Day Trips from SapporoIwao Onsen Attamaru: A Small Hot Spring Above the Sea of Japan
By Chaporo, a Sapporo local Published 
Quick answers
- A small hot spring on a rise, with the Sea of Japan in view from the baths
- 500 yen; no towels to rent, so bring your own
- 11:00–21:00 (last entry 20:15); closed the third Thursday and from December to March
- Free parking for 42 cars
Iwao Onsen Attamaru is a small hot spring on a rise just off the Ororon Line, south of Mashike. There is only one indoor and one outdoor bath and no sauna, but from both you look out over the Sea of Japan, and at 500 yen it makes a good break on a coastal drive.
The view
The view from the outdoor bath is lovely, and the town sells it as a place to watch the sunset from the bath. The photo below was taken from the rest area, but the angle is almost the same as from the outdoor bath.
Price, hours and what to bring
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | 500 yen adults, 250 yen children (4 to 12) |
| Hours | 11:00–21:00 (last entry 20:15) |
| Closed | The third Thursday of each month (the day before if it is a holiday); closed for winter from December to March |
| Towels | None to rent: bring your own |
| Baths | Separate for men and women |
| Food | The restaurant is closed for now: eat in Mashike |
| Parking | Free, 42 cars |
See the Mashike town page (in Japanese) for details.
How to get there
From Sapporo: about two and a half hours on ordinary roads: north on Routes 5 and 231 to the coast at Ishikari, then up the Ororon Line. Coming from Mashike, it is about 20 minutes south on Route 231; turn left (inland) and climb a short hill.
From New Chitose Airport: about three hours, via Route 337 through Naganuma and Tobetsu to the coast, then north.
Near Iwao Onsen
Ten minutes south, Shirogane Falls runs straight into the sea, and the Cape Ofuyu observatory is nearby.
Ororon Line Day Trip from Sapporo by Car: Rumoi, Mashike and a Sea of Japan SunsetSapporo to Rumoi and back down the coast: a local's day trip on the southern Ororon Line, with Cape Ogon, Mashike's old herring town, sweet shrimp and sake, a sea-view hot spring, Shirogane Falls and a Sea of Japan sunset.
Onsen Near Sapporo: A Local's Guide to Day-Trip Hot SpringsThe best onsen near Sapporo for a day trip, chosen by a local who has bathed at all of them: Jozankei, Lake Shikotsu, Noboribetsu, Shakotan and Lake Toya, with prices, tattoo-friendly and private baths, and shuttle buses.
FAQ about Iwao Onsen Attamaru
Q1. How much is Iwao Onsen?
500 yen for adults.
Q2. Is it open in winter?
No. It is closed from December to March.
Q3. Can I rent a towel?
No. Bring your own.