Hokkaido is dotted with many famous hot spring areas. Among them, Tsuru no Yu Onsen in Abira Town boasts a long history, dating all the way back to the Meiji era. It seems the origin of its name, which means "Crane's Hot Spring," also dates back to that time.

In 1871, a man witnessed a crane healing its wounds in a certain spring. Hearing this rumor, another man let his livestock into the spring, and to his surprise, their illnesses were cured. This led to the opening of Tsuru no Yu Onsen in 1902. The crane showed the way, hence the name Tsuru no Yu Onsen. It's a simple story, isn't it?
In the large public bath, a crane statue seems to tell the story of its origin. Although it's a solitary inn standing alone with nothing else around, people from all over Hokkaido and beyond visit, undoubtedly because of the superb quality of its water.
Tsuru no Yu is a weakly alkaline hot spring known for its beautifying effects, promising silky smooth and brighter skin. It also contains enough sulfur to give it a distinct aroma, which is said to be good for conditions like arteriosclerosis and cervicobrachial syndrome.
The clear, brownish water is slightly slick, and you can feel your skin becoming smoother. It's quite a treat to soak in the bath while thinking, "So this is the water that healed the crane's wounds."
After your bath, why not take a stroll through the grounds, which span about 16,500 square meters? In the vast garden, you can enjoy Ezo yamazakura cherry blossoms and azaleas in spring, and colorful foliage in autumn. The most famous sight, however, is the lotus flowers that bloom in mid-August. Many people visit just to see them, and it's such a popular event that it's even covered by the local news during peak season.

Enjoying a hot spring that can even heal a crane's wounds, followed by a walk through a garden that greets you with the beauty of each season... you're sure to leave feeling completely healed and refreshed.

*If you want to get a better feel for the atmosphere of Tsuru no Yu Onsen, please check out our YouTube channel, "Howatto Yumeguri Hokkaido"!



＜Tsuru no Yu Onsen＞
Location: 5 Kita-machi, Hayakita, Abira-cho, Yufutsu-gun, Hokkaido
Phone: 0145-26-2211
Official Website: http://tsurunoyu.jp