Hakodate's attractions include not only its night views and gourmet food, but also its hot springs! But did you know that Hakodate has many hot springs besides the well-known "Yunokawa Onsen"?

Originally, Hakodate was a thriving fishing town, and it's said that fishermen returning from their fishing trips would warm their chilled bodies in the hot springs. It would be wonderful to be able to enjoy gourmet food, sightseeing, and hot springs all in one place in Hakodate, wouldn't it?

So this time, we'll introduce you to all the hot springs in the Hakodate area, from the famous Yunokawa Onsen and other hot springs in Hakodate city to the hot spring spot in the birthplace of "A Thousand Winds," a song that has touched hearts all over the world!

1. Recommended hot spring facilities in Yunokawa Onsen

When it comes to hot springs in Hakodate, Yunokawa Onsen is a famous hot spring resort that rivals Jozankei and Noboribetsu in Hokkaido. It's also well-known for the sight of monkeys bathing in the hot springs at the tropical botanical garden!

In addition to the numerous inns in the hot spring town, there are also many other hot springs with excellent water quality that locals frequent daily, as well as popular day-trip hot springs that have gained a great reputation through word of mouth, making it a true hot spring paradise for hot spring enthusiasts!

So, I'd like to share some hot spring information that I personally think is "you can't go wrong with this one!"

1-1. Yumoto Gyokakan

Highlights: Delicious, carefully prepared dishes made without any frozen ingredients! [Day-use hot spring baths available]

The Gyokakan is a wonderful building that evokes a sense of strength and resilience, befitting a fishing town. Inside, you'll be greeted by a Japanese-style design using natural materials such as cypress and zelkova wood.

Our open-air bath, filled with 100% natural hot spring water, overlooks the Tsugaru Strait, allowing you to enjoy the sunset. (Day-use bathing is also available.)

During your stay, they serve dishes made with plenty of seafood caught in the nearby waters, and the inn's commitment to not using farmed, frozen, or imported products is clearly reflected in the taste.

Enjoy the translucent squid with a little soy sauce... Hakodate's specialty, "morning squid" sashimi, is available all year round!

Facility name: Yumoto Gyokakan
Address: 375-1 Nezakicho, Hakodate City, Hokkaido
Phone: 0138-57-1117
Hours: 12: 00 ~ 20: 30　
Regular holidays: none
Price: 500 for adults
Estimated accommodation price: From 16,200 yen for two people in one room with two meals included.
Spring water quality information: Sodium-calcium chloride spring
Efficacy: Gastrointestinal disorders, neuralgia, gynecological disorders, etc.

1-2. Yunohama Hotel

Highlights: Great views! Plus, immerse yourself in historical romance at a hot spring associated with Hijikata Toshizo! [Day trip bathing OK]

Yunohama Hotel, with its six bathtubs, boasts absolutely stunning views. The hot spring water is colorless, transparent, weakly alkaline, and saline, making it gentle enough for babies.

The Shiosai Gyoka Open-Air Bath, also known as "Shinsengumi's Bath," is said to have been used by the Shinsengumi's vice-commander, Hijikata Toshizo, for therapeutic bathing.

The hotel offers both a kaiseki (traditional multi-course Japanese meal) plan and a buffet plan, so you can choose according to your preference, which is a great advantage.

The buffet is perfect for those who want something different after enjoying plenty of seafood during their sightseeing, while the kaiseki (traditional multi-course) meal allows you to relax in your room and slowly savor the bounty of the sea caught in the nearby waters. It's a truly attractive hotel where you can choose according to your needs!

Facility name: Yunohama Hotel, Hakodate Yunokawa Onsen
Address: 1-2-30 Yukawa-cho, Hakodate City, Hokkaido
Phone: 0138-59-2231
Opening hours: 13:00 - 20:00 (Open-air bath: 14:00 - 20:00)
*The open-air bath and the indoor bath are located in separate areas. If you wish to use both, you will need to change clothes and move between them.
Regular holidays: none
Day trip fee: Adults 1,000 yen, Children (elementary school age) 700 yen (Please note that there are no rest areas or dining facilities if you only use the baths for a day trip.)
Day trip lunch plan, day trip buffet plan: from 3,000 yen (reservations required by the day before)
Estimated accommodation rates: (Approximately 8,000 yen and up for 2 people per room with 2 meals included (This is an estimate for buffet style meals. Room service rates will vary. Please inquire.))
Spring water quality information: Sodium-calcium chloride spring
Efficacy: Neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, etc.

1-3.Ryokan Ichinomatsu

Highlights: A traditional Japanese inn with surprisingly reasonable prices! [Day-use bathing not available]

While Yunokawa Onsen is known for its many large hot spring hotels, did you know that there are also traditional Japanese inns? These inns have tatami mat flooring throughout, giving them a luxurious feel and allowing you to fully enjoy a sense of indulgence.

The hot spring water is a chloride spring, and there are two separate baths for men and women that are rotated daily. Juraku-no-Yu makes luxurious use of earthen walls, which can be considered a traditional Japanese technique, and the open-air bath has a small courtyard.

The meals are absolutely superb, featuring fresh seafood caught in nearby waters and mountain delicacies in a traditional Japanese kaiseki style. Since both dinner and breakfast are served in your room, this inn is also a great choice for mothers with young children. Why not reminisce about your daytime Hakodate adventures in this charming inn?

Facility name: Ryokan Ichinomatsu
Address: 1-3-17 Yukawa-cho, Hakodate City, Hokkaido 042-0932
Phone: 0138-57-0001
Hours: 15: 00 ~ 9: 00
Regular holidays: none
Estimated accommodation price: From 13,000 yen for two people in one room with two meals included.
Spring water quality information: Sodium chloride spring (sodium-calcium chloride spring)
Benefits: Bruises, joint pain, fatigue recovery, etc.

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[Jalan] Hotel and accommodation reservations in Hokkaido
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2. Hot springs in Hakodate city other than Yunokawa Onsen

Did you know that Hakodate has many hot springs besides Yunokawa Onsen? So, let me introduce you to some of the charming hot springs located in the city center of Hakodate.

Incidentally, all the hot springs introduced here cost around 400 yen! The fact that you can enjoy them at such reasonable prices is proof that hot springs are well-established in Hakodate.

2-1. Kitamihara Onsen

Key point: A hot spring bathhouse loved by locals.

Located a 20-minute walk from Hakodate Station, Kitamihara Onsen is a hot spring resort that's easily accessible and has been loved by locals for years, boasting high-quality spring water. It's a neutral, hypotonic, high-temperature spring that warms you to the core. The temperature is slightly on the higher side.

In addition to the indoor bath, there's also an open-air bath, a waterfall shower, a sauna, and a cold plunge pool, so you'll be completely satisfied! Why not deepen your connections with the locals while listening to their lively conversations? (I often get food recommendations and other information from the locals...)

Facility name: Kitamihara Onsen
Address: 1-18-16 Kitamihara, Hakodate City
Phone: 0138-47-2666
Business hours: 05:00-08:00, 12:00-24:00　
Closed on Mondays (open on public holidays)
Admission fee: Adults 440 yen, Elementary school students 140 yen
Spring water quality information: Sodium-calcium chloride spring
Efficacy: Neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, etc.

2-2. Yamanote Onsen

Key point: Milk tastes great after a bath!

(Image source) http://www.machispa.la.coocan.jp/html_hkd_s/yamanote.htm
Located in a residential area of ​​Hakodate, Yamanote Onsen has been popular since its opening in 2006. Word of mouth about how "very warming" the baths are has spread, attracting not only residents but also tourists. The spring water is a sodium chloride spring, known for its ability to warm you to the core.

A dining area, which wasn't there when the restaurant first opened, has now been added. The meals in the dining area, such as tempura rice bowls, are very popular. (And they're offered at the low price of 600 yen!)

Hakodate is known for its delicious dairy products, and Yamakawa Milk is one of the famous brands. The facility also has a vending machine selling Yamakawa Milk in traditional glass bottles (110 yen). Its rich, concentrated flavor is incredibly addictive.

Facility name: Yamanote Onsen
Address: 3-44-28 Yamanote, Hakodate City, Hokkaido
Phone: 0138-35-4126
Opening hours: 07:00 - 23:30 (Last entry at 23:00)
Regular holidays: none
Admission fees: Adults (junior high school age and older) 420 yen, elementary school students 140 yen, infants 70 yen
Spring water quality information: Calcium-sodium chloride spring
Efficacy: Neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, etc.

2-3. Nogi Onsen Nagomi

Highlights: Natural hot spring water flowing directly from the source! Recommended for those who don't like very hot water.

Located about 15 minutes by car from Hakodate, Nogi Onsen Nagomi is a day-trip hot spring famous for its free-flowing natural hot spring water, boasting abundant hot spring water and spacious baths.

The facility boasts a wide variety of baths, including a cypress wood open-air bath, a walkable open-air bath, and a jet bath. They also offer services such as body scrubs and massages, making it a truly relaxing place to unwind.

The spring water is sodium chloride, but even those who don't like very hot water can enjoy it with peace of mind, as there is an open-air bath that isn't too hot.

Facility name: Nogi Onsen Nagomi
Address: 4-25 Nogimachi, Hakodate City, Hokkaido
Phone: 0138-86-7531
Hours: 11: 00 ~ 23: 00　
Regular holidays: none
Admission fees: Adults (12 years and older) 430 yen, Children (under 12 years old) 140 yen, Infants (under 6 years old) 70 yen
Spring water quality information: Sodium chloride spring　
Efficacy: Relieves neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, etc.

2-4. [Bonus Episode] A hidden hot spring that you can only enter if you plan your visit: Minami Kaigan Onsen

If you head south from Yunokawa, you'll see Cape Esan. If you descend the cape where the lighthouse is located, you'll find Minami Kaigan Onsen, but surprisingly, it disappears into the sea two hours after low tide. The spring water is sodium chloride, and the temperature is rather high at around 50 degrees Celsius, but the view is superb as it's right by the sea.

Another important point is that it's a mixed-gender bath. Those who have been informed will wear swimsuits or similar attire, so please be sure to prepare accordingly if you plan to go! (The changing rooms are separate for men and women, so you can relax.)

How about soaking in a secluded hot spring floating on the sea for just a few hours? *We strongly recommend checking the low tide times before you go.

Facility name: Todohokke Mizunashi Kaihin Onsen
Address: Esan Cape, Todohokke Village, Kameda District, Hokkaido
Phone: 0138-86-2111
Opening hours: 2 hours before and after the lowest tide.
Regular holidays: none
Fee: Free
Spring water quality information: Sodium chloride spring
Benefits: Relieves neuralgia, muscle pain, and cold sensitivity, etc.

3. Hot springs in the suburbs of Hakodate

Next, I'd like to introduce some hot springs located about an hour's drive from Hakodate city. Why not enjoy a hot spring bath along with sightseeing around Hakodate?

3-1. Hakodate Onuma Prince Hotel

Highlight: A hot spring known for its skin-beautifying properties, located in the scenic Onuma Park. [Day trips welcome]

Located about 60 minutes from Hakodate via National Route 5, this beautiful hotel is nestled in a forest at the entrance to a nationally designated park. The "Nishi-Onuma Onsen Mori no Yu" hot spring on the basement floor is a simple, weakly alkaline spring that is said to remove excess oil and dead skin cells.

It's also known as a hot spring that's great for your skin, where you can relax while enjoying the view of Mount Komagatake! (The water quality is especially appealing to women!) Day trips are also possible, so it's a great place to stop by while out for a drive.

Incidentally, Onuma Park is the birthplace of Masashi Akikawa's famous song "A Thousand Winds." The luxury of soaking in a bath while feeling the breeze is truly special!

You can enjoy both the sea and the mountains for your culinary needs, and savor local delicacies such as water shield and Onuma beef from Onuma.

Incidentally, the Onuma Prince Hotel underwent renovations in April 2015, including the guest rooms, lobby, and main dining room. It looks very new now (the photo shows an example of a guest room after the renovation)♪

Facility name: Hakodate Onuma Prince Hotel
Address: Nishi-Onuma Onsen, Nanae-cho, Kameda-gun, Hokkaido
Phone: 0138-67-1111
Regular holidays: none
Estimated accommodation rates: From 11,000 yen per person for a double room with two meals included (member discounts available).
Day trip fee: Adults ¥1,080 / Children (elementary school age and younger) ¥540 *Includes bathing fee and towel rental
Spring water quality information: Alkaline simple hot spring (Hypotonic alkaline hot spring)
Efficacy: Neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, etc.

3-2. Shikabe Royal Hotel

Highlights: Surrounded by nature, with a slippery hot spring that's great for your skin. [Day trips not permitted]

Driving further east from Onuma Park, you'll find the Shikabe Royal Hotel, which boasts a large public bath with approximately 13 tons of hot spring water.

You can see just how abundant the water is – it makes you want to jump right in! The spring water is sodium chloride, and you can really feel it penetrating and soaking into your skin!

Unfortunately, they don't offer day-use bathing, but their attractive packages include lunch in a suite and access to the hot springs. You can also choose from various meal options, such as a one-night stay with breakfast included, making it a great hotel for those who want to enjoy delicious Hakodate seafood in the evening.
*The open-air bath is closed for the winter season until March 31, 2015. The operating hours for the public bath during the winter season are 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

Facility name: Shikabe Royal Hotel
Address: 530-127 Honbetsu, Shikabe-cho, Kayabe-gun, Hokkaido
Phone: 0137-27-3201
Regular holidays: none
Estimated accommodation rates: From 10,000 yen per person for a double room with two meals included (There are also 70 square meter all-suite rooms on the upper floors, which were renovated in 2014. Please inquire for details.)
Spring water quality information: Sodium chloride spring
Benefits: Neuralgia, gynecological disorders, weak constitution, etc.

3-3. Hakodate Esan Cape Hotel Keifu

Image source: Rakuten Travel http://travel.rakuten.co.jp/HOTEL/70233/70233.html

Key point: The reason why so many people are repeat customers is the excellent value for money! [Day trip bathing OK]

Image source: Rakuten Travel http://travel.rakuten.co.jp/HOTEL/70233/70233.html
This hotel has a huge number of repeat customers, and it's a hidden gem that many people say they'll definitely want to come back to after their first stay!

The inn in this fishing town boasts two types of hot springs: bicarbonate and sodium chloride, and even offers seven different types of baths. The adjacent day-use facility, "Todopokkuru," offers incredibly affordable packages that combine hot springs and meals, with such excellent food and hot springs that you'll want to ask, "Is this price really correct?"
*Guests staying overnight can also use the "Panoramic Open-Air Bath" on the 3rd floor!
Image source: Rakuten Travel http://travel.rakuten.co.jp/HOTEL/70233/70233.html
The restaurant's cuisine, featuring courses prepared by both Japanese and Western chefs, has gained a reputation through word-of-mouth, making it so popular that businessmen visiting Hakodate on business trips are willing to make a special trip to eat there. (I personally love the fisherman's meal made with bluefin tuna. The squid sashimi, depending on the season, is also superb.)

With a wide variety of seasonal menu options, you can expect 100% satisfaction! They also offer a fantastic service of pick-up and drop-off from Hakodate if you make a reservation, so be sure to visit at least once.

Facility name: Esanmisaki Hotel Keifu
Address: 61-2 Esanmisaki-cho, Hakodate City, Hokkaido
(Free shuttle service available for overnight guests *Reservations required)
Phone: 0138-86-2121
Estimated accommodation price: From 8,100 yen per night for two people sharing a room with two meals.
Spring water quality information: ■Sodium chloride spring (weakly alkaline, hypotonic, high-temperature spring)
■ Two types: Sodium-Calcium Sulfate-Chloride-Bicarbonate Spring (Hypotonic Neutral High-Temperature Spring) (Salt Spring)
Efficacy: Neuralgia, chronic digestive diseases, chronic skin diseases, chronic gynecological diseases, poor circulation, cuts, etc.

3-4. Nanae Natural Hot Spring Yuhi no Yakata

Highlight: A day-trip hot spring boasting excellent facilities.

If you head towards Onuma on National Route 5, you'll see Nanae Natural Hot Spring Yuhi no Yakata along the road. It's a day-trip hot spring nestled in a residential area.

The facility offers a wide variety of bathing options, including open-air baths, reclining baths, beauty baths, bubble baths, jet baths, waterfall baths, and a large public bath. If you want to fully enjoy hot springs in every way possible, this is a hot spring you should definitely consider.

Facility name: Nanae Natural Hot Spring Yuhi no Yakata
Address: 4-6-1 Honcho, Nanae-cho, Kameda-gun, Hokkaido
Phone: 0138-64-1126 (Toll-free)
Hours: 10: 00 ~ 22: 00
Regular holidays: none
Admission fees: Adults 450 yen, Children (ages 3 to elementary school) 180 yen, Children under 3 years old free, Seniors (70 years and older) 350 yen (ID required)
Spring water quality information: Sodium-calcium chloride-sulfate spring
Efficacy: Neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, etc.

3-5. Chappurinkan

Highlight: Boasts a great view of Mount Komagatake!

Chappu Rinkan is a hot spring resort with a slightly punny name, located about a 7-minute bus ride from Onuma Park Station on the JR Hakodate Main Line. It boasts a beautiful view at the foot of Mount Komagatake.

The hot spring water is weakly alkaline, hypotonic, and high-temperature. The facility offers a spacious washing area, a waterfall shower, a sauna, individual baths, and a circular bath, allowing you to fully enjoy the hot springs. It's the perfect place to visit after hiking Mount Komagamine.

Facility name: Komagamine Onsen Chappu Rinkan
Address: 657-16 Komagatake, Mori-cho, Kayabe-gun, Hokkaido
Phone: 01374-5-2880
Hours: 10: 00 ~ 21: 00　
Regular holidays: none
Admission fees: Adults 400 yen, Junior high school students 200 yen, Children 100 yen, Seniors (65 and over) 350 yen
Spring water quality information: Simple hot spring (weakly alkaline hypotonic hot spring)
Efficacy: Neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain

Summary

So, what did you think? Hakodate offers more than just sightseeing; it also boasts many historic hot springs and baths known for their skin-beautifying effects.

This is just my personal opinion, but my three principles for travel are "sightseeing, gourmet food, and hot springs"! Hakodate, a dream destination that has all three, is a place I want to return to, but I also want to explore new places. It's a place that always gives me a headache.

But planning a trip is all about the process of agonizing over it! The trip begins the moment you start planning it.

When you visit Hakodate, why not include a visit to a hot spring in your plans? You're sure to discover a side of Hakodate you never knew existed!

↓↓Click here for great deals on tours to Hakodate↓↓

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