were another breakfast option I enjoyed.

🥣 Clam Chowder

The chowder was rich without feeling too heavy. A warm bowl would be especially comforting after an early-morning visit to UNKAI Terrace.

Atmosphere

I arrived around 6:45 a.m., and the restaurant was already busy. Almost all the window seats were taken.

Perhaps many guests had gotten up early for UNKAI Terrace or wanted to avoid a later breakfast rush. Either way, the restaurant was livelier than I expected at that hour.

The buffet area felt a little crowded, especially around the popular dishes. The restaurant itself was large, though, so the seating area didn’t feel cramped.

By around 7:30 a.m., the crowd began to thin out, making it easier to pick up food and enjoy the meal. Based on my visit, arriving a little later could be more comfortable if you aren’t rushing to leave.

I also appreciated the friendly service. The staff welcoming guests were smiling and helpful, and dishes were replenished regularly. Even during the morning rush, service remained consistent.

😺 Cathead’s Breakfast Review

Breakfast at Buffet Dining hal was tasty and good quality, although the crowds affected how relaxed the meal felt.

I was happy with breakfast overall. The spread wasn’t especially luxurious, but the food was consistently enjoyable. There were both Japanese and Western choices, along with a few dishes that stood out.

The main drawback was the number of people around the buffet stations, which made picking up food a little less comfortable.

If breakfast is included in your room package, Buffet Dining hal is worth choosing. Good food, regular replenishment, and friendly staff made it a satisfying hotel breakfast.

🍽️ Dinner at Buffet Dining hal

The biggest surprise of my stay at Tomamu The Tower was dinner at Buffet Dining hal.

Dinner was a seafood-focused buffet with a 90-minute dining limit.You’ll need a reservation for dinner. You can usually book through the resort’s official website about 30 days in advance. If you know you want to eat here during your stay, I’d reserve early, especially in peak season.

The adult dinner price was approximately US$36. For a seafood buffet, I thought it offered excellent value.

Dinner Selection

Dinner focused on Japanese dishes and seafood, alongside some Western hot dishes, meat, salads, and desserts. The selection was broader than at breakfast and included more premium ingredients.

The selection included:

🦀 Crab legs

🥣 Crab teppo soup, a Japanese-style crab soup

🌯 Salmon and salmon roe hand rolls

🐟 Salmon and tuna sashimi

🥢 Japanese pickles

🍗 Fried chicken and assorted fried dishes

🍤 Tempura

🍜 Chilled udon

🦀 Baked crab with mushrooms

🥩 Seared steak

🍲 Stewed dishes: Chicken with potatoes, and salmon with potato gnocchi

🥣 Borscht

🥗 Western-style cold appetizers and salads

🍰 Desserts: Tiramisu, cheesecake, and UNKAI parfaits

🥤 Drinks: Juice, coffee, tea, and more

😸 Cathead’s Dinner Picks

🦀 Crab Legs

Sweet and flavorful, the crab legs were a highlight of this Hokkaido seafood buffet.

Not every piece was perfect, but the overall freshness and flavor were good. They’re definitely worth trying.

🥣 Crab Teppo Soup

I highly recommend the crab soup! The broth had a deep crab flavor and a delicious natural sweetness. It was one of my favorites of the evening.

🍣 Salmon and Salmon Roe Hand Rolls

The salmon and salmon roe made a flavorful combination, with a savory, briny taste. If you enjoy Japanese seafood dishes, these hand rolls are well worth trying.

🥩 Seared Steak

The steak had a rich, beefy flavor and a satisfying texture. It was another dish I’d make room for.

Atmosphere

Buffet Dining hal felt more comfortable at dinner than at breakfast. The open layout and spacious seating made it easy to settle in and enjoy the evening.

With reservations and assigned seating times, dinner felt better organized, making it easier to relax and enjoy the meal. The lighting, space between tables, and overall layout felt comfortable, without the overwhelming noise and bustle you sometimes encounter at a busy buffet.

Service was good. The staff who welcomed me at both meals were smiling and friendly, and the food was replenished throughout dinner.

There was one drawback: some of the buffet counters were relatively low, and I saw a few children touching food and glass decorations without staff stepping in right away. This raised hygiene and safety concerns, and I’d like to see closer supervision around those areas.

😺 Cathead’s Dinner Review

Dinner at Buffet Dining hal was delicious, and I highly recommend it. It was one of the highlights of my Tomamu The Tower stay.

The seafood tasted fresh, the selection was varied, and several dishes were memorable. The crab legs, crab soup, salmon and salmon roe hand rolls, and seared steak were all very good.

This was a dinner worth planning ahead for. I’d happily make a reservation again on a future stay.

👉 My Overall Take on Breakfast and Dinner

After trying both, I thought dinner at Buffet Dining hal was more impressive than breakfast.

Breakfast was tasty and well prepared. My favorites were the salmon and salmon roe rice bowl, French toast, croissants, and clam chowder. However, the busy buffet area meant that the timing of your visit could affect how comfortable the meal felt.

Dinner was stronger overall, from the ingredients and standout dishes to the atmosphere. The crab legs, crab soup, salmon hand rolls, and steak were all worth trying. At approximately US$36 per adult, I thought it was excellent value.

🏢 Hotel Facilities

↑ The spacious, comfortable interior of Lounge yukkuyukku

Kirin-no-Yu outdoor bath: Kirin-no-Yu was closed during my mid-June stay, so I didn’t get to try the outdoor bath.

Mina-Mina Beach indoor pool: The resort has a large indoor pool, but it wasn’t open during my visit.

Free parking: The hotel offers free outdoor parking, which is convenient if you’re exploring Hokkaido by rental car.

Washers and dryers: Paid laundry facilities are on the second floor of Tower 2.

Lounge yukkuyukku: Located beside The Tower’s lobby, this lounge offers complimentary drinks for hotel guests in a relaxed, comfortable setting.

Shops: Several shops in the hotel sell souvenirs, drinks, and snacks.

Children’s play area

Winter ski facilities: A ski equipment rental area is available during the winter season.

👍 The Pros and Cons

✅ The Pros

• Excellent service. The front desk and restaurant staff were friendly and polite, and some spoke good English. I felt the service was on par with what I’d expect at an international five-star hotel.
• Spacious rooms and common areas.
• Beautiful views from higher-floor rooms.
• Outstanding dinner at Buffet Dining hal.
• Plenty of facilities and seasonal activities, including UNKAI Terrace, the Farm Area, and outdoor activities in summer, plus skiing and seasonal snow experiences in winter.
• Free parking.
• Complimentary bottled water in the room.

⚠️ The Cons

• Dated room decor and some older equipment.
• Noticeable dust around the air-conditioning vent, with room for improvement in cleaning details.
• Possible elevator waits during busy periods, given the hotel’s many floors and rooms.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Who Should Stay at Tomamu The Tower?

✔️ Travelers who want to experience Hoshino Resorts Tomamu while getting good value on accommodation

✔️ Travelers who enjoy large resorts, natural scenery, UNKAI Terrace, and seasonal activities

✔️ Travelers on a Hokkaido road trip, especially those visiting Sapporo, New Chitose Airport, Furano, Biei, or Obihiro

✔️ Families with children

✔️ Couples looking for a resort getaway

✔️ Winter visitors who want to stay within a ski resort

😼 📊 Cathead’s Hotel Ratings

Category	Rating(Out of 5)	My Experience
Location	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	Set within Hokkaido’s Tomamu resort area, it works well for road trips and resort stays. The natural scenery and variety of facilities are its biggest advantages.
Room Comfort	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	The Twin Room had space to walk around even with two large suitcases open. The mountain view was beautiful.
Cleanliness	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	Generally acceptable, but some room fixtures were dated and cleaning details could be improved.
Breakfast & Dining	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Breakfast at Buffet Dining hal was good, and dinner was even better.
Facilities	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	The resort offers a lot to do, with attractions and facilities.
Service	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	The staff were friendly and polite, and some spoke good English. The hospitality met my expectations for an international resort hotel.
Value for Money	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	The Tower is relatively affordable for a large resort stay.
Would I Stay Again?	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	I’d like to return in another season to experience different facilities, though I hope the room-cleaning details improve.

Final Thoughts

Is Tomamu The Tower Worth Visiting?

I was very happy with my mid-June stay at Hoshino Resorts Tomamu The Tower. The room was spacious, the mountain view was beautiful, and the resort offered plenty to explore. Friendly service and enjoyable meals at Buffet Dining hal added to the experience.

If you’re planning a Hokkaido trip, enjoy being surrounded by nature, and want to spend time at a resort, Tomamu is well worth adding to your list.

For a first visit to Hoshino Resorts Tomamu, The Tower is a great choice if you’re looking for good value.

However, if you place a high priority on fresh interiors, meticulous room-cleaning details, or being able to walk out each evening for late-night food and convenience stores, this resort may not be the right fit. It’s best suited to travelers who want to spend time within the resort, enjoying the mountain scenery, restaurants, activities, and slower pace.

Tomamu The Tower shows its age, but it still has plenty of charm. Dinner at Buffet Dining hal was especially good and exceeded my expectations. If you’re staying here, remember to reserve early! 😸

*All information provided above is for reference only. For full details, please refer to the official websites of the respective  hotels and organizations.

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