It is no surprise that you are looking to experience an onsen. It is a must for any traveler in Japan. Full of health benefits – hot springs are wonderful after a long day.
You shouldn’t confuse an onsen with sento, however. The latter is a public bath. Even so, it is filled with hot tap water. An onsen on the other hand is volcanic spring water. It is often powered geothermally as well.
An onsen is said to help with plenty of skin problems. This is due to the water being naturally rich in minerals.
The water can also help with aches and pains. As well as your immune system and blood circulation.
So, let’s take a look at 10 amazing onsen towns to visit in Japan.
The Kusatsu Onsen has a procedure called yumomi. It is a stirring method used due to the water being very hot. In fact, at particular times of the day it is also a performance.
They stir hot water instead of adding in cold water. This is due to not wanting to dilute all of the minerals. The minerals here are said to be able to cure sickness. However, it doesn’t go as far as lovesickness, apparently!
There is also the Sai no Kawara Rotenburo. It has wonderful hot and steamy water. Plus it has amazing views of the local forest too.
Here you can buy powdered minerals to use once back home.
This area is great for people who love skiing or hiking. Mt Shirane has lots of trails for hikers. You can also ski on the slopes of the mountain too.
In fact, the Kusatsu Snow and Spa Resort is open from December to April. So there are plenty of places to visit here.
How to visit: Take the Kutsatu limited-express train towards Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station at the weekend. Or jump on the shinkansen to Takasaki Station. It will then be a bus ride of 25 minutes to Kusatsu Onsen.
In just 40 minutes, you can escape the hustle and bustle of Tokyo for a day. This seaside destination has beaches and onsen.
It is said that Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu enjoyed the water here. So much so he had some taken to the castle in Edo. This was so he could soak within it in the privacy of his own home.
The hot springs here are very close to the sea. This means the water is high in salt. People believe this is beneficial for the skin.
You will want to buy some onsen manju too – a sweet bean delight!
How to visit: Take the train from Tokyo Station heading towards Nagoya. Alight at Atami Station.
Based on the northern side of Hokkaido, it is full of onsens. The spring water is rich in both hydrogen sulfide and sulfur. This makes it perfect for skin problems.
The water also includes lots of iron too. This can help with fatigue and blood.
The landscape is beautiful. It is also said to be one of the best onsen resorts within Hokkaido too.
How to visit: At Tokyo, jump on the Shinkansen to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto. Then transfer to Hokuto Limited Express and alight at Noboribetsu Station.
Bepu is known as the ‘hot spring capital of Japan’. There is a good reason for this too. The town itself has eight different onsens.
It can take a while to get there. Even so, it is worth it. There are a variety of different types of onsens too. From sand to mud, to steam and spring water.
Everything is heated volcanically for a natural experience. For example, the sand bath at Shoningahama Beach.
Here you are wrapped in hot sand. You also get to lie down and relax. But don’t worry, an umbrella shields your face from the sun.
If you want an all-round experience, take the Hell Tour. It offers you the chance to visit all eight of the onsens. Locally it is known as jigoku. Otherwise translated as ‘burning hell’.
How to visit: Take the train to Beppu Station and then walk for 5 minutes. For the Beppu Beach Sand Onsen, get on a train to Beppu Daigaku Station and walk for 4 minutes.
Or take the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo Station. It will take 5 hours.
This onsen in Shikoku Island is said to be more than 3,000 years old. This makes it the oldest onsen within Japan.
The building itself looks breathtaking. It resembles a Japanese castle. There are also plenty of ryokan here too.
Just a note, the bathhouse (Honkan) inspired some of the design in Spirited Away by Studio Ghibli. If you are a fan, you will want to visit here.
How to visit: Hop on the Shinkansen to Okayama. Transfer to the JR Shiokaze Limited Express heading towards Matsuyama. You will then need to walk 4 minutes to your destination.
This area is popular with winter vacationers. The white snow landscape is a beautiful backdrop to open air bathing. People love the contrast in temperatures. It is cold and crisp on the face, yet hot everywhere else.
The area is full of buildings made from wood. Along the river you will see gas lamps that flicker during the night. It really is a beautiful sight to see.
The wider area includes amazing snow and ice sculptures too. However, this is only during the winter season.
You may need to book very early. It is best to book at the very latest three months before you plan to go.
How to visit: At Tokyo Station take the three and a half hours train to Oishida Station using the Shinkansen.
For those with tattoos, rejoice. All seven of the onsens here allow tattoos. In fact, this area is very traveler friendly – especially to those who speak English.
The area has included lots of help for English speaking people. This includes adding helpful things to the map you are given.
There are also plenty of activities too. From green tea picking to meditation. Every activity has an English speaking guide available too.
How to visit: Take the three hour train from Osaka. Or a two and a half hours train from Kyoto using the Limited Express train direct.
The reason people visit here is due to the variety of things to do. From theme parks to private baths. Known as a mountain town, it is child friendly too.
There are 19 different types of private onsens at the Hakone Yuryo. This means you can enjoy the privacy of an open air onsen.
However, at Yunessun, it is great for the whole family. There are wine and coffee baths. As well as cave pools and water slides full of spring water.
There are also baths that you can share. A swimsuit will be needed. This means you can comfortably spend it with friends and family.
How to visit: From Shinjuku Station, take the Odakyu Romance Car to Hakone-Yumoto Station.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are plenty of onsen towns throughout Japan. There are many experiences on offer too.
There are many things to do as a whole group, or if you are traveling solo. There are lots of onsens available for your preferences.
For example, Ginzan Onsen is beautiful in the winter time. You can bathe in the open air surrounded by snow. Or be wrapped in volcanically heated sand in Beppu.
One thing is for sure though: make sure you head to an onsen during your Japanese vacation. Bask in a Japanese tradition. Enjoy the moment and relax.
You never know, you might also leave the onsen with better skin. Afterall, the spring water minerals have lots of wonderful health benefits (see also ‘5 Surprising Health Benefits Of Onsen‘).
Hi, I’m Jason Patrick, and for as long as I have been alive, I have been obsessed with Japanese culture. From the sights and sounds of Japan’s many cities to its culinary delights that have become famous worldwide, I simply cannot get enough of this wonderful nation!
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
