Hokkaido is a region blessed with beautiful nature, where you can enjoy many spectacular views. Hokkaido is also home to many hidden hot springs, perfect for those who want to relax during their trip. Here are 15 hidden hot springs and famous hot springs in Hokkaido that you definitely want to visit. Enjoy a trip to soothe your body and mind at these wonderful hot spring spots!

Toyotomi Onsen, which has oil-rich spring water that is unparalleled nationwide, has a distinctive petroleum smell and is known for its high moisturizing and heat-retaining properties, as well as for its skin-beautifying properties. In recent years, it has attracted the attention of people suffering from chronic skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, and many people from all over the country visit the hot springs for therapeutic purposes.

Seseki Onsen is a hot spring made of stones in the sea. It is a dynamic hot spring full of wildness, where depending on the tides it can be inaccessible (submerged in the sea at high tide) or too hot (as the 64°C spring water does not dilute at low tide). It was featured in the TV drama "From the North Country" and has become known nationwide. Hot spring and secret hot spring lovers from all over Japan visit the hot spring.

Yoroushi Onsen is said to have been discovered and developed in 1916 by Nishimura Takeshige, who embarked on hot spring development. Even now, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2016, steam floats leisurely amid the changing scenery of the four seasons, and spotted owls can occasionally be seen. There used to be several hot spring inns here, and the area was bustling with visitors seeking therapeutic baths, but today only one inn remains, Yuyado Daiichi (opened in 1972).

Teshikaga Town is located in the Kussharo Caldera, the largest caldera in Japan, a depression created by volcanic eruptions. Water veins heated by underground magma flow into the town as an abundant hot spring. Kawayu Onsen is a hot spring with spring water unique to this volcanic source. The highly acidic spring water can even dissolve a nail that has been soaked in it, and it is expected to have a skin-beautifying effect by dissolving old dead skin cells and making the skin smooth.

The moor springs that gush out from the hot spring town are a rare type of spring that has been designated a Hokkaido Heritage Site. At the spa attached to the "Roadside Station Garden Spa Tokachigawa Onsen," you can casually enjoy the moor springs in your swimsuit. In addition, at the nearby Tokachigawa Onsen Tourist Guide Center, you can experience various outdoor activities throughout the four seasons in the natural surroundings of Tokachigawa Onsen.

With many natural springs, this famous hot spring boasts a history of over 100 years. The 11 baths, each with its own unique health benefits, are extremely luxurious and are available for day trips. For lodging, there is a secluded inn quietly nestled in a separate building, with a limited number of rooms, giving it a special feel. There is also a popular natural open-air bath, Shika no Yu, in the nearby campground, which can be used for free.

This secret hot spring has been in operation for 120 years, deep in the mountains surrounded by virgin forest, where you can relax listening to the murmuring of the river and the chirping of wild birds. Since its opening, the hot springs have always been 100% free-flowing, and the view from the open-air bath allows you to feel the beauty of nature in every season.

This hot spring inn is located near Lake Onneto, one of Hokkaido's three most hidden lakes, near Lake Akan. The handmade open-air bath is popular, and the fresh spring water from the active volcano, Mt. Meakan, attracts many hot spring enthusiasts. Many people stop by after hiking, and this is a hidden hot spring where you can enjoy bathing in a location surrounded by untouched nature, including Mt. Meakan and Lake Onneto.

Goshiki Onsen Ryokan is proud of its free-flowing hot springs, which come in two locations: a large public bath and an open-air bath where you can enjoy the natural scenery. The name is said to come from the fact that "there are five different types of spring water, whereas normal hot springs have two types," and "the water is mixed with sulfur, so it looks five different colors depending on the day." This hot spring will soothe your body after a day of skiing or mountain climbing.

It is popular as a rare natural open-air bath on the seaside. The hot spring water, generated by the heat source of the Esan volcano, bubbles up on the coast, making it a dynamic hot spring with a bathtub in the sea. The bathing hours change daily depending on the tides, and the bath is submerged at high tide and can only be bathed at low tide.

Located a short distance from the Jozankei Onsen hot spring town, the inner sanctum of Sapporo, Hoheikyo Onsen is popular for its famous hot springs that flow directly from the source. The open-air baths, surrounded by nature, are one of the largest in Japan and offer a sense of openness. At night, they are lit up, creating a fantastical location with rising steam from the hot springs. If you stop by after enjoying winter sports at the nearby ski resort, you can soothe your fatigue in the open-air baths while watching the snow. The specialty, authentic curry, is also recommended.

The natural open-air bath with spring water at your feet, which is said to be one of only about 20 in the whole country, and the open-air observation bath where you can gaze out at the natural beauty of Lake Shikotsu while soaking in the water, are attractions. The natural open-air bath is a rustic structure with only rocks separating the bath area from the lake, and has maintained its appearance unchanged since the facility was established. This is a dynamic hot spring where you can become one with the nature of Lake Shikotsu as the scenery changes with the seasons.

The spring quality is a rare "bicarbonate dioxide spring" in Japan. The carbon dioxide expands the capillaries in the skin and mucous membranes, improving blood circulation without increasing the heart rate. Even people with high blood pressure can lower their blood pressure without putting strain on the heart, so this hot spring is known in Europe as the "heart bath" and is considered a precious hot spring.

There are a total of 11 baths, including large public baths for men and women, open-air baths, and family baths. Hidden baths are dotted along the walking paths on the premises, allowing you to enjoy a playful open-air bath. Aside from travel and hot spring therapy, why not visit on a special occasion such as a wedding anniversary?

It has long been popular as a hot springs cure, and many people stay for long periods to treat illnesses and injuries. It is also famous for the huge "travertine dome" formed by the lime contained in the hot spring, which has been designated as a natural monument of Hokkaido. Bathing while looking at the travertine dome from the inn's open-air bath will be a unique experience.

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