Yunohana Ebetsuden

Yunohana Ebetsuden is a large day-use bathing complex in Ebetsu, one of four 'den' branches run by the same Hokkaido chain. The indoor and outdoor baths swap between Western and Japanese styles for men and women on alternating days, so what's on offer depends on when you go. Inside there is a main pool with jet baths, standing-flow baths, a foot bath and a cooling bath next to the sauna; outside are rock baths, a barrel tub and stone jar baths, plus a lukewarm pool meant for long soaks. The water itself is salty on the skin. Beyond the baths, the complex runs ganbanyoku (岩盤浴, stone-bed heating), a restaurant, tatami rest rooms and a large lounging hall, with a big free parking area, closer to a health-and-bathing center than a single hot spring.