Jouzankei Onsen is one of the nearest major onsen towns close to Sapporo, and those seeking a quick soak without a lot of atmosphere will enjoy the warmth of the various hotel baths. Kappa, a mythical impish water creature with a turtle's shell and a hair loss problem, are said to frequent the area...though with all the development and biggie hotels, it's likely that they hit the road long ago.
Access to and from Sapporo is the upside. The downside is that Jouzankei has little in the way of village charm -- it's primarily large hotels, many of them charging 500 to 1500 yen per soak. You'll have the standard luxuries, like body soap, shampoo, razors, massage chairs and UV-sterilized hair combs, but those seeking a more intimate experience should head to nearby Houheikyou, only a five minute taxi ride away. Nevertheless, if you're just escaping Sapporo or want a good way to shrug off Hokkaidou's bitter winter cold, Jouzankei will be a welcome diversion.
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