Yugokorotei Onsen: Fresh from the Source

As a general rule, the closer to the source the better. This ubiquitous theory applies to several of Niseko’s key attributes – the powder snow that falls after clouds cross the coastline west of Niseko; fresh produce sourced from local farms and seafood from seaports; and even the distance between accommodation and the ski slopes.

Here is an interesting fact that is not widely known: the quality of onsen (hot spring) experience correlates to the distance from its source.

The bath offers “gensen kakenagashi”, which means the spring water is pumped from the onsen well and delivered into the tub without any pre-treatment. There is no temperature adjustment as is often required due to the water being too hot or cool, no recirculation of water, and no chemicals added to the plumbing system.

Plus, the well is situated barely 20m away from the outdoor baths. This short pipe length allows the onsen water to be delivered to bathers without much lag, almost as if the bather is immersing themselves in the source of the onsen water deep underground.

The onsen water at Yugokorotei is frequently referred to as a “skin lotion” – after bathing, the skin retains moisture thanks to the mineral makeup of the water. Yugokorotei recommends bathers don’t shower after bathing so the minerals remain on the skin, creating a layer of moisture, as well as heat, after bathing.

On top of all of this, Yugokorotei’s rotenburo (outdoor bath), surrounded by giant boulders and pillows of powder, is quite simply one of the most delightful outdoor baths in Niseko. The onsen is surrounded by trees with countless stars on a clear night, transforming the daily bathing ritual into a unique, perhaps once-in-a-lifetime experience.