Onsen, or hot spring baths, are a staple of Japanese culture. Japan has long promoted their onsen domestically as bona fide tourist attractions, creating whole sightseeing towns around the presence of these geothermal baths. These hot spring towns continue to have enormous drawing power, and today nearly all of Japan’s premium onsen resorts are accessible to foreign travelers.
The outdoor baths are lined with cedar trees and scattered across the hills, making for a view that even the most frenzied front row fixture couldn’t pass up. For those with more time on their hands, traveling west to the onsen village of Kurokawa in Kumamoto is a must: the moss-covered haven, near Mount Aso, has not one single high-rise or street sign in sight. No matter which you choose, the inner zen that can be found in these secret wells are long-lasting—and glow-inducing. Here, the best hot springs to visit while in Japan. Also we’ve narrowed down the top 10 hot spring destinations in Japan, from the southern tip of Kyushu to the snowy island of Hokkaido.
Bath therapy, or balneotherapy, is cherished in many parts of the world, from Europe to the Middle East, the heated waters in Japan are unique in that they have a vast array of mineral concentrations (sulfur and calcium, magnesium, iron) that offer everything from antiaging and detoxifying benefits to the ability to cure ailments such as skin disease and chronic pain.
1. Kurokawa Onsen – This small hot springs town is nestled in the Kumamoto prefecture, past Mount Aso on the westernmost tip of Japan. If you are looking for refuge from the bustling cities, the Kurokawa Onsen has a total of 24 hot springs to choose from; some tunnel through dim-lit caves and others sit under the canopy of green bamboo shoots. All have a different mix of elements in the water. If you are looking for an extra boost of moisture, the chloride springs help with water retention. If you have chronic pain, try the iron-abundant pools for relief from muscle aches.
2. Hakone Onsen – Outside Tokyo lies the hilly town of Hakone, a popular getaway to catch views of the serene Lake Ashi surrounded by Mount Fuji’s snow-capped tip. Along the rocky banks of the Haya River is one Bansuiro Fukuzumi Onsen, which was first established in 1625. It’s known for having silky, magnesium- and sulfur-filled pools, the alkaline waters of which are thought to have the answer to more vibrant, youthful skin. Note to readers with tattoos: Make sure to stop by the front desk (or call ahead) to alert the staff of your ink as many traditional establishments within the Hakone region do not allow them.
3. Kusatsu –About 3 hours from Tokyo, Kusatsu is situated in scenic Gunma prefecture, with an actual hot water field in the town center. This is Japan’s most prolific source of geothermal waters, with 100 hot springs gushing 34,000 liters of water every minute. This water reportedly helps heal a variety of human ailments, including indigestion, arthritis, and poor circulation. For the full rotenburo (outdoor bathing) experience, visit the spacious Sainokawara onsen. Not far from the town’s water field, two bathhouses offer the traditional jikanyu experience, where bathers sit in an extremely hot bath (118 degrees Fahrenheit/48 degrees Celsius) for exactly three minutes.
4. Noboribetsu Onsen – In the northern region of Japan, the Noboribetsu Onsen in Hokkaido produces over 10,000 tons of water every day. With nine different types of spring water to choose from, all of which are flourishing with minerals such as aluminum (good for digestion), make sure to try the salt pool. Its nickname in English is “fever water” because the sodium- and chloride-heavy waters will have you sweating out all of your toxins while serenely floating on your back.
5. Ibusuki Onsen –Across from the Kaimondake volcano, the Ibusuki Onsen is famous for its charcoal-color sand baths called sunamushi. The volcanic sand—which guests are buried under, with only their heads left to peek through—is said to help with nerve pain and muscle aches, not to mention acting as a great exfoliator. The heat from the sun and the weight of the sand can feel intense, which is why this onsen offers cold baths in addition to their natural hot pools. A refreshing plunge is likely in order.
6. Beppu – Located in eastern Kyushu, Beppu is one of Japan’s most well-known hot spring destinations, with onsen that either soothe or titillate. The so-called Hells of Beppu are a collection of blood-red pools, ponds with eerie mud bubbles, boiling blue lagoons, and waters where crocodiles now live — all meant for viewing, not bathing. If you came to Beppu solely to relax, skip the Hells and head straight for the spa and open-air baths at Suginoi Hotel. There’s also the Ebisu Ryokan, which has regular hot baths, milky sulfurous baths, and the “bedrock bath,” a Japanese-style rock sauna.
7. Arima Onsen – One of the oldest hot springs in Japan, with roots dating back to the 600s, the Arima Onsen is located 30 minutes outside of Osaka—and, unlike many other pools in Japan, is not set within a volcano. Meaning its hot springs, some of which appear a muddy red color, called kinsen (golden water), don’t materialize from heated groundwater or rainwater, but rather from ancient seawater that emerged above ground millions of years ago. In addition to the many common minerals found in Japanese pools, radium, which promotes cell activation and boosts immunity, can be absorbed here. It is said that if inhaled, the bubbling waters can cure bronchial disease; if ingested, gastrointestinal discomfort. The latter is a daring play, perhaps best made on the second onsen visit.
8. Noboribetsu – Noboribetsu is a small town on Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido, southwest of Sapporo. Visitors are encouraged to hike around the sublime Jigokudani (Hell Valley), where there is a steaming river that runs hot, forested areas for foot bathing, and the sulfurous Oyunuma pond. Noboribetsu’s onsen produces water naturally infused with at least seven different elements and minerals, each with their own healing qualities. To experience the best of these springs, visit the superb ryokan Daiichi Takimotokan (day passes available), with specialized baths designed to relieve dry skin, weak circulation, and even eczema. Once you’ve had enough hot water, visit the town’s Bear Park, where you can interact with cute brown bear cubs from inside a “human cage.”
9. Shibu – Nestled in a snowy valley in Japan’s Nagano prefecture, this is the onsen town famous for its bathing snow monkeys. These Japanese macaques roam the area freely but don’t care to bathe alongside humans. To see the snow monkeys enjoying the hot spring baths, you have to visit Jigokudani Monkey Park. Shibu itself is a picturesque little town, cozy and quaint in the winter months, with cobblestone streets and many centuries-old ryokan. There are nine main public bath houses, each with various therapeutic qualities. Locals say that good fortune comes to those who visit all nine baths.
10. Ibusuki – Ibusuki is in Kyushu’s Kagoshima prefecture, at the very tip of one of the southernmost peninsulas of the island. The entire Kagoshima area is renowned for its excellent hot springs, as well as its delicious satsumaimo (sweet potatoes) that thrive in Kagoshima’s rich volcanic soil. Undergoing one of Ibusuki’s famous beachside sand baths involves wearing a yukata (a light kimono) as an attendant covers your entire body in warm, black sand. If the thought of being voluntarily buried makes you feel claustrophobic, visit the outdoor baths at the incredible Healthy Land, a resort with jaw-dropping views of Kagoshima bay and the Kaimondake volcano.
11. Kinosaki – Kinosaki is an onsen village on the Sea of Japan, accessible by train from both Kyoto and Osaka. The town has been a hot spring destination for over a thousand years, yet few people outside of Japan know about this hidden gem. Kinosaki’s claim to fame is the seven-bath stroll: wearing a yukata, visitors walk around the town center from bath to bath, stopping to eat sweets and seafood along the way. The water at bathhouse Yanagi-yu is said to help with fertility and childbirth, while the “water of beauty” at Goshono-yu guarantees luck in love. It’s best to stay overnight at one of the ryokan to ensure a leisurely visit.
12. Kurokawa – Just about an hour or so north of the largest active volcano in Japan, this onsen destination contains some of Kyushu’s most idyllic hot springs. Local law ensures that all Kurokawa’s traditional structures remain preserved, and new building materials and flashy signage are forbidden within the town limits. Visitors can purchase a very affordable day pass, which grants them access to all of the public outdoor baths in the area. If you decide to stay overnight, opt to sojourn at the quaint Kurokawaso, or Yamamizuki, another ryokan with an open-air bath that overlooks a picturesque river. But no matter where you soak, you’re bound to reap the benefits of these hot springs’ healing powers.
