13-[Tips for campervan travel] Go dive into Hokkaido Onsen

Tips for Campervan Travel from Expert Taishi Kawanami/川南　大士

Written by Interpreter Noriko

　

１．Jyozankei Onsen Mtasuno yu

It’s about an hour and a half to two hours by camper van from Chitose to Jozankei,
so stopping for a break to enjoy a soft-serve ice cream from the “Enjoy Nature Club” along the way is a great idea.
Also, in the Jozankei area, fruit picking—including strawberries, cherries, grapes, and apples—is available from early April through late October.

Jozankei Onsen is considered one of Hokkaido’s three major hot springs, alongside Noboribetsu Onsen and Hakodate Yunokawa Onsen. The open-air baths overlooking the Toyohira River allow you to experience the beauty of Japan’s four seasons, making it one of my favorite hot springs.

• Day-use Admission Fees Adults: 800 yen Children: 300 yen
• Please note that towels are not provided at the hot springs, so be sure to bring your own.

２．Onsen time

Wash up thoroughly in the washing area, then dive right into the bath.
Two indoor baths are available. Temperature feels like about 40 degrees Celsius.
The water here is said to be magic water, effective for rheumatism, atopic dermatitis, and neuralgia.
The hot spring water is soft and gentle on the skin—it’s guaranteed to leave you with beautiful skin. My daughter’s skin is glowing even more. I’m so jealous!

　

Warming up in the indoor bath, it’s time for the outdoor bath.
Luckily, there was no one else in the outdoor bath besides my daughter and myself—it was all to ourselves!
We dove right in!

Perhaps the water was a little hotter than in the indoor bath.
With the Toyohira River and the mountains as our backdrop, we soaked while listening to her stories about college life. As I rejoiced in seeing how much she’s grown, the two of us, side by side, soothed our tired bodies and minds.

After refreshing both my skin and my mind, it’s time to toast with fruit milk—a signature hot spring treat. This popular drink has been on the market since 1950. Few hot springs carry it these days, so consider yourself lucky if you manage to find it.

3. Location of Mtasuno yu

Matsuno yu ( Free parking)

Now that my body and mind are reset, I look forward to seeing everyone from around the world with a smile once again.

That wraps up our feature on Hot springs near Sapporo!

Up next, I’d like to feature roadside station in Chitose.

The Camper Trip continues—stay tuned!!

Compiled and edited by Noriko

　

　

Hokkaido Campervan Rental

“with DO CAMPER”

the expert on campervan travel Taishi Kawaminami /川南　大士