Hoheikyo Onsen
Hoheikyo Onsen
4.5
10:00 AM - 10:30 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 10:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 10:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 10:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 10:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 10:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 10:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 10:30 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
421 reviews
Excellent
233
Very good
144
Average
30
Poor
8
Terrible
6
temeka
Sapporo, Japan3 contributions
Jun 2023 • Solo
It was my first time at an onsen as well as my first time in Japan. I thought it would be uncomfortable but it was a really great experience that i would do several times over. It was so relaxing and peaceful, it was a great reset after all the travelling to Japan.
The Indian restaurant was also great, I had a chicken curry which came with a naan, I was going to order rice also not realising how large the naan was, luckily the waiter stopped me!!
The Indian restaurant was also great, I had a chicken curry which came with a naan, I was going to order rice also not realising how large the naan was, luckily the waiter stopped me!!
Written 4 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simon S
Estepona, Spain9 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
A great relaxing and at same time exhilarating experience. Naked outside deep nature in a natural hot spring with snow all around and an air temperature of -4°C followed by indian food. Loved it.
Written 5 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PhoenixSingapore
Singapore201 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
I would like to highlight my experience dining at this Onsen Shokudo (dinning hall) recently on 26 Dec 2016, 12 noon.
This is what happened:-
1. I entered their onsen dinning hall while my husband and son were parking the car.
There were 2 males, who were wearing long sleeve shirts, standing infront of the cashier counter. There were no greetings from them and they just stood there starring at me as I entered.
When I saw shoes lying on the shoe shelves, I asked them in English if I am supposed to take out my shoe. One of the younger guy (with one-eyed jack), answered : "Yes you have to "take off" your shoe" and subsequently he turned to another older guy standing beside him whispering and mocking in japanese and english where I heard he mentioned "taking off the shoe". I guessed they were laughing at my command of english, but I ignored them.
Few minutes later, my son and husband came in through the front door. They were unaware of the situation, proceeded to take off their shoes.
Suddenly, we heard the guy with the one-eyed jack SHOUTED : "CLOSE THE DOOR !". He had a fierce look at my husband, and pointing his finger at the door.
My husband was taken by surprised to see the fierce reaction of the one-eyed jack guy and he was puzzled. The sliding door was already wide open when he entered and it gave him the impression that the door is an automatic sliding door, and will close by itself. He did not realised it is a manual sliding door.
This is the first time in our countless trips to japan to receive such an aggressive approach from the locals. I was also puzzled and we felt intimidated.
2. After my husband closed the door, we looked at the menu at the entrance and as both guys did not attend to us or usher us to our seats, our first instinct is to look for a table. When we were about to enter the small dinning hall, only then the one-eyed jack guy stopped us abruptly and requested us to order the food at the cashier counter and make payment first and we did that.
This is the 2nd time we felt that they were trying to ridicule us and make us look stupid.
3. During our meals, we were observing the surrounding. Other local diners who entered their restaurants were greeted by the restaurant guys with a friendly smile. Each time their local diners had their meals, there will be one uniform waiter and a old lady from the kitchen to clear the tables. They were extremely polite to their local customers. For that reason, after we had our meals, we stood up and proceeded to leave the dinning hall.
When that happen, I was literally "stopped" by the older guy. As I was the first one to leave our table, the older guy blocked me, deliberately lifted up his arm and stop me from leaving, He shouted at me with a harsh tone " CLEAR YOUR TABLE BEFORE YOU LEAVE !!". At that moment, I was fearful he might harm me.
Being a woman, I am extremely horrified receiving such a terrible treatment from a man. But there was no english signage informing diners to put back their plates and cups after their meals.
To avoid any conflicts and knowing we are in a foreign country and in a remote place, my husband told me and my son to do as what they want and we did. I felt helpless.
When we were clearing the table, the uniformed waiter and the old lady just stood there watching us. My husband, later told me that the one-eyed jack man actually signalled the uniformed waiter not to help us clear the table.
All other diners were looking at us.
We would not mind to clear the plates and cups if they could tell us nicely with a friendly tone instead of "barking instruction".
I have never felt so terrible in my life being forced to clear my own table as a paying guest. This is the 3rd time they deliberately embarrassed us in the public.
They were extremely rude to us right from the beginning we entered their onsen dinning hall. It seems that the place is a family run business.
For "Foreign Travellers", think twice before you even visit this place. This onsen dinning hall is anti-foreigners especially non-japanese speaking foreigners.
This is what happened:-
1. I entered their onsen dinning hall while my husband and son were parking the car.
There were 2 males, who were wearing long sleeve shirts, standing infront of the cashier counter. There were no greetings from them and they just stood there starring at me as I entered.
When I saw shoes lying on the shoe shelves, I asked them in English if I am supposed to take out my shoe. One of the younger guy (with one-eyed jack), answered : "Yes you have to "take off" your shoe" and subsequently he turned to another older guy standing beside him whispering and mocking in japanese and english where I heard he mentioned "taking off the shoe". I guessed they were laughing at my command of english, but I ignored them.
Few minutes later, my son and husband came in through the front door. They were unaware of the situation, proceeded to take off their shoes.
Suddenly, we heard the guy with the one-eyed jack SHOUTED : "CLOSE THE DOOR !". He had a fierce look at my husband, and pointing his finger at the door.
My husband was taken by surprised to see the fierce reaction of the one-eyed jack guy and he was puzzled. The sliding door was already wide open when he entered and it gave him the impression that the door is an automatic sliding door, and will close by itself. He did not realised it is a manual sliding door.
This is the first time in our countless trips to japan to receive such an aggressive approach from the locals. I was also puzzled and we felt intimidated.
2. After my husband closed the door, we looked at the menu at the entrance and as both guys did not attend to us or usher us to our seats, our first instinct is to look for a table. When we were about to enter the small dinning hall, only then the one-eyed jack guy stopped us abruptly and requested us to order the food at the cashier counter and make payment first and we did that.
This is the 2nd time we felt that they were trying to ridicule us and make us look stupid.
3. During our meals, we were observing the surrounding. Other local diners who entered their restaurants were greeted by the restaurant guys with a friendly smile. Each time their local diners had their meals, there will be one uniform waiter and a old lady from the kitchen to clear the tables. They were extremely polite to their local customers. For that reason, after we had our meals, we stood up and proceeded to leave the dinning hall.
When that happen, I was literally "stopped" by the older guy. As I was the first one to leave our table, the older guy blocked me, deliberately lifted up his arm and stop me from leaving, He shouted at me with a harsh tone " CLEAR YOUR TABLE BEFORE YOU LEAVE !!". At that moment, I was fearful he might harm me.
Being a woman, I am extremely horrified receiving such a terrible treatment from a man. But there was no english signage informing diners to put back their plates and cups after their meals.
To avoid any conflicts and knowing we are in a foreign country and in a remote place, my husband told me and my son to do as what they want and we did. I felt helpless.
When we were clearing the table, the uniformed waiter and the old lady just stood there watching us. My husband, later told me that the one-eyed jack man actually signalled the uniformed waiter not to help us clear the table.
All other diners were looking at us.
We would not mind to clear the plates and cups if they could tell us nicely with a friendly tone instead of "barking instruction".
I have never felt so terrible in my life being forced to clear my own table as a paying guest. This is the 3rd time they deliberately embarrassed us in the public.
They were extremely rude to us right from the beginning we entered their onsen dinning hall. It seems that the place is a family run business.
For "Foreign Travellers", think twice before you even visit this place. This onsen dinning hall is anti-foreigners especially non-japanese speaking foreigners.
Written 29 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FChing
kuala lumpur53 contributions
Feb 2012 • Friends
Free shuttle to Hoheikyo onsen, run daily but only once a day. Departing from Mitsukoshi Dept Store at 9.25am and back from Hoheikyo Onsen at 3pm. The bus will stop at the status of lion infront of Mitsukoshi dept store. on the way it will make another stop at Makomanai Subway station to pick up more visitor. Usually will be crowded with local onsen lovers. We are the only tourist inside the bus.
When we reach we put our shoe inside the locker provided, then we choose our package (onsen + curry set lunch) Y 1500. We rented our bath towel (Y510, Y300 refunded upon return) and 1 small towel (Y210, not refundable keep as our souvenir) then straight we proceed to 2nd floor locker room to put our valueable items. Locker charge Y100 (refundable). Remember to keep some small change to buy beer / juice and enjoy it while u enjoy your onsen later. Yes i knew that all onsen is not allowed guest to bring drink but Hoheikyo onsen do allowed us to bring our favorite drink into the onsen. We had our coffee at the outdoor onsen itself.
Once you enter take off your cloth and put inside the basket provided, bring with you the small towel to the shower area. Start clean yourself and when you ready soak at the indoor onsen lowest temp water which is 37 degree. When you feel comfortable move to higher temp which is 39 degree. Then here come the best part of it, prepare yourself to go out to the outdoor onsen, as we went during winter so just imagine the snow will fall into your face while you soak your body in the outdoor onsen. Amazing. You may drink your favorite juice or beer or even read your book. The feeling is just so great.
After we done we again clean ourself and what next??? Hungry......we proceed to the restaurant to claim our curry set lunch. The best curry that we ever had. The view from the restaurant is just so amazing that no words can describe it...Just experience it yourself then you know.
Just about 3pm we board the same shuttle bus back to Mitsukoshi dept store at Sapporo
When we reach we put our shoe inside the locker provided, then we choose our package (onsen + curry set lunch) Y 1500. We rented our bath towel (Y510, Y300 refunded upon return) and 1 small towel (Y210, not refundable keep as our souvenir) then straight we proceed to 2nd floor locker room to put our valueable items. Locker charge Y100 (refundable). Remember to keep some small change to buy beer / juice and enjoy it while u enjoy your onsen later. Yes i knew that all onsen is not allowed guest to bring drink but Hoheikyo onsen do allowed us to bring our favorite drink into the onsen. We had our coffee at the outdoor onsen itself.
Once you enter take off your cloth and put inside the basket provided, bring with you the small towel to the shower area. Start clean yourself and when you ready soak at the indoor onsen lowest temp water which is 37 degree. When you feel comfortable move to higher temp which is 39 degree. Then here come the best part of it, prepare yourself to go out to the outdoor onsen, as we went during winter so just imagine the snow will fall into your face while you soak your body in the outdoor onsen. Amazing. You may drink your favorite juice or beer or even read your book. The feeling is just so great.
After we done we again clean ourself and what next??? Hungry......we proceed to the restaurant to claim our curry set lunch. The best curry that we ever had. The view from the restaurant is just so amazing that no words can describe it...Just experience it yourself then you know.
Just about 3pm we board the same shuttle bus back to Mitsukoshi dept store at Sapporo
Written 21 March 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ForeignObserver2
337 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
Hoheikyo Onsen is very easy to reach from Sapporo, so it makes a great half day or day trip. Simply go to the tourist office in the JR Sapporo station and buy a combo ticket. It will provide you with an unlimited one day bus ticket plus one ticket for a number of different Onzen in Jozankei. Currently it costs ¥2,000 per person. If you are going on a weekend it may make sense to reserve a seat on the bus going and returning. The tourist office will do that for you at no charge. We went during a week day in December and there were plenty of free seats. We selected Hoheikyo Onzen as it is supposedly one of the nicer ones in Hokkaido but you can also go to one of the hotel onzen that are printed on the back of your combo ticket. The stops are very well announced in English so you cannot miss your stop. Once there, take your shoes off and store them at the front. Go to the front desk and hand them your ticket. Here you can also buy one of the small wiping towels (¥200) or rent a large bath towel (¥520 of which you will get back ¥300 when you return it) for drying off at the end. Go upstairs and locate the changing room of your gender (blue for men and red for women). Go inside and store your belongings, your clothes and your drying towel in one of the lockers. You will need one ¥100 coin for that, which will be returned to you when you return the key. If you loose the key you will be charged ¥4,000 but keys have rubber bands so that is not very likely.This means you can also store some water in the locker and then retrieve it when you get thirsty. There are vending machines on the second floor with numerous soft drinks or water. Then enter the onzen nude and only with your small wiping towels. Do not use bath slippers no matter how clean they may be. Get one of the plastic stools and one of the plastic bowls. Place your wiping towel in the bowl then start showering. After that completely cover yourself with soap and wipe youself with the small towel. Shampoo and soap are provided. Then shower again to completely get rid of all the soap. This is not a quick job. Japanese will sit there for 10 minutes or longer just to clean themselves. After you are done, clean out your wiping towel and wring it out where you washed. Now you are ready for the baths. There were three inside pools, each with a different temperature. Start with the lower temperature (38C) and work your way up to the higher temperature (42C). There are also two larger outdoor pools with a view on the hillside and forrest. Again one of them is cooler and the other hotter. Always place your wiping towel on your head or a stone on the side of the pools. Never enter with the wiping towel the bath itself and if you accidentally drop it in anyway never wring it out into the bath. If you have a partner of the opposite sex you will be unable to communicate with each other while in the baths. Most people have enough after 60-90 minutes of soaking. So, agree beforehand on a time when you will meet again outside the changing areas. There is a clock inside the changing rooms. You can buy small snacks and drinks on the 1st floor. If you want something larger, there is a Indian restaurant on the ground floor. The only resting areas are outside the baths and locker rooms. So, unless you want to go through the cleansing routine repeatedly you can only rest once you left the baths and locker rooms and you are already fully clothed. There are some tatami seats and low tables where you can take your own lunch. You can also get a professional massage at around ¥100 per minute (15 minute minimum) but you can also use the massage chairs (¥200 for 15 minutes) that are available. Overall the onzen was a nice cultural experience but it nowhere compares to the experience you would have in a nice European spa. There you would not only have the hot pools, but different temperature saunas, steam rooms, ice rooms and cold dipping pools. A European spa would also have plenty of lounge chairs where you can rest and read during bath or sauna visits which is not possible in Hoheikyo Onzen. Also the strict seperation of genders cuts down on the mutual enjoyment for heterosexual couples as each one of you will sit alone in your own section. Again, a European spa is superior in that regard.
Written 4 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MrKrunchi
2 contributions
Mar 2017 • Solo
I've always wanted to go to a nice onsen that was tattoo friendly. I have a tattoo that covers half my arm, another one that is on the other arm, and a big on that covers a quarter of my back. Cover up is not really an option. Also, it was hard to confirm which ones would allow this, as I couldn't confirm online anywhere and specification is pretty much omitted out of any onsen that allows this. However, thankfully, I had my Japanese friend call ahead before I started heading out there by bus for Hoheikyo via Jozankei Onsen. They specificially stated over the phone that tattoos are allowed. Hooray!
So, I finally took my trip over there, which was about 70 mins by bus. I purchased the bus ride and bathing ticket ahead of time from a tourist center in Susukino (it's in the Arcade area if you're looking). Once I got there, the person who greeted me was very nice and spoke a little bit of English. I speak some Japanese, but it was nice to be led on what to do and confirm it in English. Once upstairs, I entered the outside onsen (naked with my tattoos of course! :P ). There were no problems whatsoever. I would say that some of the natives will stare at you awkwardly, particularly at your tattoos, but it doesn't really matter. You're in a outside natural spring onsen! This onsen is also family friendly, including kids. There was a young boy who was running up and down the halls in the common area and wanted to flash everyone. It was kind of hilarious.
Besides the onsen part, there's some nice areas to relax in, a smoking area, and a restaurant serving Indian cuisine most of the day, as well as soba during certain times. I was able to try out their really delicious curry and a banana yogurt drink. The view is absolutely beautiful too, as shown in the photos. The onsen sucked all the energy out of me and I became so relaxed, so I went back upstairs and took a nap after eating. Once I woke up, I caught a bus back to Sapporo station.
If you're in Hokkaido and want to experience a great onsen with the regular public and also have tattoos, this place is a must. For 1800 yen, it's a no brainer to pick up the bus ride and bathing ticket, but otherwise, its less than 2500 yen. Just make sure you know how to ride their bus system! Hopefully this helps out, writing this as of March 2017. :]
So, I finally took my trip over there, which was about 70 mins by bus. I purchased the bus ride and bathing ticket ahead of time from a tourist center in Susukino (it's in the Arcade area if you're looking). Once I got there, the person who greeted me was very nice and spoke a little bit of English. I speak some Japanese, but it was nice to be led on what to do and confirm it in English. Once upstairs, I entered the outside onsen (naked with my tattoos of course! :P ). There were no problems whatsoever. I would say that some of the natives will stare at you awkwardly, particularly at your tattoos, but it doesn't really matter. You're in a outside natural spring onsen! This onsen is also family friendly, including kids. There was a young boy who was running up and down the halls in the common area and wanted to flash everyone. It was kind of hilarious.
Besides the onsen part, there's some nice areas to relax in, a smoking area, and a restaurant serving Indian cuisine most of the day, as well as soba during certain times. I was able to try out their really delicious curry and a banana yogurt drink. The view is absolutely beautiful too, as shown in the photos. The onsen sucked all the energy out of me and I became so relaxed, so I went back upstairs and took a nap after eating. Once I woke up, I caught a bus back to Sapporo station.
If you're in Hokkaido and want to experience a great onsen with the regular public and also have tattoos, this place is a must. For 1800 yen, it's a no brainer to pick up the bus ride and bathing ticket, but otherwise, its less than 2500 yen. Just make sure you know how to ride their bus system! Hopefully this helps out, writing this as of March 2017. :]
Written 29 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
garettmarshall
Seoul, South Korea9 contributions
Apr 2014 • Friends
I had one free day before an evening appointment in Sapporo and decided to take the free shuttle bus starting near my hotel to this hot spring(9:15AM).It is definitely not an express bus with several stops along the way picking up mostly local residents. For me this was perfect as I was in no hurry and really enjoyed seeing the city leading out to the suburbs and countryside. This was my first visit to Sapporo. We arrived at about 10:45AM.
The onsen facilities are quite dated and are nothing fancy. But people still come because the water is wonderful and the prices reasonable. I could tell that for many on the bus, this was a part of their life routine and ritual and I enjoyed experiencing a slice of that. It was an authentic and relaxing experience, but those wanting something more upscale and luxurious will be disappointed. There are many other options for that elsewhere.
The outdoor hot springs were fantastic especially as there was still some snow falling. After 2 hours, I had a cood beer from a vending machine and a one hour massage at 1:00PM- that I had signed up for on a reservation paper after arriving. It was 6,000 yen and included an oxygen infusion. Following other advice on trip advisor, I went downstairs and enjoyed an excellent lamb curry with naan and then a coffee while I waited for the return shuttle that left at 3:00PM. I got off at the last stop and was back to my hotel happy and rested just around 4:30PM.
Overall, I think it was one of the best parts of my one weeklong visit to Hokeido. I think the most important point to keep in mind is that at the end of the day, you get what you pay for and what you pay for here is worth every penny/or yen.
The onsen facilities are quite dated and are nothing fancy. But people still come because the water is wonderful and the prices reasonable. I could tell that for many on the bus, this was a part of their life routine and ritual and I enjoyed experiencing a slice of that. It was an authentic and relaxing experience, but those wanting something more upscale and luxurious will be disappointed. There are many other options for that elsewhere.
The outdoor hot springs were fantastic especially as there was still some snow falling. After 2 hours, I had a cood beer from a vending machine and a one hour massage at 1:00PM- that I had signed up for on a reservation paper after arriving. It was 6,000 yen and included an oxygen infusion. Following other advice on trip advisor, I went downstairs and enjoyed an excellent lamb curry with naan and then a coffee while I waited for the return shuttle that left at 3:00PM. I got off at the last stop and was back to my hotel happy and rested just around 4:30PM.
Overall, I think it was one of the best parts of my one weeklong visit to Hokeido. I think the most important point to keep in mind is that at the end of the day, you get what you pay for and what you pay for here is worth every penny/or yen.
Written 16 April 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amanda
Sapporo, Japan3,505 contributions
Dec 2011 • Friends
Take a bus from Sapporo to a popular onsen and sit in the outside bath surrounded by forest and mountains.
Jotetsu Bus has a bus/onsen ticket for Y1,800, buses leave every hour from Sapporo Station for the 1 hr. 20 mins. trip to Hoheikyo.
After onsen there is a great Indian curry restaurant (the chefs are actually Indian) in the building and in winter a snow house outside.
Jotetsu Bus has a bus/onsen ticket for Y1,800, buses leave every hour from Sapporo Station for the 1 hr. 20 mins. trip to Hoheikyo.
After onsen there is a great Indian curry restaurant (the chefs are actually Indian) in the building and in winter a snow house outside.
Written 11 January 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kpdman
Meridian, ID5 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
The experience: Authentic Japanese Onsen with all that entails. No swimming suits allowed, men and women segregated, indoor and outdoor pools, wonderful water, beautiful setting. A great experience. The facility was a bit old and shabby, but not excessively so. It was busy but not crowded. We were the only non-Japanese there when we visited.
Here's how to get there: From the Sapporo Station bus terminal, go to gate 12. There is an information desk there that will sell you an all-inclusive ticket for transportation there and back, as well as admission to the Onsen. The total for us was 1800 Yen per adult. Make sure to ask for the schedule of buses for the return trip.
The bus loads at gate 12, right next to the information booth. (Wait at the green sign)
Our bus going to the Onsen was a very nice motor coach, and the trip took about an hour. There were a number of stops on the route, including another Onsen, but it wasn't excessive. This onsen is the last stop.
The bus going back in the evening only comes once per hour, so pay attention to the schedule. Our return bus was more of a city bus, but still plenty comfortable. Again, about an hour on the return trip, and we got off at Sapporo station.
Beginner tip: Save your bus trip tickets and present them as you get OFF the bus, not as you get on. (Made the mistake of putting the tickets into the fare box as we got on, and had some explaining to do as we got off.)
We spent about an hour and a half at the onsen, all included. We didn't eat, so can't comment on the food. We didn't have towels with us, so we purchased small washing towels for 220 Yen each.
Overall, this was a great experience and an enjoyable trip.
Here's how to get there: From the Sapporo Station bus terminal, go to gate 12. There is an information desk there that will sell you an all-inclusive ticket for transportation there and back, as well as admission to the Onsen. The total for us was 1800 Yen per adult. Make sure to ask for the schedule of buses for the return trip.
The bus loads at gate 12, right next to the information booth. (Wait at the green sign)
Our bus going to the Onsen was a very nice motor coach, and the trip took about an hour. There were a number of stops on the route, including another Onsen, but it wasn't excessive. This onsen is the last stop.
The bus going back in the evening only comes once per hour, so pay attention to the schedule. Our return bus was more of a city bus, but still plenty comfortable. Again, about an hour on the return trip, and we got off at Sapporo station.
Beginner tip: Save your bus trip tickets and present them as you get OFF the bus, not as you get on. (Made the mistake of putting the tickets into the fare box as we got on, and had some explaining to do as we got off.)
We spent about an hour and a half at the onsen, all included. We didn't eat, so can't comment on the food. We didn't have towels with us, so we purchased small washing towels for 220 Yen each.
Overall, this was a great experience and an enjoyable trip.
Written 7 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James M
14 contributions
Feb 2016 • Couples
Let me say that this is, hands down best Onsen near Sapporo.
Take the number seven bus from platform 12 in the bus station at Sapporo central station. A ticket counter that is literally 4 feet from the bus stop will sell you the tickets. Get the package for 1,800 jpy (at time of writing feb2016) the bus runs every hour, and takes about 90minutes, and is the last stop. I suggest the 9am or 10am bus.
The Onsen is traditional wood and stone, unlike the tourist trap hell hole one stop earlier on the same bus. The outside and inside baths both are well worth your time.
As this may be your first let me just explain a few things.
1. Yes everyone is naked, don't worry, no one cares and it is gender separated.
2. Make sure you wash off BEFORE you get into the baths.
3. Enjoy yourself and relax.
Simple, delightful
Take the number seven bus from platform 12 in the bus station at Sapporo central station. A ticket counter that is literally 4 feet from the bus stop will sell you the tickets. Get the package for 1,800 jpy (at time of writing feb2016) the bus runs every hour, and takes about 90minutes, and is the last stop. I suggest the 9am or 10am bus.
The Onsen is traditional wood and stone, unlike the tourist trap hell hole one stop earlier on the same bus. The outside and inside baths both are well worth your time.
As this may be your first let me just explain a few things.
1. Yes everyone is naked, don't worry, no one cares and it is gender separated.
2. Make sure you wash off BEFORE you get into the baths.
3. Enjoy yourself and relax.
Simple, delightful
Written 7 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tanyapon P
Tromso, Norway
How can I go to your place today ? And how the way back to Sapporo in the same day?
Written 14 February 2019
I'll be going to Japan with two friends, but one of them doesn't want to try an onsen; is there anything for them to do around the area or somewhere they can wait while myself and the other friend are in the onsen?
Written 13 January 2019
What season?
- They could walk 4.8km to Hoheikyo Dam, which has some nice views.
- There's also a hiking trail up Mt. Sapporo. The peak gives great views.
- There are restaurants and cafes in Jozankei town.
-There's also a good Indian restaurant at the Hoheikyo Onsen.
Written 15 January 2019
Hello there. I’m working on my half day trip to onsen and wanted to know what is the easiest or fastest way to go to Hoheikyo-Onsen from Sapporo station? I’m quite confused with the info given on their webpage... is booking needed?
Written 13 December 2018
There is a bus plan that can be arranged when you get to Sapporo and find a tourist center. Think it was specifically called Hokkaido Tourist Information Center. There you can buy an all day round bus ticket that can take you there, including the entrance fee to the onsen. Altogether 2000yen.
Written 20 December 2018
Matthew red moon
Singapore, Singapore
Yup. I brought my 2 boys in. 1 was 2 yrs old. He went in with my wife. N 1 was 5 yrs old. He went in with me.
Written 13 October 2018
Hey Susan,
Nice to emeet you here. I'd like to ask you how to buy the package to get to Hoheikyo Onsen? Also, on the picture, the outdoor onsen looks like that the water is a bit dirty (green-brownish color), is it because of the chemical or is it not clean? And what is the degree for the hot springs? Since this is my first time, I'm afraid that I can't stand on the hot water. Please kindly advise as I plan to visit the place. Thank you so much. Appreciate your help and advice. =D
Written 21 July 2018
Just go to the bus station and get the bus. You pay once you’re at the onsen.
The water is clean. It’s checked. It’s japan!
If your body can’t adjust to hot water then at least you will know.
Stop worrying and go. It’s beautiful there
Written 23 July 2018
Recommend Places to stay near Hoheikyo Onsen ????
Written 24 April 2018
There are hotels nearby. However like most travellers, we stay at Sapporo and take the shuttle from the city. Shuttle works like clockwork, like all transport services in Japan.
Written 28 April 2018
Kerol L
Singapore
Hi we have ladies and guys visiting Hoheikyo Onsen and would like to go for their outdoor onsen. May I know if there are separate outdoor onsens for ladies and men avail on the same day?
Written 17 January 2018
Yes, men and ladies separate bath, whole day/ everyday :-)
Written 24 April 2018
At the Saporo bus station ticket counter.
Written 2 January 2018
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