1. Three must-see hidden hot springs in Hokkaido

First, let me introduce three secluded hot spring inns that will make you want to stay overnight even if you're only planning a day trip. All of these inns boast top-notch hot spring water quality and scenery.

1-1. Yuyado Daiichi

Highlights: A quiet inn by the river surrounded by nature.

First, let me introduce you to Yuyado Daiichi, a hot spring inn located in Yoroushi Onsen in Nakashibetsu Town, in eastern Hokkaido. This inn is lovely, with a building that even has a fireplace, but the hot springs are also quite impressive. In addition to the large public bath, there are a number of open-air baths, including log baths and rock baths.

The open-air baths are separated by gender (with one mixed-gender bath), and all are located along the river, allowing you to soak in the hot springs while listening to the gentle murmur of the water, creating a very relaxing atmosphere. Incidentally, on the other side of the river is a mountain slope where you can see Hokkaido squirrels and Hokkaido deer.

The location is a little hard to find, but you can get there via a two-lane paved road, so just enter "Yoro-ushi Onsen" into your navigation system and proceed.

If you go closer, you'll see a road sign for "Yoro-ushi Onsen" (Yoro-ushi Hot Springs).

Inn name: Yuyado Daiichi
Address: 518 Yoro-ushi Onsen, Nakashibetsu-cho, Shibetsu-gun, Hokkaido
Day-use bathing: 1000 yen for adults (13:00-15:00 / Cleaning until 14:1 once a week, please check beforehand)
Accommodation: From 13,860 yen per night (including two meals)
URL:http://www.yoroushi.jp/

1-2. Goshiki Onsen Ryokan

Highlights: Hot springs where you can enjoy the scenery of the high mountains.

The second hidden hot spring is Goshiki Onsen Ryokan, located in Niseko in central Hokkaido.

You might think that Niseko is famous for skiing and hot springs, so it's not exactly a hidden gem! However, unlike Noboribetsu or Jozankei, the Niseko hot spring area is quite large. And even within that vast Niseko, Goshiki Onsen Ryokan is located on the other side of the mountain where the ski resorts are.

This inn is located in an area where hot springs gush forth, so it has the distinctive smell of sulfur, the so-called aroma of hot springs. Because it's at a considerable altitude, you can enjoy a beautiful alpine landscape with rocks visible among the low-lying trees, rather than the dense forests of a mountain.

The main building and the new building each have separate indoor and outdoor baths for men and women, as well as a separate mixed-gender outdoor bath. Of course, you can enjoy the mountain scenery from the outdoor baths.

The inn boasts numerous baths, and a wooden boardwalk has been built around it for leisurely strolls. With nothing else around, it's a secluded hot spring inn where you can fully immerse yourself in the scenery and soak up the hot springs until you're completely wrinkled.

As for the location, the mountains around Niseko are a bit complicated, so it's best to enter the address into your navigation system. You can get there via a two-lane paved road. It's a characteristic of Hokkaido that you can reach high-altitude areas just by driving up the mountain for a short distance. Please do visit this easily accessible secluded hot spring in the high mountains.

Inn name: Goshiki Onsen Ryokan
Address: 510 Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido
日帰り入浴：大人800円（夏季：5月～11月　9:00～20:00／冬季：12月～4月　10:00～19:00）
Accommodation: 1 night with 2 meals from 9,170 yen
URL:http://goshiki-onsen.com/

1-3. Ginkonyu Hot Spring Inn

Highlight: The perfect temperature of the hot springs makes this southern Hokkaido paradise irresistible.

The third is Ginkon-yu, a hot spring inn located in Kaminoyu Onsen, Yakumo Town, in southern Hokkaido.

This is a hot spring inn nestled along a river in the mountains. Aside from a single inn across the road, there's nothing else around, making it a truly secluded hot spring surrounded by nature. The building is a bit old, but the interior is relatively new and spotlessly clean, making it appealing to both those who prefer modern inns and those who appreciate a more traditional, rustic atmosphere.

There are separate large public baths and open-air baths for men and women, and the temperature of the open-air bath is absolutely perfect. It's kept at a lukewarm temperature—just not too hot—so you can soak in the water for a long time without getting overheated.

There are also several private open-air baths exclusively for guests, located on the opposite bank of the river, accessible by a dedicated suspension bridge. Crossing the suspension bridge in a yukata (Japanese summer kimono) is a fun experience, and the path to the baths is lined with beautiful gardens, making for a charming stroll. Furthermore, the private baths can be locked, ensuring a safe and private experience.

The hot spring is about 10km from the Ochibe intersection on National Route 5, or from the Ochibe Interchange on the Hokkaido Expressway, heading towards Atsusabetsu. There is a large sign that says "Ginkon-yu" at the intersection, so just follow that and you will arrive. The road here is also a well-maintained two-lane paved road.

Inn name: Onsen Ryokan Ginkonyu
Address: 199 Kaminoyu, Yakumo-cho, Futami-gun, Hokkaido
Day-use bathing: 800 yen for adults (12:00-16:00 / Closed on Mondays. If Monday is a public holiday, the closure will be moved to the following day.)
Accommodation: From 12,250 yen per night (including two meals)
URL:http://www.ginkonyu.com/

Next page 2. Five hidden hot springs in Hokkaido that you absolutely must visit

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