SNOW MONKEY RESORTS
The Ainu Cultural Center is a real hidden gem. Tucked away in lush natural surroundings an hour or so outside of Sapporo, this museum is sure to please. It is very informative with tons of artifacts of The Ainu. The center is well curated, and visitors are encouraged to hold and touch the many authentic Ainu handcrafts. The outdoor village with traditional handcrafted Ainu houses and canoes are very cool to experience as well. This is a “must go” sight for those interested in indigenous groups. Led by your locally based native English-speaking guide, who will provide tour members with more in-depth information of The Ainu, to complement the abundant information gleaned from the center/museum tour.
Your tour will continue on to nearby Jozankei Hot Spring (Onsen) Village. There are 56 hot spring sources in Jozankei, concentrated around both the Tsukimibashi and Takayamabashi bridges along with The Toyohira River which flows throughout the village. The waters of most of these hot spring baths average temperatures ranging from 60 (140F) to 80 degrees Celsius (176F). As a member of this tour, you will experience a two-hour hot spring bath at one of Jozankei’s most reputable hot spring hotels. Your tour guide will guide you through the delicate rules and intricacies of how to properly bathe and enjoy a traditional Japanese hot spring bath.
Highlights
Learn of The Ainu, an Indigenous ethnic group who reside in northern Japan, including Hokkaido.
Tour The Ainu Culture Promotion Center, which showcases Ainu arts, their unique architectural style, offering a glimpse into their daily lives. At the Ainu Culture Center, visitors will be able to explore various facilities including traditional wooden canoes and houses constructed entirely in the Ainu style.
Explore the quaint hot spring (onsen) resort village of Jozankei. Just under an hour from Sapporo, it is easily accessible. Enjoy a breathtaking walking tour of Jozankei and see firsthand its rich nature and the allure of its hot springs. Wonderful scenic nature in all seasons.
After your walking-day-tour of Jozankei village has concluded, rejuvenate your weary feet in one of the several public free footbaths.
Experience a 2-hour hot spring bath at a very well established Jozankei hot spring hotel.
Experience the perfect getaway which is Jozankei. Good food (i.e. Miso ramen), scenery, fresh air and a hot spring bath for total physical and mental relation. A tour sure to please!
Duration
9 hours 15 minutes
Offered in
English
What is included
English speaking tour guide
Transportation fee from Sapporo Station to all listed destinations and activities as stated on each tour itinerary
All entry/admission tickets to each attraction/sightseeing spot listed on the tour itinerary
What is not included
Lunch
Accommodation
SAPPORO STATION @ 9:00
After exiting the main JR gates of Sapporo Station TURN LEFT. Walk towards the
South Exits (南出口) of Sapporo Station. After a very short walk (in the near distance)
you will surely notice “MYOMU” (The Circular White Stone Structure/see above picture). Your guide will be standing in front of this stone structure wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag. You are kindly asked to be at this meetup point at 9 a.m.
Start time
09:00:00
End point
We will arrive back to Sapporo Stn. Our tour will conclude.
Discover the fascinating Ainu culture of Hokkaido and experience the relaxing beauty of Jozankei Onsen on this memorable 1-day tour from Sapporo. Led by a knowledgeable local English-speaking guide, your journey begins at the Ainu Culture Promotion Center, where you’ll learn about the history, traditions, daily life, arts, and craftsmanship of the Indigenous Ainu people of northern Japan. Explore traditional Ainu houses, wooden canoes, authentic handicrafts, and fascinating cultural exhibits before continuing to the scenic hot spring village of Jozankei, one of the most popular onsen destinations near Sapporo. Enjoy a guided walking tour through Jozankei’s beautiful natural surroundings, discover the Toyohira River and charming village scenery, and unwind with a traditional 2-hour Japanese hot spring bath at a reputable Jozankei onsen hotel. Your guide will explain Japanese onsen etiquette and help you enjoy the experience comfortably and respectfully. After exploring the village, you can also relax your feet in one of Jozankei’s free public footbaths. Combining Ainu culture, Hokkaido sightseeing, nature, walking, and a traditional Japanese onsen experience, this Sapporo day trip is an ideal getaway for travelers looking to experience the cultural heritage and natural beauty of Hokkaido beyond the city.
Description
This tour will start at Sapporo Station in front of “Myomu” (The Circular Stone Structure) in front of the South Exit doors of Sapporo Station. Kindly meet here at exactly 9 a.m. Your guide will be there to greet you. After brief introductions and smiles, we will start to embark on our wonderful tour starting at The Ainu Cultural Center.
The tour will begin here at The Ainu Cultural Center. Your guide will take you through the 1-hour tour of the Ainu Center Museum (exhibition room). Here, you will learn of the lifestyle, history, and art of the Ainu people, the indigenous people who first settled Hokkaido and developed a unique culture. This facility is the first of its kind in Japan to focus on original inhabitants and allows visitors to actually feel, touch and experience first-hand traditional Ainu craftworks (over 300 items) made by Ainu artisans. Your guide along with the knowledgeable Ainu museum guides, will surely be able to answer in-depth, any questions you may have while touring The Ainu Cultural Center.
After leaving The Ainu Cultural Center, you will be heading (by bus) to the very nearby quaint little hot spring village known as Jozankei. Jozankei is located within the lush green Shikotsu-Toya National Park. This area is characterized by topography and phenomena created by hundreds of years of volcanic activity. Thus, this volcanic activity has created numerous natural hot springs that dot the entire area of Jozankei Village.
Upon arrival, your guide will show you around the area and make sure you see all the popular sights that Jozankei offers. These will include both the Jozankei Shrine and Temple, Gesen Park and footbath, Futami Park and Futami Tsuribashi Suspension Bridge. This guided walking tour of Jozankei is breathtaking any season of the year.
Your tour will conclude on a physically soothing “high note”. Your guide will escort you to the Hotel Shika no Yu hot spring. Here, you will enjoy the very popular 2 hour day-bath experience.
Of course, hot springs (“onsen” in Japanese) are an integral part of Japanese culture and have been enjoyed for centuries for their therapeutic and relaxing properties. Visitors to Japan, would be amiss not to experience an onsen bath. You will have the chance on this tour! Your guide will help you through the whole process of bathing amongst others and to inform each tour member of the rules and bathing etiquette that must be adhered to. After a rejuvenating hot bath, we will then return to Sapporo and conclude our tour. This tour is sure to please and tour participants will have long lasting memories for years to come.
Itinerary
09:00: Meetup at Sapporo Station
11:00: Your guided tour will start at The Ainu Cultural Center. The Ainu are an indigenous people from the northern region of the Japanese archipelago, namely Hokkaido. Here, we will observe and study their culture and handmade handcrafts.
12:45: Approximately a 1 hour’s bus ride away from Sapporo, Jozankei is the largest hot spring town in Hokkaido with about 20 “ryokan” inns. This quaint scenic onsen village draws roughly 2.4 million visitors per year. A lunch favorite here is a bowl of steamy hot ramen. Your guide can point out a good ramen place if requested.
13:45: The guided tour of Jozankei Village will continue after lunch. We will have a “nature walk”, cross the famous colorful Futami Suspension Bridge, enjoy a footbath at Gensen Park as well as other sights. Enjoy a comfortable walk along the cobbled stone streets of this compact small onsen village.
15:00: Members of this tour will be “in for a treat” after our walking adventure. A 2 hour traditional Japanese hot bath (onsen) will be had. Soak in the “mineral waters (baths)” at The Shika no Yu Hotel. This is one of the oldest and most well established hot spring hotels in Jozankei. Your guide will be able to give valuable information on how to bath properly and follow the strict onsen etiquette rules and procedures. A guaranteed relaxed mind and body after this 2 hour “therapeutic soak” in the hot baths.
17:00: Leave Jozankei and head back to Sapporo.
18:00/18:15: We will arrive back to Sapporo Stn. Our tour will conclude.
Please check the weather forecast before heading to the meetup point and prepare umbrella or raincoat if necessary.
Clothes worn should be appropriate for the given season.
In winter, ice and snow will be prevalent on the ground. Thus, caution is advised to all guests while walking on the tour.
There are no co-ed or mixed baths at Shika no Yu onsen. The men's bath and the women's bath are separate.
IMPORTANT: Guests/visitors with tattoos will NOT be allowed to enter into the Shika no Yu onsen.
This tour operates Tuesday through Saturday through August 2028 and does not operate on Sundays and Mondays. The tour also does not operate on the following additional dates: September 2026: 3, 22, 23, 29. October 2026: 22–24, 27, 29. November 2026: 3, 4, 24, 25. December 2026: 4, 29. The schedule from September 2028 onward is TBA (to be advised)
SNOW MONKEY RESORTS
