Jozankei Daiichi Hotel Suizantei — the most-reviewed onsen ryokan in Jozankei, and the reviews speak for themselves
Here's a fact worth knowing — if you search "onsen near Sapporo" and want a place where guests return with nothing but praise, Suizantei is the name that keeps coming up. A score of 9.1 from 1,892+ reviews on Booking, plus 970+ on Trip.com, adds up to over 2,800 verified voices. This riverside ryokan on the Toyohira River offers nine types of onsen bath under one roof and an all-you-can-eat Hokkaido Seafood and Wagyu buffet — both included in the room rate — starting at ¥22,000 for two people.
Jozankei is a hot-spring resort just 70 minutes from central Sapporo by Jotetsu Bus — close enough for a day trip, but one night at Suizantei will make you glad you stayed. The ryokan sits on the banks of the Toyohira River, surrounded by woodland that, in winter, fills with snow-laden trees. Rooms on the fifth floor and above facing the river look straight out onto the water and forest — no buildings in the way, just the landscape of Hokkaido doing its thing.
"Guests who've been here say the same thing: the onsen variety is unmatched in the area — you could soak for hours and still not try everything — and the Hokkaido crab and Wagyu buffet is outstanding value at this price."
What makes Suizantei the most-reviewed ryokan in Jozankei is easy to understand once you look at the onsen. Nine types of bath under one roof: three outdoor rotenburo, two indoor baths, a sauna, a mist bath, a cold plunge, and a private family bath. Working through all of them takes a good two to three hours — and for anyone who has never tried an outdoor rotenburo in a Hokkaido winter, this is an experience that is very hard to replicate elsewhere.
The other headline is the Hokkaido Seafood Buffet, which is included in the room rate (dinner plus breakfast for two). The dinner spread covers snow crab, fresh sashimi, Wagyu BBQ, and Hokkaido cheese — all unlimited. Ask whether this represents value and the answer most guests give is: ¥22,000 for two people, covering two meals, unlimited onsen, and a river-view room, is a figure that is genuinely hard to beat anywhere in Hokkaido.
On the rooms — Suizantei has 297 rooms in total, including riverside options and family rooms sleeping four to six people, which makes it a solid choice for families or groups wanting an onsen trip together. Getting here is easier than it might appear, because the ryokan offers a free shuttle pickup from Sapporo Station (for direct bookings), departing at 14:00 and 15:30. No hunting for the right bus stop.
To be straight about the trade-offs worth knowing before you book — Suizantei is a large property with 297 rooms, which means during Japanese public holidays the onsen baths can get busy and the public bathing areas are shared, not private. The food is a buffet, not kaiseki — the quality and variety are genuinely good, but if a formal multi-course kaiseki dinner is what you're after, you'll want a different ryokan.
Put simply, Suizantei is the strongest all-round choice for travellers who want maximum onsen variety, good Hokkaido food, and a no-fuss transfer from Sapporo — all at a price that holds up to scrutiny. It suits families, big eaters, and first-timers in Jozankei who want to try everything in one place.
One practical note from guests who have made the trip: request a riverside room on the fifth floor or above when you book, since river-view rooms are limited and popular. For the free shuttle from Sapporo Station, departures are at 14:00 and 15:30 only — build that into your itinerary and there's nothing to worry about.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ 9 types of onsen bath under one roof — the most varied in Jozankei
- ✓ Unlimited Hokkaido seafood and Wagyu BBQ buffet included in the rate
- ✓ Free shuttle pickup from Sapporo Station (direct bookings)
- ✓ Riverside rooms with views of the Toyohira River and snowy forest
- ! Large property at 297 rooms — public holidays can get crowded
- ! Shuttle runs at 14:00 and 15:30 only — requires planning ahead
- ! Buffet-style dining, not kaiseki — great variety but not fine-dining format
- ✓ Outdoor rotenburo with river views — an authentic Hokkaido onsen experience
- ✓ Family rooms for four to six guests — ideal for group trips
- ✓ Most-reviewed ryokan in Jozankei with 2,800+ reviews — high confidence
- ✓ Set in Minami-ku Sapporo among Hokkaido's natural scenery
- ! Public shared onsen — no private bath per room as standard
- ! 70-minute bus journey from Sapporo — less convenient without a free shuttle
- ! Check-in timing must align with the shuttle schedule — less flexible than a city hotel
- 💡If you want a private onsen — the main baths here are communal → book a room with a private family bath, or choose a smaller ryokan that includes private bathing per room.
- 💡If you want a kaiseki dinner — the buffet here is generous but is not a formal kaiseki course → look for a ryokan that specifically lists kaiseki dinner in the package.
- 💡If you're visiting during Golden Week or a Japanese public holiday — 297 rooms means the onsen gets busy → book well in advance and specify a riverside room on the upper floors from the start.