Tour of Famous Japanese Hot Spring Resorts

A representative hot spring resort in Hokkaido. Numerous hot springs gush from the "Jigokudani" (Hell Valley) crater, and it is known for its rich variety of spring qualities, including sulfur springs. The walking paths in Jigokudani, where steam rises, and Oyunuma are highlights. Please check the official website for confirmation as availability, fees, and operating hours for day-trip bathing may change. Access from JR Noboribetsu Station by bus to the hot spring town.

A lakeside hot spring resort spread along the southern shore of Lake Toya, within Shikotsu-Toya National Park. It is known as the venue for the 2008 G8 Summit (Lake Toya Summit) and offers views of Mt. Usu and Showa-Shinzan. Please check the official website for confirmation as seasonal events such as fireworks over the lake may change their dates. Many inns overlook the lake, and the Lake Toya Onsen Bus Terminal serves as a hub.

A hot spring resort along the Toyohira River valley, known as "Sapporo's inner parlor." It is close to the city center and can be enjoyed as a day trip, and is popular for its autumn foliage. Foot baths and hand baths are scattered throughout, and walking paths along the valley are maintained. Please check the official website for confirmation as availability, fees, and operating hours for day-trip bathing may change. Accessible by bus from the Sapporo city center.

A collective name for seven hot springs scattered at the foot of Mt. Nyuto in Towada-Hachimantai National Park, known as a synonym for hidden hot springs. The spring qualities vary at each hot spring, such as the thatched-roof "Tsuru-no-yu," and some inns are famous for their milky white waters. A National Health Resort. Please check the official website for confirmation as reception hours and fees for day-trip bathing may change. Access by bus from Tazawako Station.

A hot spring town that retains the atmosphere of the Taisho era, with multi-story wooden inns from the Taisho and early Showa periods lining both sides of the Ginzan River. It is known for its scenery with gas lamps lit at dusk, making it a photogenic spot. Vehicle access is restricted to preserve the townscape. Please check the official website for confirmation as availability and fees for day-trip bathing vary by inn. Access by bus from Oishida Station.

A hot spring resort at the foot of the Zao mountain range, known for its highly acidic sulfur springs, also called "beautiful skin hot springs." In winter, it is popular for Zao's frost-covered trees and ski resorts, with large open-air baths and public bathhouses scattered around. Please check the official website for confirmation as the best viewing period for frost-covered trees and the operating period of open-air baths vary depending on weather and season. Access from Yamagata Station by bus to the hot spring town.

The center of the Naruko Onsenkyo hot spring area, known for its wide variety of spring qualities. It is also famous as a production area for the traditional craft "Naruko Kokeshi dolls." A National Health Resort. Please check the official website for confirmation as operating hours and fees for public bathhouses and day-trip facilities may change. JR Naruko-Onsen Station is the gateway to the hot spring town.

One of the three famous hot springs in Japan, ranked alongside Arima and Gero by Hayashi Razan. It is known for its abundant natural hot spring output, with "Yubatake" (hot water field) in the center of the town and the traditional "Yumomi" (water-cooling by stirring) as its symbols. It is known for its highly acidic sulfur springs. Please check the official website for confirmation as fees and operating hours for day-trip bathing facilities may change. Walk from the bus terminal to Yubatake.

A hot spring resort developed on the middle slopes of Mt. Haruna, with a stone staircase street lined with souvenir shops and inns on both sides as its symbol. It is known for two types of hot springs: the iron-containing, brownish-cloudy "Kogane-no-yu" (golden hot spring) and the colorless, transparent "Shirogane-no-yu" (silver hot spring). The Ikaho Shrine at the top of the stone steps and the autumn foliage at Kajika Bridge are highlights. Please check the official website for confirmation of fees and hours for day-trip bathing. Access by bus from Shibukawa Station.

One of the first hot springs designated as a National Health Resort in Japan in 1954. Inns line the Shima River, and it is said that its name originates from the saying "cures forty thousand (shima) ailments." It is also known for its retro wooden inn architecture. Please check the official website for confirmation as availability, fees, and operating hours for day-trip bathing may change. Access by bus from Nakanojo Station.

A hot spring resort gushing sulfur springs at the edge of Lake Yunoko in Oku-Nikko, known for its milky white waters. Located within Nikko National Park and a National Health Resort. It serves as a base for nature walks around Lake Yunoko and Yudaki Falls, and is conveniently located for combining with sightseeing of shrines and temples such as Nikko Toshogu. Please check the official website for confirmation of winter road conditions and facility operating periods.

A popular hot spring resort close to the Tokyo metropolitan area, with large hotels lining the Kinugawa River valley. It can be enjoyed in conjunction with river cruises and nearby theme parks. Please check the official website for confirmation as operating status and fees for various activities vary by season and weather. Tobu Kinugawa-Onsen Station is the gateway to the hot spring town.

Nasu Onsenkyo, gushing at the foot of Mt. Nasu (Mt. Chausu). It is known for its historic hot springs such as the old-fashioned therapeutic hot spring "Shika-no-yu," and also offers a variety of resort facilities such as ranches and tourist attractions. It is also famous as a summer resort with a detached palace. Please check the official website for confirmation of fees and operating hours for day-trip bathing and winter road conditions. Access by bus from Nasushiobara Station.

A hot spring resort at the entrance to Hakone, with inns and day-trip hot springs gathered along the Hakone Tozan Railway and Hayakawa River. It is known as a long-established hot spring area within Hakone, and its accessibility from the city center is a major attraction. Please check the official website for confirmation as fees and operating hours for day-trip bathing facilities may change. Access from Odawara Station to Hakone-Yumoto Station.

A seaside hot spring resort facing Sagami Bay, popular as a traditional hot spring resort and a recreational area easily accessible from Tokyo by Shinkansen. Seaside fireworks festivals and walks along the coast are popular. Please check the official website for confirmation as the dates of fireworks festivals and fees/operating hours for day-trip facilities vary by season.

A hot spring resort in northern Izu Peninsula, consisting of two hot springs: Kuna and Nagaoka. It is known as a place with historical ties to the Minamoto clan, including Minamoto no Yoritomo, and offers spots with views of Mt. Fuji and the Katsuragi Ropeway as tourist hubs. Please check the official website for confirmation of ropeway operation and fees/hours for day-trip bathing. Access by bus from Izu-Nagaoka Station to the hot spring town.

A hot spring resort said to be the oldest in Izu, with a legend of its discovery by Kobo Daishi. It is a tranquil hot spring town where you can enjoy a charming walk along the Katsura River, including the "Bamboo Forest Path" and Shuzenji Temple. Please check the official website for confirmation as availability, fees, and operating hours for day-trip bathing vary by facility. Access by bus from Shuzenji Station to the hot spring town.

One of the three famous hot springs in Japan, ranked alongside Arima and Kusatsu by Hayashi Razan. Inns line the Hida River, and its smooth-textured water is also called "beautiful skin hot spring." Foot baths by the river and hot spring hopping in the town are popular. Please check the official website for confirmation as fees and operating hours for day-trip bathing facilities may change. JR Gero Station is the gateway to the hot spring town.

A collective name for five hot spring resorts: Hirayu, Fukuchi, Shin-Hirayu, Tochi-o, and Shin-Hotaka, spread at the foot of the Northern Alps. It is known for its numerous open-air baths, and the mountain views from the Shin-Hotaka Ropeway are a highlight. Please check the official website for confirmation of ropeway operating status and winter road/facility operating conditions. The bus terminal in Hirayu Onsen serves as a hub for each hot spring resort.

A hot spring resort known as the setting for Kawabata Yasunari's novel "Snow Country." It is close to Tokyo via the Joetsu Shinkansen, offering skiing in winter and hot springs throughout the four seasons. Tourist attractions include facilities directly connected to the station and sake tasting. Please check the official website for confirmation of fees and operating hours for day-trip bathing and ski resort operating periods. JR Echigo-Yuzawa Station is the gateway.

A seaside hot spring resort facing Nanao Bay on the Noto Peninsula, characterized by its saline waters. Inns overlooking the bay and seaside walks and foot baths are well-known. Please check the official website of each facility for the latest information before visiting, as operating status, availability of day-trip bathing, and fees may change.

One of the Kaga Onsenkyo hot spring resorts, known for the scenic beauty of the Kakusenkei gorge. Matsuo Basho also stayed here and left his name in "Oku no Hosomichi." Highlights include the public bathhouse "Kiku-no-yu" and walks along the Korogi Bridge and Ayatori Bridge. Please check the official website for confirmation of fees and operating hours for day-trip bathing. Access by bus from Kaga-Onsen Station to the hot spring town.

One of the Kaga Onsenkyo hot spring resorts, with the public bathhouses "So-yu" and "Ko-so-yu" in the center of the hot spring town. It is also known as a place associated with Kitaoji Rosanjin, and you can experience Kaga culture such as Kutani ware. Please check the official website for confirmation as fees and operating hours for day-trip bathing may change. Access by bus from Kaga-Onsen Station to the hot spring town.

One of the three famous hot springs and three ancient hot springs in Japan, known as Kobe's inner parlor. It is known for two types of spring qualities: "Kin-sen" (gold spring), which contains iron and is brownish-cloudy, and "Gin-sen" (silver spring), which is colorless and transparent. It is a charming hot spring town with inns and souvenir shops lining the hilly streets. Please check the official website for confirmation of fees and operating hours for day-trip bathing facilities. Access by train and bus from Kobe city center.

A hot spring resort known for its "Soto-yu Meguri" (seven external hot springs tour) along the Otanigawa River, lined with willow trees and wooden inns, where visitors can enjoy a bath in yukata. It is also the setting for Shiga Naoya's novel "At Kinosaki." Please check the official website for confirmation as operating hours, regular holidays, and admission fees for external hot springs may change. JR Kinosaki-Onsen Station is the gateway to the hot spring town.

A hot spring resort in Nanki that features "Muro-no-yu," one of the three ancient hot springs in Japan. It is known for its white sandy beach Shirahama and the open-air bath "Saki-no-yu" overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It can be enjoyed in conjunction with swimming and the popular theme park with pandas. Please check the official website for confirmation as operating periods and fees for seaside facilities vary by season.

One of the three ancient hot springs in Japan, and said to be one of the oldest. The "Dogo Onsen Honkan," a designated Important Cultural Property, is its symbol, and it is also known as a place associated with Natsume Soseki's novel "Botchan." Please check the official website for confirmation as the operating status, admission fees, and renovation status of the Honkan may change. Alight at "Dogo Onsen" tram stop from Matsuyama city center.

A hot spring resort with one of the largest numbers of hot spring sources and the highest output in Japan, consisting of several hot spring areas known as Beppu Hatto. The "Jigoku Meguri" (Hell Tour), where you can see various colorful hot spring sources, is a specialty. Please check the official website for confirmation as admission fees and operating hours for each hell and day-trip facilities may change. JR Beppu Station is a hub for sightseeing.

A popular hot spring resort spread at the foot of Mt. Yufu, with a high output nationwide. The town walk along Yunotsubo Kaido and the Kinkotsubo Lake, where morning mist forms, are highlights, with雑貨店 (zakka-ten - miscellaneous goods stores) and cafes scattered around. Please check the official website for confirmation as availability, fees for day-trip bathing, and operating hours of each shop may change. JR Yufuin Station is the starting point for town walks.

A hot spring resort in a valley in the countryside north of Aso, with uniformly designed inns. It is known for its "Iriyū Tegata" (bathing pass) that allows you to visit multiple open-air baths and is popular for its tranquil atmosphere. Please check the official website for confirmation as the price of the pass and reception hours for day-trip bathing at each inn may change. Access by bus or car from Fukuoka/Kumamoto areas.

A hot spring resort in the southern part of Satsuma Peninsula, known nationwide for its natural "Sunamushi Onsen" (sand bath) where you lie down on the beach and are covered with sand. The sand bath area overlooking the sea is a specialty. Please check the official website for confirmation as reception hours and fees for sand baths and day-trip bathing vary by weather and season. JR Ibusuki Station is the hub for the hot spring town and sand bath area.

A group of hot springs scattered on the slopes of the Kirishima mountain range, known for their sulfur-scented waters. A National Health Resort. It is said to be a place visited by Sakamoto Ryoma and Oryo on their honeymoon, and it serves as a base for Kirishima Shrine and mountain trekking. Please check the official website for confirmation of fees and operating hours for day-trip bathing and the condition of mountain trails.