12 Best Onsen in Sapporo | Onsen Towns, Day Trips, and Ryokan

Sapporo, as the fifth most populated city in Japan, is filled with office buildings and business establishments. However, did you know that it also has notable spots for natural hot springs?

In this article, we will be introducing 12 of the best spots for onsen in Sapporo.

From beautiful night views to old Japanese traditions, there are many aspects of Sapporo’s natural onsen that you are sure to enjoy.

Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

1. Notable Hot Springs
   • Jozankei Onsen
2. Onsen and super sento for day trips
   • Yumoto Koganeyu
   • Susukino Natural Onsen Tokakyo
   • Teine Onsen Honoka
   • Hoheikyo Onsen
   • Naebo Station Onsen Kura no Yu
3. Hotels and ryokan
   • JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo
   • Yamahana Onsen Tonden Japanese Inn
   • HOTEL MYSTAYS PREMIER Sapporo Park
   • Hotel Monterey Edelhof Sapporo
   • Chateraise Gateaux Kingdom Sapporo
   • ONSEN RYOKAN YUEN SAPPORO
4. Conclusion

Notable Hot Springs

Hokkaido has many places where you can enjoy the hot springs; however, since Hokkaido itself is so big, these places are not always very accessible from the city.

Below is an introduction to one of Sapporo’s most famous onsen towns, which is not only known for its onsen but also its convenient location.

Jozankei Onsen (定山渓温泉)

Located only about an hour’s drive from Sapporo, Jozankei Onsen is a popular location for locals who are looking to take a quick and relaxing trip from the city, making it Hokkaido’s most well-known hot spring spot.

Although beautiful all year round, Jozankei is known especially for its scenery in the autumn. The leaves that turn red and orange are a sight that draws in visitors yearly.

As Hokkaido is also known for skiing and Jozankei Onsen is not too far from the Sapporo International Ski Resort, Jozankei is also a great place to stay during ski season.

Many of the activities that you can find in the Jozankei Onsen town itself tie back to the rich nature; you can find wineries, hiking spots, horseback writing, and berry picking, just to name a few. Various footbaths (called “ashiyu” in Japanese) are also scattered around town, the perfect resting spots after a day of exploring nature.

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Onsen and super sento for day trips

You may have heard of a “ryokan,” which is a Japanese-style inn. These have natural onsen for the point of relaxation and luxury. There are also places called “super sento,” public bathing establishments that serve a more practical purpose but still have many different types of baths to enjoy.

Super sento are generally very affordable; if you do not have your own towel, many places will also let you buy one for a separate fee so you can always make a spur-of-the-moment decision to go.

If you are looking to just visit an onsen on a day trip or have other accommodations and just want a place to try out a natural hot spring in Sapporo, we recommend any of the following places.

Yumoto Koganeyu (湯元 小金湯)

Yumoto Koganeyu is located southwest of Sapporo. A free shuttle bus leaves from Makomanai Station so make sure to make use of it if you do not have a car.

There are many different types of baths available like a jacuzzi bath, an outdoor bath that resembles a large pot (the perfect size for one person), and even special seasonal baths; depending on the time of year, you might even find fruits floating in the bath. There is also a private onsen available for 3,800 JPY for an hour and a half.

You can also choose to stay the night at Yumoto Koganeyu and there are many different plans so that you can choose what best fits your needs.

In particular, on the weekdays there is a cheaper option to stay the night that includes dinner. If you are traveling and do not have to stay on a weekend, this might be a very good cost-effective option.

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Susukino Natural Onsen Tokakyo (すすきの天然温泉 湯香郷)

Susukino Natural Onsen Tokakyo is a part of the Jasmac Plaza Hotel located in the city area of Sapporo. Although guests staying at the hotel use this onsen, people are welcome to use it as a super sento as well.

The indoor bath is extremely spacious and clean, not to mention the multitude of health benefits that you can get from the natural hot spring water. The large jacuzzi bath is also fun and worth checking out.

There are also plenty of options in the spa area, where you can get a Thai-style or foot massage. The baths are open until midnight and the spa until around 11:00 pm, giving you lots of time to enjoy everything.

After spending some time in the bath, we recommend that you have food in the relaxation area; they offer all sorts of Japanese and Chinese foods at affordable prices.

Susukino Natural Onsen Tokakyo has a birthday month discount; both you and your friends and family can use the onsen for a discounted fee as many times as you want throughout the month.

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Teine Onsen Honoka (ていね温泉　ほのか)

Teine Onsen Honoka is a sizeable super sento situated in the northern part of the city area in Sapporo. You can take a free shuttle bus that goes around some of the more major train stations.

The public bath at Teine Onsen Honoka has an especially large number of different types of baths, not only of just shapes and sizes but water as well. Some baths have water that has more of a milky consistency, and you can even find a man-made onsen infused with health-conscious chemicals.

Additional to the large amount of space of the indoor bath, the men’s and women’s areas both have two outdoor baths. Even if you are visiting at a more crowded time of the day, you are sure to have enough space to take your time and relax.

If you are a fan of saunas or hot yoga, you should definitely try out the “gabanyoku” or hot stone spa. There are four rooms (plus a cool-down room) that all have different aesthetics, use different stones, and are set at different temperatures.

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Hoheikyo Onsen (豊平峡温泉)

Hoheikyo Onsen is located to the southwest of Sapporo and is known for its outdoor bath, which is said to fit up to 200 people, the largest in Japan. It is about a 50-minute drive from Sapporo station; there is also a bus that goes directly to the onsen which will take a bit over an hour.

The men’s and women’s baths switch depending on the day, so you will be able to try out different outdoor baths if you go two days in a row. They are also lit up at night, giving you a whole different experience.

Although super sento are not often known for their food, the Indian restaurant attached to Hoheikyo Onsen is known for having affordable and delicious curry.

You cannot stay the night at Hoheikyo Onsen, but there are many activities to enjoy. In the winter, especially, there are unique experiences to enjoy such as snowshoeing or having a meal of lamb inside an igloo.

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Naebo Station Onsen Kura no Yu (苗穂駅前温泉 蔵ノ湯)

Naebo Station Onsen Kura no Yu has perhaps the most convenient location out of all the super sento on our list. Just a four-minute walk from Naebo Station, the facility is also around a 15-minute walk to nearby shopping malls and museums.

This facility has a total of six baths including a jacuzzi bath and a bath with an open roof. One of the most fun is the “cave bath,” which is exactly what the name suggests. At night, the cave is lit up, giving you an ambient and relaxing experience.

After you soak in the hot spring, there are still many things to do such as eat a meal at Kura no Yu’s restaurant, get a massage, or even get your hair cut.

Naebo Station Onsen Kura no Yu is in a great location for exploring the city area of Sapporo. However, there is no option for staying the night, so you will have to choose a hotel in the area if you want to stay nearby.

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Hotels and ryokan

Aside from super sento which can be used on day trips and are more of a local experience, there are also many hotels and traditional Japanese ryokan that you can find in Sapporo with natural onsen.

The following are some of our choices for the best lodges in the area.

JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo (JRタワーホテル日航札幌)

JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo is located in the center of the city right next to Sapporo Station. If you are looking for a hotel with great access to trains so you can travel around, this would be the best option.

The public bath/spa area has a deep bath, multiple saunas, and a natural onsen. The water is taken from a hot spring that originates in the underground area of Sapporo Station. Even if you are not staying the night, you are welcome to use the baths.

Note that only those 18 years and older cannot use the spa, so those traveling with young children may want to look for other options. The spa is also not free even for guests at the hotel, but you will receive a discount (2,960 JPY to 1,800 JPY).

The guest suites at JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo are all located between the 23rd and the 34th floor, giving you a great view of the city no matter the type of room you stay in.

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Yamahana Onsen Tonden Japanese Inn (山鼻温泉 屯田湯旅館)

Yamahana Onsen Tonden has been run by the same families since its establishment in 1961. Since then, the hotel has been remodeled and what was originally a sento was turned into guest rooms.

Yamahana Onsen Tonden is a ryokan in name but would be considered what you call an “unmanned hotel,” because there is no reception staff immediately present. This is a hands-off experience where you reserve the room, get there yourself, and check yourself in and out.

There are only two rooms at Yamahana Onsen Tonden, each with five or six beds arranged dorm-style making it a good choice for those who are traveling in a large group of friends. Each room also has its own onsen, so you can have as much privacy as you would like.

Despite the remodels, the rooms still retain many of the original characteristics such as the faucet heads turned into overhead lights for the beds; the mirrors and buckets in the bath area have also been left the same.

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HOTEL MYSTAYS PREMIER Sapporo Park (ホテルマイステイズプレミア札幌パーク)

HOTEL MYSTAYS PREMIER Sapporo Park is part of a large hotel group that has establishments all over the country. A total of six of these are in Sapporo.

The public bathing area is clean and spacious. You can find a natural onsen, a sauna, a jet bath, and a cold bath in both men’s and women’s sections. However, note that the women’s bath is the only one that has an outdoor bath. The bath opens as early as 5:30 in the morning and save for a break for cleaning in the afternoon, is open until 1:00 am.

There are many options for food at HOTEL MYSTAYS PREMIER Sapporo Park. Although the hotel is western-style in its design and guest suites, authentic Japanese food is served and you can try eel as well as other types of traditional cuisine. If you are not one for Japanese food, there is also a restaurant that specializes in all sorts of organic dishes.

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Hotel Monterey Edelhof Sapporo (ホテルモントレエーデルホフ札幌)

The Hotel Monterey group across operates hotels across the country. Hotel Monterey Edelhof Sapporo in particular is designed with 19th century Vienna in mind, making it a very stylish place to stay.

The spa consists of a natural onsen, a stone spa, a sauna, massage parlors, and a lounge overlooking the city. The shower heads in the public bath were specifically chosen to be good for the skin.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, each area of the spa has a limit on how many people can use it at a time. You can check how crowded the baths are from the official website. Also, note that you can use the spa even if you are not a guest at the hotel (for a price of 3,000 JPY).

Hotel Monterey Edelhof Sapporo offers different packages that range in price depending on what is included. If you want to customize things like meals, room size, or access to the spa, it is recommended to check the official site which sometimes has exclusive plans.

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Chateraise Gateaux Kingdom Sapporo (シャトレーゼ ガトーキングダムサッポロ)

Chateraise Gateaux Kingdom Sapporo is a hotel that is built to entertain families and is recommended for those with younger children. The large pool and water slides are perfect to do as a family.

That being said, there are many different ways for adults to enjoy the hotel as well. The public bath and spa are large and luxurious, which is a great way to relax after a day of activity. If you like to go to the gym, there are different types of exercise equipment that can be used any day of the year.

The number of room types that Chateraise Gateaux Kingdom Sapporo offers is astounding, from seasonal themes to Japanese-style rooms to rooms that are specifically made colorful and spacious for families bringing children.

There are many options for food as well; there are options for a Chinese lunch buffet or a more inclusive lunch buffet with all types of food. You could also opt for a more traditional Japanese-style meal.

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ONSEN RYOKAN YUEN SAPPORO (ONSEN RYOKAN 由縁 札幌)

ONSEN RYOKAN YUEN SAPPORO is a hotel that is about a 12-minute walk from Sapporo Station. It is a ryokan that emphasizes the ideas of Japanese hospitality and giving travelers a place to rest and eat well.

The onsen at this hotel is on the darker side aesthetically, giving it a very calming and peaceful feel. There is a bath in particular unique to this hotel called the “Komori-yu,” which roughly translates to “the confined spring.” It is secluded and designed much like a cave, which fits the theme of the overall bath.

The food at ONSEN RYOKAN YUEN SAPPORO is specific to the season and uses Hokkaido-grown ingredients. These ingredients were carefully chosen by the chef who personally visited the area where the produce is grown and talked to the locals to decide what to use. It is a treat to get to eat Hokkaido delicacies from the source so we recommend taking advantage of it.

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Conclusion

What did you think?

If you happen to be in Hokkaido on a trip, you might be excited to see the snow and the nature; an onsen is perhaps not the first thing on your mind.

However, the natural onsen in Sapporo are not something to miss out on. Whether you are thinking of spending a night at a hotel or ryokan with an onsen or just making a quick stop at a super sento, we hope that there was something on this list that sparked your interest.

Good luck on your trip!

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