There are many famous hot springs scattered throughout Hokkaido. Among them, Tsuru-no-yu Onsen in Abira Town has a long history. The hot springs were discovered in the Meiji period. It seems that the name Tsuru-no-yu Onsen also dates back to that time. In 1871, a man witnessed a crane healing its wounds in a certain spring. Another man heard the rumor and let his livestock enter the spring, and to his surprise, their illnesses were cured. Thus, in 1902, Tsuru no Yu Onsen was opened. It was named Tsuru no Yu Onsen because a crane told him about it. That's easy to understand, isn't it? There is a crane object in the large bath, which seems to convey the origin of the inn. There is nothing around, and this is the only hot spring inn standing here, but the reason so many people visit from inside and outside Hokkaido is because of the excellent quality of the spring water. Tsuru no Yu is a mildly alkaline bath that is known for its smooth, whitening effects on the skin. It also contains so much sulfur that you can really smell the scent, and is said to be good for arteriosclerosis and neck-shoulder-arm syndrome. The clear, brown water is a little slippery, and it feels like it's making your skin smooth. I imagine that this water must have healed the crane's wounds, and it's a fun thought to think about it while bathing. After getting out of the bath, why not take a stroll around the grounds, which are about 16,000m2 in size? In the vast garden, you can enjoy Ezoyamazakura and azaleas in the spring, and autumn leaves in the fall. The most famous sights are the lotus flowers that bloom in mid-August. Many people visit just to see the lotus flowers, and they are even reported on the news during the peak of the season. Enjoy the hot springs that are said to heal even the wounds of cranes, then take a stroll through the gardens that show different faces in each season...you're sure to feel completely healed and refreshed by the time you return home. *If you would like to know more about the atmosphere of Tsuru-no-yu Onsen, please check out our YouTube channel "A warm and relaxing hot spring tour of Hokkaido"! <Tsuru-no-yu Onsen> Address: 5 Hayakita Kitamachi, Abira-cho, Yufutsu-gun, Hokkaido Phone: 0145-26-2211 Official website: http://tsurunoyu.jp