Yunokawa Hot Springs resort is one of 3 biggest, best and oldest ones in Hokkaido. Its history starts in 1650s when its waters cured the 9th lord of Matsumae. Since then, the waters of Yunokawa hot spring are well known for their healing properties and health benefits.
We definitely recommend you to come to this resort for a day or two to enjoy everything it has to offer.
Saruyama onsen is a hidden treasure of Yunokawa spa resort. It is hiding in Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden (Nettai shokubutsuen) surrounded by different spa hotels.
Although the condition of this place leaves much to be desired, you can watch about 100 or Japanese snow monkeys fooling around, asking for food with different tricks, and if you come December through May while it is still cold – you can enjoy the monkeys bathing in bath filled with hot water from the natural hot spring. If you see that once you’d definitely start believing in the Darwin’s theory of evolution as those monkeys really look like some wise gentlemen after a long week at work. See how monkeys’ faces express heavenly pleasure while they’re enjoying the hot water.
Many visitors come to the Tropical Garden only to see the monkeys. But don’t miss out on the Garden itself. Also, there is a free footbath on its territory!
We need to make a couple remarks…
Read more: https://triphokkaido.jp/scene/hot-springs-that-even-monkeys-like-yunokawa-onsen/