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Hokkaido - Onsen Guide

TripBlog
TripBlog
Nov 7, 2019

Catalogue

  • Toyako: Three Top Sights to See in Hokkaido
  • Noboribetsu: Japan’s Onsen in The Snow
  • Jozankei Near Sapporo: Soak in Hot Springs Watching Red Leaves
  • Lake Akan: Where “If You Are The One” Was Filmed
  • Sounkyo Gorge: Hot Springs Inside Daisetsuzan
  • Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden: Where The Monkeys Soak Away in Hot Springs
  • Lake Shikaribetsu: The World’s Only Above-Ice Open Air Hot Spring
  • Kawayu: One of The Few Acid Sulphur Hot Springs
  • Show More

Hokkaido has Japan’s top onsen and hot spring sources. In the south, center and east of Hokkaido you’ll find famous hot springs which either boast of different water quality or have various hot spring hotels available. You can go for snow views and enjoy open-air hot springs.

Located in the Southwestern part of Hokkaido, Lake Toyako is not only a famous hot spring town, its water remains unfrozen all throughout the year and it’s clear and clean like a blue gem stone. Coupled with snowy lands in the winter, this is known as the “Three Main Sights of Hokkaido”. On the southern coast of Toyako, there is an onsen street with many onsen guest houses and open-air pools. Some are right on the lake; pay about 500 to 1000 yen and you can go for a soak. If it’s an outdoor one you can even look out to Toyako, and it’s a great sight to behold. On the streets there are free foot soak pools or for hands too. They are all free!

There are onsen (hot springs) everywhere in Hokkaido, and the best recommendation for a hot spring trip is to Noboribetsu which is one hour away from Sapporo by car. There, you can soak in an outdoor pool while seeing the snow. Since the water is quite different, only Noboribetsu’s water is white against a massive backdrop of white snow. Enter this icy and snowy world and enjoy a cold and hot experience. Noboribetsu’s biggest trait lies in its many hot springs. There are up to 11 water types such as sulphur spring, salt spring, potassium alum spring, nitrogen spring, iron sulphate spring, iron spring. Apparently they are cures for high blood pressure, skin rashes and neurasthenia. There is hugh volume of spring water moving about, over 10,000 tones every day. If you wish to soak in all springs make sure you come visit Noboribetsu.

Hokkaido - Onsen Guide

Jozankei is the closest hot spring spot to Sapporo, and in the red leaf season it is even more beautiful. It is the perfect bathing place near Sapporo in the autumn. Whether you are going to Jozankei to experience the free open-air foot soak, or staying in a hotel with open-air hot spring for a day to watch the falling leaves, it is a great place for enjoyment. Jozankei is about an hour’s drive from Sapporo. Previously named Japan's most popular hot spring, the town is very quiet and there are many hot spring hotels. It is a great place to relax. There are no major attractions in the town, so it is mainly for hot spring vacations. All parts of the town can be visited on foot.

Hokkaido - Onsen Guide

As a place where “If You Are the One” was filmed, Lake Akan has become a household name among Chinese tourists. Located near Kushiro city, Lake Akan is one of the few large hot spring resort towns in Hokkaido. Here you can find very economically priced hot spring ryukans and luxurious, comfortable hotels. You can look out to Lake Akan while enjoying an open air soak. It’s a great place to enjoy hot springs. The hotel where Shu Qi visited is the Akan Tsuruga Besso Hinanoza, which once won the best guesthouse in Japan. The Japanese style lakeview room, which she lived in, is priced at CNY 7,000.00 per night. There are three massive panes of glasses with Lake Akan right in front of you. Those who are interested, make sure you book early!

Hokkaido - Onsen Guide

The Sounkyo Gorge is located inside the Daisetsuzan National Park and is one of the most renowned hot spring resort towns in central Hokkaido. Known for its sulphate-based waters, it is excellent against neural pains, arthritis, skin rashes, and stomach issues. Hot spring hotels all along the streets offer cheaper stays priced at about JPY 5,000 per person. From the hot spring street you can then climb up to the peak at 1,700 m by cable car, so you can see the Daisetsuzan National Park which is known as Hokkaido’s rooftop From the end of January to March, Sounkyo Gorge hosts an ice festival which is one of Hokkaido’s most important festivals. You can play with ice scupltures here and see fireworks. After you’ve enjoyed what the winter has to offer, you can then soak yourself away in the hot spring water. How comfortable is it? can you imagine?

Hokkaido - Onsen Guide

ukawa Onsen, the oldest hot spring in Hokkaido, is located in Yukawacho, the eastern suburb of Hakodate, only 2-3 km from Hakodate Airport. It is said to have been founded 460 years ago (1653) in the Muromachi period for the treatment of diseases of the colony’s ruler, the colorless and transparent spring water has a great effect on treating neuralgia, cold hands and feet, lower back pain, and fatigue.

In addition, in the tropical botanical garden of Yukawa Onsen, you can also see the funny Japanese macaques soaking away in the hot springs when it snows! It is said that over the past 40 years, the park has drawn hot spring water into the Monkey Mountain pond each winter, while maintaining the temperature of the water at 40 to 42 Degrees Celsius. With the rising heat vapors, the monkeys are eager to soak in the hot springs, yawning, stretching, and enjoying this "special treatment".

Lake Shikaribetsu is located in central Hokkaido and near Tokachi River. It is the highest river in Hokkaido. From the middle of January to the end of March every year, they will have an activity called “Kotan”. It is apparently Hokkaido’s most unique ice and snow experience. Not only will there be ice bars and ice churches, you can also soak away in the open air hot spring on ice while gazing out to the snowy fields of white. It’s all free too - yes, admission is free! An open air hot spring on ice is essentially building an onsen atop the frozen Lake Shikaribetsu and then covering the spring source with packed snow. Hot water from the shores of Lake Shikaribetsu is then channeled into this dug-out poo. The changing rooms and even stairs leading to the pool is all built with ice, letting you feel that 30 degree difference between the heat and snow on your hot spring trip.

Hokkaido - Onsen Guide

Located to the west of Lake Mashu you’ll find Kawayu Hot Springs, which is one of Japan’s few acid sulphur hot springs. It contains large amounts of iron ions, sulfate ions, sodium ions, aluminum ions, calcium ions and more. Since ancient times it’s been known to be able to treat various diseases. Kawayu’s source is from the caldera of a live volcano, so the water here is in a unique yellowish hue. The entire onsen street is also surrounded by the taste of sulphur and heat. During the Meiji era, this was already a popular hot spring resort town.

Hokkaido - Onsen Guide

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