Must-Visit in Hokkaido for a Trip! 6 Breathtaking Hot Springs
Here, we will introduce six breathtaking hot springs in Hokkaido that are a must-visit on your trip, ranging from popular spots to hidden, deep gems.
"Noboribetsu Onsen," Hokkaido's largest hot spring resort
Source:Noboribetsu International Tourism and Convention Association
Noboribetsu Onsen is Hokkaido's largest hot spring resort in terms of both recognition and popularity. It is a rare hot spring with a variety of spring types, unique even on a global scale, and is also known as the "Department Store of Hot Springs." The Noboribetsu hot spring town has about 15 day-use hot springs, and most facilities allow you to enjoy multiple types of spring water.
Additionally, near Noboribetsu Onsen, there is the "Noboribetsu Primeval Forest," designated as a National Natural Monument. One of its attractions is the ability to enjoy a bath while taking in a magnificent natural spectacle untouched by human hands.
Furthermore, Noboribetsu Onsen is also very popular for its gourmet food. In the hot spring town, you can enjoy Hokkaido-style cuisine at places like "Onsen Ichiba," where you can savor dishes made with seafood caught in the local fishing port and surrounding areas, or at "Milky House," where you can taste eight different kinds of soft-serve ice cream.
Address: Noboribetsu Onsen Town, Noboribetsu City, Hokkaido
Access: Approximately 15 minutes by Donan Bus to Noboribetsu Onsen from JR Noboribetsu Station. Get off at "Noboribetsu Onsen Bus Terminal."
By Car: Approximately 10 minutes from the Do-O Expressway Noboribetsu-Higashi Interchange via prefectural roads 2 and 350.
Business hours: Varies by facility
Admission Fee: Varies by facility
Tokachidake Onsen, Hokkaido's highest elevation cloud-top hot spring
Source:Tokachidake Onsen Yumoto RyounkakuOfficial website
Tokachidake Onsen is the highest hot spring resort in Hokkaido, located at an altitude of 1,280 meters. Tokachidake Onsen only has three hot spring inns, and each inn offers a different type of hot spring water to enjoy.
Because it's a hot spring located at a high elevation, the view from the onsen is magnificent! It's sometimes called "Cloudtop Onsen" as you can see the sea of clouds that envelops the Furano Basin and the beautiful starry sky. The scenery changes with the seasons and time of day, making it appealing that you can enjoy a spectacular view no matter when you visit.
Furthermore, Tokachidake Onsen offers a wide range of winter activities and is particularly popular for skiing. After working up a sweat skiing, you might want to relax in the hot springs. At night, you can bathe while gazing at the starry sky.
Address: Tokachidake Onsen, Kamifurano Town, Hokkaido
Access: Approximately 45 minutes by Kamifurano Town Bus bound for Tokachidake Onsen from JR Kamifurano Station. Alight at "Tokachidake Onsen Ryounkaku" or similar stops.
Car: Approx. 1 hour 40 minutes via National Route 237 and Prefectural Road 291 from Do-o Expressway Asahikawa-Takasu IC
Business hours: Day trip bathing 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Last admission 6:30 PM
Admission Fee: Adults (Junior High School students and up) ¥1000 - Elementary School Students ¥500 - Preschoolers Free
"Marukoma Onsen," where you can enjoy hot springs bubbling up right from your feet.
Source:Marukoma Onsen RyokanOfficial Website
Marukoma Onsen is a long-established hot spring inn located on the northern shore of Lake Shikotsu in Hokkaido, founded in 1915. Situated by Lake Shikotsu, its natural open-air bath, which changes depth with the lake's water level, is a rare foot-source hot spring, unique in Japan.
Known as "a hot spring with a view of the sea," it offers a panoramic view of Lake Shikotsu from its natural hot spring, open-air bath with a view, and indoor bath.
In addition to the hot springs, we also have a authentic Finnish-style sauna. Since it's a sauna where you can perform löyly, it's perfect for sauna enthusiasts too.
Additionally, Marukoma Onsen can be fully enjoyed as a day trip, so it might be a good idea to stop by on your drive. The area around the hot springs is rich with natural tourist spots such as Lake Okotamppe and Bifue Falls, making it recommended to visit them together.
Hokkkaido, Chitose City, Horomiuchimachi
Access: Approximately 40 minutes by Hokkaido Chuo Bus bound for Lake Shikotsu from JR Chitose Station, get off at the final stop, then approximately 15 minutes by car.
Car: Approximately 45 minutes via Hokkaido Expressway Chitose IC, Hokkaido Route 16, National Route 453, and Hokkaido Route 730.
Opening Hours: Day trip 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM (Last entry 2:00 PM)
Admission Fees: Day Trip Adults (junior high school students and older) ¥1,200 Children (elementary school students) ¥600 Toddlers (3 years and older) ¥300 Toddlers (under 3 years) Free
Japan's Largest Open-Air Bath! "Hōheikyō Onsen"
Source:Hoheikyo OnsenOfficial site
Toyohira-kyo Onsen in Jozankei, Hokkaido, is a hot spring facility where visitors can enjoy 100% pure, naturally flowing hot spring water directly from the source, without any temperature adjustments or reheating. This type of 100% natural flow is rare in Japan, found in only a small percentage of hot springs nationwide, making it a truly unique experience.
It is also famous for having the largest open-air bath in Japan, which can accommodate approximately 200 people. In the hot springs, you can bathe while viewing the nature spread out before you, allowing you to relax in the spacious bath.
Toyohirakyo Onsen is also popular for its gourmet offerings, featuring a signature Indian curry. The naan, made with special attention and baked in a custom-made oven, has a chewy and fluffy texture. The curry itself is made with a variety of spices and onions, and is said to be a popular dish that many repeat customers enjoy.
Address: 608-2 Jozankei, Minami-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Access: Public Transportation: From JR Sapporo Station, take the Jōtetsu Bus to Hōheikyō Onsen (approx. 1 hour 20 minutes). Get off at the final stop and walk a short distance.
Car: 50 minutes, 35km via National Route 230 from Sapporo-Minami IC on the Do-O Expressway
Business Hours: 10:00 AM - 10:30 PM (Last admission: 9:45 PM)
Admission Fee: Adults ¥1000, Children (3 years - elementary school age) ¥500
"Niseko's Hidden Gem Hot Spring" offering five-colored waters
Source:Niseko Goshiki Onsen Travel TroubleOfficial website
Niseko Goshiki Onsen Ryokan, located at an elevation of 750 meters, is a popular destination in Niseko, Hokkaido, drawing tourists from both Japan and abroad. You can enjoy a hot spring bath with 100% natural spring water that flows continuously, and there's also an open-air bath with views of Mount Annupuri and Mount Iwaonupuri.
As its name "Goshiki" (Five Colors) suggests, it's an interesting hot spring with a variety of spring qualities and colored baths. The appeal lies in being able to enjoy a "bath tour" within the facility. The smooth water, characteristic of its sulfur content, is rich in therapeutic benefits, making it a good place to come and relieve fatigue after activities like skiing or climbing. Day-trip bathing is also available.
TRAPOL offers tour plans where you can enjoy gourmet food made with Goshiki Onsen and Niseko's famous spring water, so please consider joining.
Click here for the experience site.
Address: 510 Niseko, Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido
Access: Approximately 65 minutes by Niseko Bus from JR Niseko Station, heading to Goshiki Onsenkyo. Get off at the final stop.
Car: Approximately 2 hours via National Route 5 and Prefectural Route 58 from the Otaru IC on the Sasson Expressway.
Business Hours: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Admission: Adults ¥800 (junior high school students and up), Children ¥500 (ages 5 to elementary school students)
"Makkari Onsen" with Mount Yotei visible directly ahead
Source:Makkari Village Tourism AssociationOfficial website
Makkari Onsen is a day-use hot spring located on a small hill. It is famous for its open-air bath, from which you can enjoy a magnificent view of Mt. Yotei, also known as "Ezo Fuji" in Hokkaido, directly in front of you, attracting many hot spring enthusiasts. A welcome feature of this open-air bath is that it is set at a lower temperature, allowing you to relax and soak while admiring the scenery.
Around Makari Onsen, plans are available that combine park golf with bathing tickets, allowing you to enjoy Makari Village. Nearby, there are log houses with open-air baths that use 100% free-flowing hot spring water, so you can fully experience the surrounding area. If you're looking to enjoy a relaxing trip, why not consider visiting Makari Onsen, which offers a wide variety of ways to have fun?
Address: 174-3 Midorigaoka, Makkari Village
Access: 40 minutes by bus from Kutchan Station
Business Hours: April-September: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM; October-March: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Admission Fee: Adults (Junior High School Students and above) ¥600, Children (Elementary School Students) ¥250
In conclusion
This time, we introduced six hot springs in Hokkaido where you can enjoy breathtaking scenery that you'll want to visit on your trip. From famous spots to hidden gems, Hokkaido has a wide variety of hot springs. If you love hot springs or want to enjoy a relaxing trip, be sure to try a hot spring tour in Hokkaido.
Check out this article for other stunning spots in Hokkaido.
絶対行くべき！北海道の絶景スポット11選 北海道といえば、自然豊かな旅行地として人気の高い場所ですよね。広大な土地が広がる北海道は、神秘的なスポットや自然世界遺産などをはじめとした絶景スポットにあふれています。 今回の記事では「北海道の絶景穴場を知りたい」「絶景ポイントがどこなのか知りたい」などと考えている方におすすめの絶景スポットを紹介します。記事を参考に、北海道で絶景の旅をしてみてはいかがでしょうか。
