Japan’s Best Onsen Towns: Where to Relax and Unwind
Japan, where the past meets the present, one of the best way to experience this is by leaching in an onsen.
These natural hot springs are more than just a means of unwinding, they have become an inseparable aspect of the culture, a means to refresh the body and mind alike.
Having traveled the length and breadth of Japan, I have had the pleasure of soaking in some of the country’s most famous onsen towns.
The springs range from peaceful mountain retreats to ocean view arts communities.
If you’re visiting Japan and want to feel true relaxation, here are the best onsen towns to unwind and experience the timeless Japanese tradition of bathing.
1. Hakone: The Traditional Onsen Experience
Hakone, a short train ride outside Tokyo, is one of Japan’s most popular onsen getaways.
Hakone, surrounded by mountains and blessed with views of Mount Fuji on clear days, also has a blend of beautiful nature and traditional ryokan (inn) and luxurious onsen (bathing) facilities.
Why Hakone is a Must-Visit
> Different Types of Onsen: Hakone is also home to various types of onsen with different minerals.
From the milky white water of Owakudani to the clear, soothing springs of Yumoto, there’s an onsen to be enjoyed for everyone.
> Scenic Beauty: The natural beauty of Hakone is genuinely stunning.
Picture soaking in an outdoor bath with the mighty Mount Fuji in the background or lounging in a private onsen in the midst of a verdant forest — Hakone delivers on all fronts.
> Cultural Immersion: You can also take advantage of traditional ryokan in Hakone, as you can experience real Japanese hospitality there.
Many ryokan include private onsen baths, kaiseki (multi-course) dinners and tatami mat rooms, offering complete immersion of Japanese culture.
2. Kusatsu: Japan’s Most Famous Onsen Town
Kusatsu’s abundance of hot spring water and long history also make it arguably the best onsen spot in all Japan.
In the mountains of Gunma Prefecture, Kusatsu’s acid and healing waters are said to provide a cure for all ills, and it is a magnet for therapeutic seekers.
What Makes Kusatsu Special
> Yubatake: The Yubatake, a giant wooden structure in the heart of Kusatsu, cools hot spring water from nearby wells before it is sent to surrounding baths.
The view of steaming water pouring down over the Yubatake is so iconic it must be seen during any visit to Kusatsu.
> Sainokawara Park: This spacious outdoor bath, in a beautiful park, is one of Kusatsu’s most popular attractions.
Surrounded by nature, the bath has a peaceful atmosphere for relaxing.
> Traditional Bathing Rituals: The town is famous for its traditional soaking methods, including the “yumomi” ritual, in which the hot spring water is stirred with wooden paddles to bring it to a cool temperature.
Guests can observe or take part in this one-of-a-kind cultural exchange.
3. Beppu: A Hot Spring Haven
Beppu, in Oita Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, is one of Japan’s most popular onsen towns, boasting the largest volume of hot spring water in the nation.
The town is known for its “Hells of Beppu,” a series of unique hot springs that are meant for viewing rather than bathing, but there are plenty of more traditional onsen experiences within the town as well.
Beppu: A Hot Spring Paradise Why Beppu
A Variety of Springs: Beppu is divided into eight different hot spring areas, collectively called “Beppu Hatto.”
Each of these areas has a different kind of onsen experience, be it mud baths, sand baths, steam baths, or the traditional hot spring baths.
> Unique Experiences: There are some super unique onsen experiences you can find in Beppu, such as the sand baths of Beppu Beach, where you’re buried in warm sand that’s heated by hot springs, or the steam baths of Kannawa, where you sit in a room enveloped in natural steam.
Hells of Beppu: These steaming hot springs aren’t for bathing, but no trip to Beppu would be complete without a visit to the Hells.
These colorful and dramatic hot springs, with names like “Blood Pond Hell” and “Sea Hell,” provide a fascinating glimpse into the volcanic activity that drives Beppu’s onsen.
4. Yufuin: A Charming Onsen Town
Just a short drive from Beppu is Yufuin, a quaint, picturesque onsen town that provides a more subdued, rural experience.
On the doorstep of Mount Yufu, Yufuin has quaint roads of boutique shops, art galleries and cozy cafes, and high-quality hot springs.
Why You Should Visit Yufuin
> (Scenic) Beauty: The area around Yufuin is beautiful in general, and the mountain Mount Yufu provides a striking backdrop to the town.
Autumn is a particularly beautiful time of year in the area with leaves changing colour.
> Web-Book Taxi To Yufuin And Bathe In Onsen: Yufuin has a range of onsen ryokan, and some of these ryokan are smaller in size,so these would provide you with a more intimate onsen experience.
Several of the inns have outdoor baths with views of the surrounding mountains.
> Cultural Attractions: There are cultural attractions in addition to onsen, such as the Yufuin Floral Village, a delightful assortment of cottages straight out of a fairy tale, and the Kyushu Yufuin Folk Craft Village (in some other parts of Japan they would use the term “Mingei,”) where you will find a mingei theme.
5. Noboribetsu: A Hot Spring Paradise in Hokkaido
Noboribetsu, in Japan’s northern Hokkaido island, is one of the country’s best-known hot spring towns, with a diverse range of onsen baths and an otherworldly volcanic terrain.
The hot springs around town are fed by nearby Jigokudani, or “Hell Valley,” geothermal activity that provides a truly unique onsen experience.
Why Noboribetsu is Worth the Visit
> Hell Valley: A top attraction in Noboribetsu is Jigokudani, or Hell Valley.
The valley is dotted with steaming vents, boiling ponds and sulfurous springs, forming a dramatic landscape unlike anything else in Japan.
Hell Valley hot spring water supplies many of Noboribetsu’s onsen.
There are many kinds of onsen — from sulfuric baths and salt baths to radium baths and iron-rich baths — for the taste of onsen_variety.
Each mineral in the water has its own perceived health benefits and Noboribetsu is therefore well known as a therapeutic bathing destination.
> Dai-ichi Takimotokan: This large onsen ryokan (hotel) is one of the most popular attractions in Noboribetsu, with more than 30 different hot spring baths available in one spot.
The baths are different temperatures and have different mineral content so you are getting the full Noboribetsu onsen experience!
6. Kurokawa Onsen: A Hidden Gem
Kurokawa Onsen is a rustic onsen town in Kumamoto Prefecture, hidden in the mountains, and offers visitors an authentic Japanese experience.
Unlike some of the more commercial onsen towns, Kurokawa still maintains its historic charm, with wooden ryokan, stone-paved streets and hot springs that meld into their natural surroundings.
Kurokawa Onsen: What Makes Kurokawa Onsen Special
> Old World Vibe: Kurokawa Onsen has retained a bit of the old mountain town spirit, with narrow winding streets, traditional ryokan and forest-run hot springs.
Its commitment to preserving its traditional character, makes it a special place to visit.
> Rotenburo Meguri: Kurokawa is famous for its rotenburo, or outdoor baths, many of which are situated in quiet, natural surroundings.
An option to sample three outdoor baths of your choice from different ryokan is called the “Rotenburo Meguri” (literally, Outdoor Bath Tour) and in fine Kurokawa fashion this is a good way to experience the best of Kurokawa’s onsen.
(You wonder if he makes a decent retirement from being entered Kurokawa Onsen.
With its peaceful ambience and picturesque landscape, the town is the perfect destination for unwinding and recharging.
7. Gero Onsen: One of Japan’s Three Greats
When it comes to onsen towns, Gero Onsen regularly ranks as one of Japan’s top three with Arima Onsen and Kusatsu Onsen.
Famed for its silky, alkaline waters, Gero Onsen has been a hot spring retreat for centuries, with public baths and traditional ryokan.
Reasons to Stop By Gero Onsen
> Good Water: Gero Onsen’s water has a smooth, silky texture that leaves skin feeling firm and rejuvenated.
It is also thought to have various health benefits, such as enhancing circulation and easing muscle pain.
> Public baths: Apart from its ryokan, Gero Onsen has several public baths where you can experience the town’s famous hot springs for a more reasonable fee.
The town also features a footbath street, and you can soak your feet in hot spring water while mingling with the sights of the town.
> Traditional Festivals: There are several traditional festivals in Gero Onsen, such as the Gero Onsen Summer Festival, where you can enjoy fireworks and traditional dance performances and experience the festive atmosphere of the town.
8. Arima onsen: A historic serenity
Of the onsen towns in Japan, Arima Onsen, near Kobe, is one of the oldest and most famous, with a history spanning over a thousand years.
One of the oldest onsen around, Arima Onsen is (technically) famous for having two types of hot spring water where the “Kinsen” (golden water) and “Ginsen” (silver water) onsen each offer their own unique and historic experiences.
What Makes Arima Onsen Unique
> Special Significance: Offering more than just relaxation, Arima Onsen has been a beloved hot springs getaway for the past couple of millennia, with samurai warriors and 17th- and 18th-century pilgrims among its early visitors.
The traditional buildings and ancient temples that dot its outskirts are a showcase of the town’s storied history, lending an extra charm to the onsen experience.
> Golden and Silver Waters: Arima Onsen’s Kinsen and Ginsen are among its most popular attractions.
Kinsen is an iron-rich reddish-brown water containing carbon dioxide and Ginsen is clear water including radium and carbonate.
With the healing properties of both types of water, it’s easy to see how a trip to Arima Onsen can be so restorative.
> Close to Kobe: Being located near Kobe, Arima Onsen is easily reachable as a day trip from city life, providing the perfect antidote to the urban grind.
Munnar provides an exclusive opportunity for relaxing amidst nature.
9. Nyuto Onsen: A Hidden Nature Getaway
Nyuto Onsen Nyuto Onsen Call It a rustic one: Located in the remote mountains of Akita Prefecture, Nyuto Onsen is a group of traditional ryokan that provide some of the country’s most rustic and authentic onsen experiences.
Nyuto translates to “nipple,” and the onsen derives its name from the shape of the nearby mountain.
How Nyuto Onsen Is Worth the Trip
> Rustic Charm: Nyuto Onsen’s ryokan are characterized by rustic, traditional vibes, thatched roofs, wooden interiors and outdoor baths in the trees.
The isolation and old-fashioned environment combine to make Nyuto Onsen the quintessential destination for travelers seeking the authentic experience of Japan’s hot spring culture.
> Open-air baths: Many ryokan in Nyuto Onsen have open-air baths, often with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and forest.
Finding oneself with the bathing elements while hugging nature is quite a relaxing and energizing experience.
But the onsen is nice in the spring, summer, and fall as well, each season with its own beauty.
Conclusion
Japan’s onsen towns are ways stations near places to bathe but also a glimpse into the country’s cultural past and natural beauty.
Whether you want a luxury escape, a rustic-based experience or ancient history, there is an onsen town in Japan perfect for you.
From the famous hot springs of Hakone and Kusatsu to the lesser-known gems of Kurokawa and Nyuto, these onsen towns provide an opportunity to chill, sit back and indulge in the age-old practice of Japanese bathing.
So, pack your bags and grab a towel because you’re in for the ultimate best onsen towns Japan has to offer.
