Sarukura Onsen in 2026: Closure Status and Where to Bathe Instead
Motoyu Sarukura Onsen is closed for the 2026 season; its May weekend bathing exception has ended. No 2027 dates are confirmed. Check Hakkoda alternatives.
Motoyu Sarukura Onsen remains closed to visitors for the season as of September 28, 2026. Its March 5 notice suspended lodging, day bathing and the private sauna during heavy machinery work on the grounds. Weekend day bathing was allowed in May only; that exception has ended. The operator has not announced 2027 dates or conditions.
The bus still stops there, but the bath is closed
JR Bus Tohoku’s Mizuumi route lists a Sarukura Onsen stop. That does not mean the inn is accepting bathers: the bus timetable and the facility’s operating calendar are separate. If you are planning a soak, check the inn’s current notice rather than treating a map pin or bus stop as proof that it is open.
The regular day-bathing page remains online with weekend hours of 9 a.m.–3 p.m. and last entry at 2:30 p.m.
Admission is ¥700 for adults and ¥300 for children through elementary school. Those are the standing terms for normal operations, not permission to visit during the 2026 closure. Do not use them to plan a trip this season.
The bus stop is also about 400 metres downhill from the inn along a paved road. The property’s access page says guests should contact it in advance if they need to arrange pickup during normal operations. With the inn closed, do not assume a pickup service is running.
What is known about reopening
The May exception was limited to weekends, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; it did not extend into summer. Before planning a future visit, wait for a new operator notice confirming the reopening date, day-bath availability, room reservations and whether the private sauna has resumed. The old day-use page and its prices may remain visible even if next season’s terms change.
Sarukura’s springs remain a reason to keep it on a future itinerary. The operator says the property has five sources: two supply the inn, while three are sent to Oirase Keiryu Onsen near the entrance to Oirase Gorge. Its baths have been described as 100% free-flowing sulfur spring water, with indoor and outdoor baths and a bedrock-bath area. Those features describe the facility, not services available during the current closure.
Nearby baths to consider instead
Yachi Onsen is known for a bath where spring water rises through the floor; Tsuta Onsen builds its bathing experience around tubs over the spring source and a historic wooden bathhouse. Their seasonal hours and closing days differ, so check the current details before setting out. The Hakkoda day-use onsen comparison helps distinguish the area’s main options.
If you want a forest-facing outdoor bath and sauna, Hotel Jogakura is another option in the area. Its outdoor baths can be suspended separately from the indoor bath; check the hotel’s latest notice before you travel.
If you are relying on public transport, the Hakkoda bus itinerary without a car explains how seasonal service affects which baths can fit into one day. Confirm both the bus schedule and each facility’s own operating status on your travel date.
