Jozankei Onsen Travel Guide

Jozankei Onsen is located inside Shikotsu-Toya National Park between the high cliffs of the Toyohira River. The town is only one hour from Sapporo, making it a popular side trip from the city for both residents and tourists. As a result, Jozankei is very developed compared to other, smaller onsen towns in Hokkaido.

The onsen waters of Jozankei were discovered in 1866 and the town now has dozens of ryokan, restaurants and shops catering to hot spring tourists. A small waterfall called Yunotaki, and the public foot baths in town, are also fed by the hot spring water.

Besides being an onsen destination, Jozankei is a popular fall colors destination. Visitors in the fall come to see the brilliantly colored Mount Asahidake to the east of the town, or to view the autumn leaves from the walking trails along Toyahira River. The best time to see the leaves is usually mid October.

Iwato Kannondo is a unique temple in central Jozankei, as most of the temple is located in a cave. Built for road workers who were killed during the construction of a tunnel, the temple's cave is 120 meters long with 33 statues of Kannon (Japanese Buddhist deity of mercy and compassion) placed at intervals along the way.

Noboribetsu , Hot Spring Bath , Hokkaido

Noboribetsu is Hokkaido's most famous hot spring resort, offering as many as eleven different kinds of waters, that are considered among Japan's best and most effective.

The resort town consists of numerous ryokan and hotels with hot spring baths. Several of them open their baths during daytime to non-staying guests for typically 700 to 1500 yen. But the best baths are found at Noboribetsu's oldest hotel, the Daiichi Takimotokan. Established in 1858 and located just below to the Jigokudani, the Takimotokan now consists of more than half a dozen modern buildings and includes one of Japan's finest indoor baths.

Hot Spring Bath

Noboribets-onsen has 11 different kinds of hot springs and you can enjoy 7 hot springs at Dai-ichi Takimotokan. This cannot be seen in any other part of the world, and we also have a hot spring that you can enjoy only at Dai-ichi Takimotokan.

The Beautiful Skin Spa

This contains sulfur and is also one of the best sulfurous springs in Noboribetsu. The particular smell comes from hydrogen sulfide. It will expand blood vessels, improve circulation and control skin. It is thought to ease hardening of arteries, high blood pressure, chronic skin diseases, chronic gynecological diseases and cuts.

The Beauty Spa

This bath contains sodium, calcium and magnesium and a less stimulant alkaline bath. When you take this one, it washes away the sebum, making your skin smooth. It is also good for cuts, burns, chronic skin diseases, neuralgia, and anemia. Since this prevents inflammation and allergies, it is good for nettle rash and atopic dermatitis

The Demon Spa

This bath contains sodium, calcium and chloride and is good for chronic diseases of the digestive organs, gynecological diseases, and recovery from fatigue. It also improves your health, bad circulation and reputedly heals cuts and skin burns.

The Panacea Spa

This acidic bath contains sulfur and iron oxides. This is one of the most remarkable hot springs in Noboribetsu. It is good for skin diseases including athlete's foot, or those caused by germs. It also improves both blood formation and circulation by expanding vessels. This bath can improve symptoms related to rheumatism and the menopause. But since this bath is rather acid, those with sensitive skins should wash with pure hot water when they get out

The Heat Spa

This bath contains sodium, calcium and chloride, and the mineral particles cover the skin surface filling the pores. This is why this bath is called the Warmth Spa, because it is good for rheumatism and those who are sensitive to cold.

The Healing Spa

This sulfate spring, equal in clarity to the famous Karlsbad spa in the Czech republic, famous for years as a bath to heal wounds and paralysis. It is also eases high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries and chronic skin diseases.

The Cure Spa

This bath contains sodium, calcium and chloride, and its water has a gentle quality, good for elderly people and those who are rehabilitating, and also good for rheumatism, incapability in the motor nerves, underdevelopment and menopause. The bath will make your skin smooth.