Day Trips from SapporoKarurusu Onsen Day Bath at Yumoto Orofure-so, near Noboribetsu
By Chaporo, a Sapporo local Published 
Quick answers
- 100% source-flowing water; even the showers run on hot spring water
- Five indoor baths for men and four for women, from 39°C to 44°C, plus an outdoor bath
- Day bathing 12:00–20:00 for 600 yen; free rest room 11:00–16:00
- No towels to rent: bring your own; parking for 26 cars
Yumoto Orofure-so is an inn in Karurusu Onsen, a quiet spa village in the mountains above Noboribetsu Onsen, long known for toji: staying several days to soak for your health. Day visitors are welcome.
The baths
The water is 100% source-flowing, clear and light; even the showers run on hot spring water, and the smell of the spring fills the bathroom as you walk in. There are five indoor baths on the men's side and four on the women's, at different temperatures, lukewarm (39–41°C), warm (41–42°C) and hot (43–44°C), so you can pick the one you like; the outdoor bath is warm and switches between men and women at set times. There is no sauna. The inn does not say whether tattoos are allowed, so ask at reception.
The inn is surrounded by mountains, and from the free rest room you can see the trees and hear the river.
What is Karurusu Onsen?
Most place names in Hokkaido come from Ainu, but Karurusu comes from Karlovy Vary (Karlsbad) in the Czech Republic: the water was thought to be similar. It was found in 1886 by Hino Aiki, who was surveying land for soldier-settlers, and the first bathhouse opened in 1899 on the site of today's Orofure-so, still run by his family. The water is a simple spring, clear, almost odorless and gentle on the skin.
Price, hours and parking
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | 600 yen adults, 300 yen elementary school children, free for preschoolers |
| Hours | 12:00–20:00 (the baths are cleaned from 9:00 to noon) |
| Rest room | Free, 11:00–16:00 |
| Towels | None to rent (hand towels for sale at 150 yen): bring your own |
| Parking | Free, 26 cars |
See the official site (in Japanese) for details.
How to get there
From Sapporo: about two hours including a break, on the Do-o Expressway to Noboribetsu-higashi IC. Tarumae SA has a good viewpoint.
From New Chitose Airport: a little over an hour. From Noboribetsu-higashi IC, follow the signs for Noboribetsu Onsen and fork left before the fire station onto Prefectural Road 2; Karurusu is about 20 minutes from the IC, in the mountains above Noboribetsu Onsen.
Near Karurusu Onsen
Noboribetsu Day Trip from Sapporo by Car: Hell Valley, Onsen and Where to ParkA local's day trip from Sapporo to Noboribetsu by car: Hell Valley, Oyunuma, the bear park and a day bath at Takimotokan, with tolls, parking and winter driving tips.
Noboribetsu Hell Valley (Jigokudani): The Walk, Oyunuma and ParkingA local's guide to Noboribetsu Hell Valley, the steaming crater above the hot spring town: the walk, Oyunuma pond, accessibility, parking and how to get there from Sapporo or New Chitose Airport.
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 Yumoto Orofure-so
Q1. How much is the day bath?
600 yen for adults.
Q2. Can I rent a towel?
No; bring your own, or buy a hand towel for 150 yen.
Q3. Where is Karurusu Onsen?
In the mountains above Noboribetsu Onsen, on the road toward the Orofure Pass.