Jozankei Onsen (定山渓温泉) is located in Shikotsu-Toya National Park within Sapporo, and it is very popular with tourists because it is only about 1 hour from central Sapporo, making it an easy place for a hot spring soak. The onsen sits between a tall cliff and the Toyohira River, and it is more developed than other hot spring areas nearby.
Reference: 10 Recommended Hot Springs in Japan [Latest Update]
sean-pavone/shutterstock.com
tkyszk/shutterstock.com
aaronchenps2/shutterstock.com
Photo by MIKI Yoshihito from flickr.com/photos/mujitra/8346369496 [CC by 2.0]
Since the Jozankei hot springs were discovered around 1866, many kinds of lodgings have opened in town to serve the steady stream of visitors. Although it's not a very large town, it has more than 12 ryokan hotels, along with restaurants and shops spread throughout. Another attraction worth visiting is Iwato Kannondo Temple, a temple unlike any other, located in the center of town. It's a temple built inside a cave, 120 meters long, containing 33 statues of Kannon. Besides being a place for soaking in onsen, Jozankei is also a popular spot for viewing the trees and valley during the autumn leaf season, with the peak around mid-October. If you don't have much time and want a day trip, you can still soak in onsen at the various hotels, with bathing fees running 500-1,500 yen, and there are also free foot baths that can be found all around town.
Here are the details of a hand-picked selection of great onsen baths in the Jozankei area, with separate baths for men and women:
1. Shogetsu Grand Hotel
The baths include both indoor and outdoor options, with the outdoor bath offering a beautiful view of the valley. They're also spacious enough to soak comfortably.
Onsen Use
Cost: 1,500 yen
Overnight stay 15,000 yen (includes 2 meals)
Closed: Open every day
2. Jozankei View Hotel
As one of the largest hotels in the area, it has several styles of baths, including outdoor baths, fragrant baths, and jet baths. If you want a more premium soak, this is probably the best choice in the area.
Onsen Use
Cost: 1,500 yen
Overnight stay 6,000 yen (includes 2 meals)
Closed: Open every day
Photo from sapporo.travel
Photo from sapporo.travel
Photo from sapporo.travel
Photo by t-konno from commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:北海道道1号小樽定山渓線（Lakeline_Jozankei）_-_panoramio_(2).jpg [CC by-sa 3.0]
Photo by t-konno from commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:定山渓二見吊橋_(Jozankei_Futami_suspension_bridge)_-_panoramio.jpg [CC by-sa 3.0]
Photo from sapporo.travel
Photo from sapporo.travel
Photo by t-konno from commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jozankei_snow_light_path_2013_-_panoramio.jpg [CC by-sa 3.0]
- Access: from JR Sapporo Station, take the Jotetsu Bus Kappa Liner to Jozankei. It takes about 60 minutes. All Kappa Liner buses need a reservation. From New Chitose Airport, take the Jotetsu Bus. It takes about 80 minutes.
- Location: Jozankei Onsen Higashi 3-chome, Minami-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 061-2302, Japan
- Hours: 09:00 - 17:00
- Admission: free to visit the gardens
- Website: https://jozankei.jp/en/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jozankei/
- Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/J4jT1n644Cmr57Ed7