In the central area of Jozankei, nestled along Road 230, there’s a charming spot known as Jozankei Gensen Park. As you travel down the narrow road toward the bridge, just before reaching it, you’ll encounter this small park on your right-hand side.
You can dip your feet into the natural hot spring water while sitting on a bench. It feels amazing. Jozankei is renowned as one of the most popular hot spring resorts in Hokkaido, located just 60 minutes from Sapporo JR Station. It’s a place where you can relax and unwind, soothing not just your body but also your mind. The hot spring water bubbles out directly from the rocks, offering truly hot and rejuvenating baths. When you visit Jozankei, this experience is not to be missed.
From the bridge, you can see the Toyohira River as it flows through the city of Sapporo, originating from the Houheikyo Dam just 15 minutes away.
During April and May, the Toyohira River is adorned with numerous “Koinobori,” which are carp-shaped cloth streamers. These are traditional decorations used to celebrate the birth of a son. Families raise Koinobori to wish for their son’s health and happiness each year as he grows up. Typically, Koinobori displays consist of three or five carp-shaped streamers and one Fukinagashi, or “Windsock,” which is the largest and usually colored black, followed by a red one, a blue one, and others.
The tradition of Koinobori dates back to the Edo period, when samurai families celebrated the birth of their first sons, who were expected to carry on the family lineage. This custom has persisted through the centuries. However, as boys reach adulthood at 20 years old, the practice of displaying Koinobori tends to fade away. Yet, due to sentimental attachment and the concept of “Mottai nai” (a Japanese term expressing regret over waste), many people gather their unused Koinobori and display them again as part of the eye-catching scenery of Jozankei tourism. If you visit Jozankei Onsen in mid-April, you can witness a series of Koinobori displayed from Jozankei Gensen Park.
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Around Jozankei Gensen Park
- Houheikyo Dam
- Sapporo Jozankei Nature Village
- Houheikyo Hot Spa(豊平峡温泉)
