Mizunashi Kaihin Onsen, Hakodate City, Hokkaido

Onsen Soaker in lukewarm Mizunashi Kaihin Onsen. (photo: Sep. 2009 courtesy of Hijiribaba-san)

There are many onsens in wild settings in Hokkaido, the northernmost island of four major islands in Japan. The Mizunashi Kaihin Onsen（水無海浜温泉） in east of Hakodate City （函館市） is one of them.

The transparent sodium hot spring is spouting at the sea shore and mixed with sea water in the pool. You have to choose right time to soak just like the Jinata Onsen of Shikinejima in Tokyo, because high tide submerge it under sea.

I visited there a little bit too early after high tide, the temperature of the water was less than 30°C, perfect for swimming but too cold for bathing, felt like soaking myself in a tide pool.


An old couple in swim swuites approaches the onsen. There are some more bath-like pools around there.

There is no restriction on clothing, you can soak in your birthday suites or swim suites as you like. In the mid summer most of the visitors wear swim suites.

◆Mizunashi Kaihin Onsen（水無海浜温泉）

Type: Gender Mixed, open-air bath

Address: Esanmisaki-cho, Hakodate City, Hokkaido （北海道函館市恵山岬町）

Location: 41.811004,141.18467

Available hour: anytime except during high tide and bad weather.

Admission fee: free

Equipment: Changing rooms (gender separated)

Access: No public transportation. You need your own car. It takes about an hour from Hakodate Station.

Link:
Calendar of avaiable hours (The 21st. year in the calendar stands for the year 2009)
Map of the Mizunashi Kaihin Onsen

My rating (out of five): 4 (5 if the temperature was adequate)