In Japan, onsens are more than just natural hot water sources; they represent a unique cultural phenomenon. Visiting an onsen in Japan is a must if you haven't experienced it before.
With a wide variety of options available, whether you seek relaxation in a traditional Japanese ryokan or ultimate comfort in a modern luxury resort, Japan has something to meet your needs.
But which is the best onsen in Japan? Don't worry, in this guide, we will introduce you to Japan's top 10 onsens. By the end, you're sure to find the answer you're looking for.
Snow Monkey Bathing in Natural Hot Spring YamanouchiWhat is Onsen? What Can You Do at Onsen?
Due to its unique geographical location, Japan is a country rich in onsen resources.
Although some ryokan, traditional Japanese inns, offer onsen as well, the biggest difference between onsen and ryokan is that onsen simply refers to Japan's natural hot springs. It originates from underground hot water produced by tectonic activities.
The history of onsen in Japan can be traced back thousands of years. Over time, onsen has become an integral part of Japanese culture, attracting countless visitors worldwide.
Japanese onsens come in various types, each with unique mineral compositions and therapeutic benefits. For example, sulfur springs can help alleviate skin conditions and arthritis, and carbonated springs are beneficial for lowering blood pressure and boosting metabolism.
Influenced by cultural factors, there are certain etiquette to follow when bathing in Japan's onsen. For instance, bathers are required to be completely naked to get into an onsen. Additionally, many onsens prohibit entry to individuals with tattoos, although there are exceptions, such as the best tattoo-friendly onsen in Japan, Kusatsu Onsen.
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Top 10 Onsen Experiences in Japan
Next, we will introduce you to the 10 best onsens in Japan. If you are still undecided about which onsen area to visit for your wonderful holiday, this section will surely provide you with some inspiration.
1. Kinosaki Onsen: Quintessential Japanese Hot Spring
Kinosaki Onsen, located on the Sea of Japan coast in Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, is a historic and one of the best onsen towns in Japan.
The town boasts 7 public baths, each with its unique features. For example, Ichino-yu is set in a cave, Goshono-yu is nestled in the mountains, and Mandara-yu has architecture resembling a temple.
Guests staying at any hotel in Kinosaki receive a "bath pass," allowing free access to these 7 baths.
The charm of Kinosaki Onsen lies in its picturesque setting. The tranquil town is surrounded by mountains and water, offering beautiful scenery day and night. Kinosaki Onsen is rich in sulfur and minerals, which help alleviate skin conditions and joint pain.
The town is tattoo-friendly, with most bathhouses allowing entry to tattooed individuals.
Transportation guide:
- From Tokyo, take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Kyoto Station and then transfer to a regular train to Kinosaki Onsen.
- From Osaka, take a JR train from Shin-Osaka Station (or Osaka Station) towards Kinosaki Onsen.
- From Kyoto, take the Kinosaki Limited Express train to Kinosaki Onsen.
Hot Spring Steam at Kinosaki Onsen Village in Hyogo2. Atami Onsen: Seaside Hot Spring Retreat
Atami Onsen is located in Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture, a popular resort destination known for its warm climate and beautiful seaside scenery.
It is one of the best onsens in Japan near Tokyo. The area boasts numerous hot springs, ryokan, and public baths. With a history dating back to the Nara period, Atami Onsen is considered one of Japan's 3 ancient hot springs.
The primary type of spring water in Atami Onsen is chloride spring. Similar to seawater, it contains a high amount of salt, offering excellent heat retention properties and benefits for neuralgia, muscle pain, and joint pain.
Additionally, some of Atami's hot springs are sulfate springs, which are beneficial for skin conditions, cuts, high blood pressure, and arteriosclerosis.
Transportation Guide:
- From Tokyo, take the Tokaido Shinkansen, the Tokkyu Odoriko train, the Tokaido local train, or by bus to Atami Station.
- From Osaka, take the Tokaido Shinkansen HIKARI train directly to Atami Station without needing to transfer.
Fukusenji Ttemple in Atami CityOnsen towns are often located far from major cities. If your time is limited, squeezing in a rushed one-day trip for a hot spring experience might not be very enjoyable.
However, there's no need to worry. Asia Highlights offers customized travel services, which can plan your itinerary and schedule, book suitable hotels, and handle all the details for your trip. If you don't want to spend too much time on transportation and still want to have a fully enjoyable experience, come to us!
3. Hakone Onsen: Scenic Hot Spring Getaway
Hakone Onsen is located in Hakone Town, Kanagawa Prefecture. It is one of the best natural onsens in Japan, famous for its countless high-quality natural hot springs and scenic views of Mount Fuji.
If you look up Hakone guides, you'll find that it magically boasts 17 types of hot springs, spread across seven hot spring resorts. Hakone's onsens are relatively tattoo-friendly, with many facilities allowing entry to those with tattoos.
The variety of spring waters includes sulfate springs, chloride springs, and sulfur springs, offering benefits such as relieving fatigue, improving skin conditions, and promoting blood circulation.
At the entrance of Hakone, Hakone-Yumoto, there are many long-established and cost-effective ryokans such as Seikansou and Fukuzumiro, where you can enjoy a private onsen with your family or loved ones and spend a wonderful evening together.
Transportation Guide:
- From Tokyo, take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen KODAMA to Odawara Station, then transfer to the Hakone Tozan Railway or Hakone Tozan Bus to your destination.
- From Osaka, take the Tokaido Shinkansen HIKARI to Odawara Station, then transfer to the Hakone Tozan Railway to Hakone-Yumoto Station.
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4. Noboribetsu Onsen: Volcanic Hot Spring Paradise
Noboribetsu Onsen is one of Japan's most famous hot springs, known for its volcanic geology. Noboribetsu Onsen boasts as many as nine types of hot spring water, including sulfur, salt, alum, mirabilite, ferrous, iron, acidic iron, sodium bicarbonate, and radium.
More than 10,000 tons of hot spring water naturally gush out daily, earning it the nickname "Department Store of Onsens." It is undoubtedly one of the best places for onsen in Japan.
If you want to stay overnight in Noboribetsu, Yumoto Noboribetsu is definitely a great choice. It offers four types of hot spring baths, including salt springs and sulfur springs. The hotel features large communal baths, open-air baths, and saunas.
Takino-yu is another great accommodation option, also offering four types of hot spring baths, including salt springs and iron springs. The hotel provides open-air baths and rooms with large private baths, making it a must-visit for hot spring enthusiasts.
Transportation Guide:
- From Hakodate, take the Super Hokuto or Hokuto limited express train towards Sapporo and get off at Noboribetsu Station.
- From Osaka or Kyoto, fly to New Chitose Airport and then transfer to the Donan Bus Highway Hayabusa-go heading to Muroran. Get off at Noboribetsu.
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5. Kinugawa Onsen: Riverside Hot Spring Retreat
Kinugawa Onsen is the best onsen resort in Japan famous for its hot springs and the scenic Kinugawa River.
Its origins date back to the Edo period when the Taki Onsen was discovered on the western side of the Kinugawa River. Later, Fujiwara Onsen was found on the eastern side, and these two hot springs merged to form what is now Kinugawa Onsen.
The hot spring water of Kinugawa Onsen is a simple alkaline spring, which is effective in relieving muscle fatigue, joint pain, and burns.
The town is centered around large hotels and inns along the riverbanks, surrounded by beautiful and serene natural landscapes. This town currently boasts over 80 hotels and ryokan. If you want to stay here, consider Tsuganoki and Kinugawa Kanaya Hotel. They offer public and private onsens and allow you to enjoy stunning views of the mountains and river while soaking in the hot springs.
Transportation Guide:
- From Tokyo's Asakusa Station, take the Tobu Kinugawa Line Limited Express Spacia directly to Kinugawa Onsen Station.
- From Tobu Nikko Station, take the eastbound train towards Shimo-Imaichi Station, then transfer to a train heading to Kinugawa Onsen Station at Shimo-Imaichi Station.
6. Kusatsu Onsen: Therapeutic Hot Spring Haven
Kusatsu Onsen is located in Kusatsu Town in Gunma Prefecture. Its history dates back to the Nara period, and it is recognized as one of the "Three Great Hot Springs of Japan."
Kusatsu Onsen's sulfur-rich water, often exceeding 50°C, is known to help relieve muscle pain, arthritis, and skin conditions. The hot spring water flows from the iconic Yubatake, located in the center of the hot spring town, which serves as the cooling system for the hot springs.
Besides soaking in Kusatsu Onsen, you can also enjoy a free foot bath at Sainokawara Park, watch the Yumomi Show at Netsuno-Yu, or hike the scenic trails around Kusatsu.
While Western cuisine is not widely available, the town offers many Japanese culinary delights, including soba noodles, tempura, and onsen tamago (hot spring eggs). Therefore, despite its small size, Kusatsu Onsen remains one of the best onsen towns in Japan.
Transportation Guide:
- From Tokyo, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Karuizawa Station, then transfer to a bus to Kusatsu Onsen. There are two bus companies to choose from: Seibu Kogen Bus and Kusatsu Kotsu.
- From Tokyo Ueno, take the JR train to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station. Then, take the JR bus to the Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal.
Kusatsu Onsen7. Ginzan Onsen: Timeless Hot Spring Village
Ginzan Onsen, located in Obanazawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, is a hot spring town with a history of over a hundred years.
Originally a silver mining area, the town now features picturesque streets lined with traditional ryokan along the riverbanks. The well-preserved Taisho-era architecture gives visitors a unique sense of stepping back in time.
The town's streets are home to several public baths, such as Shirogane-yu and Omokage-yu. Ginzan Onsen's hot spring water is rich in minerals, known for its therapeutic effects on muscle pain and skin conditions.
If you wish to stay overnight in Ginzan Onsen, consider Kosekiya Bekkan. The inn features two baths, Hokkori no Chika-yu (Underground Warm Bath) and Nukkuri no Kintarou-yu (Kintarou Warm Bath). It is considered as one of the best onsen ryokans in Japan.
Transportation Guide:
- From Tokyo, take the Yamagata Shinkansen to Oishida Station, then transfer to a bus to Ginzan Onsen.
- From Osaka or Kyoto, take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Tokyo Station, then transfer to the Yamagata Shinkansen to Oishida Station, and finally take a bus to Ginzan Onsen.
8. Ibusuki Onsen: Sand Bath Haven
Ibusuki Onsen, located in Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture, is a renowned hot spring destination in southern Japan.
Unlike the onsens we've mentioned previously, Ibusuki Onsen is the best outdoor onsen in Japan, famous for its unique sand baths. The volcanic hot springs along the Ibusuki coast heat the sand to 50-55℃, which helps the body detoxify.
You can wear yukata and, with the assistance of staff, be buried in the hot sand pits. After 15-20 minutes, your pores will open up, aiding in blood circulation and increasing oxygen levels. Afterward, you can wash off the sand and enter a conventional hot spring bath.
Apart from the Saraku Sand Bath Hall, the town also has several other attractions worth exploring, such as the Satsuma Denshokan Museum, Nagasakibana Cape, and Kagoshima Flower Park.
Transportation Guide:
- From Tokyo or Osaka, take a flight to Kagoshima Airport and then transfer by bus to Ibusuki Onsen.
- From Fukuoka, take the JR Kyushu Shinkansen from Hakata Station to Kagoshima-Chuo Station。 Then, transfer to the newly designed black-and-white limited express train Ibusuki no Tamatebako or take the rapid or local train on the Ibusuki Makurazaki Line to Ibusuki Station.
9. Dogo Onsen: Historic Hot Spring Sanctuary
Dogo Onsen, located in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture on Japan's Shikoku Island, is one of Japan's oldest hot springs.
The spring water of Dogo Onsen is alkaline simple hot spring. It is effective in relieving fatigue, reducing stress, alleviating nerve pain, and helping with cold intolerance. There are 29 sources of spring water, 18 of which are still in use today. The water temperature ranges from 20 to 55℃.
The most famous attraction at Dogo Onsen is the Dogo Onsen Honkan, built in 1894. This historic public bathhouse is a three-story wooden structure.
The Bocchan Bath is the most well-known bath at Dogo Onsen Honkan, named after the famous novel Bocchan by Natsume Soseki. Visitors can choose from four different bathing options here.
Another highlight of the Honkan is the Bocchan Room, which showcases materials related to Natsume Soseki, who once stayed here.
Transportation Guide:
- From Tokyo, fly from Haneda Airport to Matsuyama Airport. Then, take the Limousine Bus bound for Dogo Onsen.
- From Osaka, fly from Itami Airport to Matsuyama Airport. Then, take the Limousine Bus to Dogo Onsen.
Dogo Onsen in Matsuyama10. Beppu Onsen: Diverse Hot Spring Spot
Beppu Onsen is one of the best onsen in Beppu Japan. It consists of eight hot spring towns with approximately 3,000 hot spring sources.
In addition to traditional hot water baths, Beppu offers sand baths, where bathers are buried in naturally heated sand, steam baths heated by hot spring steam, and mud baths, which are essentially muddy water baths.
Beppu is also famous for its Beppu Jigoku, which consists of seven spectacular hot springs that are meant for viewing rather than bathing, as their temperatures reach up to 98°C.
From the cobalt-blue waters of Umi Jigoku to the blood-red pond of Chinoike Jigoku, each spring features unique natural phenomena.
If you don't plan to make a day trip, you can experience the local traditional Japanese ryokan, such as Nagomitsuki and Uminohotel Hajime.
Transportation Guide:
- Take an express train from Hakata, Oita, Miyazaki, Hitoyoshi, and nearby areas to Beppu Station. Then, take public transportation to reach your destination.
Hot Spring in Umi-Zigoku in BeppuEnjoy the Tranquility of Onsen in Japan
To experience Japanese etiquette and culture, soaking in hot springs is undoubtedly one of the best ways. In this article, we've introduced the 10 best onsens in Japan. Each onsen town has its unique charm.
We hope you can immerse yourself in a different experience in onsens. If you're unsure how to plan your hot spring itinerary or even your trip to Japan, consider seeking out a professional team to customize a personalized journey for you.
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