I love driving to the beautiful Mt. Hitsujigaoka and visiting my favorite Goshiki Onsen. This year, there is a lot of snow in this area as well. Seeing the snowy scenery reminded me of my decision to start snowboarding again this year, which I now regret for not doing it over the 3-day weekend. After visiting two soba restaurants, I arrived at the onsen feeling great. However, I was worried when I saw the onsen covered in snow - I wondered if it was still open. Luckily, it was open and I had the place to myself. I took a picture of the snowy outdoor bath area, which had a warning rope due to the heavy snow on the roof. Despite the snowy conditions, the hot spring water was as satisfying as ever. After soaking in the bath, I bought some milk to drink, and it was cold, creamy, and delicious.

I have visited for day trips multiple times, but this was my first time staying overnight. Due to the emergency declaration for COVID, my reservation was canceled for two consecutive years. Finally, on the third year, it came true. Dinner is fixed at 6 PM and has quite a generous portion, so you don't need white rice. Except for the spring rolls on the first day and croquettes on the next day, everything is homemade and tastes great. Breakfast starts at 8 AM, and I was delighted with the grilled fish. They changed the menu for both dinner and breakfast between the first and second days. The accommodation cost (less than 10,000 yen for the main building) is quite reasonable for the Niseko area. I am very satisfied with the food, but I would like to make a request. It would be helpful if breakfast could start at 7 AM to make it in time for the nearby ski resort opening at 8:30 AM (although I understand it might be difficult considering the staff's schedule). There were comments about the owner being unfriendly, but both the women and young men working there were friendly and helpful. (The rating is based on the food only, not considering the hot spring. If the hot spring is included, it would be close to a perfect score of 5.)

The other purpose of the Yubari Drive is "I want to take a hot spring bath!" Goshiki Onsen is a hot spring with flowing natural spring water, popular among a wide range of people from beginners to enthusiasts due to its water quality and location. Especially during the remaining snow season, the contrast between the soft sunlight, hot spring, and pure white snow is wonderful, making it even more relaxing. The hot spring water gushing abundantly from the hot water outlet, the refreshing emerald green color of the water, and the faint smell of sulfur... It's so comfortable that everyday stress seems to dissipate into the vast sky with a deep breath. After spending some time in the hot spring, enjoy a cold drink... Rooibos tea is also delicious. Now, after sweating and refreshing both body and mind, let's drive to have some gelato. The location around here, with its elevation changes, is truly a refreshing driving course.

I finally arrived at the ryokan after driving through the snowy road! For dinner, I had a variety of dishes in a dining area that felt like an old-fashioned cafeteria, including hot pot. You could bring your own drinks if you ordered one. The rice, hot pot, and everything else were all delicious. Breakfast was simple but just right. The hot spring was amazing!

This is Niseko, Niseko town. This time, the main activity is mountain climbing, right? Actually, it was more like we came to Niseko first because we were able to book a hotel. We climbed Mt. Annupuri. The weather was perfect, although it got a bit cloudy later on. Mt. Yotei was the only one covered in clouds and couldn't be seen. Even so, the hike was enjoyable, it may be a beginner course but the round trip took about 3 hours. As soon as we descended, we went to Niseko Goshiki Onsen. I remember going there a long time ago, but I don't remember much. I do recall bringing a beer to the outdoor bath and drinking it, though. It's not new, but it's probably different from back then. The water doesn't feel too strong, it has a slight sulfur smell and is slightly cloudy, giving off a somewhat incomplete feeling. There was a sign saying "Sorry for the inconvenience, the shower is not working", but it worked fine. The outdoor bath is still hot, which I like. It was a good bath. After getting out, there was bottled cola available. Just to clarify, there was no milk. A cola after the bath tastes delicious. I asked if I could drink beer, but there was no response.

After lunch at Niseko Station, I ran for 20 minutes to the hot springs! It's been a while, but it's so warm here. I'm not sweating! But it ended up costing 800 yen. Niseko has the highest land price increase rate, so it can't be helped. I jumped into both the large bath and the outdoor bath, and it felt so good! I sipped on some Ayataka in the rest area. It was delicious! Next stop, Yuki Chichibu! Day trip hot spring for 800 yen. Thank you for the Ayataka!

The hot water was quite good♨ There were some mineral deposits at the bottom of the tub...

After enjoying the exquisite sea urchin in Shakotan, I happened to pass by Niseko and saw a sign for a hot spring, so I decided to stop by. [About the Hot Spring] I strongly felt the smell of sulfur. The color is close to transparent, I think. The hot spring here, especially the outdoor bath, is so hot that I couldn't stay in for long. The Kuma-no-yu in Shiretoko was hot too, but this one was even hotter. I couldn't extend the hose connected to the water tap inside to cool it down, so I just had to endure it. I think it's good if you can stay in for 10 seconds. As for the indoor bath, I was able to comfortably enter because I could cool it down with the hose attached to the tap. If it's sunny, you might be able to see something from the bath, but it was raining so I could only see nearby. After getting out of the bath and walking on a nearby walking path, I could see the hot spring building. Depending on the angle, it might be visible, so women should be careful. [About the Drinks] There was no one at the reception, but there was a vending machine, so I bought a drink. There were several Hokkaido limited drinks available.

The "Niseko Goshiki Onsen" was named so because the color of the hot water changes to five colors depending on the cloudiness of the water that day. Located at an altitude of 750m, near the trailhead of Mt. Iwaonupuri, this hot spring is a popular inn known nationwide. The facility has a log house style, where you take off your shoes at the entrance and step onto wooden floors. You can purchase a bathing ticket (700 yen for adults) at the ticket machine at the entrance and hand it to the reception. This time, we used the hot spring for a day trip. There are two baths: the "large bath" and the "Karamatsu no Yu". Both baths have indoor and outdoor baths, with showers attached to the indoor baths. The hot spring is a natural spring source. The water is slightly yellowish-white and slightly cloudy, with a temperature of 42-43 degrees in the tubs. The hot spring components exceed 4,000, making it a strong acidic hot spring with a pH of 2.6. The large bath is bigger than expected, with plenty of showers and a spacious outdoor bath. The Karamatsu no Yu is a small bath at the back, renovated in 2009, with a cozy wooden atmosphere. The hot water has a faint sulfur smell. It is recommended to take short baths to prevent heat stroke. The surroundings are surrounded by nature, with hiking trails and climbers using the hot spring. Both baths have a view of nature, but caution is advised for bees in the summer. Unfortunately, the hot spring eggs that are sold on weekends were not available on the day of our visit. The lodging area consists of the "Shinkan" and "Bekkan". The Bekkan has its own private bath and different hot spring quality, available for an additional fee for day visitors. Overall, it was a relaxing and enjoyable experience at Niseko Goshiki Onsen.

One of my favorite hot springs in the Niseko area, which stands out in terms of history and water quality. The day trip bathing experience is satisfying, and the "bottled cola" after a hot bath is also delicious! (laughs) Definitely worth a visit. In addition, the meals incorporating locally sourced ingredients at the accommodation's dining hall are simple but delicious. - - - - - - - - - - - - [Excerpt from official website] ● About the Hot Springs The bathing facilities include a "large communal bath" and the "Karamatsu-no-yu" outdoor bath. This hot spring, with its source water flowing directly into the baths, offers two locations to enjoy the views: the "large communal bath" and the scenic outdoor "Karamatsu-no-yu" bath. The sulfur-rich water is smooth and transparent, gentle on the skin, and leaves it moisturized and radiant after bathing. Relax and soothe your tired body in the spacious baths that spring from the depths of the earth. ● About the Water Quality This hot spring is 100% sourced directly from underground, fresh and pure. It features a spacious indoor bath and an open-air bath known for its enthusiastic fans. Its benefits are widely recognized, offering relief for conditions such as chronic eczema, neuralgia, diabetes, and atopic dermatitis. The name "Goshiki Onsen" comes from the fact that there are five different types of water quality in this hot spring, unlike the usual two, and the water color appears to be five different shades on different days due to the sulfur content. It is acidic and sulfur-containing, rich in magnesium, sodium, calcium, nitrate, chloride, and other natural nutrients. The smooth, transparent water is gentle on the skin and has various benefits such as relief for neuralgia, frozen shoulder, gynecological issues, and hypertension. Many visitors come for hot spring therapy, and it is also recommended for skiing and mountain climbing. Water Composition of the Hot Spring ● Scenery Enjoy a unique sense of openness with views of Mt. Niseko Annupuri and Mt. Iwaonupuri right in front of you. From our proud outdoor hot spring, you can enjoy the magnificent view of Mt. Niseko Annupuri and Mt. Iwaonupuri right in front of you, offering a special sense of openness. In the summer, with greenery and birdsong, and in the winter, covered in silver snow, you can relax and enjoy bathing in a fantastical landscape.

On April 29, 2015, it was a clear day and I came to my favorite Goshiki Onsen to refresh my body and mind. It's the first visit after the snow has melted this year. This onsen is located on top of a mountain and has a long history. The adult bathing fee is 700 yen, which I purchased from a vending machine in front and handed over at the reception. I visited the Karamatsu-no-yu bath. The shower had good water pressure and women could use a hairdryer. The sulfur content was strong and there was also gypsum mixed in. When Karamatsu-no-yu was first built, it was beautiful and impressive, but due to the strong sulfur content, it has deteriorated significantly in about a year, making it look like it has aged about 5 years. Karamatsu-no-yu has one indoor bath and one outdoor bath, which are not very spacious, but it is often empty every other time. The entrance is very slippery due to the hot spring components, so caution is needed. The outdoor bath faces a mountain, and in winter, it is nerve-wracking to see the snow looming from the roof that seems like it could fall at any moment. I enjoyed the hot spring slowly and purchased a drink from the vending machine inside the facility. The prices are very reasonable. This is my second visit and since you cannot have a meal without staying overnight, this time I purchased mineral water from the vending machine. The water was very cold and delicious! It was perfect after a bath. If I have the chance, I would like to stay overnight and enjoy the hot spring at a leisurely pace. Thank you for having me ♬

On the weekend, I went to the Niseko Goshiki Onsen with my wife's parents, who had been inviting us since last month. It is a hot spring deep in the mountains of Niseko, which is a paradise for hot spring lovers. The inn is not very big, so it is difficult to make reservations during the autumn outing season, but in winter, being located deep in the mountains of Niseko, it is actually easier to book accommodations. We drove from my in-laws' house at 1:00 PM, taking the route from Akai River to Kutchan to Niseko. The road was completely covered in snow, creating a beautiful atmosphere. When we approached the inn, the smell of sulfur filled the air, which was quite pleasant. Normally, the parking lot is crowded with overnight and day-trip hot spring guests, but today, with continuous snowfall, there were fewer cars. There are a total of 10 rooms on the second floor, with 3 twin Western-style rooms and 7 Japanese-style rooms of 10 tatami mats each. This time, we reserved two Japanese-style rooms with breakfast included. We immediately started a banquet in our room with food we brought along, then soaked in the hot spring and went to bed around 10 PM. The next day, breakfast was served from 8 AM in the dining hall. As it is a hot spring inn deep in the mountains, we did not expect a lavish breakfast. The set meal included grilled salmon, kinpira burdock, pickled cabbage, rolled omelette, pickled radish, and pickled vegetables, with freshly cooked rice from Niseko. The grilled salmon was delicious! Compared to the pre-packaged meals at large hotels, the fact that the grilled salmon had crispy skin to enjoy made us happy. The meal was satisfactory, especially considering the reasonable price. We dug our car out from the snow that had accumulated since last night and headed back to Sapporo.

There are several hot springs in Japan with the name "Goshiki," but the first one that comes to mind is deep in the mountains of Niseko. With abundant hot water, excellent spring quality, and overwhelming nature, it offers enjoyable times throughout the seasons. I love this hot spring, so my overall evaluation is very positive. However, individual evaluations such as food may vary greatly (laughs). The main building was renovated in 1998 and is now clean and comfortable, with Japanese-Western style rooms that are cozy even in the mountains. There is also an old self-catering building (no TV, towels, thin futons, room-only), and a recently built annex (room-only) available. Facilities for self-catering and a washing machine (extra charge?) are provided, but there is no shop, only vending machines for drinks. Therefore, if you stay in the self-catering building in summer or autumn, it's best to bring your own snacks and food. I found mosquito coils very useful during my stay in the self-catering building. There are two large baths in the main building, separate for men and women, each with indoor and outdoor baths. The outdoor bath in front is visible from the observation deck, so if you prefer more privacy, the "Karamatsu no Yu" at the back is better. When using multiple baths, clothing is required. Depending on the season, there is also a mixed-gender outdoor bath that has been recently revived. The photo for this review was taken during the off-season with snow, so the view is not very clear, but the open-air bath is spacious and enjoyable. The annex has a bath with a different hot spring source (similar quality), with separate outdoor and indoor baths for men and women. The bath structures are somewhat similar, probably due to management reasons, but each one is a good bath. During the peak season, there may be a lot of day-trip bathers, causing crowding. Meals for dinner and breakfast were served in the dining room on the first floor of the main building. The food is basic for a mountain inn, and the taste is decent for the price. Considering the location, facilities, and the cost of maintaining the hot springs, it is a satisfactory meal. The water here is also very delicious. Surprisingly, the service here is quite good, with young staff energetically and cheerfully assisting guests. However, during busy times, there may be occasions where there are not enough staff. Late-night service can be a bit lacking as well. My first impression was of an old mountain hut, so my objective evaluation might be "quite decent for a mountain hut." I had a great time here and will definitely visit again. The price for one night with two meals in the main building is 9600 yen (8550 yen also available), the annex (room-only) is 3615 yen, and the self-catering building (room-only) is 3090 yen. Day-trip bathing costs 600 yen, available from 8:00 to 21:00 (closed on Thursdays sometimes, so call ahead). Canned beer (350ml) costs 350 yen, (500ml) 450 yen, and sake 350 yen. The prices are reasonable considering the location. Recently, they have displayed photos of nostalgic indoor baths like the "Hermit Bath" and "Old Outdoor Bath" in the building, which personally makes me very happy.

From the Kutchan side, the back of Mt. Yotei is closed in winter, so only those who know can enter. It's a tough mountainous area just below the col between Mt. Niseko Annupuri and Mt. Iwaonupuri, so I thought it would be closed in winter, but I was wrong. You can even make reservations on Rakuten. The interior is new and comfortable, with twin bed rooms that feel like a lodge, and traditional Japanese rooms. The first floor has a dining hall and a lobby with a fireplace (smoking is allowed only here). The baths include a scenic outdoor bath with a concrete indoor bath that retains a nostalgic feel, as well as a new "Karamatsu no Yu" with separate indoor and outdoor baths for men and women. It's a great place to enjoy the view of the snow, with sulfur springs that are refreshing but can be a bit tough in winter due to the temperature. As for day visitors, it's a famous hot spring spot, and I encountered two Americans and a French person in the outdoor bath, and on the way back, I met people speaking a mix of Chinese, English, and Cantonese. The food is simple and rustic, lacking any sense of luxury, but the taste is quite good. Breakfast was also very delicious.

On September 10, 2008, we visited Goshiki Onsen Ryokan located at the foot of Mt. Niseko Annupuri and Mt. Iwanupuri in the midst of the great nature of Niseko. This time, we mainly used the day trip hot spring. It was my first visit, accompanied by a friend who loves hot springs. This hot spring is popular because it is a hot spring designated by the "Association for the Preservation of Japan's Secret Hot Springs." First of all, it is a hot spring with natural flowing water! It contains sulfur and is a smooth hot spring that leaves the skin moisturized. It is a delight for women. What is Goshiki Onsen...? It is said to come from the fact that the color of the hot spring water appears to be five different colors depending on the day, mixed with sulfur.