Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

Tokachidake, located right in the middle of Hokkaido, is the perfect hot spring for mountain lovers and nature lovers.

Half of the year is spent in winter, and the snow-viewing open-air baths can be enjoyed until around June, but during the coldest months of the year, you can even see “diamond dust” glistening in the air as you soak in the hot spring water. At night, the sky is so full of stars that you can almost reach them at the few hot spring resorts that are tucked away at an altitude of 1,200 meters.

One such inn in Tokachidake Onsen is Yumoto Ryounkaku, the highest hot spring inn in Hokkaido. The view from the open-air baths, which are built to soar into the sky, is truly spectacular. Beyond the steamy mist is a silver world and a sea of clouds, and the power of the Tokachi Mountain range spreading out before your eyes is truly breathtaking!

Access

About 30-40 minutes by town bus from JR Kamifurano Station (3 round trips per day)

Day trip bathing

Possible

On the shore of Lake Kussharo, there is a secluded hot spring called “Kotan no Yu” where one can bathe while viewing the lake and swans. It is a free outdoor bath located only 5 meters from the lake.

The bathtub is built of stone facing the spacious lake, and the surface of the water in the bath is almost the same height as the lake surface. From November to April, many swans come to Lake Kussharo, so you can enjoy the feeling of sharing a bath with swans resting their wings nearby.

Separate changing rooms are provided for men and women, so you can change your clothes without worry. Bathing with bathing suits and towels are also allowed. Why not take a break while enjoying the panoramic view of Lake Kussharo and the swans?

Hours of Operation

24 hours *Some hours may be closed due to periodic cleaning or weather conditions.

In the World Natural Heritage Site of Shiretoko, drift ice usually comes ashore on the Shiretoko Peninsula in late January, turning the Sea of Okhotsk white. During the drift ice season, visitors can not only view the drift ice, but also enjoy winter-only activities such as walking and diving on the drift ice.

If you want to warm up your body after being chilled by drift ice sightseeing, go to Utoro Onsen in the Utoro district of Shari-cho. The brownish muddy water of the sodium chloride spring is popular among women as a “beauty's hot spring” that moisturizes the skin.

Bathing while watching the sunset over the Sea of Okhotsk on the drift ice is sure to be a special experience unique to Utoro Onsen!

【Access】

From Memanbetsu Airport, take the Shari Bus “Shiretoko Airport Liner” for approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes.

【Day return bathing】

Possible

Approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes by bus from Obihiro. Lake Shikaribetsu, the highest natural lake in Hokkaido, is available only in winter! Only here in the world! The lake is the highest natural lake in Hokkaido, and has an open-air bath with a spectacular view.

During the two-month period from late January to late March, when the entire surface of the lake freezes over, a snow and ice world called “Lake Shikaribetsu Cottan” appears on the ice. In this fantastic space lined with bars, concert halls, chapels, and lodges made of snow and ice, there is even an open-air bath! The baths are filled with genuine natural hot spring water that springs from the shores of Lake Shikaribetsu. The hot spring water is only available for a limited period of time, and is a spectacular hot spring only available here, as it melts away in spring.

Although the baths are co-ed, there are times when only women are allowed to bathe, and bathing suits are allowed. The open-air bath at night is also a mystical experience while gazing at the shining stars. Why not spend a unique moment in the world while relaxing in an open-air bath with free-flowing hot spring water?

Please click here (link) to check the event period.

【Access】

From Obihiro Bus Center, take the Hokkaido Takushoku Bus “Shikaribetsu-ko Kotan (Lake Shikaribetsu) Yori” (about 1 hour and 40 minutes).

About a 30-minute drive from Niseko is Makkari Onsen, a popular one-day hot spring that attracts hot spring fans with its spectacular views.

The main attraction here is the breathtaking view of Mt. Yotei from the outdoor hot spring baths. Yotei, also known as “Ezo Fuji,” is one of Hokkaido's most famous mountains, and from the open-air baths you can look directly at Mt.

Yotei, just like Mt. Fuji. Enjoy the spectacular view while warming your body from the inside out in the hot spring water with a direct view of Mt. The log house-style building with its rustic woodwork features a 45-tatami mat hall where you can relax after a long day of bathing.

About 1 hour and 20 minutes by car or bus from Sapporo Station is the Toyohirakyo Onsen, a day-trip hot spring located further inside Jozankei Onsen.

The specialty here is one of the largest open-air baths in Japan, which is 100% free-flowing hot-spring water and can accommodate approximately 200 people! There are three types of open-air baths, and the men's and women's baths are switched on odd-numbered days and even-numbered days. At night, the baths are lit up to create a fantastic location that soothes both the body and mind. In winter, you can enjoy an unobstructed view of snow.

If you visit Toyohirakyo Onsen in winter, you should definitely experience the “Kamakura Jingisukan”! Every year from late January to March, one of Japan's largest kamakura (a kind of straw-shaped mound) is built in Toyohirakyo Onsen, inside which you can taste Hokkaido's local delicacy, Jingisukan (Genghis Khan). Why not enjoy a unique winter experience and a warm hot spring together?

Access

From the JR Sapporo Station bus terminal, take the Jotetsu Bus "Kappa Liner" or the bus bound for "Hoheikyo Onsen" (about 1 hour and 20 minutes).

About 50 minutes drive from New Chitose Airport. Marukoma Onsen, located on the shore of Lake Shikotsu, was established in 1914 and is a hot spring bathhouse with a magnificent view of Lake Shikotsu.

The bath is said to be one of only 20 “foot-spring baths” in the whole country.

The water level of the hot spring changes according to the water level of Lake Shikotsu. The view of Lake Shikotsu in winter from the open-air bath, which has remained unchanged since its establishment, is exceptionally beautiful. You can enjoy a dynamic bathing experience surrounded by nature.

【Access】

About 50 minutes from New Chitose Airport by bus bound for Lake Shikotsu

About 50 minutes from JR Chitose Station by car.