Four hot springs to visit after skiing near Sapporo

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Four hot springs to visit after skiing near Sapporo

Publication Date：2018/11/19

Sapporo

Hokkaido

This article has been published more than a year ago and may differ from the actual information

Sapporo, Hokkaido, boasts some truly unique ski resorts close to the city, including Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort and Sapporo Teine. Why not ski to your heart's content and then relax in a hot spring afterwards? Sapporo is one of Japan's largest cities yet has plenty of hot springs in and around town. Here's a sampling of some hot springs around Sapporo you soak in after skiing to relieve your tired muscles.

Hoheikyo Onsen

After a strenuous day out on the slopes at Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort, one of the best ways to relax is in the waters of Hoheikyo Onsen. By car from downtown Sapporo, it takes about 60 to 70 minutes on route 230, via Jozankei Onsen. Hoheikyo Onsen is in the mountains about five minutes by car from Jozankei Onsen, a perfect stop before you return to downtown Sapporo from Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort.

Some of the hot spring hotels in Jozankei Onsen accept day visitors to their baths, though some close reception before the evening or do not accept visitors at all when busy, such as on weekends. In that sense, Hoheikyo Onsen is a good choice because it is a hot spring dedicated for day visitors, and you can stay until 10:30pm. The restaurants also serve food until 9:00pm (some until 8:00pm).

The greatest thing about Hoheikyo Onsen is you can enjoy a soak in a giant outdoor bath full of 100% natural hot spring water. Edged with huge rocks, the bath has such an open feel to it, and you can relax to your heart's content with a view of the snowy landscape.

The hot water is 100% natural hot spring water, and covering the tub and floor are solidified sodium and calcium salts that the hot water leaves behind. A soak will leave your skin feeling soft, smooth and moist. The hot spring water in the outdoor bath is set to warm, while the indoor bath is a little hotter. A long soak in the outdoor bath will gently warm your body to the core, or for a faster warm-up, you might prefer the indoor tub!

On the menu at Hoheikyo Onsen is the popular Indian curry. In fact, some local residents and tourists come here for the curry instead of the hot spring. The soft, fluffy naan is the perfect partner for a curry brimming with vegetables and spices! It cannot be missed, before or after your soak. Isn't it wonderful that you can enjoy Hoheikyo Onsen’s natural beauty and the quality of its hot spring together, for reasons unknown, with this incredible curry? It’s so relaxing you’ll think twice about leaving.

Teine Onsen Honoka

After a day on the snow at Sapporo Teine or SNOW CRUISE ONZE, drop in and stay a while at Teine Onsen Honoka on your way back to Sapporo and Otaru.

You can reach Sapporo Teine from JR Teine Station, and SNOW CRUISE ONZE from either Teine Station or Miyanosawa Station on the subway Nanboku Line, by a free shuttle bus. Teine Onsen Honoka is also accessible by the free shuttle bus from Teine Station or Miyanosawa Station. The good thing is you can enjoy a day of skiing and then hop over to this hot spring, even if you're not driving.

Honoka offers many types of baths, a rock sauna and body treatment. The hot spring water contains sodium salts, highly moisturizing for your skin, and keeps you warm for a long time afterwards.

Many types of baths are there for your enjoyment, including the indoor and outdoor baths, as well as a silky-white hot spring, a deep tub, and a shallow tub where the hot water only comes up to your waist when you sit down.

There are five rock saunas, each with a different room temperature. They warm you from the core and improve blood circulation.

Feel like melting away that fatigue that's gripping you? Try the body care and aesthetic treatment.

After the baths and rock saunas, visit the common room where you can find 8,500 comic books! It is a wonderful way to spend some time after refreshing yourself in the baths. The room is open 24-7, so you can stay there all night if you like! Lots of people find themselves dozing off there after a hot bath.

*Note: This hot spring does not permit the entry of anyone with tattoos, tattoo stickers or anyone under the influence of alcoholic drinks. Even if you're found to have a tattoo after entering the bath area, you'll be required to leave immediately.

Sapporo Kitahiroshima Classe Hotel

After skiing at Dynasty Ski Resort, about 40 minutes by car from downtown Sapporo or New Chitose Airport, try the hot spring at Sapporo Kitahiroshima Classe Hotel! It takes only 20 minutes by car from Dynasty Ski Resort. If you're going to the ski resort by bus, you can get to the hot spring by changing buses between the shuttle and local bus twice, but the number of buses is limited. And since you have to change so many times, it's just easier to take a taxi. On the way back you can simply hop onto the free shuttle bus from Sapporo Kitahiroshima Classe Hotel to JR Kitahiroshima Station.

This hotel is a good choice because you'll feel fully immersed in the hot spring resort experience. On top of soaking in the hot spring at the resort hotel, there's a whole range of snow activities to join, including snow rafting, snow-buggy driving, snow-tubing and a riding horse-drawn sleigh.

If you are with kids or feel you haven't had enough playtime, why not take some time out to play in the snow before going for a soak in the hot spring?

The hot spring here delivers naturally khaki-colored spring water from 1,500 m underground. It is a moor spring that contains organic matter from plants, and feels very gentle to your skin as if you're soaking in a bath of lotion. Afterwards your skin will feel so moist.

Gaze at the snowbound landscape while immersed in the outdoor bath, or head for the indoor tub and take in the winter vista through the large window.

As well as the hot spring, the resort features a dry sauna and ""rock sauna healthy dome"" with hokutolite and black silica ore. Located in the large bath area, you can savor a sweat in this unique rock sauna at no extra charge. Don't worry about arriving a bit late because the bath for day visitors is open until 10:00pm (last entry is at 9:30pm); just forget your worries and indulge in the hot spring resort experience!

Susukino Onsen Toukakyo

If you're visiting the Moiwayama or Sapporo Bankei Ski Areas close to downtown Sapporo, or staying close to the busy part of downtown Sapporo, Susukino Onsen Toukakyo near Susukino is a convenient option. It's located right downtown right in front of the nightlife area and neon-lit part of the town, but surprisingly offers natural hot spring water from 800 m underground!

The facility has a high-end appearance, with large changing rooms and spacious bath areas. And even though it's right in the heart of the city, it's free of buzz and crowds - you'll discover an adult atmosphere perfect for day visitors.

The spring is slightly salty spring with a mild texture. Immersion in these waters gently dissolves the fatigue from your muscles and re-energizes you. And it heats your core, keeping you warm long after the bath is finished.

The indoor and outdoor baths offer natural hot spring water, and the facility also provides limited themed baths and saunas each season. As you gaze into the night sky from the outdoor bath, all thoughts of being in the middle of a bustling town center will evaporate with the steam rising from the hot water.

The facility also offers many body-treatment and relaxation programs. Be pampered with a whole-body treatment, footcare, and ancient Thai-style therapy and body treatment. Why not relieve your fatigue before the day ends and start the next morning feeling fresh?

Susukino Onsen Toukakyo provides a free and spacious rest area with plenty many seats, perfect for cooling down after a soak. There are drinks and refreshments too. Because it's situated in town, you can stop by if you're visiting a nearby ski area or travelling to a distant ski area but staying at a hotel in downtown Sapporo anyway. No doubt a visit will leave you with a sense of calm.

text: Nobuhiro Kawashima

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