Introduction to Autumn Colours in Hokkaido’s Onsen Resorts – with information about the best time to view fall foliage in different regions

Photo: Jozankei hot spring town (定山渓温泉街), Hokkaido

Hokkaido Region

Being the northernmost district in the country, autumn colours start to arise as early as the beginning of September. Endowed with nature, you can enjoy tinted foliage at apparently all onsen resorts there. 

*Remarks: 

1. This article introduces the best time to view the foliage in each area’s onsen resorts, as well as a number of selected ryokans in each onsen area.

2. The best time to view fall colours listed here is based on open information published in Japan.（Survey date : September 25, 2019） Influenced by the weather and other natural factors, the actual period when autumnal leaf colouration meets its peak might be a little bit different from our prediction.

 

 

 

Jozankei hot spring town (定山渓温泉街)

Best time to view fall foliage
Early to mid-October （Around October 16, 2019）

Access　1 hour by bus from Sapporo Station (札幌) to Jozankei Onsen (定山渓温泉)

List of Ryokans in Jozankei Onsen

 

Lake Shikotsu (支笏湖畔)

Best time to view fall foliage
Early to mid-October（Around October 23, 2019）

Access　1 hour by direct bus from New Chitose Airport (Sapporo) (新千歳空港) to Lake Shikotsu (支笏湖) (Shikotsuko Bus Terminal)

List of Ryokans in Lake Shikotsu Onsen

Otaru Korakuen (おたる宏楽園)

Best time to view fall foliage
Early to mid-October

Access　30 min by JR Hakodate Main Line from Sapporo Station (札幌) to Otaru-Chikko Station (小樽築港), then 10 min by taxi.

List of Ryokans in Otaru Onsen

 

Shinsen-numa Marsh (神仙沼)

Best time to view fall foliage
Late September to mid-October（Around October 15, 2019）

Access　3 hour by express bus from Sapporo Station Bus Terminal (札幌駅前ターミナル) to Niseko (ニセコ), then 30 min by car to the parking area of Shinsen-numa and 20-min walk from there.

List of Ryokans in Niseko Onsen

 

Oyunuma Pond (大湯沼)

Best time to view fall foliage
Mid to Late October（Around October 19, 2019）

Access　40 min by JR Limited Express Super Hokuto from New Chitose Airport (Sapporo) (新千歳空港) to Noboribetsu Station (登別), then 20 min by bus to Noboribetsu Onsen (登別温泉) and 40-min walk from the bus stop.

List of Ryokans in Noboribetsu Onsen

 

Lake Toya (洞爺湖畔)

Best time to view fall foliage
Mid to Late October

Access　90 min by JR Limited Express from New Chitose Airport (Sapporo) (新千歳空港) to Toya Station (洞爺), then 20 min by bus to Toya-ko Onsen (洞爺湖温泉)

List of Ryokans in Lake Toya Onsen

 

Tokachigawa Onsen Sanyoan (三余庵)

Best time to view fall foliage
Mid to Late October

Access　2h 20 min by JR Limited Express from Sapporo New Chitose Airport (新千歳空港) to Obihiro Station (帯広), then 20 min by taxi.

List of Ryokans in Tokachigawa Onsen

 

 

Asahidake Ropeway  (旭岳ロープウェイ)

Best time to view fall foliage
Mid September to early October

Access　60 min by car from Asahikawa Airpor (旭川空港)

Shirahige Falls  (白ひげの滝)

Best time to view fall foliage
Mid October

Access　30 min by car from Biei Station (美瑛駅)

Blue Pond (青い池)

Best time to view fall foliage
Mid October

Access　20 min by car from Biei Station (美瑛駅)

 

Miyama Pass  (深山峠)

Best time to view fall foliage
Late October to Early November 

Access　15 min by car from Kami-Furano Station (上富良野駅)

List of Ryokans in Furano & Biei Onsen

 

Ginga no Taki (Ginga Waterfall) and Ryusei no Taki (Ryusei Waterfall)
銀河の滝、流星の滝

Best time to view fall foliage
Early to mid-October（Around October 19, 2019）

Access　10 min by car from Sounkyo Onsen (層雲峡温泉)

 

Daisetsuzan Sounkyo Kurodake Ropeway (大雪山層雲峡 黒岳ロープウェイ)

Best time to view fall foliage
Early to mid-October（Around October 19, 2019）

Access　1h 30 min by car from Asahikawa Airport (旭川空港) to Sounkyo Onsen (層雲峡温泉)

List of Ryokans in Sounkyo Onsen

 

Lake Onneto (オンネトー)

Best time to view fall foliage
Early to mid-October

Access　30 min by car from Lake Akan Onsen (Lake Akanko Bus Center <阿寒湖バスセンター>)

 

Lake Akan  (阿寒湖)

Best time to view fall foliage
Early to mid-October（Around October 17, 2019）

Access　1 hour by airport liner from Kushiro Airport (釧路空港) to Lake Akan Onsen (Lake Akan Bus Center <阿寒湖バスセンター>)

List of Ryokans in Lake Akan Onsen

 

Lake Notoro Coral Grass (能取湖サンゴ草群生地)

Best time to view fall foliage
Mid to Late September

Access　20 min by bus from Memanbetsu Airport (女満別空港) to Abashiri area (網走), then 20 min by taxi.

List of Ryokans in Abashiri Onsen

 

Shiretoko Goko Lake (知床五湖)

Best time to view fall foliage
Early to mid-October（Around October 20, 2019）

Access　2 hour by direct bus from Memanbetsu Airport (女満別空港) to Shiretoko (Utoro) Onsen (Utoro Onsen Bus Terminal <ウトロ温泉バスターミナル>), then 20 min by taxi.

List of Ryokans in Shiretoko (Utoro) Onsen

 

Onuma Quasi National Park (大沼国定公園)

Best time to view fall foliage
Mid to Late October（Around October 19,2019)

Access　1h 10 min by bus from Hakodate Station (函館) to Onuma Park (大沼公園)

List of Ryokans in Hakodate Yunokawa Onsen