Japan’s Only "Oil Bath"! A Guide to Toyotomi Onsen: Hokkaido’s Northernmost Hot Spring (Day Trips & Stays)

• Table of Contents
• A Bucket List Onsen: Discover the Rare Oil Springs of Toyotomi
• 3 Best Spots for Day Trips to Fully Enjoy Toyotomi Onsen
• Kawashima Ryokan: A Historic Base for Your Journey Founded in 1927
• Access to Toyotomi Onsen

A Bucket List Onsen: Discover the Rare Oil Springs of Toyotomi

About 40 minutes by car from Wakkanai Airport, the northernmost airport in Japan, Toyotomi Onsen, which opened in 1926, is located in a landscape filled with greenery.

Toyotomi Onsen is a rare hot spring that was discovered by chance during oil exploration. Hot water erupted along with natural gas, and the hot spring still contains oil.

Hot springs with oil in the water are extremely rare, with only one in Japan and only two in the world.

The slightly alkaline, hypertonic water is cloudy yellow due to the oil content, and gives off a relaxing petroleum scent. The soft, gentle spring water will help relieve your body's fatigue.

Toyotomi Onsen was also designated as a " National Hot Springs Resort " in 1992. Within the hot spring village, there are also hot spring inns where you can cook your own meals and stay for long periods of time.

It is famous for its effectiveness in treating skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, and many people come from all over the country to take advantage of the hot springs. It is also known as the northernmost hot spring resort in Japan, and is a famous hot spring that hot spring lovers should visit at least once in their lifetime.

3 Best Spots for Day Trips to Fully Enjoy Toyotomi Onsen

Toyotomi Town has a variety of day-trip hot spring facilities that can be used for a variety of occasions. Be sure to check the prices and opening times and incorporate them into your travel schedule.

Hotel Toyotomi: Enjoy saunas and hot springs at the same time

Hotel Toyotomi is the accommodation facility with the most rooms in Toyotomi Onsen. Since its founding, it has expanded little by little to become what it is today.

The large public bath at Hotel Toyotomi is uniquely semicircular and is equipped with three types of hot spring water: hot spring water, boiled fresh water, and cold water for the sauna.

When you enter the bath, the first thing that greets you is the fragrant smell of the hot spring. The fresh scent, reminiscent of cypress, is said to be unique to Toyotomi Onsen, which contains oil. The relaxing scent and the warm steam from the hot springs are enough to get you fully immersed in the hot springs.

After thoroughly washing my body at the wash area, it was finally time to take a bath. First, I took a bath in the "boiled fresh water" to warm my body.

Starting with a half-body bath, I slowly let myself go, and the soft water enveloped my body. The relaxing scent wafting from the hot spring made me close my eyes and enter a state of relaxation. I was able to enjoy the hot spring with all my senses.

The "hot spring" and "cold sauna water," set at around 39-42 degrees, are perfect for enjoying together with the sauna. Toyotomi Onsen's only sauna room is loved by both locals and tourists alike.

At Hotel Toyotomi, all baths offer luxurious hot spring water straight from the source. Daytime bathing is available from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM (last admission at 7:30 PM).

Bathing costs 600 yen for adults and 300 yen for children, making it a perfect place to take a quick bath when you're sightseeing.

Hotel Toyotomi

1510-2 Kamisarobetsu, Toyotomi Town, Teshio District, Hokkaido 098-413...

This hotel has the most guest rooms in Toyotomi Onsenkyo. It offers both overnight stays and day-trip bathing, and is the only hotel in the hot spring resort with a sauna.

"Fureai Center" where you can enjoy hot springs at two different temperatures

The Fureai Center is located in the center of Toyotomi Onsenkyo, a hot spring facility operated by Toyotomi Town.

The Fureai Center is unique among municipal hot spring facilities across the country in that it offers hot springs at two different temperatures. One is a low-temperature hot spring known as "Toji-yu," which is about 38-39 degrees Celsius.

A vestige of Toyotomi Onsen's history as a therapeutic hot Toyotomi Onsen resort, the lukewarm waters of the "therapeutic hot springs" are still in use today. The water is heated every morning, and hot spring oil is added to the men's bath.

The rope is used to prevent the oil from spreading all over the bathtub at once. By spreading the oil slowly throughout the bathtub, it prevents uneven distribution of the oil.

The warm "therapeutic bath" is a space where you can relax by soaking up to your shoulders, even in the summer. Perhaps because the temperature is close to body temperature, your body feels lighter while bathing, and you feel a comfortable sensation like you're in zero gravity.

The other hot spring is the "General Bath" which opened after the "Tojiyu" bath. This bath is recommended for those who prefer hotter water than the "Tojiyu" bath.

The public bath, which is larger than the therapeutic bath, is perfect for first-time visitors. The entire window is made of glass, allowing you to enjoy Toyotomi Onsen in an open atmosphere.

Other than the temperature of the water, it is the same as a hot spring, but you can enjoy the hot spring in a more spacious bath.

Day visitors can enjoy both hot springs for 510 yen for adults and 250 yen for children. Since you can bathe twice a day, you can take a bath in the morning, then enjoy sightseeing or activities, and then bathe again in the evening.

The hot springs at the Fureai Center, which can be enjoyed however you like, are perfect for those who want to make the most of their time sightseeing.

Municipal Day-use Hot Spring Facility “Fureai Center”

hot spring, Teshio Toyotomi Town District, Hokkaido, 098-4132

A bathing facility operated by Toyotomi Town. One bathing fee allows you to take two baths in one day.

New Onsenkaku Hotel : Enjoy daytime bathing in the early morning and late at night

New Onsenkaku Hotel, which opened in 1989, is located just a one-minute walk from the Fureai Center .

The opening hours for day-trip bathing are 7:00-8:30 and 13:00-21:00, so you can enjoy Toyotomi Onsen in the early morning and at night. It's convenient for a variety of occasions, such as a morning bath or on the way back from sightseeing or activities.

When you enter the hotel, you will be greeted by a nostalgic reception desk and a shop filled with local specialties.

Feeling excited, I checked in and it was time to take a bath.

The spacious bathtub is filled with hot spring water that is heated to a comfortable temperature every day. You will be greeted by the warm steam and the soothing scent of oil, and you will be able to enjoy a relaxing and blissful time.

The calming tiled bathroom is perfect for quietly closing your eyes and relaxing your body and mind. You can enjoy your bath time to your heart's content, just like a reward.

After bathing, you'll also be able to experience the skin-beautifying benefits of Toyotomi Onsen. Because Toyotomi Onsen has a high penetration rate into the skin, your skin will be moisturized and plump even more than before you soaked.

New Onsenkaku Hotel

hot spring, Teshio Toyotomi Town District, Hokkaido, 098-4132

A hotel where you can take a day trip to the baths in the early morning or late at night. The nostalgic reception desk will make you feel like you've traveled back in time to the Showa, and the indoor baths allow you to stretch out your arms and legs in comfort.

Kawashima Ryokan: A Historic Base for Your Journey Founded in 1927

Kawashima Ryokan in the Toyotomi Onsen area, is recommended for both day trips and overnight stays. It opened in 1927, one year after Toyotomi Onsen was discovered.

Completely renovated in 2016, this inn boasts a sophisticated wood-style atmosphere. It is an inn that can be easily used for various travel styles, from solo travelers to couples, groups of friends, and families.

When you open the door to the inn, you'll be greeted by a grand staircase leading to the second floor and a homey front desk. The front desk handles overnight stays and day-trip bathing reservations, and will kindly explain the ins and outs of the inn.

This time I stayed in a single room. The wooden floor makes you want to walk barefoot, and the pleasant scent of natural wood fills the air, creating a comfortable atmosphere that makes it feel like a hideaway for adults.

The toilets and washrooms were shared, with one on the first floor and one on the second floor.

The baths, which are the highlight of the stay, are open until 10:00 the next morning. For day trips, they are open from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM (last entry at 7:30 PM).

Bring your yukata and bath towel from your room and get in. Opening the door, you'll see a modern stone bathtub with steam rising from the water.

The space, decorated with indirect lighting and featuring a black theme, gives off a sophisticated impression that changes the image of hot springs that we have had up until now.

After thoroughly washing your body, you can relax in the hot spring, feeling the comfortable temperature of the water slowly soothing you away from the day's fatigue. Brown mineral deposits can be seen floating in the water, and you can really see why it's called an "oil bath."

After warming up, we headed to Kawashima Ryokan pride and joy, the open-air bath.

Hot water occasionally flows out of the spout, and you can feel your mind and body soothed by the sound of the swaying trees and the wind.

Depending on the time, it may be possible to reserve the open-air bath for yourself. Also, if you stay in a deluxe room in the hotel, you can bathe in the open-air bath directly from your room.

Toyotomi Onsen is known for its Miraino Toji, and teaches the important points to fully experience the benefits of hot spring therapy, such as "sleep," "exercise," and "mental nourishment."

One of the key points is the food. Kawashima Ryokan employs a chef who trained at a traditional Japanese restaurant, and uses an abundance of ingredients from Hokkaido to create a variety of gourmet dishes that can only be enjoyed here.

For dinner, we chose the "Business Plan" course meal. Other options include the "Butter Plan," which uses plenty of high-quality butter, and the "Chef's Choice Plan," which is packed with the bounty of Hokkaido.

The course menu changes daily and includes salad, main dish, rice, soup, etc.

The menu for this day was a hearty lineup including flounder and yellowtail sashimi, fried pufferfish, and roast chicken.

From the thick and fatty yellowtail to the bouncy and delicious pufferfish, to the roast chicken with its fragrant sauce that perfectly complements the moist meat, everything is so delicious that you won't be able to stop eating.

To finish off the meal, we had Kawashima Ryokan's special "After-Bath Pudding." Its gentle sweetness and rich flavor make you want to eat it every day, filling your mouth with a delicious taste that once again brings home the bounty of Hokkaido.

Once your stomach and soul are satisfied, you can chat in the shared space on the first floor, or retreat to your room and read a book. You can enjoy your time in the leisurely Toyotomi Onsen.

The next day's breakfast menu is a daily changing buffet, packed with delicious dishes such as pickled vegetables, stir-fried vegetables, and salads made from scratch.

Among the many Japanese side dishes, the "breakfast bread" section is particularly popular. This is a great system where you can try a little bit of the "flavored butter" made in the workshop next door to the inn.

There are a variety of flavored butters, including honey, blueberry, salmon, and truffle, which can be enjoyed with bread or rice. If you find a favorite, you can purchase it at the front desk.

Kawashima Ryokan where you can experience the three elements of Miraino Touji: sleep, mental nourishment, and food. Why not try it out and experience the comfort that will make you want to come back again and again?

Kawashima Ryokan

Onsen, Toyotomi Town, Teshio District, Hokkaido, 098-4132　(1988-65 Ka...

Opened in 1927, this is the oldest inn in Toyotomi Onsen. It boasts a stone-made indoor bath and the only open-air bath in Toyotomi Onsen.

Access to Toyotomi Onsen

There are two ways to get to Toyotomi Onsen: by rental car or by public transportation.

Accessibility varies depending on the season, purpose of sightseeing, and number of people, so we will introduce it in detail.

Rental car use

If you are planning to rent a car, it is best to first go to Wakkanai Airport. There are several rental car shops near Wakkanai Airport, so make sure to reserve a car at your preferred shop.

It takes about 40 minutes by car from Wakkanai Airport to Toyotomi Onsen. However, there is snowfall from November to April every year, so those who are not used to driving on snowy roads should be careful.

Renting a car is recommended for those who want to sightsee freely without time constraints, or for those traveling in large groups.

Traveling by public transport

If you are using public transportation, you can access the area from either Wakkanai Airport or New Chitose.

If you are departing from Wakkanai Airport, take the airport bus to JR Wakkanai Station, which takes about 30 minutes.

From there, take the JR line to Toyotomi Station, which takes about 45 minutes. Finally, take the Engan Bus from JR Toyotomi Station, which takes 10 minutes, to Toyotomi Onsen. The journey takes about an hour and a half, depending on connections.

If you are coming from New Chitose, take the JR line to Sapporo Station. From Sapporo, take the direct Engan Bus Express Haboro, which will take you there in about five hours.

Alternatively, you can take the JR Soya Main Line to JR Toyotomi Station and transfer to a Engan Bus to get to Toyotomi Onsen.

Using public transportation is a recommended means of transportation for those planning to stay at Toyotomi Onsen spring therapy.