Hokkaido has lots of hot springs to choose from. Bathe in the basins of hot spring waterfalls (Kamuiwakka Yunotaki), explore charming hot spring villages (Noboribetsu, Jozankei), try hot springs with rare properties (Tokachigawa, Toyotomi) or bathe in a hot spring that is said to have cured a feudal lord's illness (Yunokawa).
| What are they? | Sources of warm, mineral-rich water. They're extremely popular for bathing in, with many baths throughout Hokkaido. |
|---|---|
| How are they formed? | Groundwater coming into contact with heat and gases from volcanic activity. The water is heated, infused with minerals and pushed to the surface. |
| Minerals | Many of Hokkaido's hot springs contain sulfur, hydrogen sulfide or chlorides such as salt. Tokachigawa Hot Springs' water has a rare plant-based component in it. |
| Healing effects | Hot springs can help with ailments such as aches and pains, skin problems and even the symptoms of some illnesses (Yunokawa Hot Springs is said to have cured a feudal lord's illness!) Salt hot springs also warm the body. |
| Rotenburo | Many hot springs have outdoor baths called rotenburo, where you can enjoy amazing views of natural scenery while you relax in the bath. |
The link between hot springs and volcanoes
Many hot springs are located near volcanoes. That's because they're closely connected - hot springs are often formed when two tectonic plates rub together, creating magma and continuously emitting heat and volcanic gases. When groundwater passes through that area, it is warmed by the heat, infused with water and other components from the magma as well as components from the surrounding rocks, and pushed to the surface to form a hot spring. No two hot springs are completely alike - even hot springs in the same area are slightly different.
Most sulfuric and hydrogen sulfide hot springs are volcanic. Hokkaido has over 30 active volcanoes, including the Chishima and Nasu volcanic belts. The best-known volcanoes in these belts include Mt. Usu, Mt. Tokachi-dake, Mt. Tarumae and Mt. Meakan. As a result, there are lots of hot spring villages throughout Hokkaido. Hokkaido also has a lot of hot springs with chlorides such as salt.
Every hot spring has different components and different effects
The chemical components, heat and pressure of hot spring water enhance the natural healing mechanisms of the body. Because of this, many Japanese people bathe in hot springs to ease chronic pain such as nerve pain, muscle pain and joint pain, or chronic skin conditions such as chronic dermatitis and psoriasis.
The most common types of hot spring in Hokkaido are chloride springs, sulfide springs and simple springs (springs with less than a prescribed concentration of minerals). Chloride hot springs are colorless with a faint salty smell, and help retain moisture and heat in the body. They are helpful for conditions such as nerve pain, rheumatism and chills. Simple springs don't have the quick effect that other springs do, but they are gentle on the body, making them good for nerve pain, muscle pain, fatigue and stress. Sulfide hot springs have the distinctive smell of sulfur and are white and cloudy. They are helpful against hardening of the arteries, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Open-air baths - Enjoy a relaxing bath and a stunning view at the same time!
In addition to bath houses, Hokkaido has many rotenburo - open-air baths with incredible views of natural scenery. Soak in a rotenburo and enjoy the combination of the warm, relaxing water and the breathtaking beauty around you.
Rotenburo date back centuries. Hot springs were considered holy grounds in Japan because of their healing properties that at that time could not be explained. Accounts of wounds being healed by bathing and illnesses being cured by drinking the spring water appear in some of Japan's earliest history books. Another important part of Japanese spirituality is nature, due to Japan's long-standing farming culture, so hot springs and nature became linked. Some legends even feature wildlife that could be found near hot springs that were considered particularly holy, such as monkeys, cranes and deer.
Stories
Hot Spring Heaven in Hokkaido
A taste of Japanese culture through unobtrusive hospitality
Exploring northernmost Japan's fresh wilderness
Eastern Hokkaido is a place of surreal beauty
Things To Do
Try as many hot springs as you can! Each hot spring has its own features that set it apart from the others - charming villages, rare minerals, breathtaking beauty and fascinating history.
For the ultimate open-air bath experience, try walking up to Kamuiwakka Yunotaki, a series of hot spring waterfalls, in summer. Relax in the basins of the waterfalls and enjoy the rush of warm water.
Kamuiwakka Yunotaki (Hot Spring Waterfalls)
The ultimate open-air bath experience! Located in the center of the Shiretoko Peninsula, Kamuiwakka Yunotaki (Hot Spring Waterfalls) are a series of warm waterfalls formed by hot spring water flowing from the side of Mt. Io, an active volcano, into a river. Their name is Ainu for "holy water".
You can walk up to the basins of the waterfalls and bathe in them. The path to the hot spring takes you through untouched natural scenery, following the river and at one times going behind the waterfalls. Take care if you have sensitive skin, as this water has particularly strong minerals.
Discovering ONSEN Hot Springs
Hokkaido has lots of hot springs, many of them famous. Facilities range from large hot spring villages, such as Noboribetsu and Jozankei, to springs famous for their high-quality components in the water (Tokachigawa is famous for its unusual plant-based component, while Toyotomi is renowned for the healing effect of its water for skin problems such as dermatitis), incredible beauty or impressive history (Yunokawa's water is said to have cured a 17th-century lord's illness). Try as many as you can!
Best Season To See
All year round! But each season brings a new atmosphere, especially at rotenburo (open-air baths). The chart below has some suggestions about how to make the most of each season when you visit hot springs!
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry blossom view | | |||||||||||
| View of sea and summer greenery | | | | |||||||||
| View of autumn leaves | | | | |||||||||
| Snow view | | | |
Getting Here
Hokkaido has lots of hot springs, many of them famous. Facilities range from large hot spring villages, such as Noboribetsu and Jozankei, to springs famous for their high-quality components in the water (Tokachigawa is famous for its unusual plant-based component, while Toyotomi is renowned for the healing effect of its water for skin problems such as dermatitis), incredible beauty or impressive history (Yunokawa's water is said to have cured a 17th-century lord's illness). Try as many as you can!
Noboribetsu Hot Springs
Hokkaido's most famous hot spring resort, with 9 different kinds of water and unspoiled forest all around.
About 15 minutes from JR Noboribetsu Station by a bus bound for "Noboribetsu/ Onsen".
Kawayu Hot Springs
Long-standing hot spring facilities near Lake Mashu, the clearest lake in Japan.
Take the JR "Senmo Line" from JR Abashiri Station or JR Kushiro Station, and get off at the "Kawayu Onsen" or the "Mashu" bus stop. It is about 20 minutes between "Kawayu Onsen" and "Mashu".
Tokachigawa Hot Springs
Hot springs containing a rare plant-based component with all kinds of healing properties.
Take a Tokachi bus on the "Tokachigawa Onsen route" from JR Obihiro Station, and get off at the main accommodation facilities.
Akanko Hot Springs
This hot spring has been used by the Ainu people for many years, and Hokkaido's largest Ainu history museum is located nearby.
About 2 hours from JR Kushiro Station by an Akan bus on the "Akan route" to the "Akanko Onsen" bus stop.
Jozankei Hot Springs
Around an hour from downtown Sapporo, these hot springs have salt water that warms you up.
A direct bus is available from New Chitose Airport and JR Sapporo Station, and you can get off at each of the main facilities.
Sounkyo Hot Springs
Located in a steep gorge, this secluded hot spring village looks like something from a fairy tale.
About 2 hours from JR Asahikawa Station by a Dohoku bus on the "Sounkyo/ Kamikawa route".
Yunokawa Hot Springs
These hot springs are said to have cured the lord of the Matsumae clan when he fell gravely ill in 1653.
Around 30 minutes from JR Hakodate Station by bus or tram to "Yunokawa Onsen".
Toyotomi Hot Springs
Japan's northernmost hot spring village, with unusual minerals known for their healing effect on skin problems such as dermatitis.
Take an Engan bus on the "Kogai (suburban) route" from JR Toyotomi Station, and get off at the "Toyotomi Onsen" bus stop. You can also get off the "Tokkyu Haboro Go" highway express bus from Sapporo at "Toyotomi Onsen".
Toyako Hot Springs
A hot spring by the Toya caldera lake, with sodium and calcium chlorides.
Take a Donan bus from JR Toya Station, and get off at "Toyako Onsen".
Marukoma Hot Springs (Shikotsuko Hot Springs)
A hot spring in the picturesque Shikotsu-Toya National Park with a stunning lake view.
Take a Chuo bus on the "Shikotsuko route" from JR New Chitose Airport, and get off at "Shikotsuko" bus stop. It is 12.3 km to Marukoma Onsen. In the winter season, a shuttle bus also runs from Sapporo to Marukoma Onsen.
Dos & Don'ts
- Avoid bathing in hot springs if you are not well enough or have sensitivities.
- Avoid bathing in hot springs if you are in a very frail or sensitive condition due to illness, etc.
- Avoid bathing in sulfuric or hydrogen sulfide hot springs if you are of old age or have dry skin.
- Avoid bathing in hot springs after drinking alcohol. This will increase circulation under your skin and reduce the blood flow to the brain, which may make you light-headed.
- Put your feet and arms in the water first and get used to the temperature before getting all the way in. Getting straight into a hot bath may cause your blood pressure to rise.
- Be aware of hot spring etiquette!
- Before you enter the bath, wash yourself with one of the showers provided nearby. Otherwise, you will make the water dirty.
- Keep towels out of the water. Even if your towel looks clean, it still has bacteria which will contaminate the water.