Hamamasu Spa

The sauna is included for 500 yen. It's not crowded and you can relax, but there's no snack corner, so it feels a little lonely. As of May 2025, the adult admission fee is 500 yen, and the open-air bath and dining room are not open. It's a casual place to visit. Shampoo and body soap are provided, and there are 9 washing stations. It was a Saturday afternoon, and there were about 3 people there, rising to about 5 in the evening, so it was a moderate number of people. The sauna is 92°C, and can accommodate a maximum of 8 people. The thermometer reads 92°C, but despite that, the sweat production doesn't feel as strong as at other saunas, and it feels a little weak. Also, no mats are provided; towels are just laid out beforehand. They don't seem to be changed regularly. It gets hot when wet and feels a little unsanitary, so a sauna mat might be a better choice. ・Open-air bath You can go outside, but there is no hot water, probably because the bath is currently under renovation, and there are remains of where a washing area once was. I don't know if the snack corner and open-air bath are no longer open because people no longer come, or if it's the other way around or budgetary constraints, but it seems like if they were renovated, people would come, so it's a shame that they're left looking so deserted. I wish they would at least serve soft-serve ice cream.

See the photo for the water quality...roughly speaking, it's a simple sulfur hot spring. It's colorless and transparent, but not drinkable. There's a faint sulfur smell when you put it in your mouth, but try it at your own risk. I didn't realize the open-air bath wasn't open in the winter...what a shame. However, the outdoor door to the open-air bath is open, so you can cool off in the fresh air after the sauna. The water in the drinking fountain is apparently groundwater, and when I drank it and tried to close the tap, a regular-looking customer told me it was okay to leave it on, lol. The sauna, washing area (shower), and cold bath are all close by, which is helpful. The main bath was just the right temperature for me (I prefer warm water over hot so I can take a long bath), but it depends on your preference. Lying back in the bathtub and looking up at the ceiling, I noticed a rather unique shape. The massage chairs are old, but they're cheap at 100 yen for 15 minutes, which is helpful. There is a fee for the lockers in the changing room right in front of you as you enter, but there are also free lockers near the bathroom. Use of the hair dryers provided is also free.

This hot spring facility is located in the former Hamamasu village of Ishikari City. It's located in the mountainous area known as the Mitada district. This was my first visit in about 10 years. It retains a strong Showa-era atmosphere. It has the feel of a training camp from that time, but it doesn't seem to accept overnight stays. It's day-trip bathing only. There used to be a restaurant there, but it's now closed. They also served Ishikari salmon ramen, a local specialty, and it was a favorite of mine. And the hot spring. It hasn't changed at all. The sulfurous scent hits you the moment you step into the bath. However, the water isn't the milky white of sulfur hot springs; it's clear and feels so smooth on the skin. Since it was Obon, there were many beachgoers there that day. The former Hamamasu village has a strong image as a seaside village, but this is a mountain hot spring. The surrounding park is also pleasant, covered in lush greenery. But still, I can't believe this is Ishikari City. To me, the former Hamamasu village and the former Atsuta village still don't quite connect to Ishikari City.

Hamamasu Onsen (Hamamasu Hoyo Center) in Ishikari offers a serene escape nestled amid pine-and-mountain scenery, just a short drive inland from the Sea of Japan. This unassuming day-use facility, priced at a budget-friendly ¥500 for adults and ¥250 for children, is greatly valued by locals and travelers alike . Stepping inside, you’ll find a well-maintained interior with tiled floors, spacious tubs, a bubbling jet bath, sauna, and cold plunge—all powered by a mild alkaline simple hot spring (pH 8.4) said to soothe neuralgia and muscle aches . The standout feature is the open-air bath, complete with a built-in washing area—an unusual convenience for Hokkaido onsen. Surrounded by verdant hillside, the outdoor bath offers a peaceful, immersive nature-view soak . The layout extends to relaxed indoor spaces, including a cozy lounge, tatami-room rest area, and optional dining at “Hamakoi Shokudō.” Here, you can enjoy simple Japanese meals like shoyu ramen, udon, and curry. Vending machines and light, free-flowing drinks feed into the easygoing atmosphere .

I headed north from Sapporo along the coast. I went off the road and went to Hamamasu Onsen. The building is old, but the hot water is hot. There's a faint, mild smell of sulfur. It's nice. It's too late in the season, so the open-air baths have closed. It's a shame I couldn't enjoy the open-air baths while admiring the autumn leaves. The water is clear and colorless, and smooth. I felt very refreshed after bathing. In the summer, it's sure to be bustling with riders and visitors to the beach at Hamamasu. The restaurant wasn't open either. But the water is good, so it's no problem. The hot springs, which cost 500 yen, were very good. There were many couples and married couples, young and old, using the baths these days. I wonder if it's becoming popular to bathe together with your spouse? Great!