12 Best Onsen in Hokkaido | Where to go in Hokkaido

From the open-air onsen baths where you can enjoy snowy landscapes, to natural onsen hot springs surrounded by forests, to large onsen baths where you can soak while overlooking a vast lake, Hokkaido’s onsen hot springs are some of the most attractive in Japan. Hokkaido is full of amazing spots to enjoy.

In this article, we will introduce the best 12 onsen areas in Hokkaido.

From super famous spots popular with tourists to secret onsen areas loved by locals, keep reading to get familiar with the best places to enjoy warm onsen waters in Hokkaido.

Table of Contents

1. Noboribetsu Onsen
2. Jozankei Onsen
3. Toyako Onsen
4. Tokachigawa Onsen
5. Sounkyo Onsen
6. Yunokawa Onsen
7. Kawayu Onsen
8. Akanko Onsen
9. Utoru Onsen
10. Kitayuzawa Onsen
11. Niseko Onsen
12. Ikenoyu Onsen
13. Conclusion

Noboribetsu Onsen (登別温泉)

Noboribetsu Onsen is one of the most popular and well-known onsen towns in Japan. Famous for the nine different types of onsen waters, the source for Noboribetsu onsen is from Jigokudani, a large natural area with geysers, hot steam vents, sulfur streams, and regular volcanic activity. If you love nature, make sure to check it out.

Noboribetsu Onsen is located towards the south of Hokkaido, and about 2 hours away from Sapporo by train. The traditional onsen town area and the shopping area surrounding Noboribetsu Station are separated, so you’ll need to drive or take a bus to the area near Jigokudani.

Noboribetsu Onsen is considered one of the best onsen in the world because of the water’s healing effects, large baths, and fresh air. You won’t regret spending your vacation in Noboribetsu.

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Jozankei Onsen (定山渓温泉)

Jozankei Onsen is popular with residents of Sapporo because of its proximity to the city. Less than 60-minutes away, Jozankei is perfect for a day trip on your visit to Sapporo. There are no trains to the mountainous region of Jozankei, so reserve a spot on the bus or drive.

If you’re going to Jozankei, the best season is definitely autumn, as the leaves of the many trees surrounding the town all turn yellow and red. If you have time, take a hike to the Jozankei Dam on Sapporo Lake or Shiraito Falls in the center of town. But if you’re too busy relaxing in the warm healing onsen waters, don’t worry.

There are plenty of ways to enjoy your time in Jozankei, but make sure you spend some time soaking in some of the 56 different onsen water sources.

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Toyako Onsen (洞爺湖温泉)

Lake Toya (Toyako) is a large lake in the south of Hokkaido with a large island in the middle of the lake. Toyako Onsen is a beautiful onsen town that sits on the south side of the lake and has amazing views. Located about 2 hours from New Chitose Airport by train, Toyako Onsen is a magical place perfect for enjoying the nature of Hokkaido.

From April to October, fireworks shows light up the sky every night. Take the ropeway to the top of the mountain to relax and enjoy panoramic views on clear days. There are even chairs at the top so you can be comfortable taking in the scenery.

Toyako Onsen has many public onsen baths located around the town, with seasonal activities to enjoy year-round, check out the onsen lake town that was born from a volcano.

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Tokachigawa Onsen (十勝川温泉)

Tokachigawa onsen is a quiet onsen town in eastern Hokkaido, located about 3 hours away from New Chitose Airport. Because it’s so far away from the major airport, many people outside of Hokkaido overlook Tokachigawa onsen. Locals love the health and beauty benefits of the onsen water, especially the moisturizing effect. It’s located only a 40-minute drive from Tokachi-Obihiro Airport.

Escape the daily grind and surround yourself with nature. Wake up and explore an old Japanese town with clean and fresh air. In the winter, make sure to check out the Tokachigawa Swan Festival Sairinka.

At Tokachigawa Onsen, you can seek out the great nature of Hokkaido. Try horseback riding across the plains of Hokkaido, enjoying rural life, or relaxing in one of their great spas.

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Sounkyo Onsen (層雲峡温泉)

Sounkyo Onsen is the largest hot spring resort located in Daisetsuzan National Park. If you visit Hokkaido in the autumn, the orange and yellow scenery from the Kurodake Ropeway will take your breath away. Sounkyo is about a 2-hour bus ride from Asahikawa. No trip to Hokkaido is complete without a stop at Sounkyo.

Take a hike in nature, and follow the trails to various special spots like Milky Way Falls (Ginga no Taki) or Shooting Star Falls (Ryusei no Taki). The waterfalls are amazing as Sounkyo is located at the bottom of two mountains. There is a ton to explore and see in this small town.

During the winter, huge towers and carvings made of ice are on display. Some weekends, there are even fireworks to enjoy.

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Yunokawa Onsen (湯の川温泉)

Yunokawa onsen is located in very south of Hokkaido near Hakodate. You can visit Mount Hakodate and enjoy an incredible night view on the Hakodate Ropeway, or the famous old military fort in the shape of a star, Goryokaku.

Yunokawa has many luxury hotels and resorts with onsen that give access to visitors during the day or overnight. If you can, try your best to plan your trip around the fireworks display and festival in February and August, the winter illumination, or the blooming flowers in April and May.

If you’re going on a tour of Hokkaido, Yunokawa is a great place to start or end your trip, as it’s located close to one of the early Shinkansen stops in Hokkaido.

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Kawayu Onsen (川湯温泉)

Kawayu Onsen is a very small onsen town in the northeast of Hokkaido, near Lake Kussharo. If you’re interested in visiting this small town removed from civilization, know that it takes 5 hours by train from Sapporo (you might want to look into flights). If you do decide to take the train, you’ll get close-up views of the vast nature of Hokkaido. It’s beautiful and abundant fields, forests, lakes, rivers, trees, and more.

Many of the Onsen at Kawayu are free, and there is plenty of nature to enjoy (and snow in the winter). Spend the morning on the bay of Lake Kussharo, or explore nature, history, and the town. Take a hike or visit the nearby Akan Mashu National Park.

If you want to get away from it all and enjoy a peaceful city where you can see the stars at night, Kawayu Onsen is perfect.

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Akanko Onsen (阿寒湖温泉)

Akanko Onsen is a famous onsen known for its green moss balls (Marimo) and lively atmosphere. Take a boat tour of Lake Akan, visit a bubbling mud pool (bokke), or check out one of the Ainu (indigenous people of Hokkaido) culture museums. Akanko Onsen is located in the northern area of Hokkaido, so bring some extra layers in the winter. Go on a beautiful hike, or just enjoy the fresh air and onsen waters.

Note that Akanko Onsen is more than 3 and a half hours away from New Chitose Airport by car, so you may want to fly to the closer Kushiro Airport, then take the 1-hour drive. Note that public transport in this area is infrequent due to the low population.

Akanko Onsen has been around for a long time and has lots of local Ainu culture. Go shopping for Ainu handicraft goods, or watch traditional Ainu performances at the theater.

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Utoro Onsen (ウトロ温泉)

Utoro Onsen is an onsen town that faces the Okhotsk Sea in the very northeast of Hokkaido. If you have any interest in Shiretoko, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, staying in Utoro would put you as close as possible while staying in civilization. The history of this town is surprisingly new as the nearby Shiretoko National Park has recently gained popularity as a must-visit area for outdoor enthusiasts in Japan.

Climb Oronko Rock, hike to the Shiretoko Five Lakes, or visit a waterfall. Utoro is magical in winter with snow and ice all around the town. In summer, go camping or canoeing in nice weather.

Utoro is located far north, so we recommend flying and driving as taking the bus and train could take up to 8 hours from Sapporo.

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Kitayuzawa Onsen (北湯沢温泉)

Kitayuzawa Onsen is a small onsen town located towards the east of Lake Toyako in between two mountains. It’s about a 2-hour drive from Sapporo or a 90-minute drive from New Chitose Airport. There are no public nonstop buses for visitors, but some hotels provide buses for hotel guests from Sapporo and Chitose Airport. Check with your hotel if they offer this service.

The river that runs through the middle of the onsen town is shallow, and locals and tourists often play in the water to cool off in the summer.

Check out Sankaidaki Park and Orofure Pass Observatory on your stay. You can enjoy nature, waterfalls, and amazing views of green mountains in Hokkaido.

Kitayuzawa Onsen is off of the beaten path. But, if you enjoy quiet onsen towns and relaxing atmospheres, consider staying a night.

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Niseko Onsen (ニセコ温泉)

Niseko Onsen is one of the most famous onsen in Japan. Not because of the onsen waters that heal fatigue, but because of the large snow sport resorts that are scattered around Mount Niseko Annupuri. Niseko Onsen is known for having some of the best snow for skiing and snowboarding in the world. If you enjoy winter sports, you have to go to Niseko.

Just because the winter sports are amazing, doesn’t mean you can write off the summer sports. Golfing, tennis, fishing, horseback riding, kayaking, rafting, hiking, biking, and other outdoor sports are also popular during the warmer months in Niseko.

If you want to read more about Niseko and other ski resorts in detail, check out our article that goes into detail about the best places to hit the slopes in Hokkaido.

• Top 10 Ski Resorts in Hokkaido | Best Resorts with an Onsen

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Ikenoyu Onsen (池の湯温泉)

Ikenoyu Onsen is a free outdoor onsen on the shores of Lake Kussharo in eastern Hokkaido loved by locals. The water is warm in the summer, and users are allowed to use swimsuits (or not). There are changing rooms and many animals nearby. If you have a car and are staying in eastern Hokkaido, we recommend checking it out.

No one owns the onsen, and no one is responsible for keeping it clean besides the users. Don’t camp near the onsen and make sure to take trash home with you. Ikenoyu is open 24 hours, so you can visit it whenever you please. On clear nights, sit in the warm water and watch the stars.

You can check out Kotan Onsen down the street or the sauna club nearby. The sauna only takes one group at a time. Check it out and reserve a spot here

• Sauna Club Instagram

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Conclusion

From the outdoor onsen where you can enjoy snowy lakes with monkeys to large onsen baths where you can soak while overlooking a tall mountain, Hokkaido’s onsen hot springs are some of the most attractive in Japan. We hope you liked our list of Hokkaido of amazing spots to enjoy.

Whether you decide to fly, drive, or take the train or bus, Hokkaido’s many wonderful spots are waiting for you. We hope our list helped you decide where to stop on your onsen tour of Hokkaido.

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