Nothing warms up your body and calms your soul like a soak in a hot spring after a day in the snowy mountains. Hot springs make winter travel even more enjoyable and appealing. Here, we introduce hot springs that you should definitely soak in if you're traveling around Asahikawa, Hokkaido
[Near the Asahidake Ropeway in Daisetsuzan]
Sounkyo Onsen Hotel Daisetsu
If you come to Asahikawa, Sounkyo Onsen is a must-visit for skiing and hot springs
Sounkyo Onsen, located at the foot of the magnificent Daisetsuzan mountain range in central Hokkaido, is a 1 hour 55 minute drive from JR Asahikawa Station. This hot spring resort is visited by approximately 2 million people annually, including climbers and tourists visiting Daisetsuzan. It is also world-famous for its ice festival, the Sounkyo Onsen Ice Waterfall Festival. If you are planning a snow trip based in Asahikawa, Mount Asahi and Mount Kuro in the Daisetsuzan mountains are popular mountain ranges that everyone wants to visit at least once
The spring quality of Sounkyo Onsen is simple sulfur spring water, with a faint sulfurous scent and clear, colorless water. With over 60 springs, each hot spring has its own unique scent and color, which is fascinating and appealing to hot spring lovers. Hotel Daisetsu is located on the highest ground of all the Sounkyo Onsen resorts, so it also offers an outstanding view. There are three large public baths and two open-air baths. You can enjoy five unique baths, including Chinita no Yu, which has an exotic atmosphere with its brick style and stained glass. The gorge open-air bath, Tenka no Yu, can also be reserved for private use
It's a great place to stop by after skiing on Mount Asahidake or Mount Kurodake during a day trip while staying in Asahikawa. Hotel Daisetsu also operates a free shuttle bus from JR Asahikawa Station during the winter. If you're staying in Asahikawa and the weather is bad from the morning, it might be a good idea to spend the day at Sounkyo Onsen
Sounkyo Onsen "Hotel Taisetsu " (day bath)
Opening hours: 11:00 - 17:00
Price: 1,500 yen for adults
Official website: http://www.hotel-taisetsu.com/index.html
[Near Kamui Ski Links]
Asahikawa Takasagodai Manyo no Yu
A hot spring facility that offers the three elements of "soaking," "relaxing," and "eating"
Located about a 15-minute drive from Kamui Ski Links, this hot spring facility offers the three elements of soaking, relaxing, and eating. You can soak in the hidden hot springs of Hokkaido, the Futamata Radium Hot Springs, which are highly effective in relieving fatigue. Manyo no Yu is open all year round, and is open 23 hours a day. It's amazing that you can use it from late at night until the morning. There are also rooms available for rent, and you can stay from 9 pm until 8 am the next morning for just 3,500 yen, which is groundbreaking. With a full range of amenities, you can easily visit empty-handed
Asahikawa Takasagodai "Manyo no Yu " (day bath)
Opening hours: 10:00 - 9:00 the next morning
Price: 1,800 yen for adults
Official website: https://www.manyo.co.jp/asahikawa/
Irumu no Yu Agri Kobo Maabu
Relax for just 500 yen! Weekend meal packages available
Agri Kobo Maabu, accessible in about 15 minutes by car from Kamui Ski Links, is a complex that includes a campsite, cottages, a restaurant, hot springs, and more. The main building houses the natural hot spring, Fukagawa Ilum no Yu, which is open for day trips. The water is a weakly alkaline cold mineral spring from the Fukagawa Ilum source, which is gentle on the skin and can be enjoyed safely by people with sensitive skin, small children, and the elderly. In addition to the large indoor bath, there is also an open-air tub bath and rock bath
The "meal pack" which includes a day trip to the hot springs and a meal is a great deal at just 1,200 yen, and you can choose from two menus (Western or Japanese). It is only available during the day on weekdays, but orders can be made from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on weekends and holidays, so it's perfect for after skiing
Aguri Studio Maabu "Irumu no Yu " (Day Trip Bath)
Price: Adults 500 yen
◆ Official website: https://agri-studio-maabu.com/
[Inside Furano Ski Resort]
Furano Onsen Shisai no Yu
Finnish-style old pine sauna to soothe your tired body after a day of skiing
The source of the hot spring is a hot spring vein located 1,010 meters underground in the Furano region. The spacious indoor bath is equipped with a jet bath, making it ideal for relaxation and fatigue recovery. The open-air bath is a long, horizontal tub, allowing you to enjoy a spacious bath while gazing at the stars. The water has a smooth texture that gently soothes fatigue in body and mind. The most recommended experience is the "Finnish-style Old Pine Sauna."
The interior is made of old pine wood, which was used in North American homes, creating a great atmosphere. Pine has the ability to absorb heat from the sauna and then radiate it evenly again, making the air mellow and ideal for saunas. Water is automatically poured onto sauna stones heated by the sauna stove, which promotes sweating and improves metabolism. This is the perfect way to rejuvenate your body after a day of skiing at the massive Furano Ski Resort
Furano Onsen "Shisai no Yu" (Day-trip bath)
Location: 2nd floor of the hot spring building at Shin Furano Prince Hotel
Opening hours: 1:00 PM - 11:30 PM (last admission)
Fee: 1,700 yen for adults (free for day-trip guests)
Official website: https://www.princehotels.co.jp/shinfurano/facility/onsen/
[Near Furano Ski Resort]
Tokachidake Onsen Ryounkaku
Soak in the open-air bath while admiring the spectacular view from 1,280 meters above sea level
Located at 1,280m above sea level, Tokachidake Onsen Ryounkaku is the highest hot spring in Hokkaido. There are two types of natural hot springs that flow directly from the source near the top of the mountain, and there are two indoor baths, "Oiwa no Yu" and "Koiwa no Yu," each with different spring qualities. Oiwa no Yu is a brownish iron spring. Koiwa no Yu is an acidic, slightly clear brown water. The baths for men and women are switched at different times, so it's nice to be able to enjoy both. The open-air bath offers a spectacular view! Soaking in the open-air bath while gazing at the majestic Mount Furano from an altitude of 1,280m is the ultimate luxury. You can also enjoy the hot springs on a day trip
Ryounkaku also introduces backcountry tours offered by the backcountry guide club "SAPPORO MOUNTAIN TIME."
Tokachidake Onsen "Ryounkaku " (day bath)
Opening hours: 8:00 - 19:00 (last admission 18:30 / irregular holidays)
Price: 1,000 yen for adults
◆ Official website: https://www.ryounkaku.jp/