No scenic open-air baths, no trendy saunas—just a simple indoor bathing area. Despite this, there's a day-trip onsen facility in Chitose City that is incredibly popular with hot spring enthusiasts from all over Japan. It's called "Natural Onsen Kurumi no Yu," and we delved into the secret of its immense popularity.

Amidst sprawling fields stands a small, solitary onsen facility. Natural Onsen Kurumi no Yu is located in a place you'd likely never visit unless bathing here was your specific goal.
The primary reason onsen fans rate this hot spring so highly is undoubtedly the exceptional quality of its water. The water, colored like a dark oolong tea, feels gentle and velvety as it envelops your skin. Even without any technical knowledge, you can feel a sense of comfort and your body's delight just by soaking in the tub.
Furthermore, this is a free-flowing spring, not one that is pumped. It gushes out at a rate of 900 liters per minute, which amounts to an incredible 1,296,000 liters per day. Its alkaline properties help remove unwanted dead skin cells, and being hypotonic, it's less likely to cause 'yu-atari' (dizziness from overheating in the bath).
The spring's temperature is a relatively cool 25.7°C, so it is heated. Tubs are available at 41°C and 43°C, making it a great place for families with small children to enjoy without worry.
Incidentally, the facility first opened in 1988, but it was initially a private recreational facility for union members and users of a paid community garden. For a long time, the general public couldn't get in, no matter how much they wanted to. As a result, only rumors of its high-quality water spread, capturing the intense interest of onsen fans nationwide.
Then, with its renewal and reopening in 2017, it finally became accessible to the general public. Living up to its reputation, it remains an incredibly popular onsen facility to this day.

For nearly 30 years, Natural Onsen Kurumi no Yu was a legendary, almost mythical place for the average onsen fan. Why not pay it a visit? Not only will it warm you to the core, but it will also give you a great story to tell!

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



＜Natural Onsen Kurumi no Yu＞
Location: 59-13 Neshikoshi, Chitose, Hokkaido
Phone: 0123-24-5531