Jozankei Onsen

To make it easy for day-trip tourists to enjoy hot springs, several footbath spots have been set up in Jozankei Onsen. Among them, the highly recommended one is the "Jozan Gensen Park," where you can enjoy a footbath for free. This footbath, which opened in 2005, has plenty of seating areas, so you can avoid crowds and enjoy yourself. The "onsen tamago" (hot spring egg) that you can make yourself by purchasing eggs sold at nearby shops is also popular.

Jozankei has legends surrounding "kappa" since ancient times, and now conducts tourism PR activities represented by the local character called "Kappon". In reference to the kappa legend, various copper and stone statues of kappa have been installed in Jozankei Onsen Town, becoming a popular photo spot. As each statue has a different design and expression, it's recommended to take a kappa tour while strolling through the hot spring town. The "Kappa Daiou" (Great Kappa King) located somewhere in the hot spring town is especially worth seeing.

Jozankei is one of the areas that becomes lively with many tourists as one of the leading autumn foliage spots in Hokkaido in autumn. Especially recommended is the view from near the Futamata Suspension Bridge over the Toyohira River. The broad-leaved trees on both sides that spread around the bridge are a wonderful sight where you can feel nature with your skin. The "Futamata Suspension Bridge," which is painted red all over, has also become a popular photo spot.

For those who want to enjoy the hot springs of Jozankei in an active way, we recommend the "canoe experience" on the Toyohira River that flows through the Jozankei hot spring town. The canoe experience in Jozankei, which progresses through the valley, is less affected by factors such as wind, making it easy for beginners to enjoy. From late June to late October, various companies offer experience tours, and the scenery that can only be seen from a canoe, such as the summer greenery and autumn foliage, is a must-see.

"North Safari Sapporo," located just a 10-minute drive from Jozankei Onsen, is a popular experiential zoo where you can interact with various wild animals. One particularly recommended activity is feeding the Bengal tigers. You can enjoy a thrilling experience that cannot be had at a regular zoo. In addition, there are many cute animals such as capybaras and harbor seals, making it a recommended facility for families with small children.