Onsen · Hokkaido

Sounkyo Onsen

Kamikawa, Hokkaido♨ Simple sulfur spring, simple spring and others (varies by facility)

Overview

A mountain hot spring town at the foot of Daisetsuzan, at the entrance to a gorge that stretches for about 24km. The base station of the Kurodake Ropeway is here, so you can enjoy mountain scenery and hot springs together. Besides Kurodake no Yu, a day-use-only facility, hotels also offer day-use bathing.

A hot spring town at the entrance to the gorge, from which the Kurodake Ropeway takes you up to the 5th station at 1,300m in about 7 minutes. In autumn, the colors descend from the summits of Daisetsuzan, and you can enjoy the autumn leaves on trails around the town such as the Momijidani walking trail. The spring types, such as simple sulfur springs and simple springs, vary by inn.

Location: Kamikawa, Hokkaido
Best time to visit: The autumn leaves begin on the summits of Daisetsuzan around late August and descend to the area around the hot spring town by mid-October
Official website: https://sounkyo.net/

Nearby area

Asahikawa & BieiWeather and what to wear in Asahikawa & Biei →

Tickets & tours you can book in advancePR

PRKlookKurodake Ropeway and Asahiyama Zoo Day Bus Tour (from Sapporo)A bus tour from Sapporo visiting the Kurodake Ropeway in Daisetsuzan, Asahikawa Ramen Village and Asahiyama Zoo. With a Chinese, English and Japanese guideView on Klook

Day-Use Baths

Baths you can visit without staying

Public baths, day-use spas and foot baths open to non-staying visitors.

Day-use spa

Kurodake no Yu

Price: Adults ¥800, children ¥400 (as of October 2026)
Hours: 10:00–22:00 (last admission 21:30); November 1–April 30: 11:00–21:30 (last admission 21:00)
Closed: Open daily (closed on some maintenance days)
Note: A day-use-only bathing facility with no accommodation. Spring type: hypotonic, weakly alkaline, high-temperature spring. 11:00–18:00 during the New Year holidays
Official site: https://sounkyo.net/stay/detail.html?content=25

Ryokan day-use bath

Hotel Taisetsu

Price: Adults ¥1,500, children ¥1,200 (as of October 2026)
Hours: 11:00–17:00 (closes at 15:00 on days with many overnight guests)
Tattoos: Guests with tattoos may not bathe
Private bath: The Tenka no Yu gorge open-air bath can be reserved privately (4 groups a day, 50 minutes each from 15:00 or 16:00, ¥5,000 plus bathing fee, reservation required by the day before; not available during Golden Week, Obon and the New Year holidays)
Note: Spring type: simple sulfur spring. Towels are available for rent for a fee
Official site: https://hotel-taisetsu.com/spa.php

Ryokan day-use bath

Sounkaku MOUNTAIN RESORT 1923

Price: Adults ¥4,000, children ¥2,000 (as of October 2026)
Hours: 15:00–20:00
Closed: Bathing is unavailable on some days due to major cleaning (check by the day before)
Note: Uses the Marumo large bath. Spring type: clear, colorless simple spring
Official site: https://sounkaku.co.jp/spa

Prices and hours are as of the date shown and may change, with occasional closures. Check each facility’s official website before you go.

🖋 If you have tattoos

Varies by facility, so check with each one. Some facilities, such as Hotel Taisetsu, do not allow guests with tattoos to bathe

🔒 Private baths and in-room baths

At Hotel Taisetsu, day visitors can also reserve the gorge open-air bath privately for a fee (reservation required by the day before)

Spring

Spring type and features

♨ Simple sulfur spring, simple spring and others (varies by facility)

According to Sounkyo Kanko Hotel, it is said to be beneficial for neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, frozen shoulder, poor circulation, recovery from fatigue and more

Etiquette

Bathing etiquette

✓Rinse yourself with hot water (kakeyu) before getting into the bath
✓Do not put your towel in the bath water
✓Tie up long hair so it does not touch the water
✓Do not take photos in the bathing area
✓Lightly dry yourself off before returning to the changing room

Sights

Nearby sights

Kurodake Ropeway

About 7 minutes from the hot spring town to the 5th station at 1,300m. 8:00–16:00 from October 16 to November 8; suspended for maintenance from November 9 to 30

Momijidani Walking Trail

A walking trail from the hot spring town to Momiji Falls, about 30 minutes one way. Open from June to early November

Tips

Good to know

!The Kurodake Ropeway is suspended for maintenance in mid-November
!Day-use bathing at hotels may close early on days with many overnight guests

Access

Nearest station / bus stop: Sounkyo bus stop (Dohoku Bus)About 30 minutes by Dohoku Bus from in front of JR Kamikawa Station
From major cities and airports: JR Kamikawa Station: Dohoku Bus (About 30 minutes)
Asahikawa: Car (About 1 hour 30 minutes)

Open in Google Maps ↗

Getting There

Getting there from major cities

Sapporo → Asahikawa

Fastest: Approx. 1 hr 25 min (example: Kamui 9)

🚆 Limited express🚌 Highway bus

Travel Passes

Travel passes for getting there

🚄 JR

Hokkaido Rail Pass

Hokkaido ・ 5, 7 or 10 consecutive days from the first day of use

From ¥22,000

Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Sounkyo OnsenPR

PRSee more places to stay near Sounkyo Onsen on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Events

Events and festivals in Asahikawa & Biei

January–March

Sounkyo Onsen Ice Waterfall Festival

Hokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei

Usually late January to early March (about 6 weeks)

February

Asahikawa Winter Festival

Hokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei

Usually about 6 days in early to mid-February (around the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival)

2027 (68th): Feb 6 – Feb 11

December–March

Asahiyama Zoo Penguin Walk

Hokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei

Usually held daily from mid- to late December (once there is enough snow) until around mid-March

See all events →

Attractions

Attractions in Asahikawa & Biei

Zoo

Asahikawa City Asahiyama Zoo

Hokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei

Run by the City of Asahikawa, this zoo is famous for its “behavioral exhibits,” which let animals show off their natural movements and abilities. It opens in separate summer and winter seasons, with closure periods in spring and autumn.

See all attractions →

Onsen

Onsen towns in Hokkaido

♨ Onsen

Noboribetsu Onsen

Hokkaido ・ Noboribetsu, Hokkaido

♨ Day use Adults ¥2,500, children (age 3 to elementary school) ¥1,500, towels included (as of October 2026)

Private baths

♨ Onsen

Jozankei Onsen

Hokkaido ・ Minami-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido

♨ Day use Adults (junior high school and up) ¥1,300, children (age 3 to elementary school) ¥600, free for ages 0–2 (as of October 2026)

Private baths

♨ Onsen

Yunokawa Onsen

Hokkaido ・ Hakodate, Hokkaido

♨ Day use ¥500, under elementary school age ¥300 (as of October 2026)

♨ Onsen

Toyako Onsen

Hokkaido ・ Toyako, Hokkaido

♨ Day use Weekdays: adults ¥1,200, age 3 to elementary school ¥600; weekends and holidays: adults ¥1,500, age 3 to elementary school ¥750; free for ages 0–2 (as of October 2026)

See all onsen towns →

Prices, hours, tattoo policies and spring types are based on official facility, municipal and tourism association information. They can change, so check the official websites before you go.

Last checked: 2026-10-08

Sounkyo Onsen

Overview