1. Where is Shiriuchi?
a) Little-known Special Experiences in Shiriuchi
2. How much do you know about hot springs?
b) Definition of a hot spring
c) Four effects of hot springs
d) Drinking onsen water?!
e) 5 Tips for Enjoying Hot Springs
f) Onsen is good for your health
3. Where is Shiriuchi Onsen?
g) The History of Shiriuchi Onsen
h) Effects of Shiriuchi Onsen Hot Spring Water
i) Touji therapy hot-spring cure
j) Sauna
4. Blue Grotto Cruise Tour in Shiriuchi
k) What is the Blue Grotto?
l) Local Story
m) Wild Animals
n) Fantastic Blue World
o) Local cuisine at Murakamiya
Where is Shiriuchi?
Location
The town of Shiriuchi is about an hour’s drive from Hakodate, the third largest city in Hokkaido. It is located in the southwestern part of the Oshima Peninsula at the southern tip of Hokkaido. It is a place of plains and terraces facing the Tsugaru Straits, surrounded on three sides by mountains, and blessed with mountains, rivers, plants, and animals.
The Shiriuchi River flows through the center of the town, and its watershed is farmland, with houses located along the watershed and around the small river that flows into the Tsugaru Straits. The river basin and coastal areas are open plains with fertile farmland.
Industry
Agriculture and fishing are thriving in this town. In particular, Kitanohana chives are a specialty. Shiriuchi is known of the top producer of chives in Hokkaido. The town is also famous for its oysters, which are delicious and caught in the Tsugaru Straits. It is also famous for its rice, a Japanese sake called Mashiro, and wooden furniture, and there is one of the largest smoked salmon factories in Japan.
Ocean
The coast is a sandy beach facing the Tsugaru Straits, and the scenery along the sea is very beautiful. The town is rich in nature, with a varied reef area lined with oddly shaped rocks and monstrous formations as well.
If you take the Shinkansen to Hokkaido from Honshu, the main island of Japan, the first place you will land in Hokkaido is this town of Shiriuchi. There is no passenger station here, but the Hokkaido side of the Seikan Tunnel (under the sea!) beneath the Tsugaru Straits is located here.
History
People began to live here in the late Paleolithic Era, about 14,000 years ago. Raikou Shrine in Shiriuchi boasts the longest history in Hokkaido as a shrine. An ancient document called “Ono Tosa Nikki” in the shrine’s possession states that people came to this area in 1205 to collect gold sand at the order of a shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate, and that gold sand digging began. Since then, gold sand mining in the upper reaches of the Shiriuchi River has flourished. Thus, Shiriuchi has a long history of Japanese people settling in the area from early times.
Population and Origin of the Name
According to the 2022 statistics, Shiriuchi has a population of approximately 4,000 people and 2,000 households. The total area of the town is 196.75㎢, about 80% of which is forest area.
The name of the town comes from the Ainu word “Chiri-Ochi”; “Chiri” means “bird” and “Ochi” means “place to be”. Shiriuchi is famous for its hawks too, and it is said that more than half of the 15 hawks offered by the Matsumae clan to the Tokugawa shoguns for falconry were captured in Shiriuchi.
Little-known Special Experiences in Shiriuchi
How can you enjoy this town as a tourist? It has the oldest hot spring in Hokkaido and the Blue Grotto! This column introduces Shiriuchi Onsen, the oldest hot spring in Hokkaido with approx. 800 years of history. In conjunction with this, we will also introduce hot springs and hot-spring cure stories, which are a part of Japanese culture. And we will also introduce you to the Blue Grotto, which is a very rare natural phenomenon in Japan.
A little-known but very attractive unexplored town! The special local gourmet cuisine of Shiriuchi makes it a very attractive destination for travelers. Why not include it in your Hokkaido itinerary?
How much do you know about hot springs?
In Japanese, hot springs are called “onsen”. In recent years, the “onsen” has become as well-known a part of Japanese culture as sushi.
Onsen (hot springs) can be one of the most enjoyable aspects of traveling in Japan and experiencing Japanese culture. Especially in Hokkaido, where there are many active volcanoes and there are many hot springs throughout the region. Most travelers will enjoy onsen at hotels or ryokans, which are traditional Japanese onsen inns. It will often be part of your travel itinerary. Locals go to public baths which we call “sento” to enjoy hot spring water on a daily basis.
Let’s find out what a hot spring (onsen) is!
Definition of a hot spring
The Onsen Law defines a “hot spring” as water, steam, or other gas (excluding natural gas consisting mainly of hydrocarbons) that gushes out of the ground and contains chemical components in quantities greater than a specified amount, or has a temperature of 25°C or higher. The Mineral Spring Analysis Law defines sanatorium springs, which are classified into four types. In addition, they are classified into 10 types of spring qualities. They are also classified into four types according to the temperature at the outlet of the spring.
Four effects of hot springs
① The effect of buoyancy on body weight
When taking a full-body bath, buoyancy reduces your body weight to about one-tenth of what it used to be. Just by leisurely stretching your body, your legs and back are relieved of their daily burden.
② Natural massage hydrostatic pressure effect
In hot spring water, hydrostatic pressure causes the abdominal circumference to shrink by several centimeters. This massaging effect stimulates blood circulation and relieves tired and swollen feet.
③ Thermal effect that warms the body
The warmth of the hot spring improves blood circulation, stimulates the metabolism, and eliminates waste products.
④ Skin beautifying and moisturizing effects
Hot springs are highly effective in moisturizing the skin. Some springs are effective for acne and sunburn.
Drinking onsen water?!
Drinking onsen water acts directly on the digestive organs and is said to be effective for gastrointestinal diseases, liver diseases, constipation, etc. Hot spring water is effective for stomach tension and excessive stomach acid, while cold spring water is effective for decreased stomach acid and constipation because it stimulates the movement of the stomach. When you are drinking natural spring water, you should carefully check the ingredients and contraindications/indications before trying it in a permitted place.
5 Tips for Enjoying Hot Springs
1. First, let’s start with “kakeyu”.
“Kakeyu” means to pour hot spring water over the body to acclimatize the body to the temperature. Pour about 10 cups over your ankles, knees, hips, wrists, arms and shoulders, in order of distance from your chest, to prevent a rise in blood pressure immediately after taking a bath. It is also important to clean your body thoroughly as a matter of etiquette before entering the bathtub.
2. Half-body bathing to acclimatize the body.
Rather than taking a full-body bath immediately, take a half-body bath first to acclimatize your body. This way, your body will not be subjected to the sudden strain of the water temperature and water pressure. It is effective to wash your body after warming up in the bathtub. This will soften old keratin and open the pores, allowing dirt to float out, making it easier to wash off. A good rule of thumb for bathing is to bathe only to the extent that your forehead and the bridge of your nose are sweaty. Do not take a bath so long that you feel your heart palpitate from the sweat pouring out of your body.
3. Do not rinse with a shower.
Although it depends on the quality of the spring, the medicinal effects of a hot spring will diminish if you take a shower afterwards. Wipe your body only to wipe off the drops of water. However, if you are prone to skin rashes, rinse well.
4. Adequate hydration.
When you enter a hot spring, your body water is depleted due to perspiration. Make sure to replenish your body with water before and after bathing in a hot spring.
5. Take a rest after the onsen bath.
Energy is expended during bathing. Also, blood pressure fluctuates, so take a break for at least 30 minutes until your condition stabilizes.
Onsen is good for your health
There is more to enjoying hot springs than just soaking in the water. Many onsen resorts are located in areas rich in nature. Visiting an onsen resort allows people to relax and release stress by interacting with nature, people, and culture. In addition, the physical effects of bathing and the chemical components of the hot spring water provide a comprehensive stimulus that enhances our natural healing power.
Enjoy a relaxing and effective nature bathing experience by taking a walk in the forest at a hot spring located in a forest or mountainous area, or by taking a walk along the beach at a seaside hot spring.
Next, let’s get to know about Shiriuchi Onsen!
Where is Shiriuchi Onsen?
One hour by car from Hakodate Station. Shiriuchi Onsen is located in the mountains, a 15-minute drive from downtown Chonai.
Shiriuchi Onsen, the oldest hot spring in Hokkaido, is said to have been opened in 1247 and has long been a popular therapeutic hot spring for burns and gastrointestinal diseases. Different types of naturally gushing hot springs here allow visitors to enjoy a wide variety of spring water qualities. The two indoor baths, one for men and one for women, boast massive rock baths. Visitors can enjoy the scenery of the four seasons. Mixed gender open-air baths are another attraction. (This is called “konyoku” bathing in Japanese.) In recent years, a number of barrier-free rooms have been opened. Day-use onsen is also available.
The History of Shiriuchi Onsen
The oldest hot spring in Hokkaido with approx. 800 years of history. People moved to this area in 1205 in search of gold sand. Shiriuchi developed along with gold sand mining. It is said that Araki Daigaku, who was ordered by Minamoto no Yorie, lord of the castle in Koshu, discovered the hot spring when he went to Hokkaido to visit the gold mine and built a place to live in what is now Yunosato. Since then, the area has been popular among successive lords of the Matsumae Clan and other gold miners, and has prospered due to the benefits of the hot spring.
This hot spring, located along the Shiriuchi River, was discovered by those who crossed the sea in the Kamakura period (1185 – 1333) and has a history of about 800 years. Today it is the oldest hot spring in Hokkaido and attracts a lot of attention from fans of lesser-known hot springs.
Effects of Shiriuchi Onsen Hot Spring Water
Iron ore, carbonic acid, alum springs etc. gush out from the five sources, and are said to be effective for bruises, cuts, and neuralgia, and especially for burns.
It is interesting to note that each of the two indoor hot springs in Shiriuchi Onsen has a different type of spring water. “The Upper Bath”, popular with women, is relatively soft to the touch and leaves the skin smooth after bathing. “The Lower Bath”, on the other hand, is rich in iron and has long been known locally as a bath that cures burns. Relaxing in the shallow reclining bath is also recommended. We hope you will enjoy both!
Indications: Atopic dermatitis, cuts, chronic eczema, sensitivity to cold, poor gastrointestinal function (upset stomach, gas in the intestines, etc.), muscle stiffness due to motor paralysis, rheumatoid arthritis, lumbago, neuralgia, sprain, fatigue
Touji therapy hot-spring cure
Many guests visit Shiriuchi Onsen to take a hot-spring cure. Touji therapy is expected to enhance the natural healing power of the body. It enhances the power of the human body to return to its natural state, not through the power of medicine, but through the power of the hot spring. For example, it is like the power to restore the body to its original state. It can completely cure a disease, bring it back to a good direction, or restore physical strength that has declined after surgery.
The history of Touji therapy hot-spring cures is said to date back to the Nara period (710-794). In those days, when medicine had not yet developed, people used hot springs to cure illnesses and heal bodies injured in battle. At that time, hot-spring cures were practiced only by a few powerful people.
The culture of hot-spring cures did not spread to the general public until the Edo period (1603 onward). During the agricultural off-season or when people were traveling, people stopped by hot spring resorts for a hot-spring cure. Nowadays, people have a strong image that “hot spring resort = sightseeing spot,” but in places like Shiriuchi Onsen, many people still come for a hot-spring cure.
In addition, going to a space that is different from one’s daily life can have a refreshing effect. Since many hot-spring cures are located in natural surroundings, they also help relieve stress. This is called the translocation effect. It enhances natural healing power and restores physical and mental health.
Sauna
Saunas are very popular in Japan these days. Like hot springs, this is one of the most effective health methods.
At Shiriuchi Onsen, there is a tent sauna where visitors can enjoy the sauna in the great outdoors. Usually, after a sauna, you take a cold water bath to cool down your body, but in Shiriuchi Onsen, instead of a cold water bath, you dive into the Shiriuchi River. While the health benefits of saunas are well known, being able to experience this in the great outdoors is a relaxing experience for both body and mind.
Shiriuchi has many seasonal delicious foods. Fresh seafood is landed at the nearby fishing port, liver fish caught in the Shiriuchi River can be enjoyed throughout the year, and wild vegetables can be gathered in the nearby mountains and fields. Enjoy seasonal and local specialities at Shiriuchi Onsen!
There is a sheep named Mei-chan at Shiriuchi Onsen. She is very friendly and will welcome you. Why not refresh your body and soul at Shiriuchi Onsen, surrounded by nature with its seasonally colorful trees, age-old cedar trees, and bamboo forests? We highly recommend including it in your Hokkaido itinerary!
Blue Grotto Cruise Tour in Shiriuchi
There is a tour aboard a boat that allows you to explore spectacular spots surrounded by the unspoiled nature of Shiriuchi. Visitors can enjoy the fantastic sight of the Shiriuchi Blue Grotto.
This 80-minute cruise tour departs from the Kotaniishi district in Shiriuchi and takes you to an unexplored area in southern Hokkaido that can only be reached by boat. The cruise is operated by 854 CRUISE (Yagoshi Cruise), which is run by a captain who was born and raised in the Kotaniishi district of Shiriuchi. Once out to sea on this tour, you may feel you’re in a different world! You will see beautiful scenery created by nature, such as strange rocks, waterfalls, and long cliffs.
What is the Blue Grotto?
Have you ever seen a blue grotto? Or have you ever included one in your travel itinerary? There are several spectacular spots in Japan and around the world which have been named the Blue Grotto.
The reason why the cave is called the Blue Grotto is because sunlight shines through the entrance of the cave, passes through the highly transparent seawater, and reflects off the dark seawater surface of the cave, which creates an effect as if it were lit up from the seabed, filling the seawater near the entrance with blue light, thus turning the entire cave blue. Most of them are half-submerged caves facing the sea, and it is possible to enter through a limited number of entrances. The name is derived from the fact that sunlight reflects off the seafloor and passes through the ocean, allowing only blue light to reach the caves, making the surface of the sea appear to glow blue.
The Blue Grotto is a precious cave that can only be seen under various particular conditions. You can see it on this tour in Shiriuchi, Hokkaido!
Local Story
Cape Yagoshi is home to Yagoshi Hachiman Shrine, a secluded shrine that can only be reached by boat. On this cruise tour, you can see this shrine from the boat, and you can listen to a Matsumae Kagura flute performance by the captain. The sound echoing off the rocks is very beautiful. Matsumae Kagura is a form of Kagura that has been handed down mainly by Shinto priests in southern Hokkaido. It is designated as a nationally important intangible folk cultural asset. The captain of this cruise is a member of the Shinto priests at the shrine, and he can play the special traditional flute. One of the pleasures of this tour is to be able to listen to traditional Japanese sounds.
Wild Animals
On this cruise tour, you can also see wild dolphins, different types of birds, deer, brown bears, and other wildlife that live robustly in the rich natural environment.
Shiriuchi is home to a wide variety of wildlife. The animals that can be seen differ depending on the time of year. From April to early June, wild dolphins can be seen jumping in groups. It is also a paradise for wild birds, with many migratory birds coming to the area! You can see birds in their nesting grounds up close. Wild deer, foxes, and brown bears can be seen if you are lucky!
Fantastic Blue World
The entrance to the Blue Grotto, the main feature of this tour, is a small hole in the cliff that can only be entered by a small boat. The moment you enter the cave is a thrilling moment.
When you turn around to look at the entrance, the shining blue surface of the sea spreads out before your eyes and is mysterious. The cave is a work of art created by nature, showing various expressions depending on the time of day. The clear emerald green and cobalt blue waters are sure to impress you!
Inside the Blue Grotto, the captain gives everyone a small white stone. Make a wish on the stone and throw it into the sea. It is said that the wishes come true. Some couples who have prayed here have reported happy marriages and other happy events!
There is also an underwater lighting performance in the Blue Grotto, where the LED device on the boat illuminates the water in vivid colors. Enjoy a fantastic time!
The captain, who is very friendly and well-versed in local stories, and has 11 years’ experience as a captain, takes you to many spectacular spots that can only be seen from the boat. There are many photogenic spots! The captain’s recorded tour guide and background music that matches the scene will also be played on the boat to enhance the mood of the cruise. This tour allows you to enjoy the little-known and beautiful nature of Hokkaido! Come and enjoy the beautiful nature of the unexplored countryside of Hokkaido and make the best memories in your travel itinerary!
Local cuisine at Murakamiya
There is another specialty in the Kotaniishi area of Shiriuchi, where the Blue Grotto tour is located. That is eating sea urchin at Murakamiya, which operates a restaurant and guesthouse. The most important factor in eating delicious sea urchin is how fresh it is. Many locals from Hakodate also come here to eat sea urchin. You will also find special, fresh venison (deer meat)! One of the staff members here is a certified hunter, and he processes the deer and bear that he has caught himself. Therefore, it is fresh and tasty, with absolutely no odor! The venison roast is an exquisite dish! This is a limited food of this region that can be enjoyed only because of the hunters. Why not try a wild game meat dish in Shiriuchi, an experience that is only available in limited places in Hokkaido? It would be interesting to include a special food menu in your itinerary!
The Blue Grotto Cruise and the fresh and special lunch at Murakamiya are closed during the winter season. Be sure to visit this area between May and September!
We hope you have enjoyed finding out about the charms of adding a visit to Shiriuchi to your itinerary. In this blog column, we have introduced ”Shiriuchi, the Town with the Oldest Hot Spring in Hokkaido and a Blue Grotto”. Shiriuchi is a great travel destination. If you can visit local places during your stay in Hokkaido, Japan, amidst such beautiful countryside, it can be a fun and special part of your trip!
If you would like to get to know Hakodate and Southern Hokkaido or find a special tour in Hokkaido Japan, just contact us. Together we can make the perfect travel plan for your Hokkaido trip. You can always contact us through the ’contact us’ button below.
