[Access] About a 10-minute walk from JR Higashi-Asahikawa Station
[Website] Tatsunoyu Onsen
During my stay in Higashikawa Town, I usually take the opportunity to enjoy the nearby hot springs of Asahidake, Tenninkyo, Shirokane, or Tokachidake. However, while chatting with a friend, I wondered if there might be a good onsen a little closer. That’s when they introduced me to Tatsunoyu Onsen, a brown-hued, warming hot spring in Higashi-Asahikawa. Naturally, I had to check it out.
Tatsunoyu Onsen is located right in the middle of town, in a spot where you might not expect a hot spring. At first glance, the building looks like a local budget hotel near a station, which made me skeptical. But surprisingly, despite it being a weekday evening, the parking lot was packed.
Walking into the building, I was greeted by a charmingly retro lobby, where locals were chatting and enjoying the space. I learned that Tatsunoyu Onsen had closed temporarily in March 2024 but reopened just six months later, likely due to the wishes of the community.
The hot spring here is a simple iron cold spring with a distinct brownish color. There are two baths labeled “medium temperature” and “high temperature,” but even the medium-temperature bath is quite hot. The high-temperature bath, on the other hand, is so intense it feels like it could scald your skin, leaving you red as a boiled octopus. Watching a regular patron, seemingly the “master” of the place, leisurely soaking in the high-temperature bath, I decided to give it a try when the spot opened up. The heat was so intense that I genuinely thought I might get burned!
With a total mineral content of 479 mg/kg, it’s not exceptionally dense, but the deep brown color and piping hot water leave a strong impression. This onsen is definitely a memorable experience.
Located near Asahiyama Zoo, with lodging facilities and a steady stream of local patrons, Tatsunoyu Onsen has a lively atmosphere. While I did wish it were less crowded for a more relaxing experience, its proximity to Higashikawa made it a convenient spot to visit during my stay. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I ended up going two days in a row!