Yunokawa Hot Springs

Yunokawa Onsen ranks high among Hokkaido’s hot springs resorts. Tranquil hotels and inns fitted out with their own private spa facilities await your arrival.

While Hokkaido is famed for its abundance of hot springs (onsen), Yunokawa Onsen is quite literally THE onsen "hot spot." Located just a stone's throw from the ocean, the Yunokawa Resort area boasts an array of onsen retreats offering the luxury of in-house bathing facilities with glorious views of the ocean. From summer through fall, the ocean shimmers magically with isaribi, the lights of fishing boats, as they trawl the straits with huge tungsten lamps in search of the succulent squid for which Hakodate is renowned. The Yunokawa Hot Springs Resort area spoils visitors with an endless choice of tasteful hotels and inns offering excellent service, rejuvenating bathing experiences and tantalizing culinary delights.

Anyone hoping to dip a metaphorical toe into the hot spring experience should definitely give the ashiyu footbaths a try. Ashiyu footbaths are basically miniaturized hot spring baths designed for soaking one's feet. Take your shoes and socks off, slide your weary feet in and feel your fatigue dissolve as a pleasant warmth envelops your whole body. There is a free public footbath located right in front of the "Yunokawa Onsen" streetcar stop. Tune out and ease your mind as you watch the streetcars come and go.

The Hakodate City Tropical Botanical Garden, located in the Yunokawa Hot Springs area, is home to some 100 free-range Japanese macaques (or snow monkeys). Although the monkeys can be seen enjoying themselves all year round, they are a particular draw for visitors in the colder months, when they can be seen taking a leisurely dip in the hot springs. The monkeys warm themselves in a pool of steaming mineral water from December 1st through the beginning of May. Hakodate is famed for its monkeys, a rare sight with their human-like passion for bathing in the hot springs.