Discover Onneyu Onsen in eastern Hokkaido, with hot springs, Ezo red foxes, freshwater giants and quiet rural landscapes.

A fox pauses beside a tree. Fish hold their place beneath a rushing waterfall. Later, you settle into an outdoor bath, with warm water around you and cool Hokkaido air on your face.

In Onneyu Onsen, in the inland part of Kitami in eastern Hokkaido, these experiences fit into a single, unhurried stay. If you are planning a journey through the island’s eastern landscapes, make room for a night here. There is time to explore, enjoy dinner and soak, then wake up ready for the next part of your trip.

See the everyday landscapes of rural Hokkaido

Around Onneyu, fields meet wooded hills, and the landscape changes with the season. A tractor moving across a field or autumn colour on a hillside can be as memorable as a planned sightseeing stop. These are working landscapes, shaped by the people who live here.

Leave some space in your day to notice them. Take photographs from permitted places, without entering fields or interrupting farm work. Back in the hot-spring town, a quiet moment beside the river can be a lovely part of the visit when conditions allow.

Give your journey east a night in Onneyu

Onneyu is a useful overnight stop when your route takes you from Asahikawa and Sounkyo towards Kitami and Abashiri along National Route 39. The journey crosses the Sekihoku Pass before reaching Onneyu on the eastern side of the mountains. Staying here gives you an afternoon to discover the town and an evening to rest before travelling onwards.

See access information for Oe Honke (Japanese)

Discover freshwater giants at the Northern Land Aquarium

The Northern Land Aquarium, known in Japanese as Kita no Daichi no Suizokukan, brings Hokkaido’s freshwater world into view. Its large itou, also called Sakhalin taimen, include fish around a metre long. Stand in front of the tank for a while and watch their slow, powerful movements; their size is much easier to appreciate in person.

The waterfall-basin tank lets you look upwards into the current, watching fish swim beneath tumbling water. The Four Seasons tank offers another perspective: in the coldest part of winter, its surface can freeze, revealing how fish live beneath the ice. The conditions you see depend on the season and weather.

This is a rewarding stop for curious adults as well as families. Allow time at each tank to watch how the fish move. The aquarium is next to the Onneyu roadside station, so it also fits naturally into a day of exploring the area.

Check aquarium opening times, closure dates and tickets (Japanese)

Watch Ezo red foxes at Kitakitsune Farm

With their pointed ears and full tails, Ezo red foxes are one of Hokkaido’s most recognisable animals. At Kitakitsune Farm, nearby in Onneyu, foxes move around within the grounds while visitors observe them from the paths. You might see one grooming, resting in the sun or wandering past at its own pace.

The experience here is observing animals in a visitor facility. Follow the farm’s instructions, remain on the permitted paths and let the animals choose their distance. Bring no food into the grounds and avoid trying to touch or lure the foxes. If you see a fox elsewhere on your trip, enjoy watching from a distance without approaching or feeding it.

Plan your visit to Kitakitsune Farm (English information on the page)

Choose autumn colour or winter warmth

Autumn in the fields and forests

Autumn brings colour to the wooded hills and riverbanks around the region. The photograph below shows the river in the Takino-yu area, around the former Sozo-no-Mori site. It captures a quieter pleasure of travelling here: noticing the trees and moving water. Foliage timing varies by location and year, so ask about current conditions and accessible viewing places when planning an outing.

Winter days with a warm place to return to

In winter, the contrast between cold air and a warm outdoor bath becomes part of the pleasure of staying in Onneyu. A visit to the aquarium and fox farm can give the day a gentle rhythm, followed by an evening at the inn. Snow cover and the aquarium’s ice conditions vary, so keep the itinerary flexible and check opening information before setting out.

Settle into a hot-spring stay at Oe Honke

Staying overnight leaves room for dinner and a relaxed morning, too. Our cooking draws on ingredients from the Okhotsk and Kitami area, with menus that change. Choose a stay plan that includes the meals you would like, then let the evening unfold without another drive ahead of you.

Explore our hot-spring baths (Japanese)

A simple way to spend one night

1. Day 1 · Explore, then unwind

   Arrive in the early afternoon and visit the aquarium or fox farm, depending on your interests and the time available. If opening hours allow, you can visit both; otherwise, leave the second for the following morning. Head to Oe Honke with time to settle in, bathe and enjoy dinner if it is included in your plan.

2. Day 2 · Begin at your own pace

   The next morning, enjoy breakfast if included and, when conditions are suitable, a short walk before continuing your journey. You can also make your remaining local visit before leaving the area. Confirm check-in, meal and check-out times for your booking, and plan attraction visits around their current opening hours.

Plan a comfortable visit

Getting around

A car makes it easier to combine Onneyu with the surrounding countryside. The aquarium’s official access information also lists a bus journey of about 20 minutes from JR Rubeshibe Station to the Onneyu roadside station. If you are travelling without a car, check the current train and bus connections and the final approach to your accommodation before booking.

Your first onsen visit

Onsen are Japanese hot-spring baths, where bathing is generally enjoyed without swimwear. In shared bathing areas, wash and rinse before entering the bath, keep towels out of the water and follow the posted guidance. If you would prefer more privacy, Oe Honke offers a private family bath for overnight guests, with advance reservation and an additional charge; ask about availability.

Travelling in the colder months

Allow extra time for snow and ice, including on mountain routes, and check weather and road information before each journey. Choose transport that suits your experience of winter conditions. Warm layers and footwear with good grip will help you enjoy time outdoors.

Read Hokkaido’s winter driving guidance (English)

Find official resources for driving around Hokkaido