8 Recommended Tourist Attractions in Jozankei, Hokkaido
8 Recommended Tourist Spots in Jozankei! Introducing Classic Popular Spots and Hidden Gems
Table of Contents
Jozankei has many attractive tourist spots!
Jozankei is a hot spring resort surrounded by rich nature and beautiful ravines, located about an hour's drive from central Sapporo. You can enjoy the scenery of each season, with fresh greenery in spring, autumn foliage, and snowy landscapes in winter, captivating visitors. In addition to hot springs, there are plenty of walking trails, scenic spots along the river, and local gourmet food, allowing you to spend a special time healing both mind and body.
8 Recommended Popular Tourist Spots in Jozankei
Jozankei Onsen: A Healing Hot Spring Embraced by Forests and Valleys
Source: PIXTA
Jozankei Onsen, boasting a history of over 150 years since its opening, is one of Hokkaido's leading hot spring resorts, popular as Sapporo's inner parlor. Surrounded by the beautiful ravine of Toyohira River, its appeal lies in enjoying hot springs peacefully amidst the changing seasons. With excellent access, about an hour's drive from central Sapporo, it's popular among tourists. You can enjoy free-flowing hot springs of various qualities, including saline and iron-rich waters, and there are highlights throughout the year such as snowy open-air baths in winter, fresh greenery in spring, and autumn foliage. We also recommend nearby attractions such as Hoheikyo Onsen and Lake Jozan.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Jozankei Onsen Higashi 3-chome, Minami-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido |
| Access | From central Sapporo, take the Namboku subway line to Makomanai Station, then Jotetsu Bus to "Jozankei Onsen" (approx. 55 minutes) / By car, approx. 50 minutes from Sapporo |
| Parking | Sports Park Public Parking (free, approx. 50 spaces), etc. Many accommodations also offer free parking. |
| Business Hours | |
| Admission Fee |
Hoheikyo Onsen: A Hidden Hot Spring Where You Can Enjoy Beautiful Skin and Spectacular Views
Source: PIXTA
Hoheikyo Onsen, located deep within Jozankei Onsen, is a natural hot spring where you can enjoy 100% free-flowing "sodium calcium bicarbonate chloride spring" water, popular for its skin-beautifying effects. The carefully maintained water, without added water, heating, or circulation, gently removes dead skin cells while providing excellent moisturizing properties, making it particularly popular with women. In Japan's largest open-air bath, which can accommodate 200 people, you can enjoy nature throughout the four seasons. You can also enjoy fantastic illuminations while gazing at the snowy landscape in winter and the autumn foliage. Access is excellent, just about 50 minutes by car from Sapporo.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 608-2 Jozankei, Minami-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido |
| Access | From JR Sapporo Station Bus Terminal, take the Jotetsu Bus "Hoheikyo Onsen" line, get off at the last stop and walk for 1 minute / By car, approximately 35km from Sapporo city center on Route 230 towards Nakayama Pass |
| Parking | Available (200 spaces, free) |
| Business Hours | 10:00 - 22:30 (Last admission 21:45) |
| Admission Fee | Adults 1,300 yen / Children 600 yen |
Futami Suspension Bridge: An Aerial Stroll Through the Seasonal Beauty of the Valley
Source: PIXTA
The Futami Suspension Bridge, a symbol of Jozankei Onsen, is a popular tourist spot where you can enjoy the spectacular views of the Toyohira River and the valley from a beautiful vermillion bridge that is 23 meters long. From the bridge, you can see famous spots like Futami-iwa Rock and Kappa-buchi Abyss, and especially during the autumn foliage season, the valley is adorned with vibrant reds and yellows. The "Futami Jozan no Michi" trail, which continues from the bridge, offers a 1km nature walk, with fresh greenery in spring and snowy landscapes in winter also being highlights. With good access about 50 minutes by car from Sapporo, it is a must-visit classic spot for Jozankei sightseeing.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Jozankei Onsen Nishi 4-chome, Minami-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido |
| Access | Approximately 50 minutes by car from central Sapporo via National Route 230. Within walking distance from Futami Park in the Jozankei hot spring town. |
| Parking | Use the public parking lot next to Jozankei Sports Park (approx. 20-30 spaces). |
| Business Hours | Mid-May to mid-November (Futami Suspension Bridge is accessible year-round) |
| Admission Fee | Free |
Jozan Gensen Park: A Footbath Park Where You Can Experience the Blessings of the Hot Spring Source
Source: PIXTA
Jozan Gensen Park, located in the center of Jozankei Onsen, is a free footbath spot developed to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of the founder, Jozan Miizumi. Here, you can soak your feet in the hot spring water while enjoying the seasonal scenery, such as cherry blossoms in spring, autumn leaves, and snowy landscapes in winter. The park also features a statue of Jozan Miizumi and "Ontama no Yu," where you can make hot spring eggs, perfect for creating travel memories. With good access, about 50 minutes by car from Sapporo city center via National Route 230, it is a soothing and easily accessible tourist attraction.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Jozankei Onsen Higashi 3-chome, Minami-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 061-2302 (at the foot of Tsukimibashi bridge) |
| Access | From JR Sapporo Station, take the Jotetsu Bus towards Jozankei Onsen for about 70 minutes, get off at "Yunomachi" and walk for about 1 minute / By car: From Do-O Expressway Kitahiroshima IC, via National Route 36 and 230, and Prefectural Road 82, for about 50 minutes. |
| Parking | Jozankei Public Parking (free, approx. 20-50 spaces) available, approx. 3 minutes walk from the parking lot. |
| Business Hours | 7:00 - 21:00 (Open year-round) |
| Admission Fee | Free |
Jozankei Dam: A Dynamic Blend of Nature and Technology
Source: PIXTA
Jozankei Dam is a 117.5-meter-high gravity concrete dam that serves as a water source and flood control for Sapporo City. The view from Lake Sapporo, the dam lake, is popular as a spot for autumn leaves. The park downstream of the dam has picnic areas and walking paths, allowing visitors to enjoy nature throughout the four seasons. At the attached Jozankei Dam Museum, dioramas and nature exhibits can be viewed for free. Furthermore, the "Cross Gallery" where you can walk through the interior of the dam body is also a highlight. Access is excellent, about 40 minutes by car from Sapporo city center.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Jozankei 8-ku, Minami-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido |
| Access | From JR Sapporo Station, take the Jotetsu Bus bound for Jozankei Shako-mae for approximately 1 hour, get off at Jozankei Ohashi, and walk for approximately 20 minutes. |
| Parking | First and Second Parking Lots available (free) |
| Business Hours | Dam Downstream Park: 9:00 - 17:00 (late April - early November), Dam Museum: 9:30 - 16:00 (closed Mondays, if Monday is a holiday, closed the next weekday) |
| Admission Fee | Free |
Hoheikyo Dam: A Spectacular View of Autumn Foliage and the Lake Surface
Source: PIXTA
Hoheikyo Dam, located in Minami Ward, Sapporo City, close to Jozankei Onsen, is one of Hokkaido's leading autumn foliage spots. Its charm lies in the 102.5m high arch dam and the beautiful scenery of Lake Jozan. Especially from early to mid-October, maples and rowans color the mountainsides, creating a spectacular contrast with the lake surface. To protect the environment, general vehicles are not allowed, and access by electric bus or on foot adds to the charm of the journey. It's easily accessible, about an hour's drive from Sapporo city, and a must-visit spot to combine with Jozankei sightseeing.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 840 Jozankei, Minami-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido |
| Access | About 60 minutes by car from JR Sapporo Station / Public transport: From JR Sapporo Station, take the Jotetsu Bus bound for Jozankei Onsen for 1 hour 20 minutes, then get off at the last stop, drive 10 minutes to the electric bus stop, and change to the electric bus for about 7 minutes. |
| Parking | Available (250 spaces / free, electric bus or walk from the parking lot to the dam) |
| Business Hours | 8:45 - 16:00 (Electric bus operation period: May 1 - November 3) |
| Admission Fee | Free (Electric bus use: Adults 1,000 yen / Children 500 yen, during peak season: Adults 1,200 yen / Children 600 yen, etc.) |
Futami Park: A Place of Relaxation Where Legends and Nature Come Alive
Source: PIXTA
Futami Park, located at the entrance of Jozankei Onsen, is the oldest park in the hot spring town and is cherished as a starting point for sightseeing. Inside the park, the humorous statue of "Kappa King" welcomes visitors, making it a popular spot related to the Kappa legend. The "Futami Jozan no Michi" walking trail along the Toyohira River offers highlights such as the Futami Suspension Bridge, Meoto-iwa Rock, and Kappa-buchi Abyss. In summer evenings, the magical light display "JOZANKEI NATURE LUMINARIE" is held, making it a soothing spot to visit regardless of the season.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Jozankei Onsen Nishi 4-chome, Minami-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido |
| Access | Approximately 50 minutes by car from central Sapporo (via National Route 230), or approximately 60 minutes by "Kappa Liner Go" bus from Sapporo Station. |
| Parking | No dedicated parking. Jozankei Public Parking (approx. 30 spaces, free) is available, 10 minutes walk away. |
| Business Hours | |
| Admission Fee | Free |
Jozankei Shrine: A Power Spot Enveloped in Silence
Source: PIXTA
Jozankei Shrine, nestled on the east side of Jozankei Onsen town, is a tranquil power spot with over a century of history. It enshrines six deities, including Jozan Miizumi, the founder of the hot springs, and is popular for a variety of blessings such as business prosperity, matchmaking, and traffic safety. With Ezofukujuso in spring, autumn leaves in fall, and "Yukitoro" where snow candles are lit in winter, it offers charm in every season. Access is also excellent, about 50 minutes by car from Sapporo city and right near the bus stop, making it a popular healing tourist spot for calming the mind.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Jozankei Onsen Higashi 3-chome, Minami-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido |
| Access | From Sapporo Station, take the bus bound for Jozankei Onsen and get off at "Jozankei Jinja-mae". |
| Parking | Jozankei Public Parking (20 spaces, free) available. |
| Business Hours | Year-round (Annual festival: September 10) |
| Admission Fee | Free |