When you think of Hokkaido, you think of magnificent nature, fresh ingredients, and high-quality hot springs!
Among them, Jozankei Onsen is a hot spring resort that is beloved as "Sapporo's hidden retreat."

While the Jozankei area is located within Sapporo city limits, it boasts high-quality hot springs and abundant nature, and there are also other smaller hot springs in the area.
Those are Hoheikyo Onsen and Koganeyu Onsen.

Both are popular hot springs among Sapporo residents, but this time we will mainly introduce Toyohirakyo Onsen.

<Table of Contents>
1. Profiles of Jozankei, Koganeyu, and Toyohirakyo
2. Take the Kappa Liner bus to Toyohirakyo Onsen.
3. Arrive at Toyohirakyo Onsen
4. 100% natural hot spring water, free-flowing!
5. Enjoy authentic Indian curry at a hot spring!
Summary

Jozankei Onsen, Toyohirakyo Onsen, and Koganeyu Onsen are all located close to each other, so I looked into the origins of each of them.

First, regarding Jozankei Onsen, the hot spring source was discovered around 1866 (Keio 2) during the late Edo period by the Shugendo monk Miizumi Jozan. Incidentally, this was also the year that pioneers first established a village in Sapporo, which was then undeveloped.

Then, with the opening of the Jozankei Railway during the Taisho era, it began to develop further.

Koganeyu Onsen, located on the way from Sapporo to Jozankei Onsen, was discovered during the Meiji era.

Although it's a small hot spring, it seems to have become popular through word of mouth as a hot spring with high medicinal properties.
It remains just as popular among locals today.

And the Toyohirakyo Onsen that we'll be introducing today is located about a 5-minute drive from Jozankei Onsen.

Compared to the other two hot springs, this one has a shorter history and is a day-trip hot spring.

This hot spring resort boasts a rare 100% natural, free-flowing spring water source, and a large open-air bath where you can enjoy Hokkaido's nature throughout the year. It's a must-visit spot for any hot spring enthusiast.

Toyohirakyo Onsen is located about an hour's drive from downtown Sapporo.

In Hokkaido, many people drive their own cars to the hot springs, but buses are also frequently used, perhaps because many people want to have a drink or two after their soak.

This time I used the "Hot Spring Day Trip Package"! It's a great value coupon that includes round-trip bus transportation and a hot spring bathing ticket.
I bought my ticket at the JR Sapporo Station bus terminal.

While day trips to hot springs can be booked using local buses, this time we'll be using the "Kappa Liner," a direct bus to Jozankei and Toyohirakyo.

Recently, bus travel has been gaining attention on TV and elsewhere, but Kappa Liner is a full-fledged sightseeing bus.
If you want to enjoy the nature of Hokkaido, I definitely recommend taking a bus with great views!

This bus operates 11 times a day, with the first departure from Sapporo at 10:00 and the last departure from Toyohirakyo at 16:54. (As of June 2016)
Please note that this bus requires reservations.

Less than 30 minutes after departing Sapporo Station, natural scenery begins to unfold before your eyes.

The bus makes stops at Koganeyu and Jozankei Onsen along the way, and its final destination is Toyohirakyo Onsen.
It's been about 70 minutes so far.

Near Toyohirakyo Onsen is the Toyohirakyo Dam, which was created by damming the Toyohira River.
This is also a popular tourist spot among locals, but since our purpose this time is to enjoy the hot springs, I'll introduce it to you another time!

As you get off the bus at Toyohirakyo Onsen, you'll notice a faint, ethnic scent in the air.

Actually, Toyohirakyo Onsen's popularity isn't just due to its hot springs.
You can enjoy authentic Indian cuisine at Toyohirakyo Onsen.

This "hot spring curry" has already been featured extensively in various media outlets, including television, magazines, and the internet.

I, the author, am actually a big fan of Indian curry, and I'm a fan of the curry here too.
This time too, I plan to enjoy the hot springs and then have some curry!

The interior of the building has a distinctly Showa-era feel.
Present the coupon included in the day trip package at the reception desk and enter the building.

I visited on a weekday, but it wasn't empty, and there were many groups of customers.
Since it opened at the beginning of the Heisei era, the facilities are not exactly new, but they are very well maintained.

The changing room facilities are old, but they are kept very clean.
I'm happy to say that a women-only powder room has recently been added.

The building has a nostalgic Showa-era atmosphere, but this area is equipped with the latest facilities. I appreciate the thoughtful consideration for female guests!

The spring water is a sodium calcium bicarbonate chloride spring.
Simply put, it's a sodium bicarbonate spring.

Indications for this treatment include neuralgia, chronic gynecological diseases, and fatigue recovery.

Furthermore, since we have obtained permission for drinking the hot spring water, you can drink it from a dedicated tap in the bathhouse.
It's rare to find hot springs in Hokkaido where you can actually drink the water, so this is quite special!

Now, let's go into the bathhouse. The floor is rough and rocky, but also slippery, so you need to be careful when walking.
This is because the calcium carbonate contained in the hot spring water crystallizes and sticks to the floor.

It's the same mechanism as how limestone caves are formed.

Our open-air bath, which can accommodate 100 people, is our pride and joy. Just being in it is incredibly relaxing.

After soaking in the hot springs, we'll have Indian curry at the dining hall.
This time I ordered the limited-time baby scallop curry. This curry is tomato-based with a subtle tanginess.

This flavorful curry, made with a perfect blend of tomatoes, onions, and spices, is an authentic Indian dish prepared by an Indian chef.
Furthermore, the large naan is freshly baked, fluffy, and chewy. It's a high-quality dish that will impress even curry connoisseurs.

After eating curry, I had chai.

This chai, too, is authentically made with a subtle aroma of spices and a hint of spiciness, and as someone who is particular about Indian food, I was very satisfied!

Relax while enjoying the view of the garden from the dining room.

But why curry at a hot spring?

Originally, they ran an Indian restaurant, but when the current owner of the hot spring took over the business, they invited the restaurant's chef to work there.
Although it was a weekday, the cafeteria was almost full, and most people were ordering curry.

Besides curry, they also offer Hokkaido-grown 100% buckwheat soba noodles and Jingisukan (grilled lamb), all of which are exquisite dishes, and the restaurant is always bustling with customers!

Relax in a 100% free-flowing hot spring and enjoy authentic Indian curry made with plenty of healthy spices, and before you know it, your body, tired from everyday life, will be healed!

On the way back, I also took the "Kappa Liner" bus and enjoyed a relaxing and leisurely journey home.

Summary

This time, I introduced Toyohirakyo Onsen.
This hot spring is popular with locals, but it's also one of the top-ranked hot springs in Japan. The Indian curry is also excellent.

It's easily accessible from JR Sapporo Station and Susukino, and you can get there in less than an hour if you rent a car, so I highly recommend it to repeat visitors who want to enjoy Sapporo in a slightly different way.

Why not enjoy a relaxing getaway at Toyohirakyo Onsen, a place brimming with unique charm?

Toyohirakyo Onsen Spot Information
Address: 608-2 Jozankei, Minami-ku, Sapporo City
Opening hours: 10:00 - 22:30 (Last entry 21:45)
Closed: Open all year round
Admission fee: 1,000 yen for adults (500 yen for children)
For inquiries: 011-598-2410
home page:http://www.hoheikyo.co.jp/
~Access~
【car】
From downtown Sapporo, take National Route 230 towards Nakayama Pass → Approximately 5 minutes by car from Jozankei Onsen hot spring resort area.
【bus】
Take the "Jotetsu Bus - Toyohirakyo Onsen Line" from the JR Sapporo Station bus terminal and get off at the last stop, "Toyohirakyo Onsen." (Approximate travel time: 80 minutes)
Alternatively, there are direct buses that require reservations."Kappa Liner"Usage (time required: approximately 70 minutes)
You can board the bus from Sapporo Station, Odori West 1-chome, and Susukino.
Additionally, there is a free shuttle bus service from Makomanai Station on the Sapporo Municipal Subway. It runs once a day. For more details, please refer to the Toyohirakyo Onsen website.

*The images of the open-air baths at Toyohirakyo Onsen were provided by Toyohirakyo Onsen.

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