Koganeyu Hot Springs

The quiet hot springs region of Koganeyu, which opened in 1887, has only two inns.

“Koganeyu Hot Springs” is located approximately 4km closer to downtown Sapporo than the Jozankei hot spring region at the foot of the mountains by the Toyohira River. The area has two inns, the “Yumoto-koganeyu” and the “Yumoto Koganeyu-onsen Matsunoyu.” Both inns allow visitors to use its baths without staying overnight. The area’s symbol is the 700-years-old katsura tree, at the foot of which Miizujouzan, who opened the Jozankei hot springs, is said to have taken a nap and was visited by a tree spirit, who showed him the miraculous hot spring. A fudo-son called the “Katsura Fudo” is enshrined in the hollow of the tree’s base. Autumn foliage and the Ainu Culture Promotion Center (Sapporo Pirka Kotan), which is within walking distance, are also must-sees.