When people think of onsen (hot springs) in Noboribetsu, many might picture the famous Jigokudani (Hell Valley). But did you know there's another hot spring area in Noboribetsu called Karurusu Onsen? Why not unwind and find a moment of peace at "Mori-no-yu Sanseikan," which we'll introduce today?

Noboribetsu Karurusu Onsen is located about a 20-minute drive from JR Noboribetsu Station, a short distance from the main Noboribetsu Onsen town. It is known among hot spring enthusiasts as a premier onsen, selected as one of the "100 Famous Hot Springs of Japan" and designated as Hokkaido's first "National Hot Spring Health Resort." This time, we visited "Mori-no-yu Sanseikan" (hereafter Sanseikan).
The bathhouse features large windows, allowing you to gaze out at the well-maintained garden without even stepping into the outdoor bath. When I visited for this story, it was right in the middle of the autumn foliage season, and the colorful maple leaves reflecting on the surface of the indoor bath were incredibly beautiful.
Now, looking at the next photo of the bathhouse (men's bath), do you notice anything unusual besides the large windows?
In a corner of the bathhouse, there's a peculiar space with a ladle, something not often seen in hot spring facilities.
This is actually a spot where you can drink the hot spring water—a practice known as "insen." The Karurusu Onsen water has no distinctive hot spring smell and its taste is mild, so even first-timers should find it easy to drink.

It's said to have beneficial effects on digestion, so it's definitely worth a try. Also, the channel running around it like a moat is for "kakeyu," the practice of rinsing your body with hot spring water before entering the bath.
Karurusu Onsen is a simple thermal spring, colorless and transparent. The water is silky and smooth, making it easy for anyone to soak for a long time. At Sanseikan, the indoor bath is divided into low-temperature and high-temperature tubs, so you can try switching between them. Of course, the moment you spend in the open-air bath while admiring the splendid garden is truly exceptional.
As mentioned at the beginning, Noboribetsu Karurusu Onsen is designated as a National Hot Spring Health Resort. If you visit Sanseikan, you'll want to stay overnight to fully enjoy the hot springs multiple times. The young proprietress is also a hot spring beauty specialist, so you might learn some valuable tips from her!
Of course, the food is another great pleasure of staying at an onsen ryokan (inn). At Sanseikan, you can savor a variety of dishes made with local Noboribetsu ingredients. Their specialty, the "Jidori no Tataki Nabe" (local chicken hot pot), has been served since the inn's founding.

(Photo courtesy of Mori-no-yu Sanseikan)

Delicious food and high-quality hot springs. When you spend time indulging your body, your mind is healed as well. We hope you'll experience such a luxurious moment at Sanseikan.

＜Mori-no-yu Sanseikan＞
Location: 16 Karurusu-cho, Noboribetsu, Hokkaido
Phone: 0143-84-2856
Official Website: https://karurusu.com/