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.
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…
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
