The oldest hot spring in Hokkaido – Shiriuchi Onsen Ryokan, Hokkaido Japan | 4K Vlog
I stayed at the Shiriuchi Onsen Ryokan in Shiriuchi Town, Hokkaido.
The Seikan Tunnel opened about 35 years ago. At the time, several routes were considered, and the Shiriuchi Route was finally selected. The opening of the Hokkaido Shinkansen/bullet train is expected to revitalize the region.
Hokkaido is not particularly famous for its hot spring therapy culture. In particular, the southern Hokkaido region has been using hot springs since early times, and the culture is still deeply rooted in the area. The Shiriuchi Onsen Ryokan, the oldest onsen in Hokkaido, with a history of 800 years, is one of the most representative historical inns in the prefecture. Discovered by Araki Daigaku, who traveled to Hokkaido during the Kamakura period, Shiriuchi Onsen led the hot spring culture in Hokkaido, and there are historical sites around it.
The three hot springs protected by the 17th bathkeeper retain the atmosphere of the time. The Kami no Yu and Shimo no Yu use different springs, and the hot bathing sensation is addictive, making this a rare hot spring inn that truly inherits the hot spring therapy culture there. I felt that the inn’s flexible attitude of firmly inheriting the hot spring therapy culture that has been passed down since ancient times and incorporating new elements will continue to be strongly supported in the future.
In 2024, a hybrid sauna called “Breathing Room” was built with hot spring water. The sauna was completed using a limited budget and crowdfunding, and is equipped with a system that is unique in Japan, allowing you to enjoy hot spring water, sauna, reclining bath, and forest bathing all at the same time. I wasn’t able to use it on the day, but I would like to try it again someday.
The food was full of attention to detail and masculine taste. I like dishes that go well with rice, so I was served a dish that was right on the money and had to have seconds. I went back and forth between the hot springs many times with my full stomach, sweating and rejuvenating my metabolism. I tend to have a lot of time when traveling alone, but the experience of visiting three hot springs was an unforgettable one.
Thank you to Mr. Sato, the bathkeeper, and all the staff for your help on the day. I look forward to visiting you again.
■Shiriuchi Onsen Ryokan
https://shiriuchionsen.com/
■Hot spring details
Kami-no-yu
Sodium chloride bicarbonate spring
Spring temperature 60.4℃ Bath temperature 43.0℃
Fresh spring water
Shimo-no-yu/Private open-air bath
Sodium chloride bicarbonate spring
Spring temperature 49.6℃ Bath temperature 43.0℃
Fresh spring water
■Japan Association of Secluded Hot Spring Inns
https://www.hitou.or.jp/
■ Accommodation fee (with 2 meals)
JPY 30,000/2 persons per night
* Some of the information in the video is based on information collected online.
* Permission has been granted to film the hot spring.
#vlog
#onsen
#ryokan
2 Comments
Thank you for a trip to Hokkaido with this beautiful video. The baths look so beautiful, and the "art" on the floor with the signs of the mineral water from the many years this onsen is used, is so special. I also like the fact, that they have a bath keeper. In situations like this, I really wish that I could speak japanese, and talk to Mr. Sato and get to learn more about the baths, how to keep them, of the history of the inn etc.
I wish to visit Hokkaido soon. What do you think, are May or October good months to visit Hokkaido ? We dont drive (we have to rely on public transport), dont mind it if its cold, but we also dont want to have major places closed down because its off season. We dont want and cannot travel in summer, but September might be possible, if its much better than May or October.
Love Hokkaido but didn't know about this particular onsen. Thank you for telling us! This is a great place to visit for a deep relaxation, I must save your video for reference.