From New Chitose Airport to a Snowy Hot Spring Retreat: Winter in Hokkaido on the Jozankei Onsen Liner
Known as Sapporo’s hot spring retreat, Jozankei Onsen is a town along the Toyohira River that becomes blanketed in snow each winter, with steam rising into the crisp air. Most visitors reach Jozankei via Sapporo, but the winter-only Jozankei Onsen Liner takes you directly from New Chitose Airport to the hot spring town. Even if you have visited before, why not try a different way of getting there on your next Hokkaido trip? This guide introduces the pleasures of visiting Jozankei Onsen by bus, along with a winter itinerary that includes Sapporo and Otaru. Make the journey part of the experience as you explore Hokkaido’s snowy landscapes, hot springs, and local food.
What Is Jozankei Onsen?
Jozankei Onsen is a historic hot spring destination established in 1866. Located about 26 km south of central Sapporo, roughly an hour away by car, the town stretches along the Toyohira River gorge within Shikotsu-Toya National Park. Its name comes from the Buddhist monk Miizumi Jozan, who devoted himself to developing the hot springs. The clear, colorless sodium chloride-rich waters help keep bathers warm after soaking, earning them the nickname netsu no yu, or “warming waters.” The town has accommodations of various sizes, and visitors can also enjoy footbaths, walks, and saunas. Its natural setting, surrounded by peaks such as Mt. Muine, Mt. Soranuma, and Mt. Sapporo, is another attraction. Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort is about a 30-minute drive away, making Jozankei a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders, too. Welcoming around 2.4 million visitors a year, it is one of Hokkaido’s leading hot spring destinations.
Start in Jozankei Onsen: A Winter Hokkaido Itinerary
Begin at New Chitose Airport and head to Jozankei for hot springs and snowy scenery. This four-day, three-night itinerary then takes you to Sapporo and Otaru before returning to the airport.
Day 1 | New Chitose Airport → Jozankei: Enjoy the Hot Springs from Your First Day
One of the pleasures of traveling on the Jozankei Onsen Liner is being able to soak in a hot spring on the very day you arrive in Hokkaido. Once you land, head straight from the airport to the hot spring town without changing buses or trains.
Watch Hokkaido’s Winter Scenery Unfold from the Jozankei Onsen Liner
After arriving at New Chitose Airport, board the Jozankei Onsen Liner. Stow your suitcase in the luggage compartment, settle into your seat, and watch the scenery as you travel toward the hot springs. The wide-open snowfields around the airport gradually give way to peaceful, snow-covered farmland. As you approach Jozankei, the scenery shifts to mountain roads and coniferous forests, with a gorge eventually coming into view. Watching Hokkaido’s winter landscapes change along the way is part of the appeal of traveling by bus.
Soak in an Open-Air Bath in Snow-Covered Jozankei Onsen
After checking in at your accommodation, head for the hot springs. The sodium chloride-rich waters help your body retain warmth, gently taking away the winter chill. Soaking while gazing at snow-covered mountains is one of the season’s greatest pleasures. Rest after your flight and onward journey, and ease into the relaxed pace of a hot spring stay from the very first day.
Savor Hokkaido’s Local Flavors at Your Accommodation
After warming up in the hot springs, it is time for a much-anticipated dinner. Many types of seafood are in season in Hokkaido during winter, including scallops, cod, and crab. Some accommodations also serve meat dishes featuring Hokkaido-raised Japanese Black wagyu beef and pork from local brands. Enjoy the local flavors that make a visit during the colder months especially rewarding.
Day 2 | Jozankei → Sapporo: Morning Footbaths and an Afternoon in the City
Start your second day with a morning stroll around the hot spring town before heading to Sapporo. A direct bus connects Jozankei with central Sapporo, where you can enjoy exploring the city and sampling Hokkaido’s local dishes.
Explore the Hot Spring Town and Stop for a Morning Footbath
Take a morning walk through town and try a footbath or hand bath along the way. Jozankei Onsen has several public footbaths and hand baths that are free to use. Jozan Gensen Park and Ashi no Fureai Taro-no-yu are open from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm, while Shiki-no-seseragi Futami-no-ashiyu is open from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, making them easy stops on a morning stroll.
Take the Kappa Liner to Sapporo for City Walks and Local Food
Return from your walk and check out of your accommodation. Take Jotetsu Bus’s direct Kappa Liner service to Sapporo Station; advance reservations are required. This reservation-only bus connects Jozankei with central Sapporo, reaching Sapporo Station in about 60 minutes. It also stops in Odori and Susukino.
A same-day luggage delivery service is also planned for the same period, allowing you to send your bags from hotels in the Jozankei area to major facilities in central Sapporo. Leave your luggage behind and enjoy exploring the city with less to carry.
Day 3 | Sapporo → Otaru: Explore the Canal and Historic Streets
Stay in Sapporo and take a day trip to Otaru on your third day. The JR Rapid Airport train takes about 40 minutes from Sapporo to Otaru. Walk along Otaru Canal and through streets lined with historic buildings, then browse glass workshops and music box shops on Otaru Sakaimachi Street. Be sure to try Otaru’s seafood and sweets, too. After exploring, return to Sapporo in the early evening.
Day 4 | Sapporo → New Chitose Airport: Enjoy Airport Dining and Pick Up Last-Minute Gifts
On your final day, head to New Chitose Airport on the JR Rapid Airport train or another convenient service. Snow, weather, and road conditions can affect transportation in winter, so allow plenty of time before your flight. Once you arrive, explore one of Japan’s largest airport shopping areas, home to more than 180 shops and dining outlets, for a final taste of Hokkaido and some souvenirs. Then head home with memories of your trip.
New Yukitouro 2027: Lighting Up Winter Nights
Winter in Jozankei also brings a special evening event. Held from January 20 to February 28, 2027, New Yukitouro 2027 replaces Yukitouro, which ran for 15 years. Snow and light transform Jozankei Shrine and locations around the hot spring town into an enchanting setting. If you visit Jozankei in winter, make time to experience it.
The event runs from 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm, and admission is free. It may be canceled or its hours shortened due to weather or other conditions, so check the latest information before visiting.
Make the Journey Part of Your Trip: Jozankei Onsen Liner Fares, Operating Information, and Reservations
The Jozankei Onsen Liner offers a new way to travel around Hokkaido. Although this itinerary begins in Jozankei, you can also use the bus at the end of your trip. After sightseeing, unwind in the hot springs at the end of your trip before traveling directly to New Chitose Airport. Here is what you need to know about fares, operating information, and reservations.
Fares
Fares vary by route. Children ages 3-11 pay half the adult fare, and children under 2 travel free. Fares to New Chitose Airport differ depending on whether the bus travels via Makomanai Station or Lake Shikotsu.
| Route | Adults | Ages 3-11 | Under 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Chitose Airport → Jozankei Onsen / Koganeyu Onsen | 3,500 yen | 1,750 yen | Free |
| Jozankei Onsen / Koganeyu Onsen → New Chitose Airport via Makomanai Station | 3,500 yen | 1,750 yen | Free |
| Jozankei Onsen / Koganeyu Onsen → Makomanai subway station | 1,000 yen | 500 yen | Free |
| Jozankei Onsen / Koganeyu Onsen → New Chitose Airport via Lake Shikotsu | 4,000 yen | 2,000 yen | Free |
Operating Information
The bus departs from the airport between 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm and arrives in Jozankei between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm. Buses leave Jozankei in the morning and reach the airport around noon via Makomanai or around 12:40 pm via Lake Shikotsu. Services may be canceled in severe weather, so check the official website and social media for the latest information.
- Operating Period
- December 19, 2026-February 21, 2027
- Capacity
- 30 passengers per departure
- Seating
- Unassigned seating
- Travel Time
- Approximately 2 hours between New Chitose Airport and Jozankei Onsen
- Luggage
- One suitcase plus one set of ski or snowboard equipment per person may be stored in the luggage compartment.
Reservations
Advance reservations are required and can be made online until 6:00 pm Japan Standard Time (JST) on the day before travel. Reservations close once the bus is full, so book early after finalizing your itinerary.
Summary
Winter in Jozankei Onsen offers snow-covered gorge scenery, renowned hot springs fed by abundant natural waters, footbath walks, and saunas-all in a setting that feels far removed from nearby Sapporo. The Jozankei Onsen Liner takes you straight from the airport to the hot spring town without transfers. With your luggage stowed, you can sit back and enjoy the journey through Hokkaido’s winter scenery. Start your trip in this snowy hot spring retreat from the day you arrive.
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