Winter in Hokkaido is a gloomy season, snowbound and isolated. It's too cold for sightseeing. And I don't ski either, you might be thinking.

No, no, Hokkaido winters offer unique pleasures that can only be enjoyed during this season. One of them is taking a bath while watching the snow fall. Warming your body slowly in the cold air while gazing at the snow—don't you think that's a luxurious way to spend time?

This time, we'll introduce some popular hot springs in Hokkaido that offer stunning views of the snow, even among locals. Each hot spring offers a different view. We hope this will be helpful for your Hokkaido trip!

<Contents>
1. [Closed] Koikawa Onsen Ryokan
2. Marukoma Onsen Ryokan
3. Kuma no Yu
4. Hoheikyo Onsen
5. Tokachidake Onsen Ryounkaku
6. Ooe Honke, Onneyu Onsen, Hokkaido
7. Tokachigawa Onsen Kangetsuen
8. Kotan no Yu
Final thoughts

Image courtesy of:Koikawa Onsen RyokanKoikawa Onsen Ryokan has been closed since the end of February 2018.

Niseko is a mecca for skiing. In winter, skiers from all over the world flock to the area, giving it the appearance of an international city.

With superb snow quality, abundant supply, and well-equipped accommodations and ski resorts, it's no surprise that Niseko is a great place to visit. However, a little distance from the hustle and bustle of Niseko, nestled in the mountains, stands the secluded Koikawa Onsen Ryokan.

This is a traditional Japanese inn where you can fully enjoy the charm of Japan's four seasons and its abundant nature. The open-air bath, set in a slightly elevated location, offers stunning views in both summer, when it features a waterfall as a backdrop, and winter, when the waterfall freezes over amidst heavy snowfall, offering a glimpse into the harshness of Hokkaido's winter.

You can relax and unwind in the thick, cloudy hot spring water. With plenty of activities nearby, it's an ideal place to stay for a leisurely Hokkaido winter getaway. Day trips to the hot springs are also available.

Image courtesy of:Koikawa Onsen Ryokan
<Koikawa Onsen Ryokan>
Address:592 Yuri, Rankoshi-cho, Isoya-gun, Hokkaido
TEL: 0136-58-2111 / FAX: 0136-58-2088
Day trip bathing: Adults: 600 yen, Elementary school students: 300 yen, Toddlers (3 years and older): 100 yen
Business hours: 10:30-21:00 (Last reception 20:00)
Closed days: Irregular (including cleaning days)

Marukoma Onsen Ryokan is a hot spring inn located west of Lake Shikotsu. The highlight of this hot spring is its open-air bath, which is at the same height as Lake Shikotsu.

The depth of the hot springs changes depending on the water level of Lake Shikotsu, highlighting its wild and untamed nature. There's no other location quite as suitable for enjoying the snowy scenery.

On a clear day, the mountains on the opposite shore are covered in a blanket of white snow. Sunlight bounces off the frost-covered trees. The surface of Lake Shikotsu is a deep, deep blue. Lake Shikotsu is Japan's northernmost lake that never freezes, and it rarely freezes even in winter.

Moreover, it boasts some of the clearest waters in Japan. Located about an hour from Chitose Airport and Sapporo city, this hot spring allows you to experience the magnificent nature of Hokkaido. In the summer, many motorcyclists stop by for a day trip to the hot springs, but in winter, it's a place where you'll want to stay longer and rest your mind and body. Highly recommended.

<Marukoma Onsen Ryokan>
Address:7 Horominai, Chitose City, Hokkaido
Day trip bathing: Adults: 1,000 yen, Elementary school students: 500 yen, Toddlers (3 years and older): 200 yen
Contact address: 0123-25-2341

Among the hot springs I'll be introducing this time, Kuma-no-yu is truly a hidden gem. It's a free public bath. It's not mixed-gender, but separated into men's and women's sections, although women are free to enter the men's section.

The men's bath has no partitions and offers a magnificent view; the snow covering the primeval forest is a feast for the eyes, and the sound of the flowing river soothes the ears. This hot spring is perfect for experiencing the magnificent nature of Hokkaido in a truly secluded location.

Although it's a cold region, the water temperature itself is quite high, so it warms you thoroughly from the inside out.

It's very popular with the locals, and many locals frequent it. While these kinds of secluded hot springs are often difficult to find, thanks to the efforts of the locals, the parking lot and changing rooms are well-maintained and kept clean. So, if you're traveling to the Shiretoko area, be sure to stop by. It's a wonderful open-air bath.

<Kuma no Yu (Bear Hot Spring)>
Address:Yunosawa-cho, Rausu-cho, Menashi-gun, Hokkaido
Admission fee: Free
Opening hours/period: 24 hours (bathing is not permitted during cleaning).
Open every day

There are several factors that make a hot spring bath with a view of the snow ideal, one of which is that the open-air bath itself is spacious, and the view is unobstructed.

Toyohirakyo Onsen perfectly meets these conditions. From Jozankei town, drive for a while towards Nakayama Pass, then turn left towards Toyohirakyo Dam, and you'll soon arrive. Toyohirakyo Dam is a popular spot for viewing autumn foliage, and Toyohirakyo Onsen is beautiful in the fall, but enjoying a hot spring bath while gazing at the majestic, snow-covered peaks in the distance offers a truly exceptional experience.

Most of the customers are from within Sapporo city, and the majority are repeat visitors. This relaxing day-trip hot spring facility is reasonably priced, making it enjoyable even for those traveling alone.

Another highlight is the restaurant. It's unique in that you can enjoy authentic naan and curry. Be sure to try it!

Toyohirakyo Onsen
Street address:608-2 Jozankei, Minami-ku, Sapporo City, Hokkaido
Phone: 011-598-2410
Closed: Open all year round
Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 24:00 AM (Sundays and public holidays: 9:00 AM - 24:00 AM)
Admission fees: Adults ¥1,000, Children ¥500 (Infants (0-2 years old) free)
Towel
Face: Selling price 220 yen
Bus: Rental fee 520 yen (300 yen refundable)

Image courtesy of:Tokachidake Onsen Ryounkaku

Tokachidake Onsen Ryounkaku will leave a lasting impression on all who visit, regardless of the season.

Needless to say, it's especially beautiful during the autumn foliage season, but from the open-air bath set atop the cliff, you can see the sun peeking over the mountain ridges. The light reflects off the frost-covered trees, creating an exquisite illumination that can be seen even in the daytime.

The mountains that you usually see in the distance are right here, and if the conditions are right, you can see a sea of ​​clouds in the summer. Taking a bath above the clouds is a sight that is beyond the imagination of everyday life.

This luxury is only possible because it's one of the highest-altitude hot springs in Hokkaido.

And its reputation is definitely spreading by word of mouth. It may not be a famous hot spring. But that's often the case with hidden gems. If you're in Asahikawa, it's a place you'll want to go out of your way to visit. That's Ryounkaku.

This inn will warm your body, which has been shivering from the cold, while simultaneously stirring your heart with awe at the breathtaking scenery.

Image courtesy of:Tokachidake Onsen Ryounkaku

<Tokachidake Onsen Ryounkaku>
Address:Tokachidake Onsen, Kamifurano-cho, Sorachi-gun, Hokkaido
Phone: 0167-39-4111
Fax: 0167-39-4112

Image courtesy of:Oe Honke
The Okhotsk Sea is about to enter the drift ice season. After enjoying the drift ice to your heart's content, relax and enjoy a snow-viewing hot spring bath in the open-air bath at Ooe Honke.

From the open-air bath, you can enjoy a vast landscape typical of Hokkaido. In the evening, there are illuminations. And as night falls, you can see a sky full of stars. The Okhotsk region has many clear days throughout the year, so the chances of enjoying the starry sky are quite high.

Onneyu Onsen is located about a two-hour drive inland from Abashiri and Monbetsu, which are famous for their drift ice. Among the many hot springs in Onneyu Onsen that boast "100% natural hot spring water" and are highly regarded for their water quality, Ooe Honke is proud of the sheer volume of hot spring water that gushes out.

The hot spring water, which flows directly from the source, is alkaline and known for its skin-beautifying properties. The indoor baths include various types of tubs, as well as a private family bath that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Image courtesy of:Oe Honke
<Ooe Honke, Onneyu Onsen, Hokkaido>
Address:466-1 Onneyu Onsen, Rubeshibe-cho, Kitami City
Day trip bathing: Adults: 700 yen, Children: 350 yen
Hours 13:00-20:00
Phone: 0157-45-2511

Image courtesy of:Tokachigawa Onsen Kangetsuen

The open-air bath at Kangetsuen offers a panoramic view of the vast Tokachi Plain. You'll be left breathless by the seemingly endless snowfields. The distant Tokachi River and surrounding forests, along with the sense of freedom, will surely soothe your weary soul.

On particularly cold days, you might even witness the diamond dust phenomenon, where water vapor in the air freezes. The sight of the air itself sparkling will surely become a wonderful memory of your trip.

Tokachigawa Onsen is located in the suburbs of Obihiro. Within this area is Kangetsuen, a highly-rated inn known for its excellent service and facilities, and its large number of repeat customers is proof of its quality. The plant-derived moor spring, rare even in Japan, is renowned as a "beauty spring" with exceptional skin-beautifying effects.

It might give your skin a radiance that rivals the sparkling diamond dust. This is a recommended inn if you're traveling to the Obihiro area. Of course, day-use of the hot springs is also available.

Image courtesy of:Tokachigawa Onsen Kangetsuen
<Kangetsuen Garden>
Address:14-2 Minami, Tokachigawa Onsen, Otofuke-cho, Kato-gun, Hokkaido
Day trip bathing: Adults: 1,000 yen, Elementary school students: 500 yen, Toddlers (3 years and older): 300 yen
Hours: 13: 00 ~ 20: 00
Contact address: 0155-46-2001

Image courtesy of:Do photo
Kotan no Yu is a free open-air bath located on the shore of Lake Kussharo in Teshikaga Town, eastern Hokkaido. Although it is divided into men's and women's sections by large rocks, it is essentially a mixed-gender bath.

This open-air bath is located along the road connecting Wakoto Peninsula on Lake Kussharo and Sunayu. Although it's free, it's cleaned daily, so it's a very clean bath. And it's only a short distance from Lake Kussharo.

Lake Kussharo freezes over in winter, but some areas, such as those where hot springs bubble up, remain unfrozen. Swans and other marine life gather in these areas.

The open-air bath blends seamlessly with the lake, giving you the illusion of bathing alongside swans. In the evening, the sun sets behind the mountains. At night, you can experience the true essence of Hokkaido's wild nature under the starry sky. If you stay at a nearby inn, you can enjoy the snow-viewing hot spring experience to your heart's content twice.

<Kotan no Yu (hot spring)>
Street address　Teshikaga-cho, Kusharo Kotan
Admission fee: Free
Changing room available (separate for men and women)
Bathing method: Mixed bathing

Final thoughts

In Hokkaido, you can basically enjoy a snow-viewing hot spring bath almost anywhere (as long as you can see outside) during the winter months. However, the glass in indoor baths fogs up, making it difficult to see outside. It's definitely best to enjoy it while soaking up in an open-air bath.

Hokkaido's snow-viewing hot springs compete to offer their own unique experiences. The baths and accommodations we've introduced here are sure to leave you with a memorable and unforgettable experience.

[Please also see]
Hidden Hot Springs of Hokkaido | 10 Recommended Hidden Hot Springs by a Hot Spring Enthusiast from Hokkaido [Beginner's Guide]

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