Jozankei is a hot spring resort located about an hour's drive from downtown Sapporo. With its easy accessibility, it is sometimes called the "backstreets of Sapporo."

Its long history begins in 1866 when the Ainu people introduced the springs to Buddhist monk Miizumi Jozan. The area was named Jozankei in his honor, after he laid the foundation for the hot springs in the area.

Currently, it has developed into one of the leading hot spring towns in Hokkaido, where plenty of hotels and inns abound.

A Warm Japanese Welcome the Moment You Step Inside

Japanese hot spring inns tend to accept group guests, but Kuriya Suizan is located far from the hotels. It takes about 1 hour by car from central Sapporo to Kuriya Suizan. A free shuttle bus also departs from Odori Subway Station, Exit 1.

One feature of this Hokkaido ryokan inn is the relaxing atmosphere, with its 14 guest rooms and accommodation of guests ages 13 and above. They also have English-speaking staff to accommodate foreign visitors (although English-speaking staff may not always be on the premises).

The inn's theme is "a place where you can enjoy food," so naturally, it also offers delicious cuisine and a dining area designed by the chefs of Dai-ichi Hotel.

Especially in autumn, the Sadayamakei Onsen area is surrounded by stunning foliage, and all guest rooms overlook the autumn leaves. Over half of the rooms in Kuriya Suizan also have hot springs. Enjoy a luxurious soak as you take in the beautiful colors of autumn!

Autumn Arrives in Style

Kuriya Suizan's dishes and dining space were designed by the chefs of Dai-ichi Hotel, with the inn's theme being "a place to enjoy food."

Each guest room is decorated with books showing their foods and cooking methods, including 'Rikyu-ni,' a dish simmered in sesame, a favorite ingredient of tea master Sen-no-Rikyu, and 'Supponkou-ni,' a dish boiled in sugar and soy sauce, giving it a dark color and luster. Take a look through the book and try to guess what's on today's menu!

Sit at the open counter seats and watch the chefs cook and serve dishes right before your eyes as customers express awes of admiration. Foreigners particularly seem to enjoy these delicacies as beautiful works of art. Indulge in a variety of seasonal dishes as you gaze out at the autumn leaves.

Health & Safety Measures
Indoor disinfection measures taken - Sanitizer installed - Disinfected after each guest leaves - Ventilation measures in place - Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature - Masks required/temperature check enforced

The Niseko area is one of Japan's leading international resorts. There are many hotels and shops near the ski resort, and people of all backgrounds come and go. Located in lively Niseko, yet away from the hustle and bustle, Zaborin is the place to go to enjoy the peaceful passage of time.

Zaborin is about a 2-hour drive from Sapporo and New Chitose Airport. A free shuttle bus also runs from JR Kutchan Station (reservations required). Take a break from everyday life and lose yourself in the wonders of nature.

The name Zaborin reflects the Zen practice of sitting in stillness, forgetting the world, and emptying your mind of all thoughts.

It values the humble Japanese inn, while incorporating modern elements to achieve peace and comfort. It is also popular with foreign tourists who want to experience an authentic Japanese atmosphere.

Once you arrive, you'll be awed by the beautiful gardens, the quaint halls, and the carefully selected furnishings. And like an international resort, English-speaking staff members are also available. Immerse yourself in the peace and quiet of this Japanese atmosphere.

A Quiet Space Where Time Passes Slowly

The highlands of Niseko are lower in temperature than Sapporo, so it's not uncommon for the autumn leaves to start changing color in late September, nor for snow to fall around mid-October.

The grounds of Zaborin are surrounded by virgin forests full of vivid autumn leaves. Despite its proximity to a popular ski resort, time seems to flow differently in this quiet retreat.

The essence of Japanese style is tastefully incorporated throughout the calm, quiet halls. Bathrooms are installed in all 15 independent rooms. There's also a spacious indoor bath, as well as unique bathrooms and open-air baths made from hollowed-out cypress and megaliths in the rooms, all of which draw water directly from the source. Refresh yourself with a soak in the warm waters and the colors of autumn.

Welcoming Customers with Spirit and Hospitality

There's more than your typical Japanese food at this Hokkaido ryokan inn. You can also enjoy Kita-Kaiseki, which uses signature cooking methods to make the best use of Hokkaido's flavorful ingredients. In the spirit of hospitality, they'll even serve a robatayaki dinner in the hearth room for guests staying consecutive nights.

Health & Safety Measures
Indoor disinfection measures taken - Sanitizer installed - Disinfected after each guest leaves - Ventilation measures in place - Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature - Guests are required to wear masks

About an hour's drive from Hakodate, Onuma Park is the best spot to view the autumn leaves in the southern Hokkaido area.

It is said that Lakes Onuma and Konuma formed when the waters of the neighboring river flowed into a plateau that collapsed after Mount Komagatake's eruption in 1640.

Although its name is Onuma (literally, 'large pond'), its area is only 9,083 hectares, roughly the same size as an average lake. About 126 islands, big and small, dot Onuma, and there's even a tour boat that offers a stunning lake-top view of the autumn scenery.

A Hotel Designed in Harmony with Nature

Opened in 1990, Hakodate Onuma Prince Hotel is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the great outdoors. Buildings in the area are low, designed to blend in with the native forest.

It's about 1 hour away from Hakodate City by car, and about 40 minutes from Hakodate Station to Onuma Koen Station by train. You may also want to use the free shuttle bus that runs every 10 minutes from Onuma Koen Station.

Tourists love this spot as a base for sightseeing in Hakodate. Restaurant menus are available in English, and guest room TVs support English and Chinese, as well.

An Autumn View from an Open-air Bath

Guest rooms include Western-style suites and twin rooms, with some rooms overlooking Mount Komagatake. The vivid colors of the autumn landscape are not to be missed, so be sure to book early if you want to visit in time for the fall foliage!

Let off some steam in the public hot spring, just like a Japanese inn. The pond and autumn scenery stretches out before you in the large open communal bath, nicknamed 'Infinity' by tourists thanks to the illusion of the hot springs extending into eternity.

The hot spring water is pure and gentle on the skin and gushes 270 liters per minute from the hotel grounds. Gaze out at Mount Komagatake as you take in the endlessly expanding scenery.

A Taste of Nature from Anywhere, Whether Indoors or Outdoors

The sense of harmony with nature extends into every detail in this inn, with views of the autumn leaves from not only the guest rooms, but the lobby, restaurant, and elevators, as well. There's also a golf course, where you can enjoy a game under the crisp autumn breeze.

You can also rent a bicycle and see the autumn leaves around the spacious Onuma Park. The best time to view the autumn leaves is from mid-October to early November. Feel the magnificent nature surround you!

Health & Safety Measures
Indoor disinfection measures taken - Sanitizer installed - Disinfected after each guest leaves - Ventilation measures in place - Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature - Guests are required to wear masks

In Japan, some people refer to going around to view the autumn leaves 'momiji-gari,' or 'autumn leaves hunting.'

This is said to have originated with the aristocrats of the old days who regarded looking for leaves as a hunt and described it this way.

The inns introduced here today are comfortable, hospitable, and include hot springs, so you can be sure your leaf-hunting experience will be one to remember!

Text by: Masakazu
*Information as of September 2021. Please see official website for the latest updates.