Jozankei Onsen

Just over an hour from Sapporo, Hokkaido’s largest city, Jozankei Onsen is an easy mountain escape. Set along the Toyohira River, framed by the peaks of Shikotsu-Toya National Park, the area has served as a sanctuary for geothermal bathing since 1866, when the monk Miizumi Jozan established a healing spa here with the help of local Ainu guides.

Jozankei Onsen

Photo by: PIXTA/ はっさく One of Hokkaido’s best-known onsen resorts.

Jozankei draws its waters from nearly 60 natural hot spring sources, making it one of Hokkaido’s best-known onsen resorts. The developed resort town combines traditional ryokan and modern hotels with shops and eateries along the river. The sodium chloride-rich waters have a mild salt content that helps retain warmth after bathing.

Several ryokan, including Nukumori no Yado Furukawa, open their baths to day visitors, while free footbaths like Kotono-yu and Jozan Gento-an make it easy to experience Jozankei on a short visit.

Between baths, you can try local onsen manju (steamed red bean cakes) or visit nearby Hoheikyo Onsen, known for its naan and Indian curry.

Jozankei’s local culture is also closely tied to the kappa, a mythical river creature from Japanese folklore. Today, 21 unique bronze kappa statues are scattered throughout town, including near a dedicated kappa footbath.

Seasonal Highlights

Photo by: PIXTA/黄金虫 Jozankei transforms into a classic Hokkaido winter landscape.

Spring and Summer

As the snow melts, Jozankei’s forests turn green and wildflowers bloom. Summer is ideal for hiking, fruit picking and fishing around Hakkenzan and Jozankei Farm. From June to late October, Futami Park hosts Jozankei Nature Luminaria, a forest light installation featuring projection-mapped artwork. 

Autumn

Autumn is one of Jozankei’s busiest seasons, when the surrounding mountains turn red, orange and gold. The Five Great Autumn Foliage Spots include the Jozankei Onsen area, Hoheikyo Dam, Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort, Okujozankei and Hakkenzan. Seasonal buses make it easier to explore beyond the main resort, including the guided Autumn Leaves Kappa Bus.

Winter

Heavy snow transforms Jozankei into a classic Hokkaido winter landscape, with snowshoeing in Futami Park and skiing and snowboarding at nearby Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort. After dark, Jozankei Shrine and parts of the onsen town will glow with the new Snow Light Road from late January through February 2027. The event replaces the 15-year Snow Light Path, introducing a new style of winter illumination without the former snow-candle displays.

Things to See and Do

Photo by: PIXTA/ mabubu Jozankei Shrine transforms into a winter wonderland.

Jozankei Shrine

Jozankei Shrine was established in 1905 and is closely connected to the development of the hot spring resort. The shrine sits among forested hills overlooking Jozankei, with a trailhead for Mt. Yuhi behind the grounds. It is particularly scenic during autumn, while ezoengosaku flowers bloom along the approach in spring.

Futami Suspension Bridge

The bright red Futami Suspension Bridge crosses the Toyohira River and is one of Jozankei’s most recognizable landmarks. From here, the Futami-Jozan Road follows the river through the forest toward Kappabuchi Pool, the quiet river bend central to the town’s kappa folklore. The trail passes Futami-iwa (twin rising rocks) and features steps and uneven ground, so comfortable shoes are recommended. 

Iwato Kannon-do Temple

In the center of Jozankei town, this Buddhist temple’s entrance leads into a 120-meter cave carved into the hillside. The candlelit passage contains 33 stone statues of Kannon, carved by laborers who prayed for safety while building the valley’s early roads.