Visit by 2 people (lunch before the Taushubetsu bridge tour) (around 1:30 pm) - Smoking allowed: No (can smoke outside) - Atmosphere: No issues, quite busy due to nearby shops closing - Seating: Table seating - Service: No issues - Food/Drink: Hamburger curry, soba noodles - Taste: Not impressive, both curry and soba tasted sweet for some reason - Cost performance: Average - Overall comment: Nothing special - Likelihood of revisiting: 20% (might go back if dining in the area)

All the dishes were retort-packaged. He had soy sauce ramen for 650 yen, with a soup that tasted like mentsuyu, topped with menma, wakame, nori, chashu, and fu - all tasted like supermarket quality. I had miso ramen for 750 yen, which also tasted like it was mixed with hot water from the supermarket. It was too salty because there wasn't enough water added, and there was not enough noodles. The curry rice for 750 yen was made with retort curry roux. I'll try to think of it as a good learning experience. ✨

I headed to Kanpyo Onsen and it was already past lunchtime. I decided to eat at a restaurant in the hot spring town. There was a shop that caught my eye, but unfortunately it was closing at 1 pm that day. So, I ended up choosing a restaurant called "Leaf" based on its exterior appearance. The restaurant is located at 23 Kanpyo Minami-ku, Kamishihoro-cho, Kato-gun, with operating hours from 11 am to 7 pm and irregular holidays. They have parking available. It is a restaurant attached to the hot spring and cottages. The cottages had a lovely atmosphere. They also offer day bathing. When I entered, I was surprised to see a ticket machine at the entrance, with self-service instructions. It was quite different from the impression I had based on the exterior and atmosphere. A couple who came in after me immediately left when they saw the ticket machine (lol). I could imagine that they had the same impression as me. However, I decided to be brave and chose a menu item. Since the ramen didn't have good reviews on a certain website, I opted for something other than ramen, but the only options were onigiri or soba! So, I ordered the zaru soba for 630 yen. I handed over the food ticket and after a while, I was called. Well, I think they called me because the soba was ready. I have never been called like this at a self-service restaurant before, so I was a bit puzzled by the simple "Here!" call. The appearance of the soba looked great. The bowl and the atmosphere were nice. The texture was indeed like soba, but the aroma and flavor were quite subtle. Well, I'm not really a soba connoisseur, but I couldn't really feel the essence of soba. Even people who don't like soba might be able to eat it. The portion was also small. There were many things that puzzled me about this restaurant. Considering the size, the mysterious ticket machine, simple menu, lack of flavor in the soba, cool service, and the pricing too. It would have been better if it was around 200 yen.

Last September, I visited Primal Stage, a restaurant located in a cottage with hot springs in Kussharo Onsen in North Tokachi. I had lunch there during a day trip for bathing. The interior of the restaurant has a lodge-style design with wood as the main element, and it is self-service. Although not very spacious, it is sufficient considering the number of guests. I ordered the "Owner's Recommendation: Miso Ramen," which arrived in about 10 minutes. The miso ramen was quite flavorful and suitable for everyone. It had Hokkaido-style fried tofu in it, and the noodles were curly, cooked just right. It came with one slice of char siu, seaweed, and chopped green onions as toppings, making it easy to eat. The price was a bit touristy, the portion was average. The bath is located at the back, with separate sections for men and women, one indoor bath and one outdoor bath, in a simple design. I personally liked the taste, it was quite flavorful. The spring quality is a mixture typical of Kussharo, sodium-chloride-carbonate spring, 54.6℃, ph7.3, with no mention of the source. It is a simple flowing hot spring without any added gimmicks. I enjoyed the soothing water. The miso ramen costs 840 yen, and there are other options like pilaf, fried rice, curry, soba, etc. The day trip bathing fee is 500 yen for adults, 250 yen for elementary school students or younger, and the hours may vary, so it's best to inquire. The overnight stay for 2 people in one cottage is normally 12,900 yen per day, and 18,900 yen on Saturdays, holidays, or the day before holidays, with prices varying depending on the number of people. It seems like a great place to stay with a group of friends for a fun getaway.