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Hokkaido
Jozankei-onsen Hot Spring
Jozankei-onsen is a hot
spring village found in a green valley, located in Shikotsu-Toya National Park.
The Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort is nearby, as well as a number of sightseeing
spots such as Hoheikyo Dam and Jozankei Dam. Jozan-gensen-koen Park is located
in the center of town. There, you can enjoy forest bathing and a stroll on the
promenade along the Toyohira-gawa River, which has hot water springing from its
bottom, to the suspension bridge of Futami-koen Park and Kappa-fuchi Abyss known
for the story of a legendary creature, kappa. Its Na-Cl Spring, which contains
clear and colorless water of a mild salty taste, is one of the most popular
qualities of any of the hot springs in Japan.
Address: Jozankei-onsen,
Minami-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Directions: 1h10min ride by Jotetsu Bus
(Jozankei Line) from JR Sapporo Station to Jozankei.
Noboribetsu-onsen Hot Spring
Noboribetsu-onsen
attracts people by its various springs incorporating nine different qualities,
including the sulfur spring (the most popular one among all) as well as a
ferruginous spring and an alum spring which makes the skin beautiful. This much
variety is hard to find in hot springs anywhere else in the world. The water
volume of the natural discharge is 10,000 t per day, while the water temperature
ranges between 45°C and 90°C. Jigoku-dani Valley, designated as one of
Hokkaido's heritage sites, is a few minutes' walk from the hot spring area.
There, you can experience the dynamics of jigoku, or "Hell," named as such for
its strong smell of sulfur while hot water, vapors and volcanic gas escape from
the crater, formed approximately ten thousand years ago.
Address:
Noboribetsu-onsen-cho, Noboribetsu, Hokkaido Directions: 13 min ride by bus for
Noboribetsu-onsen from JR Noboribetsu Station (Muroran Line) to the final bus
stop, Nororibetsu-onsen.
Iwate
Hanamaki-onsen Hot Spring
Hanamaki-onsen,
representing Iwate Prefecture, is the generic name for several hot springs
including Dai-onsen, Hanamaki-onsen, Shidotaira-onsen (along the Toyosawa-gawa
River) and Hanamaki-minami-onsen-kyo Village, which consists of eight different
hot springs like Osawa-onsen. This location has developed as a popular travel
destination over the years and is well known as a hot spring and therapeutic
bath resort area for people living in Hanamaki. A number of famous literaries
such as Kenji Miyazawa and Kotaro Takamura have immensely enjoyed this hot
spring. Nearby, you can find the "Hanamaki-onsen Rose & Herb Garden" built
at the remains of Nansha-kadan Garden designed by Kenji Miyazawa, who spent his
entire life in Hanamaki.
Address: Hanamaki, Iwate
Directions: 20 min
ride by Iwate-ken Kotsu Bus from JR Hanamaki Station (Tohoku Line).
Yamagata
Zao-onsen Hot Spring
Zao-onsen is a hot spring
village founded approximately 1900 years ago, located at the foot of the Zao
Mountain Range over Yamagata and Miyagi prefectures. Adjacent skiing areas
welcome a number of visitors, since its high altitude assures enough snow for
skiing even during warm winters. With the special water supplied by the acidic
sulfur spring, which has a unique smell, you can't make any soap bubbles.
However, the water is very popular among people as "water to nurture the health
in children" and "water for making skin light, smooth and
beautiful."
Address: Zao-onsen, Yamagata
Directions: Take a bus for
Zao-onsen from JR Yamagata Station (Yamagata Shinkansen Line) to Zao-onsen Bus
Terminal.
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