What makes this facility different from traditional Japanese onsen?

Garden Spa Tokachigawa Onsen requires swimwear for mixed-gender bathing, unlike traditional nude-only onsen. Swimsuits, towels, and shower amenities are included in the admission fee. Photography is permitted, which is unusual for Japanese hot springs.

What bathing facilities are available?

The facility has four moor hot spring pools - two indoor and two outdoor. There is also an indoor moor mist sauna. All pools contain the amber-brown moor water heated to 55-60 degrees Celsius.

Can visitors with tattoos use the spa facilities?

Tattoos are not allowed at Garden Spa Tokachigawa Onsen. This policy follows traditional Japanese onsen customs where visible tattoos are typically prohibited due to their historical association with organized crime in Japan. Visitors with tattoos should inquire about covering options or consider alternative bathing facilities in the area. The facility maintains this restriction despite its otherwise more relaxed and tourist-friendly approach to mixed bathing and photography.

Road Station Garden Spa Tokachigawa Onsen

Q: How do I get there from Obihiro Station?

Take a bus for approximately 35 minutes to the "Garden Spa Tokachigawa Onsen" stop. By car, the journey takes 20 minutes from Obihiro Station or 25 minutes from Doto Expressway Otofuke Obihiro Interchange.

3.8 (2005)Rest StopSpaPoint Of InterestEstablishment

Road Station Garden Spa Tokachigawa Onsen opened as a roadside station on December 8, 2016 and was reorganized as an official roadside station in July 2020. Located in Otofuke, Kato District, Hokkaido, this complex facility sits at the heart of the famous Tokachigawa Onsen hot spring resort area.

The facility centers around the region's rare moor hot springs, a unique type of botanical spring that has been designated as a Hokkaido Heritage Site in 2004. These springs were first opened in 1900 when the Tokachi Plain was a wetland abundant in peat and sediment. The hot spring water emerges through layers of lignite formed from ancient plant deposits at temperatures of 55-60 degrees Celsius from 500-700 meters underground. The water contains high levels of organic plant matter and humic acid, giving it a distinctive amber-brown color and creating moisturizing effects that have earned it the nickname "beauty bathwater." When moor springs were first recognized globally, only two locations existed: Tokachigawa Onsen and Baden-Baden in Germany.

The spa facility at Garden Spa Tokachigawa Onsen departs from traditional onsen customs by allowing mixed-gender bathing where visitors must wear swimwear. The complex features both indoor and outdoor pools, including a moor mist sauna that uses the spring water. Built on the site of a former hotel, the facility is set within garden surroundings and offers a family-friendly bathing experience. Beyond the spa, the roadside station includes four restaurants serving dishes made with local Tokachi ingredients, a market selling fresh produce and souvenirs, and craft workshops where visitors can create handmade goods or participate in ice cream and cheese-making activities.

From JR Obihiro Station, visitors can reach the facility by bus in approximately 35 minutes, getting off at the "Garden Spa Tokachigawa Onsen" stop. By car, the journey takes 20 minutes from Obihiro Station or approximately 25 minutes from Doto Expressway Otofuke Obihiro Interchange. For those traveling from Sapporo, the drive takes roughly 3 hours 20 minutes. Admission to the spa costs ¥1,500 for ages 13 and over, ¥600 for ages 4-12, and free for children 3 and under. The admission fee includes towels, swimwear, and basic amenities. The facility is closed on the second Tuesday of every month.

What other travelers are saying about Road Station Garden Spa Tokachigawa Onsen

My family and I recently visited Roadside Station Garden Spa Tokachigawa in Otofuke, Hokkaido, and we had a wonderful time. We especially enjoyed the moor onsen, a unique hot spring with mineral-rich water, where we could relax in both indoor and outdoor baths while wearing swimsuits. The spa was perfect for all of us, from kids to adults. We also explored the dining area and the market, sampling local dishes and picking up fresh produce and souvenirs. The hands-on workshops, like ice cream and cheese-making, were a fun experience for the whole family. Easily accessible from Obihiro, Garden Spa Tokachigawa felt like a peaceful retreat where we could enjoy both relaxation and the local Tokachi culture together.

Neil - The Backpack Adventures

Oct 16, 2025

If you’re driving around Hokkaido and need a pit stop, this is certainly better than your typical rest stop. We came on Friday and there was plenty of space and the restrooms were clean. Come for a quick soak…

There are small store for local products, public bath, and bakery, pizza 🍕 and chicken 🐔 restaurants

The onsen is nice but... as someone who lives in Japan, I don’t really like to wear swimwear in the onsen (if it’s mixed, let’s be naked with towels). Also, I don’t want to listen to cheesy music when bathing, I want to listen to the wind and the water.

It is mostly an outdoor onsen that is mixed, although there is an indoor mist sauna and an indoor pool. During the middle of the day, it is rather quiet. While it was not the best onsen I’ve been to, it was not a bad experience.