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3 Gorgeous Onsen in Niseko: Soaking Spots in Japan's Wild North

3 Gorgeous Onsen in Niseko: Soaking Spots in Japan's Wild North

Last updated: 25 January 2021

Niseko is a famous and popular place to ski and snowboard, but there are very different hot springs called “The Heaven of Hot Springs.”

These onsen in Niseko make your skin smoother and softer, as this place is not only for winter but all year long. Here we’ll introduce the 3 best hot springs and other selected landmarks in Niseko.

Table of Contents
  1. Onsen in Niseko: The Heaven of Hot Springs!
  2. 1. Niseko Grand Hotel: Where you can enjoy two “rejuvenating” onsen in Niseko!
  3. 2. Yukichichibu Onsen
  4. 3. Niseko Goshiki Onsen Ryokan: Feel as if you’re in a secret bath in the mountains
  5. The 5 Best Views of Mt. Yotei
▲Enjoy the 100% pure hot springs surrounded by natural scenery
▲Enjoy the 100% pure hot springs surrounded by natural scenery

Onsen in Niseko: The Heaven of Hot Springs!

The Niseko area lies over many towns: Niseko Town, which has a mountain ski resort called Niseko Annupuri, Kutchan Town, and Rankoshi Town. It takes about 2 hours to get to the area by car from Sapporo City or New Chitose Airport.

▲A picture of Mt. Youtei with snow which you can see from the Niseko Area.
▲A picture of Mt. Youtei with snow which you can see from the Niseko Area.

There are several hot springs of various sizes in the Niseko area, from big to small such as Niseko Konbu Hot Springs, Niseko Yumoto Hot Springs, Niseko Goshiki Hot Springs, Niseko Annupuri Hot Springs, Niseko East Mountain Hot Springs, and so forth.

Also, there are many varieties of spring qualities among them; the spring quality that makes your skin smoother and clean is the most sought after.

A lot of hotels allow using their hot springs for a day without staying there. Wouldn’t it be great to enjoy soaking in a hot bath after some skiing or hiking?

Now, we will introduce to you three onsen in Niseko renowned for having a beautifying effect!

1. Niseko Grand Hotel: Where you can enjoy two “rejuvenating” onsen in Niseko!

Our first recommended onsen is Niseko Grand Hotel. It is located in Niseko Konbu Hot Springs, 10 minutes away from Niseko View Plaza Michi-no-Eki (Roadside Rest Area). The entrance fee for a day trip to the hot spring is 900 yen for adults and 450 yen for children under 12 years old.

▲The Rejuvenation Hot Spring; its features are 2 types of spring qualities and a big mixed open-air bath.
▲The Rejuvenation Hot Spring; its features are 2 types of spring qualities and a big mixed open-air bath.

In this hotel, there are two types of spring qualities. One is called "Alkaline Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate Springs," which is rich in carbonate components and makes your skin smoother from fine bubbles that form on your skin.

The other one is called "Sodium Hydrocarbonate Spring," the salinity is contained in the hot spring elements, and it sticks in your skin like a "mask" to make your skin moister. Those two types of spring qualities are low stimulations to your skin.

▲At the rim of the open-air bath surrounded by rocks, 'Hot Water Flower' (called “Yunohana”* in Japanese) *It refers to the material that can be seen in the hot spring water
▲At the rim of the open-air bath surrounded by rocks, 'Hot Water Flower' (called “Yunohana”* in Japanese) *It refers to the material that can be seen in the hot spring water

These two spring qualities contain a lot of sodium metasilicate in their water, and they are among the ones with the most content in Japan. Many cosmetics and serums tend to have sodium metasilicate and are said to boost skin metabolism and help prepare ceramide.

▲This hot spring is called “Rejuvenation Water”
▲This hot spring is called “Rejuvenation Water”

There are two bathtubs in the indoor hot spring for both men and women so that you can enjoy the two spring qualities. Meanwhile, the Open-Air Mixed Onsen has mixed spring qualities. It contains the elements to make your skin sleeker and moister; you may feel like you're in a hot spring of mixed shampoo and conditioner.

You might be surprised by the mixed onsen in Niseko, but you'll be wearing a bathing suit. Both men and women can enjoy bathing and relaxing together, making this an excellent spot for couples.

For those staying at the hotel, the bathing suits are free, but you can rent a bathing suit at the front desk for 100 yen if you're going just for the day.

For those who care about the mixed hot spring, they have an open-air bath for ladies.

▲The open-air baths for women are separated into two types of spring qualities: sleek and smooth.
▲The open-air baths for women are separated into two types of spring qualities: sleek and smooth.

I had hard soles, but they felt smoother and softer after taking a bath at the hot spring. The huge open-air bath makes you feel free, like I’ve cleaned both body and soul.

  • Niseko Grand Hotel
    ニセコグランドホテル
    • Address 412 Niseko, Abuta, Hokkaido, 048-1511
    • Phone Number 0136-58-2121
    • Hours for day visitors: 11:30 – 22:00 (Last admission is 21:30)
      Entrance fee for day visitors: 900 yen for adults
      450 yen for children under 12 years old
      Rental for day visitors: Bathing suit: 100 yen
      Bath towel: 150 yen
      Face towel: 100 yen
      *tax included.

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Drink “Kanro Water” from a subterranean river at Niseko

If you’re planning to go to Niseko Grand Hotel, it is also recommended to go to a sightseeing spot called “Kanrosui” (sweet water) just across from the hotel.

▲ You can drink natural spring water at the spot. From local people to tourists visit this place.
▲ You can drink natural spring water at the spot. From local people to tourists visit this place.

When Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun stayed at Niseko Grand Hotel, they drank the water and said, "It's sweet," and so the water was called "Kanrosui."

It's better to bring your own bottle to drink the water.

▲Take a drink before and after taking a bath.
▲Take a drink before and after taking a bath.

It can be used not only for drinking water but also with coffee and tea.

  • Kanrosui
    甘露水
    • Address 413 Niseko, Abuta, Hokkaido, 048-1511

2. Yukichichibu Onsen

The second onsen in Niseko we will introduce is Yukichichibu, located in the Niseko Yumoto Hot Spring Resort, a 7-minute drive from the Niseko Grand Hotel. In addition to local people, tourists can enjoy a day trip to the hot springs at Yukichichibu.

The entrance fee is 700 yen for adults and 300 yen for children from 6 to 12 years old.

▲Open-air bath for women
▲Open-air bath for women

This spring quality is sulfur which gives the white-greyish color to the hot water. It is said that it promotes the healing of rough skin, scratches, rashes and heat rash. Besides, some people claim that sulfur components act on melanin and it makes your skin brighter.

The open-air bath for men
The open-air bath for men

There are two indoor baths for both men and women. Also, the resort has two kinds of open-air baths for men and 5 different open-air hot springs for women.

Above all, the mud water in an open-air bath for women is a must-have experience! You can expect that your skin will be smoother.

▲This mud bath contains a larger amount of mud compared to other baths. Look at this amount of mud!
▲This mud bath contains a larger amount of mud compared to other baths. Look at this amount of mud!
▲I’ll introduce the best way to enjoy the mud bath. First, take a bath in the mud water (the middle square tub) and apply the mud to your skin slightly, and after that, clean your body with the tub next to the mud bath (the square tub in the foreground).
▲I’ll introduce the best way to enjoy the mud bath. First, take a bath in the mud water (the middle square tub) and apply the mud to your skin slightly, and after that, clean your body with the tub next to the mud bath (the square tub in the foreground).

I also tried the mud hot spring. I had a feeling of warmth clinging to the skin and felt warm. When I washed away the mud, my skin got smoother.

However, if you apply too much mud, the skin may get dry.

▲It is claimed that the skin will become smoother just by taking a bath in the regular indoors hot springs or the open-air baths.
▲It is claimed that the skin will become smoother just by taking a bath in the regular indoors hot springs or the open-air baths.

After taking a bath there, I felt my skin get brighter.

The original springs of Yukichichibu is "Oyunuma," located right next to this building. It is common in the Japanese culture to spend the day doing activities to get tired and better enjoy the hot spring's refreshing quality. As you can take a walk around Oyunuma, why not visit it before taking a bath to get tired?

▲Oyunuma behind Yukichichibu
▲Oyunuma behind Yukichichibu
  • Yukichichibu
    雪秩父
    • Address 680 Yunosato, Rankoshi-cho, Isoya-gun, Hokkaido
    • Phone Number 0136-58-2328
    • Hours for day visitors: 10:00 – 20:00 (Last admission is 19:30)
      Entrance fee for day visitors: 700 yen for adults over 13 years old
      300 yen for children
      *Every Tuesday is closed.

Oyunonuma: Where a powerful onsen spring source spreads in front of you!

It takes about 5 minutes by walking from Yukichichibu to the end of the walk route of Oyunuma.

▲ The steamy marsh. You can watch the powerful hot marsh closely.
▲ The steamy marsh. You can watch the powerful hot marsh closely.
▲The temperature of the marsh is around 60 to 70 degrees Celsius (140F to 150F). Be careful not to burn your hands by putting your hands out.
▲The temperature of the marsh is around 60 to 70 degrees Celsius (140F to 150F). Be careful not to burn your hands by putting your hands out.

In fact, this marsh doesn’t come from the ground. It is a marsh where the water of a stream has accumulated, but it seems that high temperature with gases such as hydrogen sulfide spouts out from the bottom of the marsh, and it mixed with the water of the stream, becoming a hot spring. It is a spot where you can feel the earth's power and the wonder of the planet.

▲The gases spouted from the edge of a stream and a marsh
▲The gases spouted from the edge of a stream and a marsh
▲Bubbles blown out and water gets colored where the gas is. The place where it spouts is indeterminate and seems it is moving in the marsh.
▲Bubbles blown out and water gets colored where the gas is. The place where it spouts is indeterminate and seems it is moving in the marsh.
  • Oyunuma Marsh
    大湯沼
    • Address 680 Yusato, Rankoshi-cho, Isoya-gun, Hokkaido
    • Free to walk (Closed during winter)

3. Niseko Goshiki Onsen Ryokan: Feel as if you’re in a secret bath in the mountains

The last hot spring to introduce is Niseko Goshiki Onsen Ryokan. It is a hot spring and a Japanese-style hotel located in Niseko Goshiki Hot Springs near Mt. Niseko Annupuri and Mt. Iwao Nupuri, and it is about 6 minutes by car from Yukichichibu on a gravel road. The entrance fee for one-day is 700 yen for adults and 500 yen for children.

▲ Located in a mountainous area, full of likely secret hot springs.
▲ Located in a mountainous area, full of likely secret hot springs.
▲Its feature is to enjoy the spring quality with sulfur that is good for both skin and hair.
▲Its feature is to enjoy the spring quality with sulfur that is good for both skin and hair.

This spring quality is sulfur, but its color is entirely different from the hot spring of Yukichichibu. It is translucent water with a greenish hue. It might look whitish or bluish due to the color of the sky and the light.
The origin of the name Goshiki Onsen is said to be due to the water, which has five colors.

However, according to the hotel staff, the origin of the name doesn’t come from the color of the water and is not precisely known. It is a little mystery of this particular onsen in Niseko.

▲It looks blue due to the brightness in this picture
▲It looks blue due to the brightness in this picture

The exact spring quality name is "acidic, sulfur-magnesium, sodium, calcium-sulfate, chloride spring," and the spring quality contains various minerals such as aluminum, iron, and salts besides the sulfur components.

▲The place where the Yunohana deposited became purely white. It is proof that it contains a lot of sulfur.
▲The place where the Yunohana deposited became purely white. It is proof that it contains a lot of sulfur.

Many people claimed that if you take a bath in the hot spring, the sulfur will make your skin smoother. Moreover, the mineral-rich waters will make your skin shiny. Many people say that putting the water over your head will also make your hair moist and shiny.

▲It made me feel as though I was in a secret hot spring deep in the mountains! After soaking for a while, my skin felt smooth.
▲It made me feel as though I was in a secret hot spring deep in the mountains! After soaking for a while, my skin felt smooth.

There are two hot springs for men and women, and they have both indoor hot springs and open-air baths. Since you can enter both during your one-day stay, why don’t you try the different hot springs!

  • Niseko Goshiki Onsen Ryokan
    ニセコ五色温泉旅館
    • Address 510, Niseko, Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido
    • Phone Number 0136-58-2707
    • Hours for day visitors: 9:00 – 20:00 from May to November
      10:00 – 20:00 from December to April
      Entrance fee for day visitors: 700 yen for adults over 13 years old
      500 yen for children from 5 to 12 years old
      *Be sure check the weather in advance since some roads may be closed due to the weather during winter

Shinsennuma Marsh: Take a walk through Shinsennuma Marsh, a mysterious marsh that lies in the mountains
After visiting the Goshiki Onsen Ryokan, let's head out to explore the mysterious Shinsennuma Marsh in the mountains.

▲Just like the name of the marsh suggests, in Japanese, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and feel as if God or a Hermit came out to you.
▲Just like the name of the marsh suggests, in Japanese, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and feel as if God or a Hermit came out to you.

A 20-minute walk from the Shinsennuma Rest Parking lot, which takes approximately 15 minutes by car from Goshiki Onsen Ryokan via the Niseko Panorama Line (closed from late October to late April). It will take some time, but it is worth it! Great views are waiting for you.

▲The landscape of the wetland that spreads along the way to Shinsennuma Marsh is also beautiful.
▲The landscape of the wetland that spreads along the way to Shinsennuma Marsh is also beautiful.
  • Shinsennuma Marsh
    神仙沼
    • Address Maeda, Kyowa-cho Iwanai-gun, Hokkaido
    • Free to walk (From the late October to the early April, it is closed since the Niseko Panorama Line is closed during winter)

The 5 Best Views of Mt. Yotei

Last, we’ll introduce the five best view spots of Mt. Yotei from each Niseko area.

1: Twin Cherry Trees

▲A picture of the big and small cherry trees from a road. (Not allowed to get into the fields due to the private property) It takes about 10 minutes by car from “Michi-no-Eki Niseko View Plaza”
▲A picture of the big and small cherry trees from a road. (Not allowed to get into the fields due to the private property) It takes about 10 minutes by car from “Michi-no-Eki Niseko View Plaza”

2: Niseko Bridge

▲The great view from the bridge on the way to the hot springs. You can see how the Shiribetsu River flows. There are two parking lots in both sides of the bridge. It takes about 3 minutes by car from “Michi-no-Eki Niseko View Plaza”.
▲The great view from the bridge on the way to the hot springs. You can see how the Shiribetsu River flows. There are two parking lots in both sides of the bridge. It takes about 3 minutes by car from “Michi-no-Eki Niseko View Plaza”.

3. Niseko Takahashi Farm

▲The classic view from the “Niseko Takahashi Farm” has restaurants and shops. The cream puffs and ice creams from “Milk Kobo” are really good. It takes about 8 minutes by car from “Michi-no-Eki Niseko View Plaza”.
▲The classic view from the “Niseko Takahashi Farm” has restaurants and shops. The cream puffs and ice creams from “Milk Kobo” are really good. It takes about 8 minutes by car from “Michi-no-Eki Niseko View Plaza”.

4: Miyata View Point Parking

The scene from the view point parking mainly was built for seeing Mt. Yotei is along with Japan National Route 5. It takes 3 minutes from “Michi-no-Eki Niseko View Plaza”.

5: Kurokawa View Point Parking

▲A view of Mt. Yotei from the view point parking is along with Japan National Route 5 as well the Miyata View Point Parking. It takes 5 minutes from “Michi-no-Eki Niseko View Plaza”.
▲A view of Mt. Yotei from the view point parking is along with Japan National Route 5 as well the Miyata View Point Parking. It takes 5 minutes from “Michi-no-Eki Niseko View Plaza”.

How was touring around for me around the Niseko area?
I went to the above three onsen in Niseko, and my skin got much younger and smoother. It makes me feel refreshed as new.

While you’re having a great time doing winter activities, why not visit the area's hot springs and let your tiredness fade away.

*The effectiveness of hot springs may vary per person.

*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

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