Yukomanbetsu Shokudo Shinpui at Yumekomaso is a day trip hot spring located in the direction of Daisetsuzan. It is part of the Daisetsuzan National Park, the largest national park in Japan with an area of 2267.64 km2. The menu offers surprising sets like the "Day Trip Hot Spring + Meal" set, which includes options like Japanese-style salt ramen for 700 yen or the set for 1,100 yen which includes the ramen, a white coffee pudding, and bathing. The Matsukado Three-tiered Bento for 1,500 yen is a popular choice, with a healthy and delicious meal served in a serene and chic setting. The food was tasty and homemade, and the white coffee pudding was smooth and enjoyable. The experience was delightful, and the value for money was excellent. A must-visit for those looking to enjoy a hot spring and a delicious meal in a beautiful location.

Yukoman, a long-established hot spring inn in Asahidake. It takes about 1 hour by car from Asahikawa. After passing through the shopping street of Higashikawa Town and heading towards Asahidake, you will see a sign for "Yukoman" painted on an old tree to the right side of the mountain. Crossing a small stream bridge, you will find the inn's parking lot. The entrance of the inn has a pleasant scent of cedar wood. The building looked old, but it seemed to have been renovated and the interior was relatively new. The restaurant inside Yukoman, called Kamikazei, was located in a place that seemed to have been expanded in the past, accessed through a narrow passage from the entrance of the inn. The interior of the restaurant was stylish, with white plaster walls, dark oak wooden pillars, and matching wooden table sets. The contrast with the forest view from the window was a natural beauty. The service was a bit ordinary, with a ticket vending machine system and self-service for clearing dishes. I visited here for the white coffee pudding. The beef dish was delicious with tender slices of Biei beef fillet steak. The coffee pudding was surprisingly flavorful and delicious. Yukoman also offers Saito Ranch milk, known for its natural pasture-raised cows. The concept of using only natural grass for feeding the cows is admirable. Other options like the Matsukado bento box and day-use hot spring were also appealing. The restroom attached to the restaurant was very clean. Yukoman is definitely worth a visit for its unique offerings.

In the midst of winter, about an hour's drive from Asahikawa, there is a renowned restaurant located in the town of Higashikawa, at an altitude of approximately 1000m within the long-established Ryokan Yuukomaso. It's probably the best hot spring inn in Asahidake Onsen. During this time of year, the roads are icy, so the number of customers is relatively low. There are a few foreigners who have come to ski or snowboard on Mount Asahi. Unfortunately, I didn't come for winter sports, but rather to enjoy the hot springs and food. As you walk through the inn, you'll find a newly built restaurant and bathhouse for day visitors. Although purchasing tickets from a vending machine may lack charm, the day-use hot spring fee is 600 yen. The Matsukadou San Dan Bento is priced at 1500 yen, which includes free access to the bath. You can rent towels, so it's okay to come empty-handed. After soaking in the hot spring, I can say that the changing room floor is heated, and the bathhouse has a high ceiling, creating a pleasant atmosphere. There are two different hot spring sources, allowing for comparison. The outdoor bath is the hotter one. There may not be much of a view due to the snow walls at this time of year (laughs). Moving on to the restaurant, you purchase a meal ticket at the counter. When your number is called, you go to collect your food in a cafeteria-style setting. The Matsukadou San Dan Bento is quite heavy (laughs), but they seem willing to help carry it for you. The bubbling hot pot is Yudofu, and there are also dishes like simmered pork and sashimi (see photo). For dessert, there's a small bottle... a white pudding? Actually, it's coffee pudding, and it was delicious. After soaking in the hot spring and enjoying a tasty meal, you might feel sleepy, right? Yes (laughs). There's a free rest area where you can relax and unwind. The hospitality of the staff truly reflects the experience of a long-established inn. If you're in the area, I highly recommend stopping by.

If you drive for less than an hour from Asahikawa, enjoying the forest rich in negative ions, you will reach the hot spring town of Asahidake Onsen at the foot of Hokkaido's roof, Asahidake. A must-try is the Matsuhana Do San Dan Bento at the long-established Yubetsu Onsen restaurant "Kamikazei", even if it costs 1,500 yen with bathing included. The bento is delicious and gentle on the body, with homemade tofu from Hira Takuya in Higashikawa and a rare white pudding always included. The restaurant and day-use hot spring are still new and clean, but the downside is that the table layout in the restaurant is too cramped. The restaurant is self-service, so it can be difficult to carry your ordered dishes through the narrow aisles, especially since the Matsuhana Bento is heavy, making it tough for the elderly. The hot baths also seem to have trouble with temperature control, as they are consistently lukewarm. The rest area is also lacking compared to other hot spring facilities, with hard floors, no cushions, and it can be cold in winter. Hokkaido is said to have top-notch ingredients but third-rate service, so I believe that improving in the aspect of service could make this hot spring hotel even more beloved by everyone.

This is a day trip bathing facility attached to the long-established hot spring resort, Kamigami no Yu, located in Mt. Asahi. By ordering a set for 1,500 yen, you can enjoy free bathing. The set includes red rice, a large bowl of miso soup, hot tofu, braised pork, sashimi, and white coffee pudding. The carefully prepared dishes, typical of a hot spring inn, are all delicious. When my parents and friends from Honshu visited, I took them here for sightseeing, and it was well received. The hot spring itself can get quite crowded with people returning from climbing Mt. Asahi, but this restaurant is a hidden gem with few seats, so it's not usually crowded. The only downside is that if you order the free hot spring set more than once in six months, the food content is the same, which is a bit disappointing. It would be nice if they could renew the set menu for local repeat customers who visit once or twice a year.