Enjoy a fun trip by rental car. You've toured Hokkaido, but now you find yourself with some time to spare at the airport. While airport terminals certainly have good shops and memorable restaurants, sometimes that's not enough. Have you ever felt that way?

In that case, a day trip to a hot spring is recommended. Hokkaido, a kingdom of hot springs, boasts many attractive hot springs that can be found even near New Chitose Airport.

From among them, we've carefully selected six to introduce to you. These are all spots that you should definitely visit at the end of your trip.

<Contents>
1. Marukoma Onsen
2. Tsuru-no-Yu Onsen
3. Takeyama Kogen Onsen
4. Yunni Hot Spring
5. Honoka Eniwa no Yu
6. New Chitose Airport Hot Springs

Lake Shikotsu is a secluded paradise where you can experience the grandeur of nature.
Shikotsu Lake Onsen boasts numerous hot spring inns and hotels, all offering high-quality springs and excellent hospitality, but Marukoma Onsen, located across the shore, offers a truly exceptional experience.

This is the oldest hot spring inn on the shores of Lake Shikotsu, having been founded in 1915 (Taisho 4).
It's no exaggeration to say that this place embodies the history of Shikotsu Lake Onsen. Its greatest feature is the breathtaking scenery.

The natural open-air bath, situated at almost the same height as Lake Shikotsu, offers a magnificent view that makes you feel as if you have the lake all to yourself. You can admire the sunlight reflected on the water's surface, or rest your eyes on the greenery on the opposite shore shrouded in mist and rain—both will surely deepen the enjoyment of your trip.

It's no wonder that this hot spring attracts many repeat visitors from all over the country. On weekends, it's bustling with people who travel long distances to enjoy the hot springs. It truly is a prime example of a hidden hot spring near Sapporo and Chitose.

This is the perfect spot to experience the seemingly contradictory atmosphere of a hot spring, which is both elegant and wild amidst the great outdoors.

Marukoma Onsen Ryokan
Address: 7 Horominai, Lake Shikotsu, Chitose City, Hokkaido
Phone: 0123-25-2341
Adults (junior high school age and older): 1,000 yen; Children (elementary school age): 500 yen; Infants (3 years and older): 200 yen; Infants (under 3 years old): Free
Operating hours: 10:00 AM - 15:00 PM; Restaurant hours: 11:00 AM - 15:00 PM
About 50 minutes by car from New Chitose Airport

This is one of the oldest day-trip hot springs in Hokkaido. It boasts an excellent location, just a 20-minute drive from New Chitose Airport on a pleasant road with few traffic lights.

Along the road, you'll find plenty of scenery that gives you a taste of Hokkaido, including Northern Horse Park and agricultural facilities. Tsurunoyu Onsen, a spacious hot spring resort, is located in a slightly open area after passing through a mountain pass.

In front of the building lies a lotus pond, where, in season, large lotus blossoms ripple across the water's surface. The hot spring, which got its name from a story that a crane once visited to heal its wounds, is very popular with the locals.

Inside the building with its red roof, which evokes a sense of history, is a simple yet charming bathhouse.

However, this simplicity will soothe the weary traveler's body, allowing them to focus entirely on soaking in the bath.

After this, the traveler will also transform into a crane and depart for a different sky. In a sense, this hot spring is the perfect place for that purpose.

A hidden gem of a hot spring, perfect for concluding your trip.

Tsuru-no-Yu Onsen, a famous hot spring in my hometown
Address: 5 Hayakita-machi, Abira-cho, Yufutsu-gun, Hokkaido
Phone 0145-26-2211
Business hours: 10am to 9pm
Closed on Wednesdays (If Wednesday is a public holiday, the store will be closed on the following Thursday).
Bathing fee: Adults 500 yen (junior high school age and older), Children 300 yen (ages 3 to 6th grade elementary school)
Wagaya Restaurant Opening Hours: Weekdays (Mon-Fri) 11:45-14:00, 17:00-20:00 (Last order 19:45)
Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays: 11:45 AM - 20:00 PM (Last order 19:45 PM)

Located near Sapporo, about 40 minutes from Chitose Airport, is Takeyama Kogen Onsen. It's not a particularly large bathhouse, and it has a cozy, intimate atmosphere, but it's a charming facility.

The most distinctive feature of this hot spring is its famous open-air rock bath. Constructed from 600 tons of massive stones collected from various locations throughout Hokkaido, this refreshing open-air bath is definitely worth a visit.

Located at a slightly elevated spot, it offers great views, and on clear days, you can see Mount Tarumae and Mount Eniwa, two of Hokkaido's most iconic peaks. At night, you can truly experience a starry night, and the place is full of wild charm.

The spring water is a mild moor spring. Its nickname as a "beauty spring" is well-deserved. It's not a major hot spring known both within and outside Hokkaido, but it's a hidden gem that's always bustling with local repeat visitors, a day-trip hot spring known only to those in the know.

Furthermore, since there is a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) attached, there is a wide variety of food options available. Moreover, it is open from relatively early morning until late at night, so you can easily enjoy it on your way from Sapporo to Chitose.

Takeyama Kogen Onsen
Address: 896 Tomigaoka, Kitahiroshima City
Phone 011-373-2827
Day-use bathing: 600 yen for adults (700 yen on weekends, holidays, and during the New Year period)
Day-use bathing hours: 10:00 AM - 22:00 PM (last entry at 21:00 PM)
Closed on the 2nd and 4th Mondays (If these fall on a public holiday, the closure will be moved to the following day).

This hot spring facility in Yuni Town, Sorachi region, is extremely popular due to its weekend events and high-quality overall service. Nearby, there are plenty of other attractions besides the hot springs, such as Yuni Garden and a park golf course.

The mild, coffee-colored water is also known as the "beauty spring." Thanks to the effects of bicarbonate ions, it leaves the skin feeling moisturized, a particularly welcome feature for women.

While summer, with its refreshing sense of freedom, is a great time to visit, the open-air baths in winter are also superb. Snow falls softly, accumulating around the hot springs, and steam rises from the water. Please enjoy the wonderful atmosphere of a snow-viewing bath.

Once your body is nicely warmed up, enjoy some aromatherapy with the weekly changing herbal bath scents (two in the women's bath and one in the men's bath). Let your mind relax as well.

This plan includes all-you-can-eat Genghis Khan (grilled lamb) and a bath, satisfying both your taste buds and your stomach. Yunni no Yu is a bath that soothes all five senses.

It's a longer route via Sapporo, but if you take the national highway that leads to Naganuma Town, it only takes about 40 minutes. Please do consider visiting.

Yunni Hot Spring
Address: 122 Fushimi, Yuni-cho
Phone 0123-83-3800
Admission fee: Adults 650 yen, elementary school students 350 yen, children under 5 years old free (all day)
Regular closing days: None (closed for maintenance occasionally)
営業時間 5：30～8：00、10：00～22：00（最終入場21：30）

Among the several "Honoka" day-trip hot spring facilities located in central Hokkaido, "Honoka Eniwa no Yu" is the closest to New Chitose Airport.

The most distinctive feature of "Honoka" is its bedrock bath. It is included in the bathing fee, so there is no additional charge. This is a relatively new hot spring that was renovated and reopened in July 2012, and offers a variety of bathing experiences.

The hot spring water is a moor spring, gentle on the skin and low-irritation. Starting with the standard day-trip hot spring amenities such as a cypress bath and jacuzzi, the recommended feature is the popular bedrock bath.
The aroma of natural herbs fills the air in two rooms with different temperatures, and Himalayan rock salt directly stimulates pressure points in the body, resulting in excellent sweating effects. While a trip to Hokkaido itself is like a detox, this is definitely the perfect way to end it.

Another feature of "Honoka" is its rest area. It's a spacious and relaxing space, with a portion designated for women only. You can spend some leisurely time in the comfortable relaxation room, stretching out your legs, and prepare for the final stretch of travel. It's a shame to let the locals of Hokkaido have such a great place all to themselves!

Eniwa Onsen Honoka
Address: 397-2 Toiso, Eniwa City
Phone 0123-32-2615
Admission fee: Adults 750 yen (850 yen on weekends and holidays), elementary school students 300 yen (350 yen on weekends and holidays), infants free.
No regular closing days (occasional irregular closures for equipment maintenance).
Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 24:00 AM (last entry at 23:30 PM)

When it comes to day trips to hot springs from New Chitose Airport, this is the one that simply cannot be overlooked. A hot spring located inside New Chitose Airport—that's right, New Chitose Airport Hot Spring.

With its abundant hot spring water, spacious indoor baths, and excellent facilities for post-bath massages and relaxation, it's the perfect place to soothe away the fatigue of your travels.

As this airport handles international flights, the massage services here are incredibly diverse and international. They offer a wide variety of therapies, including Thai, Chinese, and Balinese styles, as well as body care and body scrubs, making it one of the best massage options in Hokkaido.

The relaxation room is for women only, a thoughtful touch for solo travelers. A napping area is also available, making this a hyper-spot where you can complete total care for both body and mind in one place, not just a bath.

You won't get bored even if you spend the whole day there. If you arrive at the airport too early, you can easily spend two hours relaxing there. With plenty of restaurants and delicious food options, it's definitely worth a visit.

新千歳空港温泉
New Chitose Airport Domestic Terminal Building, 4th Floor
Phone: 0123-46-4126 Admission Fee: Special Set Admission Adults (Junior High School Students and older) 1,500 yen Children (Elementary School Students) 800 yen Infants (3 years old to pre-school age) 600 yen (Includes admission fee, yukata, bath towel, and towel usage fee within the facility)
A late-night surcharge applies after 1 AM. Adults (junior high school age and older): 1,500 yen, Children (elementary school age): 800 yen, Infants (3 years old to preschool age): 600 yen. *Breakfast is included free of charge.
Morning bath (5:00 AM - 8:00 AM *Last entry 7:30 AM): Adults (Junior high school age and older) 800 yen, Children (Elementary school age) and Toddlers (3 years old to preschool age) 400 yen. *Yukata set is not included in the price (Yukata set is 400 yen).
*The large public bath closes at 8:00 AM / The facility closes at 9:00 AM.

Afterword

Hokkaido boasts an abundance of high-quality hot springs. Day trips to hot springs are also a popular tourist attraction and a favorite pastime for Hokkaido residents. Therefore, there are many hot spring facilities near Chitose Airport, and they are bustling with activity every day. Many of these spots are easily accessible, allowing visitors to enjoy a relaxing soak without bringing anything with them.

Taking a short break to experience a part of Hokkaido's local culture during your journey to the airport could make for a wonderful travel memory.

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