Turbid River Hot Spring (Hokkaido) Complete Guide | History, Spring Quality, Access, Accommodation Information
Turbid River Hot Spring, located in the northwest of Mori Town, Shibuya District, Hokkaido, is a historic hot spring resort dating back to the Edo period. Hot spring facilities scattered throughout the abundant rural landscape of Turbid River Caldera (Turbid River Basin) each have different spring qualities, and are known as a precious hot spring village where visitors can enjoy source water in its natural state. This article provides detailed explanations of information you should know before visiting Turbid River Hot Spring, including its history, spring quality, access methods, and accommodation facilities.
History and Origin of Turbid River Hot Spring
Medicinal Hot Spring Retreat from the Edo Period
The discovery of Turbid River Hot Spring dates back to the Edo period. Records show that it was already operating as a medicinal hot spring retreat by Bunka 4 (1807), making it a hot spring resort with over 200 years of history. A Yakushi Nyorai statue donated in Kansei 10 (1798) still exists today, suggesting that the hot spring has long been cherished by people as a target of hot spring faith.
Origins of Motoyu Shinsen-kan
In the Meiji period, it came to be called the “Original Hot Spring,” and was subsequently named “Shinsen-kan,” continuing to the present day. This Motoyu Shinsen-kan has served as the central presence of Turbid River Hot Spring, carving out a long history. Buildings constructed during the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa periods are connected in some facilities, creating an unusually rustic atmosphere rarely seen in Hokkaido.
Coexistence with Geothermal Power Generation
A notable aspect of Turbid River Hot Spring’s history is that Hokkaido’s first geothermal power plant was established here. Hot spring heat is utilized in vinyl greenhouses and is put to use in vegetable cultivation and other purposes, achieving unique development where hot springs and regional industries coexist. Through this utilization of geothermal energy, the Turbid River Basin has developed as a fertile agricultural region, forming a landscape where hot springs and agriculture are in harmony.
Geography and Landscape of Turbid River Hot Spring
Formation of Turbid River Caldera (Turbid River Basin)
Turbid River Hot Spring is located within the Turbid River Caldera formed by volcanic eruptions. Moving upstream along the Turbid River in the northwest of Mori Town, a deep forested valley suddenly opens up to reveal abundant rural landscape. This dramatic change in scenery is one of the major attractions of Turbid River Hot Spring that captivates visitors.
Tranquil Rural Landscape
Unusually for a hot spring resort, the Turbid River Basin has hot spring facilities scattered throughout a tranquil agricultural area. Hot spring inns standing solitary in a landscape surrounded by rice paddies evoke the sentiment of the Tohoku region. Vegetable cultivation in vinyl greenhouses utilizing geothermal heat is thriving, creating a unique landscape where hot springs and agriculture coexist.
Gorge Beauty and Natural Environment
The gorge upstream of Turbid River boasts beautiful natural scenery, allowing visitors to enjoy hot springs in a quiet environment. The environment surrounded by deep forests provides the quietness optimal for recuperation and recuperative stays, making it an ideal hot spring resort for those who wish to relax away from the hustle and bustle of urban areas.
Spring Quality and Effects of Turbid River Hot Spring
Five Different Types of Spring Quality
The greatest feature of Turbid River Hot Spring is that despite being a small hot spring resort, there are five different types of source springs. Each hot spring facility has its own unique spring quality, allowing visitors to enjoy hot spring hopping. All facilities feature source water in its natural state, making it a major attraction to savor fresh hot springs.
Main Types of Spring Quality
The main spring qualities found at Turbid River Hot Spring include the following:
Bicarbonate Spring
Known as a “beautiful skin hot spring” that smooths the skin, it is popular with women because the skin becomes smooth after bathing. It has the effect of removing old keratin and is characterized by a refreshing bathing sensation.
Sulfur Spring
Characterized by a distinctive sulfur aroma, it is said to be effective for skin diseases and chronic gynecological ailments. Many sulfur springs are cloudy white in color, allowing visitors to enjoy the atmosphere characteristic of hot springs.
Chloride Spring
Characterized by high heat retention effects, preventing the body from cooling quickly after bathing. As salt adheres to the skin and prevents perspiration evaporation, the body remains warm and comfortable even after leaving the bath.
Benefits of Hot Spring Waters
The various spring qualities at Turbid River Hot Spring are expected to provide the following benefits:
- Neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain
- Chronic digestive diseases, cold sensitivity
- Fatigue recovery, health improvement
- Skin diseases, cuts, burns
- Chronic gynecological diseases, arteriosclerosis
Since benefits differ depending on spring quality, visiting multiple facilities to find hot springs suited to your needs is also recommended.
Accommodation and Hot Spring Facilities at Turbid River Hot Spring
Overview of Hot Spring Facilities
Turbid River Hot Spring has four hot spring facilities, including day-use bathing-only establishments. Though small in scale, each is an individual hot spring inn brimming with atmosphere and charm, each possessing different appeals.
Motoyu Shinsen-kan
Motoyu Shinsen-kan, the central presence of Turbid River Hot Spring, is a hot spring inn with a long history. While maintaining the traditional atmosphere continuing from the Meiji period, it provides high-quality source water hot springs in their natural state. A historic Yakushi Nyorai statue is enshrined here, allowing visitors to feel the history of hot spring faith.
Shin’ei-kan
Standing solitary in the tranquil rural landscape surrounded by rice paddies, Shin’ei-kan is a narrow inn with buildings from the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa periods connected together. Its intensely rustic atmosphere evokes the sentiment of the Tohoku region, making it popular with hot spring enthusiasts as a rare rustic-style hot spring in Hokkaido. The inn’s appeal lies in its retro architecture and unique spring quality.
Other Hot Spring Facilities
Turbid River Hot Spring village has other distinctive hot spring facilities, each providing different spring qualities and atmospheres. Since day-use bathing is possible at many facilities, visitors can enjoy hot spring hopping with ease.
Characteristics of Accommodation Facilities
Accommodation facilities at Turbid River Hot Spring center around small-scale, homey-atmosphere hot spring inns rather than large hotels. They have the following characteristics:
- All facilities feature source water in its natural state
- Different spring qualities at each facility
- Small-scale, intimate atmosphere
- Historic architecture
- Ideal for medicinal hot spring retreats and recuperative stays in a quiet environment
Access Methods
Access by Public Transportation
Using JR Hakodate Main Line
- Nearest station: JR Mori Station
- By bus from Mori Station: Approximately 30 minutes via Hakodatе Bus “Mori-Turbid River Hot Spring (Mitairi Entrance)” line
- By taxi from Mori Station: Approximately 20 minutes
The typical route is to travel from Hakodatе Station via JR Hakodate Main Line to Mori Station (approximately 1 hour), then proceed to Turbid River Hot Spring by bus or taxi. Since the number of buses is limited, it is recommended to check the schedule in advance.
Access by Automobile
Major Roads
- Using Hokkaido Route 778 Turbid River Hot Spring Line
- Branching from National Route 5 for access
Travel Time from Major Cities
- From Hakodate City: Approximately 1 hour
- From Sapporo City: Approximately 3 hours 30 minutes
- From New Chitose Airport: Approximately 3 hours
When accessing by automobile, proceed from National Route 5 to Hokkaido Route 778 toward Turbid River Hot Spring. It is advisable to enter “Hokkaido Shibuya District Mori Town Turbid River” or the name of each facility into navigation systems.
Notes on Access
- Winter requires caution regarding snow accumulation and icing
- Bus service is limited, so schedule confirmation is essential
- When using taxis, it is reassuring to consider return reservations
- Since hot spring facilities are dispersed, clearly determining your destination beforehand is important
Tourist Attractions Around Turbid River Hot Spring
Tourist Attractions in Mori Town
Mori Town, home to Turbid River Hot Spring, has attractions other than hot springs.
Oniushi Park
Known as a famous cherry blossom viewing spot, visitors can enjoy beautiful cherry blossom rows in spring. Walking trails are maintained throughout the park, making it ideal for strolls.
Aoba-ga-oka Park
From the observation platform, visitors can overlook Komagadake and Ura-Ura Bay, making it a popular scenic spot.
Nearby Hot Spring Resorts
Yakumo Hot Spring
Located approximately 30 minutes by car from Turbid River Hot Spring, Yakumo Hot Spring is also a hot spring resort where visitors can enjoy different spring qualities. Accommodation facilities such as Yakumo Onsen Hotel Yuraku-tei and Yakumo Hot Spring Oboko-so are well-equipped.
Gourmet and Local Products
Mori Town is famous as the birthplace of “ika-meshi” (squid rice), which is also popular as a station bento. Additionally, fresh vegetables cultivated using geothermal heat are known as local specialties. Vegetables cultivated in vinyl greenhouses around Turbid River Hot Spring are grown using unique cultivation methods that benefit from hot spring heat.
How to Enjoy Turbid River Hot Spring
Hot Spring Hopping (Yumeqri)
The greatest way to enjoy Turbid River Hot Spring is to visit multiple hot spring facilities with different spring qualities, “hot spring hopping.” Since all four facilities feature source water in its natural state and each has different spring qualities, visitors can experience multiple hot springs in a single day.
Recommended Route
- Visit 1-2 hot springs in the morning
- Take a lunch break and visit 1-2 more in the afternoon
- Enjoy comparing the different spring qualities of each hot spring
- Confirm in advance which facilities accept day-use bathing
Medicinal Hot Spring Retreats and Extended Stays
Turbid River Hot Spring offers a quiet environment well-suited for recuperation and therapeutic stays. Extended stays to enjoy medicinal hot spring therapy are also recommended. Since many facilities are small-scale hot spring inns, some are flexible in accommodating inquiries about extended stays.
Nature Walks
Enjoying walks through the rural landscape and gorge beauty of the Turbid River Basin is also recommended. Walking through the tranquil agricultural area during breaks between hot spring bathing, or enjoying the natural scenery along the gorge, allows for refreshment of both body and spirit.
Seasonal Attractions
Spring
As snow melts, the agricultural region turns green, creating a beautiful season of fresh greenery.
Summer
The gorge surrounded by lush green and vinyl greenhouses where geothermal-cultivated vegetables grow are striking impressions.
Autumn
Beautiful autumn foliage appears, with forests along the gorge turning color. During harvest season, visitors can also enjoy fresh local vegetables.
Winter
The quiet hot spring resort covered in snow is an ideal season for enjoying medicinal hot spring therapy. Snow-viewing baths are also aesthetically charming.
Precautions and Advice When Visiting Turbid River Hot Spring
Regarding Accommodation Reservations
Since accommodation facilities at Turbid River Hot Spring are small-scale, especially on weekends and holidays, early reservations are necessary. Many facilities center on telephone reservations, so in addition to internet reservations, it is recommended to contact facilities directly by phone.
Using Day-Use Bathing
Some facilities accept day-use bathing; however, operating hours and reception times may be limited. Confirming in advance with each facility before visiting is reassuring. Note that there may also be cleaning times and periods when accommodating overnight guests takes priority.
Items to Bring and Preparations
- Bring towels yourself (some facilities also sell them)
- Winter requires thorough cold-weather preparations
- Prepare multiple changes of clothes if hot spring hopping
- Prepare cash (some facilities do not accept credit cards)
Manners and Consideration
Since many hot spring inns have small-scale and homey atmospheres, observe the following etiquette:
- Maintain a quiet environment
- Show consideration for other guests
- Treat source water in its natural state with care
- Handle the historically significant buildings of the facilities with respect
Summary of Turbid River Hot Spring’s Charms
Turbid River Hot Spring is a hot spring resort with unique history and individuality among those in Hokkaido. It possesses unparalleled attractions including over 200 years of history continuing from the Edo period, five different types of spring quality, the luxurious environment where all facilities feature source water in its natural state, and a rural landscape coexisting with geothermal power generation.
Unlike large-scale hot spring resorts, Turbid River Hot Spring, with its small-scale, atmosphere-rich hot spring inns scattered throughout, is ideal for those wishing to enjoy medicinal hot spring therapy leisurely, those seeking authentic hot springs, and those wanting to heal their mind and body in a quiet environment.
With relatively good access from Hakodatè and Sapporo, it is a hot spring resort well worth visiting during a Hokkaido trip. Why not spend luxurious time at Turbid River Hot Spring, hopping between hot springs with different spring qualities while enjoying the tranquil rural landscape and beautiful gorge scenery?
Check official information from Mori Town Tourism Association and each hot spring facility to find the way to enjoy Turbid River Hot Spring that suits you. The calm atmosphere unique to a historic hot spring resort and high-quality source water in its natural state will surely welcome visitors warmly.
