Hokkaido, surrounded by beautiful nature, is home to many attractive hot springs that will soothe the fatigue of travelers. In this issue, we introduce hot spring resorts within an hour's drive from the center of Sapporo, Hakodate, Asahikawa, and other regions! Please refer to this list as a reference for your driving hot spring trip to heal both body and soul, along with Hokkaido's food and scenery.

Approximately 1 hour by car from the center of Sapporo

Located approximately 26 km from downtown Sapporo in Shikotsu-Toya National Park, Jozankei Onsen is one of the most famous hot spring resorts in Hokkaido and is also called "the backcountry of Sapporo. The spring is a sodium chloride spring (neutral hypotonic high hot spring). The salinity of the spring prevents evaporation of sweat and warms the body from the core.

Sadayama Fountainhead Park

Surrounded by 360-degree nature, the hot spring resort stretches out between valleys and shows its seasonal changes. It is also known as one of the best places in Hokkaido to view the autumn colors of the leaves, and it is a sight to behold as the entire town turns into a brocade of colors. In addition, the onsen town has long-established onsen manju and ramen noodle stores, and in recent years, gelato stores and bakeries have also sprung up, making it a great place to enjoy eating and walking around.

Jozankei Onsen Town dyed in autumn leaves

Jozankei Onsen Manju

This hot spring resort is easily accessible from Sapporo and can be used as a base for sightseeing in Otaru. It is a spot that is easy to use for a variety of occasions, not only as a hot spring resort, but also as a cottage and campground. Located at the foot of the Asato Dam and surrounded by mountains, you can feel the nature all around you. The spring water is a chloride spring containing sodium and calcium. It is soft to the touch and effective for rheumatism and muscular pain.

Lake Otarunai, a dam lake of the Asato Dam

In the center of the town, many historical buildings from the Meiji and Taisho eras remain, providing a nostalgic atmosphere. If you want to enjoy a meal, visit "Otaru Yatai Mura" where you will find a variety of restaurants such as sushi, yakitori, ramen, Italian food, and so on. The local delicacy, ankake yakisoba (fried noodles with starchy sauce), served at various places in the city, is also recommended.

Otaru Canal

Otaru Ankake Yakisoba

The first hot spring resort, Marukoma Onsen, was established in 1915. In 1974, full-scale mining operations were started, which continue to the present day. The Chitose-Lake Shikotsu Hyotou Festival is held in late January every year. Enjoy the ice sculptures of various sizes made of lake water and warm your cold body in the hot springs. ......

Marukoma Onsen

The specialty is "Shikotsu-ko-tip," a trout raised in the clear water of Lake Shikotsu. You can taste various styles of Hime-masu such as tendon, grilled or sashimi.

Chitose-Lake Shikotsu Hyobaku Festival" attracts many tourists even in winter.

Specialty hime-masu trout grilled with salt

Approximately 15 minutes from the center of Hakodate City by car

Known as one of the three major hot spring villages in Hokkaido, Yunokawa Onsen is a historic hot spring resort that was used by Takeaki Enomoto, a member of the former shogunate army, during the Hakodate War after the Meiji Restoration. The spring is a chloride spring and is effective for cuts, sensitivity to cold, and dry skin. The area is close to the center of the city, making it a good base for sightseeing. Hakodate Airport is only a 5-minute drive away.

Kappo-ryokan Wakamatsu, a hot-spring inn with a historical appearance

Nearby tourist spots include Yukura Shrine, famous as a power spot, and the Hakodate Atami Botanical Garden, where monkeys can be seen enjoying the hot springs in winter. For a break from strolling, we recommend visiting a coffee shop with a comfortable retro atmosphere or a dango shop to enjoy sweet treats.

Kanamori Red Brick Warehouse, a sightseeing spot in the bay area

Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden, where monkeys also take a hot spring bath in winter.

Approximately 1 hour drive from the center of Asahikawa City

Sounkyo Onsen is a hot spring resort town located in a large valley about 24 km northeast of the Daisetsuzan mountain range. The unique townscape, which was created in the motif of a Canadian mountain resort, will make you enjoy an extraordinary experience. There are several types of springs, including "simple hot spring" called "hot water for beautiful skin," "bicarbonate spring" that refreshes the skin, and "sulfur spring" that is effective for skin problems. You can enjoy different qualities of spring water at each inn.

Spectacular open-air baths with a view of the snow

There are many activities to enjoy nature, such as mountain climbing, cycling, and SUP on the dam lake. In winter, it is also popular as a ski resort. There are a variety of local confections, local sake, shochu, and other products unique to this town, and visiting the souvenir stores is also an exciting experience. The Sounkyo Onsen Ice Fall Festival is held at the end of January every year.

Daisetsuzan, called "the roof of Hokkaido

Sounkyo Hot Spring Ice Fall Festival" with beautiful ice formations illuminated by lights

Asahidake Onsen is located on the opposite side of Sounkyo Onsen, across the Daisetsuzan mountain range, at the foot of the main peak, Mt. From spring to fall, the area is crowded with visitors viewing the alpine flora and autumn foliage, and in winter it attracts many skiers. The buildings are designed in consideration of the landscape and feature a relaxing atmosphere. The spring water is a sulfate spring that is effective for cuts, burns, and arteriosclerosis.

Also, 30 minutes south by car is Tenninkyo Hot Springs, which boasts a history dating back to the Meiji Era. The columnar cliffs formed by volcanic activity about 30,000 years ago are a favorite photo spot for many photographers.

Tenninkyo Hot Springs

Also nearby, opening in August 2023, is the Kitoushi Forest Kitoron, a hot-spring resort complex supervised by architect Kengo Kuma, known for his design of the New National Stadium. The warmth of the wood used in abundance in the design, which is typical of Higashikawa-cho, is well worth a visit.

Kitoushi Forest Kitoron

Approximately 40 minutes from the center of Shari-cho by car

Utoro Onsen, also known as "Shiretoko Onsen," is the sightseeing base of the Shiretoko Peninsula, a World Heritage Site, and has many lodging facilities ranging from large hotels to small and medium-sized guest houses and inns. The quality of the hot spring is "sodium bicarbonate salt spring" with a high salt content, and the water does not easily cool down. In the surrounding area, visitors can enjoy nature tours of Shiretoko's wilderness with nature guides, drift ice in winter, and other unique nature experiences that can only be enjoyed here.

Utoro Hot Spring Town, the base of Shiretoko sightseeing

The seafood of Okhotsk is famous for being one of the best quality in Japan due to its environment. Visitors can fully enjoy the fresh seafood landed locally. The word "Shiretoko" comes from the Ainu word "Shirietoku," meaning "the end of the earth. Soaking in a hot spring in such a town is sure to be a special experience.

You can also see the strange rock "Godzilla Iwa" up close.

Shiretoko Peninsula, rich in nature

Kawayu Onsen is a hot spring resort overlooking Lake Mashu, which is said to be the second clearest lake in the world, and Lake Kussharo, the largest caldera lake in Japan. The spring is said to dissolve a five-sided nail in a week if it is soaked in this highly acidic hot spring, which dissolves dead skin cells and makes your skin smooth and beautiful. Known since ancient times as a therapeutic spring, it is believed to regulate the functions of the autonomic nervous system and hormone secretion system.

Strongly acidic hot water stronger than lemon

Teshikaga is famous for its ramen noodles. It is also famous for its gourmet food, such as "Mashu's pork bowl," which has become famous in the media, and fresh seafood caught in the Sea of Okhotsk and off the coast of Kushiro.

Lake Mashu's beautiful water is also called "Mashu Blue

Approximately 20 minutes by car from the center of Obihiro City

Tokachigawa Onsen is known for its "mall hot springs. The brownish hot spring water is produced by hot spring ingredients that are extracted from ancient plant sediments and contain organic matter-derived components. Because of the precious quality of these springs from a global perspective, they have been designated as a Hokkaido Heritage Site. The spring water is expected to have a variety of beneficial effects such as neuralgia, muscular pain, skin diseases, and relief of fatigue, and has been known as a representative hot spring resort in East Hokkaido since the Showa period.

Hokkaido Heritage "Mole Hot Springs

Tokachigawa Onsen is located almost in the center of the Tokachi Plain, and in the surrounding area, visitors can enjoy sightseeing unique to Tokachi, such as Banei horse racing and ballooning experiences.

Obihiro's specialty "Pork bowl

Banei Horse Racing, the world's only horse racing

Check it out as well!