Onsen are an ancient and honored tradition in Japan. These hot spring baths are a great way to relax. They’re very common throughout Japan thanks to its volcanic geography. Locals, travelers, and international tourists have been enjoying long soaks in these warm baths for generations.
Because of the popularity of onsen, small towns have sprung up offering not only baths but also food, entertainment, shopping, and places to stay. Often, these onsen towns are picturesque and located near some of Japan’s many natural wonders.
A visit to an onsen resort or town is a great option for those looking for a break from their busy trip. Here are ten of the most popular onsen resorts/towns in Japan!
1. Beppu Onsen, Oita Prefecture
Beppu Onsen is one of the most famous onsen resort towns in Japan. Beppu has eight different hot springs: Beppu Onsen, Kannawa Onsen, Myoban Onsen, Kankaiji Onsen, Hamawaki Onsen, Kamegawa Onsen, Horita Onsen, and Shibaseki Onsen.
There are multiple public baths and other bathing facilities throughout the town. Besides traditional hot baths, there are also steam baths, mud baths, and sand baths where bathers are buried in naturally heated sand.
The resorts also offer other great facilities, including hotels, viewing platforms that look out over the city, shops, and more. You can also enjoy the sights of Beppu Bay, making this a great location for a relaxing weekend!
With indoor and outdoor hot springs, AMANE resort GAHAMA is one of the most popular properties to stay overnight at Beppu Onsen Town.
2. Ginzan Onsen, Yamagata Prefecture
This secluded hot spring town is found in the mountains of Yamagata Prefecture. It is considered to be one of the prettiest onsen towns in Japan, with a unique historic vibe.
The town center is a pedestrian-only zone. At night, the streets light up and gas lamps light the bridges. There are two public baths and a free foot bath in the town center.
During the day, many of the ryokan (hot spring inns) open their baths to daytime guests. A 22-meter tall waterfall can be found at the back of town and near it you can visit the old silver mine that was once the lifeblood of the town.
3. Noboribetsu Onsen, Hokkaido
The diverse hot spring bats and picturesque views of nature are a major part of Noboribetsu’s appeal. One of the top ten hot spring destinations in Japan, you can find sulfur-infused baths, salt-rich baths, metal-rich baths, and more.
There are in total nine types of waters. Each has a unique effect and property that can help you relax and feel healthier. Most of the hotels offer day-use of their baths for non-staying guests.
Besides these many baths, you can enjoy strolling through the town’s many shops or visit nearby geothermally active Hell Valley, the source of the town’s unique waters.
Dai-ichi Takimotokan is the best hotel to stay and experience Noboribetsu’s premium quality hot spring baths.
Hokkaido is a place of scenic beauty, and surprisingly you have many wonderful hot springs towns there to explore. Read this guide: 10 Best Onsen in Hokkaido.
4. Kurokawa Onsen, Kumamoto Prefecture
You can find this hot spring town high in the vibrant, lush Aso mountain range, in the shadow of an active volcano. The views here are incredible.
The best views are located at the more spacious onsen on the edges of town, while smaller historic and rustic ones are found in the town center. Many baths also offer the services of an inn and further spa services, like food and massages.
When you’re ready to look around, you can enjoy perusing the many boutique shops and restaurants. The area is known for its dairy, so make sure to try some milk!
5. Kusatsu Onsen, Gunma Prefecture
This famous onsen resort town hosts the bathing methods of jiyanku and yumomi at many of its baths. Jiyanki consists of times bathing, while yumomi means water beating.
The springs at KusatsuOnsenare very high quality and the resort has been selected as the best in Japan for 16 years. It’s a delightful experience that offers guests the best of the Japanese hot spring experience. It’s a beautiful facility and you will not regret your visit!
6. Gero Onsen, Gifu Prefecture
Once hailed as the best onsen in the Edo Period, Gero Onsen is a quiet, rustic town with a lot of history.
It is located between Nagoya and Takayama making it a good place to stop at while traveling between the two, as well as a good place to stay during the Takayama Festival (especially because lodging in Takayama can be hard to find).
There are three public bathhouses in town as well as an open-air bath where you can bath for free. You can also enjoy a number of other baths at inns throughout the town, some of which are open to non-staying guests during the day.
7. Kinosaki Onsen, Hyogo Prefecture
The seven public baths of this charming town in northern Hyogo is an excellent destination for a relaxing weekend. Every one of these baths is unique. You can also enjoy saunas and outdoor baths below a natural waterfall.
This may be the best destination for some visitors, as the public onsen are tattoo-friendly (many onsen ban tattoos or request that they be covered up due to their association with yakuza).
Goshono-Yu is said to be the best hot springs at Kinosaki Onsen town.
8. Hakone Onsen, Kanagawa Prefecture
For centuries, Hakone Onsen has been one of the most popular onsen resorts in Japan. You can find many baths and inns here as well as in the surrounding area.
You can stay at a facility or visit the bats during the day for a small fee. Both indoor and outdoor baths are available.
One of the hotels, Hotel Kowakien Yunessun, also offers a water park. You can enjoy incredible views of the surrounding area and- on clear days- Mt. Fuji at some of the outdoor baths.
9. Arima Onsen, Kobe City
This small hots spring town offers a relaxing getaway while still within the city limits of Kobe. It makes for a great day trip from Kobe or Osaka.
The area is one of the oldest hot spring resorts in Japan, offering hot springs with two types of water: brown Kinsen that helps skin ailments and muscle pain and clear Ginsen that is said to help the joints. There are two public baths and many inns.
10. Yufuin Onsen, Oita Prefecture
Located near the more famous Beppu, this smaller scenic hot spring town offers not only hot springs but also small shops. It’s a sleepy, clam town with a scenic view of the mountains and Lake Kinrinko.
There are plenty of lovely cafes to eat at it and even a bakery dedicated to Studio Ghibli’s movie Kiki’s Delivery Service.
If you are on a tight schedule and you’re looking to find a good hot spring town near Tokyo, we recommend visiting one of these onsen towns.
