Travel Guide
Tokachigawa Hot Spring is the best-known and most popular lowland resort in Tokachi.
While Japan, as a volcanic country, has many famous and secret hot springs, Tokachigawa Hot Spring in the town of Otofuke, Hokkaido, is a special hot spring well-informed spa enthusiasts are eager to visit. This is because Tokachigawa Hot Spring, unlike others which are derived from volcanos and thus are filled with the smell of sulfur, is a moor spring that comes from heat generated by ancient plants deposited deep in the ground and gushes out with lots of organic matters contained.
The brown-coloured water contains traces of organic material from peat bogs. (The word moor is a loan word from the German (das Moor) for bog.) The water is nature’s gift from deep inside the ancient earth, and is known as a Bijin-no Yu (meaning hot spring for beauty. The Ainu people, an ethnic minority that has lived in the area from ancient times, call the spring Kusuri no Yu (Herbal Hot Spring).
Enjoy the gentle flow of time while enriching your mind and body to the core. Most hotels and inns allow the general public to use their baths. Tokachigawa Hot Spring is located quite close to Obihiro's urban district and gushes out along the Tokachi-gawa River. The Tokachi-gawa River is well known as a winter home for swans. Sheer indulgence of hot springs while listing to the chirps of swans is a luxury available only in winter time.
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| Tokachi Hill Observotary | Swans | Night view |
Travel Advice
Sightseeing
Tokachigawa is not only providing hot springs, but also we can enjoy a natural splendor that’s unique to Hokkaido. Some of Tokachigawa sightseeing such as :
1. Tokachigaoka Park
This park features a vast lawn and fun wooden playground equipment. At its center is a huge flower clock called “Hanack.” Its face is 18 m in diameter, and its second hand is 10.10 m long. For souvenirs and delicious soft-serve ice cream, come to the Welcome Hanack concession stand.
The outdoor cooking area and multipurpose square make this a park that embodies Tokachi’s distinctive magnificence.
2. Tokachigaoka Scenic Viewpoint
This overlook is just up the hill from Tokachigaoka Park. It commands a view of the eternally flowing Tokachi River, the Tokachi hot spring resort, the vast Tokachi Plain, and the faraway Hidaka Mountains. It’s an ideal spot to enjoy lovely sunsets.
3. Swan Viewing Area
4. Footbath
5. Tokachi Farm
6. Row of White Birches
7. Sunflower Fields
8. Ryugetsu Sweetopia Garden
Obihiro and Tokachi are known for confectionery, and Ryugetsu exemplifies the best in the sweets of these areas.
9. Suzuran Park
In early June, pretty lilies of the valley bloom in clusters in this park.
Wild birds, Hokkaido squirrels and other animals live here, and the park is a celebrated cherry-blossom-viewing spot, bustling with visitors every spring.
10. Tokachi Ecology Park
Tokachi Ecology Park was established as a park for environmental education at the Tokachigawa hot spring resort, where forests meet rivers.
11. Tokachi Nature Centre
Enjoy the natural grandeur of Tokachi from riding a canoe, hot-air balloon and even paragliding. Experienced instructors show you how. It’s not every day you have a chance to try these thrilling outdoor sports.
Moor hot spring
The hot spring gushes up through a lignite layer composed of the remnants of reeds and other wild plants that have accumulated over the ages. The moor vegetation makes the water rich in organic components. The waters are milder and richer in natural moisturizers than ordinary hot springs, smoothening and moisturizing the skin and making Tokachigawa hot spring famous as a “hot spring for beauty.”
Hot springs in Hokkaido
Besides Tokachigawa, another hot spring in Hokkaido are Noboribetsu, Yunokawa, Akanko, Kawayu, Utoro, Abashiri, Sounkyo, Asahidake, Jozankei, Asarigawa, Lake Toya.
Events
| Events in 2020 | ||
| Tokachigawa Swan Festival Sairinka | It is a fantastic, unique winter event featuring light objects of all sizes and colors. The snow-covered ground, the night sky filled with twinkling stars combine to take visitors to a new world of fantasy. | Jan 25(Sat) to Feb 24(Sun) |
| Flower Scenery Hanack & Flower Road | This is an event that colors the resort with flowers in pots made of drift wood, lattices, monuments and such. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll among beautiful flowers. | Jun 29(Sat) to Jul 28(Sun) |
| Moor Hot Spring Firefly Viewing | Enjoy watching fireflies dancing around the night sky in this summer event. 20:00 to 21:00. | Jul 6(Sat) to 21(Sun) |
Visit
| Address | Tokachigawa Onsen, Otofuku-cho, Kato-gun, Hokkaido | |
| Phone | 0155-32-6633 (Tokachigawa Onsen Tourist Association) | |
| Admission | Free | |
| Hours | Free time | |
| Closed | Open 7 Days a Week | |
| Duration | 1 hour | |
| Getting There | By Train 25 minutes ride by Tokachi Bus bound for Tokachi Onsen from JR Obihiro Station to the Tokachigawa Onsen bus stop. By Car Take Doto Expressway to Otofuke Obihiro exit and take National Highway route 241 and Hokkaido Highway route 73. It is approximately 10 kilometers from exit. |
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| Parking | Parking available | |
Attractions in Japan