Here are two unique and secluded hot springs for you to discover. They are difficult to get to, and the buildings are old, but they offer high-quality hot springs, charming, aged architecture, and wonderful surrounding nature. If you come to love the hot springs in this area, you're a true fan of secluded hot springs.

3-1. Nonaka Onsen Main Building

Nonaka Onsen, near Lake Akan in eastern Hokkaido, has two hot spring facilities. One is "Nonaka Onsen Bekkan," a slightly older hot spring inn with an open-air bath. The one we'll be introducing today is "Nonaka Onsen Honkan," located behind the annex. It used to be a youth hostel, but now it's a facility exclusively for day-trippers.

The hot springs consist of only one indoor bath each for men and women. There are no taps in the washing area, so you wash yourself in the continuously flowing hot spring water.

Because the spring water is so potent, they can't use any metal, so the well-worn wooden bathtub, made without any nails or metal fittings, is simply wonderful.

This is one of my favorite hot springs because you can truly enjoy just the hot spring water itself.

Facility name: Nonaka Onsen (Main Building)
Day-use bathing: 350 yen for adults (09:00 AM - 20:00 PM)

3-2. Chihasegawa Onsen Ryokan

Next up is the Chihasegawa (千走川) Onsen Ryokan in Shimamaki Village, southern Hokkaido. Many Hokkaido residents have never been to Shimamaki Village, but this secluded hot spring is located about 6km further into the mountains of Shimamaki Village.

This hot spring inn is located deep in the mountains of Shimamaki Village, an area that receives few visitors, yet it boasts a rich, reddish-brown hot spring. It truly feels like a secluded, hidden inn, and the single-story building, reminiscent of a guesthouse, adds to its charm.

This place is also famous among hot spring enthusiasts as a destination solely for its hot springs.

Inn name: Chihasegawa Onsen Ryokan
Day-use bathing: 500 yen for adults (13:00 AM - 21:00 PM)
URL:http://www.big-hokkaido.com/chihasekawaonsen/

Summary

Above, I've introduced some hidden hot springs that people from outside Hokkaido rarely visit and that aren't included in tours, but which are beloved by the locals. All of them offer day trips, so please feel free to stop by and enjoy these hidden hot springs on your way to or from your travels!

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