Travel Date: November 2023
During my Hokkaido hot spring trip, I stopped by Hoheikyo Onsen.
I had always wanted to visit North Safari Sapporo nearby, so I took the chance to enjoy a soak while sightseeing 🛁
Hoheikyo Onsen is a day-use hot spring facility located in the Jozankei area of Sapporo.
I was torn between visiting Jozankei Onsen or coming back to Hoheikyo, and after 10 years, I chose to return here.
The last time I came was in the middle of winter—back then, I took a bus on the recommendation of a guesthouse owner in Sapporo. This time, I drove a rental car!
To my surprise, Hoheikyo Onsen was packed in the autumn!
It seems there's a hiking trail nearby, so there were quite a few hikers, too.
The facility itself hasn’t changed much over the last 10 years, but the curry restaurant inside the building was on a whole new level...
I remember it being nearly empty last time, but this time it had a long line right after opening.
The line even stretched outside the building!
The onsen itself was moderately crowded, but the open-air bath is so spacious that it didn’t feel cramped at all.
The indoor bath with thick mineral deposits was still a favorite and packed like a can of sardines…
The water is 100% natural spring water, free-flowing directly from the source.
The spring quality is sodium-calcium-bicarbonate chloride (baking soda-type). Because of this, the floor and tubs are rough and bumpy—kind of hard to walk on 😂
It’s like an upgraded version of the bumpy floors at Hakuba Ryujin Onsen in Aomori!
But that natural texture is beautiful in its own way…
The water temperature is around 52°C with a pH of 6.5, making it a neutral and hypotonic spring. It's even called a “beauty bath” thanks to how smooth your skin feels afterward 🛁✨
Hoheikyo Onsen is apparently the only facility in Sapporo that doesn’t use a hot water storage tank—instead, spring water is piped directly from the ground into each tub!
The water never touches the air, meaning it isn’t oxidized and contains no chlorine or other disinfectants.
It’s what they call “raw onsen.”
The outdoor bath is on the lukewarm side, so you can stay in for ages.
With the wide-open view and fresh air, it’s bliss on a sunny day… the perfect place for a nap.
Because the bath is so large, the temperature varies slightly depending on where you sit.
It’s actually fun to wander around until you find your perfect spot ♡
*Note: Photography is not allowed in the onsen area, so these photos are sourced from the web.
