Shikishima Jozankei Bettei 美味しい宿 敷島定山渓別邸 敷島定山溪別邸

Bishoku-no-Yado Shikishima Jozankei Bettei is an intimate 10-room hideaway located along the ravine of Jozankei Onsen, Sapporo’s long-loved hot spring retreat. Situated at 3-434 Jozankei Onsen Nishi, Minami-ku, the inn overlooks the clear Toyohira River below and is surrounded by mountains and greenery, offering a quiet, restorative atmosphere. It is about 45–60 minutes by car from central Sapporo and roughly 90 minutes from New Chitose Airport via expressway. Public transportation is also convenient: take a Jozankei-bound bus from JR Sapporo Station and get off at “Jozankei Ohashi,” then walk about five minutes.

With only 10 guest rooms, the inn offers six room types—four facing the ravine and two facing the mountains. Options include a 47 m² Deluxe Japanese-Western Room (ravine side), standard Japanese rooms, Western-style twins, mountain-side doubles, mountain-side Japanese-Western rooms, and a special standalone suite. Interiors favor tranquility over extravagance, with soft lighting, subdued tones, and simple furnishings designed for quiet, unhurried relaxation. All rooms are equipped with TVs, refrigerators, kettles, tea sets, free Wi-Fi, bidet toilets, humidifiers, safes, and a full range of amenities, including toiletries, towels, yukata, and slippers.

Dining is the signature feature of the inn. Dinner is a Japanese-Western fusion kaiseki course showcasing seasonal ingredients carefully selected by the head chef—Hokkaido seafood, vegetables, and meats are central to the menu. Courses typically follow a sequence of appetizers, soup, sashimi, fish, meat, rice dish, and dessert, with dishes that emphasize honest flavor rather than flashy presentation. A well-curated selection of Japanese sake, Hokkaido wines, and other wines pairs naturally with the meal, and enjoying the course with wine by the glass is encouraged.

Breakfast is a beautifully arranged Japanese set meal served individually rather than buffet-style. It typically includes grilled fish, egg dishes, small side plates, simmered items, salad, pickles, rice, and miso soup. Reviews frequently praise the generous number of dishes and the care taken in preparation and presentation. Both dinner and breakfast are served in the restaurant; dinner seating begins at 18:00 or 18:30, and breakfast seating at 7:30 or 8:00.

The inn’s hot spring is a key attraction, offering true kakenagashi (free-flowing) onsen. The indoor-outdoor “Iwa-buro” rock bath uses Jozankei’s sodium-chloride spring water without recirculation. The open-air bath sits close to the ravine, allowing guests to soak while listening to the sound of the river. The abundant, constantly renewed water provides a gentle feel and deep warmth that lingers long after bathing—ideal for those who enjoy extended soaks.

As a small inn, facilities are intentionally minimal. A restaurant, lounge, vending machines, and a free parking lot for about ten cars form the core amenities. There is no pool or game area, preserving the quiet, retreat-like atmosphere. The environment is suited for reading, gazing at the ravine, or relaxing between the room and lounge. Wi-Fi is available throughout, check-in begins at 15:00, and check-out is at 11:00, allowing for a leisurely morning.

For access, guests traveling by car can reach the inn via Route 230, approaching the western side of the hot spring district. By bus, it is a short walk from the “Jozankei Ohashi” stop on the route departing from JR Sapporo Station. The on-site parking area seldom fills up. The inn is slightly removed from the center of the onsen town, and nearby walking paths and footbaths are within easy reach.

Overall, Bishoku-no-Yado Shikishima Jozankei Bettei is not a multifunctional large resort but a quiet, 10-room retreat designed for guests who want to savor exceptional cuisine and natural, free-flowing hot springs. With ravine-view rooms, a calm dining space overlooking the river, creative kaiseki meals, and a modest yet atmospheric rock bath, it is particularly well-suited for couples, pairs of friends, solo travelers seeking tranquility, and anyone wishing to slow down and enjoy Jozankei at a relaxed pace.