Jozankei Onsen is a quaint hot spring resort in Hokkaido, located in the suburbs of Sapporo City. It’s easy to get to by car, taking approximately 50 minutes from downtown Sapporo and 80 minutes from New Chitose Airport. There are also buses leaving from Sapporo Station and New Chitose Airport, making it a convenient place to stay when sightseeing!
Here we will introduce the charm of Jozankei Onsen, the top footbath spots, and where to stay when you’re in the area!
Introducing Jozankei Onsen
Jozankei Onsen is a hot spring resort founded in 1866. Visitors can either find accommodations along the valley, at one of the inns, or just enjoy the many different hot springs, including foot baths, on a day trip.
Thanks to the striking natural scenery, autumn brings the area fame for its bright crimson leaves, while in winter, it’s the countless lights from snow candles glittering at night in the resort town nestled in deep snow. An annual event in the winter is the yukitoro or snow lanterns creating a fantasy-like atmosphere.
Here are some of the top things to do in Jozankei Onsen!
Local residents line up countless snow candles in the precincts of the Jozankei Shrine in the middle of winter. This event is called “Yukitouro” and is held every year in early February.
Getting to Jozankei Onsen
Access to Jozankei Onsen from New Chitose Airport
・By public transportation
New Chitose Airport Station → Train (Rapid Airport, approx. 40 minutes) → Sapporo Station → Bus (approx. 60 minutes on the Kappa Line, approx. 80 minutes by route bus) → Jozankei Onsen
*There are multiple bus stops throughout the Jozankei Onsen resort. We recommend checking the nearest bus stop to your accommodation in advance.
・By car
New Chitose Airport → New Chitose Airport Interchange
→ Kitahiroshima Ineterchange → National Route 36 → National Route 230 → Jozankei Onsen (approx. 80 minutes)
Access to Jozankei Onsen from Sapporo City
・By public transportation
Sapporo Station → Bus (approx. 60 minutes on the Kappa Line; approx. 80 minutes by route bus) → Jozankei Onsen
・By car
Sapporo City → National Route 230 (approx. 50 minutes)
Three free footbaths in the Jozankei Onsen resort area
▲ A view of the Toyohira River from Tsukimi-bashi (Moon View Bridge), located in middle of the resort. Inns that draw hot spring water for their baths line the river.
There are 56 hot springs in Jozankei Onsen, and more than half of them bubble up naturally from openings in the rock bed and along the banks of the Toyohira River, which runs down the middle of the resort. Spring water temperatures are between 60 and 80 degrees Celsius, with the source producing an impressive estimated daily volume of 8,600 liters.
These are called sodium chloride springs; the water is transparent and contains natural salts. These salts make your skin feel soft and smooth after you get out of the bath and leave you feeling warm for quite a while afterward. You ca…
