🗺️ Yunokawa Onsen (Hakodate)

The "Yunokawa Onsen," which attracts approximately 1.35 million visitors each year, is one of the top three hot spring resorts in Hokkaido. According to legend, in 1653, the Matsumae feudal lord Takahiro visited this hot spring for treatment and was cured of a difficult illness, marking the origin of Yunokawa Onsen. It is said that during the Hakodate War, the former shogunate army leader Enomoto Takeaki also came here for healing, which drew many people due to the hot spring's exceptional therapeutic effects. The hot spring water is transparent, colorless, and odorless, with a smooth texture. It is classified as a sodium-calcium chloride spring, known for its excellent moisturizing properties, which help maintain a stable water temperature. Its good heat retention has received high praise. It has significant effects on various ailments such as rheumatism, bruises, stiffness in the shoulders and back, and gastroenteritis, and has long been famous for treating illnesses and helping people relax. Since its opening in 1886, the area around Yunokawa Onsen has seen the establishment of numerous restaurants, inns, and shops, developing into the bustling commercial district it is today. There are many sightseeing spots worth visiting nearby, including a tropical botanical garden, Kōsetsu-en, and the Trappistine Monastery, among other facilities. Yunokawa Onsen also serves as the best base for visiting the only national treasure in Hokkaido, the Nakabō Jōgū archaeological site. There are 18 inns and affiliated facilities, each welcoming travelers with unique hospitality.

One of the three major hot spring towns in Hokkaido, it is said that a feudal lord with a difficult-to-treat illness came here for hot spring therapy and was cured. The excellent thermal insulation effect has significant therapeutic benefits for various ailments, attracting many people to visit for hot spring treatments. Since the opening of the hot springs, the local area has prospered and developed, and there are also several tourist facilities nearby.