Nukumorino-Yado Furukawa Jozankei Ryokan Review 2026: Authentic Sapporo Onsen Stay

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Jozankei is hands-down the most accessible onsen town from Sapporo. Just about an hour's bus ride, or roughly 25 miles, it’s super easy to get to, even without a car. Tucked away amidst valleys and mountains, it offers a completely different vibe than the bustling city of Sapporo.

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When people think of Sapporo onsen, they often picture snowy winter landscapes. But let me tell you, Jozankei in the summer is a lush, vibrant paradise, bursting with green foliage! While you could definitely do a day trip, the real magic of an onsen village is spending a night, soaking in the hot springs at your leisure. That's why for our Sapporo onsen getaway, we chose to book a stay at Nukumorino-Yado Furukawa in Jozankei.

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1. Why We Chose Furukawa in Jozankei

Jozankei has many large, modern ryokans. You'll find big hotel-style ryokans, popular with families, and even some places with water park facilities.

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Personally, I prefer my ryokan experience to be quiet and traditional, embracing that unique Japanese ambiance, even if the facilities aren't brand new. That's precisely why I booked Furukawa for our Sapporo onsen accommodation.

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Indeed, the facilities had a slightly aged feel, but I was captivated by the old wooden interiors, the serene atmosphere, and the charming analog details throughout the property.

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2. How to Get to Jozankei from Sapporo

We traveled from Sapporo Station using the Kappa Liner bus.

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Most ryokans in Jozankei offer free shuttle buses to and from Sapporo Station, but they usually operate around check-in times. We wanted to arrive a bit earlier to enjoy lunch and explore the Jozankei onsen town, so the Kappa Liner was the perfect choice.

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Nukumorino-Yado Furukawa is conveniently located right in front of the 4th stop, “Jozankei Yunomachi” station. This made getting from the bus to the ryokan incredibly easy. We arrived a little before check-in, but luckily our room was ready, so we were able to check in earlier than expected.

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3. Furukawa Guest Room Experience

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From the moment we stepped through the entrance, Nukumorino-Yado Furukawa exuded the authentic ambiance of a traditional Japanese ryokan.

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The folk-house style wooden interior was striking, and the lobby even featured an *irori* (traditional Japanese hearth). Tea was served here, making it a lovely spot to sit and relax with a warm cup. The lobby space felt classic, and the lounge was also beautifully designed.

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For our Sapporo onsen stay at Furukawa, we booked a standard tatami room, suitable for three people.

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Upon opening the door, we were greeted by the subtle, comforting scent of tatami. Although we knew the building had some age, the room felt remarkably clean and well-maintained. The room itself wasn't huge, but its cozy atmosphere perfectly complemented the ryokan's traditional charm.

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The serene view of Jozankei outside the window was wonderful, creating the perfect setting to relax with a cup of tea.

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Inside the room, traditional Japanese sweets were provided, and the bathroom and vanity area were immaculately clean overall. While it's not a cutting-edge luxury hotel, if you appreciate the unique aesthetics of a traditional ryokan, you'll likely be very satisfied with this room.

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Of course, the most important part of any ryokan stay is the onsen! Furukawa's public baths are split between the first and second floors, with separate areas for men and women. The male and female baths rotate daily. So, if the women's bath was on the first floor when you checked in, it will switch to the second floor the next day. For this reason, I highly recommend trying both baths – once after check-in and again before check-out. They have a subtly different ambiance worth experiencing.

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The Sapporo onsen accommodation, Furukawa, also offers private baths that can be reserved. If you're not comfortable using the public bath or simply want to enjoy a quiet soak, this is a great option. The price is 3,300 JPY (approximately ~$22). The time slots before and after dinner are very popular, so if you want to use a private bath at your preferred time, it's best to book it when you check in.

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Furukawa is also renowned for its excellent *kaiseki* (traditional multi-course dinner). After experiencing it firsthand, I completely understood why it receives such high praise.

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They truly use Hokkaido's seasonal ingredients generously, and we were served a wide variety of dishes, all of which were incredibly satisfying.

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What made the dining experience even better was that the meal was served in individual private rooms, allowing for a truly intimate and personal experience.

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Breakfast is served buffet style. The selection leaned heavily towards Japanese cuisine, so if you enjoy a traditional Japanese home-style breakfast, you'll be in for a treat! There were quite a few dishes you wouldn't typically find at a standard hotel breakfast, and overall, it felt very wholesome and healthy. It would be a particularly great option for a Sapporo onsen trip with parents or older family members.

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4. Accommodation Price Range & Booking Tips

Ryokan prices can vary significantly depending on the room type, whether it includes a private open-air bath, and if kaiseki dinner is part of the package.

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Based on our experience, a standard tatami room at Nukumorino-Yado Furukawa, including dinner and breakfast for two people, cost around ~$385 per night. This places it in the mid-range for Jozankei ryokans.

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As of May 2026, here are some July prices we found for reference:

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Rakuten: ~$391

Agoda: ~$427

Trip.com: ~$408

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Personally, when booking ryokans in Japan, I often prefer using Rakuten. As a Japanese-operated site, Rakuten typically has a broader selection of rooms, and for some ryokans, it even allows you to choose your *kaiseki* menu in advance.

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However, it's always a good idea to check all the major booking sites before finalizing your reservation. If you want to compare prices across multiple platforms at once, check the link below!

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Compare Prices on HotelsCombined

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Nukumorino-Yado Furukawa would be a perfect fit for travelers who:

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✅ Love a quiet, traditional Japanese ryokan atmosphere

✅ Are planning a Sapporo onsen trip with their parents or older family members

✅ Are looking for a reasonable, mid-range ryokan rather than a high-end luxury option

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If you're envisioning a modern spa ryokan for your Sapporo onsen stay, places like Morino-Uta or the Jozankei View Hotel with its water park facilities might be more your style. But if you appreciate the unique old-world charm and meticulous, analog service of a traditional Japanese ryokan, Nukumorino-Yado Furukawa will likely leave you very satisfied.

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With its excellent onsen, exquisite kaiseki, and the tranquil ambiance of Jozankei onsen town, this ryokan is definitely worth considering for your next Sapporo onsen accommodation.

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📍 Nukumorino-Yado Furukawa
4-chōme-353 Jōzankeionsennishi, Minami Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 061-2303 Japan

📍 Jozankei
Jozankei, Minami Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 061-2301 Japan

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#Japan #JapanTravel #Sapporo #SapporoTravel #SapporoOnsenAccommodation #JozankeiRyokan #SapporoOnsenRyokan #NukumorinoYadoFurukawa

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