Wrapped in the unique scent of sulfur and overflowing with an atmosphere suited to travellers is the Kawayu Onsen in Teshikaga Town, Hokkaido. In Kawayu Onsen, many hotels, ryokan, and other lodgings are built in a row, and steam from the hot spring rise from the hot spring river which flows through the hot spring town. There are also footbaths and public baths that you can access easily, the place is full of spots that you can spend your time slowly. There are plenty of sightseeing spots in the surrounding area, such as walking in the early morning to Atosanupuri (Mount Iō / 硫黄山) or observing the night skies full of stars. These are some of the many ways to admire Hokkaido's wilderness.
Just like how the people of Ainu used to call this place Sesekipetsu (River of Hot Spring) in Ainu language, Kawayu Onsen has rich, abundant hot water flowing through the rivers, and from these rivers, thick dense steam from the hot spring rise continuously. Within the Kawayu Onsen where the aroma of sulfur rises to give hot spring town its atmosphere, centered around the source of Kawayu Onsen are numerous ryokan, hotels, souvenir stores, restaurants stand side by side in a row.
Spot information
- Spot name: Kawayu Onsen (川湯温泉)
- Street address: Kawayu Onsen, Teshikaga, Kawakami District, Hokkaido 088-3465, Japan
- Access: Around 10 minutes by bus from JR Kawayu Onsen Station. Take the bus towards Kawayu Onsen Bus Terminal.
Kawayu Hot Springs With A Large Volume of Hot Spring and Rich Quality
It is one of the few spa towns in Japan where you can enjoy the high quality of hot spring with fresh hot spring at all of the accommodation facilities and public baths. The water gushes out from the source while preserving the mineral components of the hot spring and fills the tubs in its fresh state. New hot spring constantly flow into the bathtub, a luxurious way to enjoy the hot spring. Another charm of the onsen is the free foot baths and public baths where you can enjoy the hot spring in a carefree manner. You can also choose not to overnight at the onsen, and just make use of their hot spring facility. The quality of the hot spring is strong acidic and contains hydrogen sulphite, so it is a hot spring which is quite acidic with an antibacterial effect. Plus, the sulphuric component keeps the water warm, and there is history of the onsen from long time ago where it is popular as a hot spring resort where many hope to recuperate from illness or wounds by soaking in the hot spring. Even now, it is famous as a hot spring which is said to be effective for rheumatism, diabetes and skin diseases.
Kawayu Hot Springs Where Tourist Spots Abound In the Surrounding Areas
Also, there are many tourist attractions near Kawayu Onsen in Akan Mashu National Park. Lake Mashu, often praised as one of the world's clearest lake, Lake Kussharo, the largest caldera lake in Japan and Atosanupuri (Mount Io) where you can see the crater nearby; these are natural scenery of Hokkaido which represents the Akan Mashu National Park. After admiring the wilderness of Hokkaido, why not walk around the hot springs of Kawayu Onsen as part of a tour? The scenic landscape, numerous natural hot springs and plenty of natural negative ion energy will let you heal from the tiredness of travel. Because there is a foot bath in front of the JR Kawayu Onsen station, you can enjoy hot springs till the end of your trip.
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