Jozankei is a famous hot springs resort in Japan with over 2.4 million people visiting Jozankei every year! It is one of the three major hot spring resorts in Hokkaido prefecture, with the others being Noboribetsu Onsen and Yunokawa Onsen. In this article we’ll look at the area, and places to stay to relax.
Chill Out at Jozankei Onsen
The Jozankei Onsen gets its name from a monk named Miizumi Jozan, who discovered the hot springs in 1866. Jozan found the waters to have a healing effect. So, he opened up a hot spring spa and brought the wounded and ill there. Word spread and the rest as they say is history.
Jozankei Onsen features fifty-six hot spring sources from which 8,600 liters of water are supplied to the various indoor and outdoor baths. In addition to the hot springs, Jozankei is a great spot for outdoor activities, especially for its nature-filled scenery. Guests can enjoy walking, hiking, biking, and even kayaking. With its plethora of trees, Jozankei is a great place to visit in the fall to see the leaves change colors.
Where is Jozankei Onsen located? It’s about a one-hour drive from Sapporo and there’s even a bus to reach it from New Chitose Airport. The close proximity to the city has earned Jozankei the nickname the “back door of Sapporo.”
Stay at a Jozankei Hotel!
Being such a major getaway destination for Sapporo, hotels at Jozankei Onsen provide several lodging options. Hotels in the area range from small to large with an assortment of amenities. There are establishments offering the ryokan (or traditional Japanese inn) experience or more modern accommodations.
Jozankei Daiichi Hotel Suizantei
Established in 1957, Jozankei Daiichi Hotel Suizantei stands on a hill overlooking Jozankei Onsen, resulting in stunning scenic views from its location. Those looking for the ryokan, or traditional Japanese inn, experience can get that at Jozankei Daiichi Hotel Suizantei. Japanese-western-style and western-style hotel rooms are also available at the Daiichi Hotel Suizantei, also.
At Jozankei Daiichi Hotel Suizantei, you will find open-air onsen hot springs, baths, saunas, along with jacuzzis. Other entertainment options on site are a game corner, karaoke, bar, esthetics, arts and crafts exhibition, and tea lounge. Meals are available in your room or at the hotel’s restaurant.
Spot information
- Spot name: Jozankei Daiichi Hotel Suizantei
- Street address: 3-105 Jozankei-onsen Nishi, Minami, Sapporo, Hokkaido 061-2303
- Access:
- Free Shuttle Bus Service "Yukemuri-Go" in service (all seated-reservation system)
[Departure Location] From the front of Showa Building, Odori-Nishi 5 Chome, Chuo Ward, Sapporo City (on the Odori Park side / Odori Subway Station Exit No. 1)
[Departure Time] (Pick up) Odori-Nishi 5 Chome 2:30 PM → Hotel (Send off) Hotel 10:00 AM → Odori 5 Chome - From Sapporo Station
[Subway] 20 minutes ride to Makomanai Station
Then take Jotetsu Bus (around 40 minutes ride), get off at Daiichi Hotel Mae bus stop
[Bus] From JR Sapporo Station South Exit Bus Terminal, take Jotetsu Bus [Jozankei-Onsen] on Bus Terminal No. 12, get off at Daiichi Hotel Mae bus stop. The journey takes around 75 minutes.
Suizantei Club Jozankei
With only 14 rooms available total, Suizantei Club Jozankei is a small, cozy ryokan that’s perfect for those looking for quiet and privacy. The spacious rooms vary between 56 - 110 square meters. There’s a traditional Japanese style to the rooms with tatami (woven-straw) flooring and shoji paper screens.
Some rooms feature Japanese Hinoki wood bath and a shower booth. Guests can enjoy the hot spring waters in the large public bath or the in-room bathtub. Course dinner meals are available and features fresh seafood caught throughout Hokkaido and seasonal vegetables.
Spot information
- Spot name: Suizantei Club Jozankei
- Street address: 2-10 Jozankei-onsen Nishi, Minami, Sapporo, Hokkaido 061-2303
- Access:
- Free Shuttle Bus Service "Yukemuri-Go" in service (all seated-reservation system)
[Departure Location] From the front of Showa Building, Odori-Nishi 5 Chome, Chuo Ward, Sapporo City (on the Odori Park side / Odori Subway Station Exit No. 1)
[Departure Time] (Pick up) Odori-Nishi 5 Chome 2:30 PM → Hotel (Send off) Hotel 9:50 AM → Odori 5 Chome - From Sapporo Station
[Subway] 20 minutes ride to Makomanai Station
Then take Jotetsu Bus (around 40 minutes ride), get off at Daiichi Hotel Mae bus stop
[Bus] From JR Sapporo Station South Exit Bus Terminal, take Jotetsu Bus [Jozankei-Onsen] on Bus Terminal No. 12, get off at Daiichi Hotel Mae bus stop. The journey takes around 75 minutes.
Jozankei View Hotel
For those looking to go big, the Jozankei View Hotel, towering at sixteen stories, is the prime choice, as it features a large amount of facilities for a blast of a time. There are a total of five hot springs baths: the indoor Grand Public Bath Yusuigo, an outdoor bath, the Seiten indoor bath with a view, an outdoor bath with a view, and a bubble bath.
Jozankei View Hotel contains an arcade, private karaoke rooms, a classy lounge club to sit and grab a drink, and a large gift shop filled with souvenirs, confectioneries, delicacies, and specialties from Hokkaido. For dining at Jozankei View, you can fill up at the premium buffet or enjoy luxury at one of the traditional restaurants.
Jozankei View Hotel is particularly great for kids (or the kid in you) since it has a massive 4000 square meter water park named Water Kingdom Lagoon. Here you can enjoy time on Splash River or the surging wave pool. In need of a bit more excitement? Water Kingdom Lagoon has water slides and stationary water jet guns for your enjoyment. And even a pirate ship, matey!
Spot information
- Spot name: Jozankei View Hotel
- Street address: 2 Jozankeionsen Higashi, Minami, Sapporo, Hokkaido 061-2302
- Access
- Free Shuttle Bus Service (must reserve in advance)
[Departure Location] From the back of Dogin Building 1st floor (south), Odori-Nishi 4 Chome, Chuo Ward, Sapporo City
[Departure Time] (Pick up) Odori-Nishi 4 Chome 1:45 PM → Hotel (Send off) Hotel 10:00 AM → Odori 5 Chome - [Bus] (Fee)
From JR Sapporo Station South Exit Bus Terminal, take Jotetsu Bus [Jozankei] on Bus Terminal No. 12, get off at Jozankei Onsen-Higashi 2 Chome bus stop, then walk 4 minutes. The journey takes around 70 minutes.
Jozankei Grand Hotel Zuien
Located on a hill overlooking the valley, Jozankei Grand Hotel Zuien is another great choice for those looking to enjoy hot spring baths while taking in the sweeping scenery of the area.
The Japanese and Western style rooms with hot spring observatory are among the best and largest offered at this hotel and allow you to enjoy the view of Jozankei from a large window. For families or larger groups, there’s the Family Room that contains 4 twin beds and 3 futon beds for a total max occupancy of seven.
There are a number of entertainment facilities at Jozankei Grand Hotel Zuien. When you aren’t soaking in a hot spring, you can pass the time in the hotel’s lounge, swimming pool, Izakaya-style tavern, aesthetic treatments, massage, table tennis, gaming area, or karaoke bar.
Feeling hungry? The Food Factory Grandeur offers a wide range of Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes. Or for those looking to go more traditional or formal, there’s the Japanese restaurant Bisen Yuzen on site.
Spot information
- Spot name: Jozankei Grand Hotel Zuien
- Street address: 4-328 Jozankeionsen Higashi, Minami, Sapporo, Hokkaido 061-2302
- Access:
- Free Shuttle Bus Service "Grand-Go" (operated by TKB Tour)
[Departure Location] From the front of Sapporo Station North Exit (Kita 6 Jo-Nishi 3 Chome, Kita Ward, Sapporo City)
[Departure Time] (Pick up) Kita 6 Jo-Nishi 3 Chome 2:00 PM → Hotel (Send off) Hotel 9:50 AM → Kita 6 Jo-Nishi 3 Chome - [Bus] (Fee)
From JR Sapporo Station South Exit Bus Terminal, take Jotetsu Bus on Bus Terminal No. 12, get off at Jozankei Shako-Mae bus stop, then walk 2 minutes.
Jozankei Manseikaku Hotel Milione
The “Milione” in Jozankei Manseikaku Hotel Milione is the Italian word for million, which was a nickname of legendary explorer Marco Polo. That naming is no coincidence as this hotel has an oriental theme inspired by the Silk Road that Polo traveled through. Both Japanese-style and western-style rooms are available at Jozankei Manseikaku Hotel Milione.
After relaxing in the hot springs and working up an appetite, satisfy your hunger at the hotel’s Marco Polo Buffet. And afterwards, kick it back at the nightclub or in one of the karaoke rooms.
Spot information
- Spot name: Jozankei Manseikaku Hotel Milione
- Street address: 3 Jozankei-onsen Higashi, Minami, Sapporo, Hokkaido 061-2302
- Access
- Free Shuttle Bus Service (must reserve in advance)
[Departure Location] From the front of Showa Building, Odori-Nishi 5 Chome, Chuo Ward, Sapporo City (on the Odori Park side / Odori Subway Station Exit No. 1)
[Departure Time]
(Pick up) Odori-Nishi 5 Chome 2:30 PM → Hotel (Send off) Hotel 9:50 AM → Odori 5 Chome
(Pick up) Odori-Nishi 5 Chome 5:00 PM → Hotel (Send off) Hotel 12:50 PM → Odori 5 Chome - [Bus] (Fee)
From JR Sapporo Station South Exit Bus Terminal, take Jotetsu Bus [Jozankei-Onsen] on Bus Terminal No. 12, get off at Daiichi Hotel Mae bus stop. The journey takes around 50 minutes.
From Makomanai Subway Station, take Jotetsu Bus [Jozankei-Onsen], get off at Daiichi Hotel Mae bus stop. The journey takes around 30 minutes.
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