10 Best Open-Air Onsen Hot Springs in Hokkaido (2024 Edition)

Where Is Hokkaido?

Hokkaido is Japan’s northernmost island. Its enormous landmass accounts for over 20% of Japan's total area, and its pristine natural landscapes and plentiful hot springs are considered some of the best in the country. Hokkaido is most famous for its high-quality winter snow, while lush green fields, flower gardens, and delicious local produce draw visitors in the warmer months.

Thanks to the many active volcanoes and geothermal sources dotting the island, hot springs can be found all over Hokkaido. Hokkaido's hot springs feature a variety of qualities, ranging from common “simple” springs to the rare “moor” springs enriched with special minerals.

Despite its remote location, Hokkaido is easily accessible by plane, bullet train, and car. New Chitose Airport near the capital of Sapporo serves as the main gateway, running multiple daily flights between Tokyo, Osaka, and other major cities. You can also reach Hokkaido by bullet train straight from Tokyo in a little under 4 and a half hours, or drive from Aomori Prefecture at the tip of mainland Japan.

10 Best Open-Air Onsen in Hokkaido

Mizunashi Kaihin Onsen

Mizunashi Kaihin Onsen is a natural open-air hot spring located at the foot of Mount Esan about an hour’s drive from Hakodate City. What makes Mizunashi Kaihin Onsen unique is that it’s connected to the sea, presenting invigorating up-close views of the Pacific Ocean. During high tide, the bath is submerged by seawater, so you need to wait until low tide to bathe.

The natural chloride hot spring water flows out from cracks in the rocks at the bottom of the bath, mixing with seawater to create a comfortable bathing temperature. The site also has separate changing rooms for men and women, and bathing suits are allowed. Be sure to check the official website in advance to find the best time for bathing (see below).

Tip: Prefer to enjoy Japan’s hot springs in a swimsuit? Check out 11 other Japanese onsen hot springs you can visit with swimsuits.

Kotan Onsen

Kotan Onsen, also known as Kotan no Yu, sits on the shore of Lake Kussharo in eastern Hokkaido. This stone open-air hot spring faces the vast lake, offering an incredibly liberating atmosphere. Although divided by a large central stone, it is essentially a mixed-gender bath, and visitors are allowed to wear swimsuits or towels while bathing.

The water of Kotan Onsen is almost level with the lake's surface, making it feel like you’re right in the middle of it. In winter, swans glide gracefully across the lake, and at dusk, the setting sun casts a golden glow over the scene.

Jozankei Onsen

Jozankei Onsen is one of Hokkaido's most well-known hot spring resorts. It’s located within Shikotsu-Toya National Park, and is just an hour's drive from central Sapporo. It boasts pristine natural scenery and a long-standing hot spring culture that began in 1866, when it was discovered by the ascetic monk Jozan. The hot spring water is classified as a neutral hypotonic hot spring, which contains sodium chloride that retains heat to provide a deep sensation of warmth.

Jozankei presents starkly different landscapes throughout the four seasons, including cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, magnificent autumn leaves, and a silver-white world in winter. This scenery can be appreciated from a number of open-air hot springs, such as Yunohana Jozankeiden, which boasts spacious baths and magnificent canyon views; and Hoheikyo Onsen, known for its artistic design.

Hilton Niseko Village

Nestled at the foot of Mt. Annupuri in the world-famous Niseko Ski Resort, Hilton Niseko Village is for those seeking a holiday filled with both outdoor activities and Hokkaido hot springs. The on-site hot spring, named Atatamari no Yu, is sourced from a natural sodium chloride spring. Known for superb healing properties, it’s a welcome relief for tired muscles after a day of skiing or golfing. Guests can also enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Yotei from the open-air bath.

The hotel's guestrooms feature a modern design inspired by Hokkaido's natural beauty. The hotel restaurant, Bar and Grill “Melt,” serves up scrumptious dishes made from fresh local ingredients set against Mount Yotei panoramas. The restaurant also offers a curated selection of fine wines to enjoy before or after meals, ensuring your Hokkaido hot spring retreat feels fully luxurious.

Akan Yuku no Sato Tsuruga

Akan Yuku no Sato Tsuruga is located on the shores of Lake Akan, amongst the pristine wilderness of the Akan-Mashu National Park in eastern Hokkaido. This resort contains an array of hot spring facilities, including the 8th floor open-air scenic bath Tennyo no Yu, where you can soak while basking in the spectacular panorama of Lake Akan. There’s also the open-air garden bath Hogaden, sat at almost the same height as the lake’s surface, presenting an up-close, cozy encounter with the lake. The hot springs have gentle water suitable for even those with delicate, irritable skin.

The rooms at Akan Yuku no Sato Tsuruga reflect local culture and natural aesthetics, best seen in the Honkan RERA wing inspired by the indigenous Ainu culture. Meals at Tsuruga encompass a plethora of local ingredients, cooked into both traditional Japanese meals and international cuisine at buffet restaurants.

Toyako Manseikaku Hotel Lakeside Terrace

Toyako Manseikaku Hotel Lakeside Terrace sits on the picturesque shores of Lake Toya, about a two-hour drive from Sapporo. This exquisite resort hotel is best known for its two hot springs, Hoshi no Yu and Tsuki no Yu. Hoshi no Yu is an open-air bath on the top floor, granting sweeping views of Lake Toya while you soak in sodium-calcium chloride spring water known for its healing properties. Tsuki no Yu is a more snug, hidden hot spring at ground level tucked in a Japanese garden and fitted with an indoor bath, open-air bath, and sauna.

Many of Toyako Manseikaku’s comfortable and modern guestrooms also guarantee views of the lake, and some have their own private hot springs. For dining, the hotel puts on a buffet offering around 90 Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes, featuring fresh local produce and seafood from Hokkaido, with a lively open kitchen to boot.

Imagine Hotel & Resort, Hakodate

Imagine Hotel & Resort is the gem of the renowned Yunokawa Onsen, a Hokkaido hot spring town conveniently located just outside the Hakodate city center. The hot spring water here is a colorless and smooth sodium-calcium chloride type, known for its excellent moisturizing and heat-retention properties. With three private hot spring sources, the hotel boasts an abundant supply, ensuring all baths a constant flow of fresh geothermal water. The panoramic open-air hot spring Usukeshi no Yu overlooks the Tsugaru Strait, enclosed by a glass fence to ensure the view remains unimpeded.

Imagine Hotel & Resort has a variety of room options suitable for both family trips and romantic getaways. Every room in the Ocean and Soreil wings overlook the sea, letting you continue appreciating the view even after the hot springs. For dining, the hotel presents a rich buffet of local seafood, including coveted Hakodate delicacies like fresh red snow crab and salmon roe, and plenty more tantalizing dishes.

Noboribetsu Grand Hotel

Noboribetsu Grand Hotel is one of the most in-demand accommodations in the surreal and volcanic Noboribetsu Onsen in southwestern Hokkaido. The hotel has three types of hot springs with different mineral properties; saline, sulfur, and iron. Each of these Hokkaido hot springs provide unique health benefits, such as heat retention and detoxification. The hotel’s open-air baths combine a beautiful garden layout with the soothing sound of a waterfall, creating a peaceful ambiance sure to put you at ease.

Also worth mentioning is the Noboribetsu Grand Hotel’s grandiose Roman-style bathhouse, where a towering domed ceiling and marble-style statues will make you feel like Caesar. In addition to the hot springs, the hotel’s demon-themed outdoor sauna, inspired by the otherworldly volcanic landscape of Noboribetsu Onsen’s Hell Valley, is a must-try!

Noboribetsu Grand Hotel’s guestrooms range from traditional Japanese to luxurious Western, and some even have private open-air baths. You’re sure to be equally satisfied by the bountiful buffet that highlights local Hokkaido ingredients, including a bounty of fresh seafood.

Sounkaku Mountain Resort 1923

Sounkaku Mountain Resort 1923 is positioned in the heart of Sounkyo, renowned for its enormous picturesque canyons. The hotel’s open-air baths are filled with clear and gentle Hokkaido hot spring water suitable even for those with sensitive skin and the elderly. Being situated on the 5th floor, the open-air hot springs provide the ultimate view of Sounkyo Gorge, which changes from lush greenery to heavy snow depending on the time of year.

Sounkaku’s 166 guestrooms run from traditional Japanese to modern Western. Cuisine again draws attention to Hokkaido delicacies, presented in a lavish buffet selection. Favorites here include tempura, sushi, grilled crab, and teppanyaki beef, heightened by the exciting open kitchen.

Tokachigawa Onsen Daiichi Hotel

Along the Tokachi River is the Tokachigawa Onsen Daiichi Hotel. This region of Hokkaido is famous for the abundance of rare “moor” onsen, a spring rich in organic plant-based substances that give the water a distinct amber color. It has incredible skincare benefits, and has long been used by the indigenous Ainu to help cure ailments. Yu-raku, the hotel's hot spring, contains a variety of open-air baths like Takitsubo-no-Yu, where guests can reap the benefits of moor onsen while listening to the soothing sounds of flowing water.

The hotel offers two styles of accommodation: Hoshutei and Toyoutei. Hoshutei provides extravagant luxury rooms with private open-air moor onsen baths and indoor fireplaces, while Toyoutei has simpler but comfortable and well-equipped rooms suitable for all types of travelers, some with private onsen too.

In terms of dining, the hotel highlights local Tokachi ingredients through a wide range of dishes, including teppanyaki and traditional Japanese cuisine. Guests can indulge in Tokachi's premium wagyu beef, fresh seafood, or bread baked on site from local wheat, flaunting the rich culinary flavors of the Tokachi region in each season.

Revitalize Yourself in Hokkaido's Open-Air Onsen

Hokkaido's open-air onsen combines the therapeutic benefits of hot springs with breathtaking natural scenery. From casual and free-to-use Hokkaido hot springs like Mizunashi Kaihin to luxurious resorts in Jozankei and Noboribetsu, each destination provides a unique blend of relaxation, culture, and natural beauty. With a variety of accommodation styles, exquisite local cuisine, and year-round scenic beauty, these Hokkaido outdoor onsen are much more than just a bath!

Top image: PIXTA