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Karurusu Onsen

Hokkaido · カルルス温泉

Karurusu Onsen is a hot spring town in Hokkaido, Japan. The water leaves the ground at 48–68°C, hot. It measures pH 7.2 — close to neutral. Officially the water is classed as simple spring and sulfate spring. Its sources put out around 1,200 litres a minute. 6 inns take visitors here.

Getting there

From Sapporoabout 1½ h

JR PassCovers the train

Train to Noboribetsu Station (JR)

Fly into New Chitose. Times are rough estimates worked out from station locations, not a timetable — check the exact route on Google Maps.

Simple springSulfate spring

The water here

Simple spring 単純温泉

Mild and low in dissolved minerals. Usually clear and gentle on the skin, which is why these baths are often recommended for first-timers.

Sulfate spring 硫酸塩泉

Clear water with a faintly bitter taste. Known for holding heat.

With tattoos

Many public baths still turn away visible tattoos, and the rule is set by each bath, not by the town. The reliable way round it is to bathe privately: a room with its own open-air bath, or an inn with a private bath you can book for yourselves.

Rooms with an open-air bath — Hokkaido Inns with a private bath — Hokkaido