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On the northeast of Kussharo-ko, Kawayu Onsen (川湯温泉) is one of Eastern Hokkaido’s most recommended places to soak and a good base for exploring the lake Kussharo-ko. This hot spring boasts highly acidic water (like lemon juice) supplied to all hotels.
Sightseeing
Io-zan
硫黄山
25min walk from Kawayu-onsen Station
Teshikaga’s most popular nature hiking route, Tsutsujigahara Trail (つつじヶ原ネイチャートレイル) makes an hour hike (2.5km) from Kawayu Onsen to the surfer mountain of Io-zan, surrounded by white iso-tsutsuji (wild rosemary). You can walk here from Kawayu-onsen Station.
Mashu Kussharo Trail
摩周・屈斜路トレイル
First section 20.5km / Second section 22.5km
This 50km-long trail connects Mashu-ko and Kussharo Prince Hotel. From Kawayu Onsen, the 1st section (20.5km) leads to Mashu-ko Viewpoint 1, and the 2nd section (22.5km) makes a great day hike on the eastern shore of Kussharo-ko, Japan’s largest caldera lake,
Kawayu Visitor Center
川湯ビジターセンター
1min walk from Eco Museum Center bus stop
This wooden building by the onsen town has displays and exhibitions on the lakes, forest and volcanos in Teshikaga. Rental wears and snowshoes are available. There is also a cafe. Behind the museum center, there are short circuit walkways in Picea Glehnii Forest (アカエゾマツの森).
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Hotels
The onsen town’s all hotels are within walking distance from Kawayu-onsengai bus stop.
Photo: じゃらんnet
Oyado Kinkiyu ♨︎
お宿 欣喜湯
1min walk from Yubinkyoku-mae bus stop
At the corner of Kawayu’s central crossroads, Kinkiyu features two-floor communal onsen with different types of water temperature. Rooms are a mix of Japanese- and Western-style.
Photo: じゃらんnet
Suikazura ♨︎
お宿欣喜湯 別邸 忍冬
2min walk from Kawayu-onsengai bus stop
This newly renovated onsen boasts luxury mix of Japanese- and Western-style rooms and a stylish buffet. Pick-up from JR Kawayu-onsen Station is possible (free), if you request in advance.
Photo: じゃらんnet
KKR Kawayu ♨︎
KKRかわゆ
3min walk from Yakuba-shisho-mae bus stop
In the east side of Kawayu, the KKR is excellent value public lodge, with clean Japanese-style rooms and communal onsen.
Map
Getting There
JR TRAIN
Trains run to Kawayu-onsen Station on the JR Senmo Line from Kushiro (80min) and Abashiri (2hr).
The onsen town is 3.2km north of the train station. It is better to reach there by bus (see below). Otherwise, it is about a 45-minute walk from the train station to the onsen town.
BUS
From JR Kawayu-onsen Station, there are buses to the town of Kawayu-onsengai (川湯温泉街・大鳳相撲記念館前) in front of Taiho Sumo Museum (10min), and timed to meet trains between 8am and 6pm.
Getting Around
BUS
From JR Mashu Station, three buses run daily to the town of Kawayu-onsengai (37min) via Biruwa and JR Kawayu-onsen Station.
BICYCLE
Rental bicycles are available from JR Kawayu-onsen Station and Kawayu Visitor Center. Early Jun-early Nov.
Information
Kawayu Onsen Official Website
Check out the latest information and seasonal events.
Kawayu-onsen Station
川湯温泉 | 가와유 온센
Address：1-1 Kawayu-ekimae, Teshikaga-cho, Hokkaido
Distance：89km from Kushiro
Elevation：162m
北海道 川湯溫泉 旅遊觀光 飯店住宿 | 홋카이도 가와유 온센 여행 호텔