Best onsen for Dry Skin / Atopy in Hokkaido

This is one of the most well-known sources in Noboribetsu, a leading onsen destination in Hokkaido. It continuously flows at a high temperature of 96.5°C, embodying the raw power of the earth. The highly acidic water, with a pH of 2.2, provides a tingling sensation on the skin and a refreshing feeling after bathing. Its rich iron and sulfate content offers a powerful bathing experience that feels as if it's awakening both mind and body. It's a spring for those who wish to reset from daily fatigue, gain new vitality, and feel nature's energy throughout their entire being.

Originating from the dramatic Jigokudani (Hell Valley), the potent waters of Noboribetsu Onsen, a renowned hot spring resort in Hokkaido, have long welcomed those seeking therapeutic benefits. This powerful spring gently envelops the skin, delivering restorative warmth that penetrates deep into the body's core. The comforting heat lingers long after bathing, promoting deep relaxation and offering respite from the stresses of daily life. It is highly recommended for individuals desiring an authentic balneotherapy experience in Japan's northern frontier.

Sounkyo Onsen traces its roots to the Shioya hot spring opened beside the Ishikari River in the early Taisho era. The Katsura no Yu 1-2-3 mixed source wells up naturally at about 79°C from only two meters underground, is stored in a tank and piped along the mountainside to the baths. Softly scented with sulfur and silky on the skin, it leaves bathers feeling light, a fine companion for travelers unwinding beneath the gorge's towering cliffs.

Ginga no Yu, Ryusei no Yu and Hoshi no Yu are three springs that gush naturally in the national forest toward Momijidani at Sounkyo Onsen, and the blend of these three sources is piped in together. Sounkyo is a spa set in a gorge of sheer Daisetsuzan cliffs, and this blend, though hotter than 70°C, is neutral and gentle, carrying a faint hydrogen sulfide scent and an eggy taste. Its slippery touch leaves the body light, a soothing sulfur spring for anyone who wants to linger amid the gorge's wild scenery.

Noboribetsu Onsen, Hokkaido's renowned hot spring, often called a 'department store of hot springs,' began its formal history in the Edo period when Takimoto Kinzo established a therapeutic bath. Despite the rugged landscape of 'Jigokudani' (Hell Valley), an explosive crater site said to be home to demons, the waters, a bounty from this earth, are filled with powerful healing. This acidic, sulfur-scented spring water thoroughly cleanses the skin and delivers restorative warmth deep into the body. It is highly recommended for those who wish to feel the energy of nature and experience a dynamic rejuvenation of mind and body.

Ishida Onsen's source flows naturally on the flanks of Mt. Esan, an active volcano, and is piped about 2.5 km down, inheriting the spring once used by a highland hotel. The 1984 analysis shows pH 2.1 and 5.518 g/kg of dissolved solids, with 2,972 mg/kg of sulfate plus abundant aluminum and iron, in the lineage of classic alum and green-vitriol springs. Clear at the source, the water oxidizes to a cloudy yellow-brown in the bath, with a squeaky feel, sour taste and metallic scent that speak of the volcano.

Sarugawa Onsen has long been known as a cold spring seeping naturally from the left bank of the Saru River in a national forest, with piping to the baths beginning in 1973. As the natural flow dwindled, an 80-meter well was drilled in 1997 and now feeds the baths. The pH 9.4 alkaline water carries a faint hint of sulfur and leaves skin feeling smooth, suiting skiers and campers who want to unwind in the Hidaka hills.

A new 'Wa-modern' current emerged in Noboribetsu Onsen's history in 2006. This distinctive spring, with its faintly fragrant sulfur, evokes a sense of travel, while its chloride and sulfate composition gently infuses the skin with rich warmth. The heat gradually permeates the body's core, offering a pleasant restorative warmth that endures post-bath. It is perfectly suited for those desiring deep relaxation for mind and body in a sophisticated ambiance, far from daily clamor.