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Japanese Onsen (Hot Springs)

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The First-Timer's Japan Guide

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All Events Places

Onsen & Wellness

Ginzan Onsen

A nostalgic Taisho-era hot-spring town in the Yamagata mountains, lined with wooden inns along a gas-lit river – at its most magical under snow.

Obanazawa · Yamagata

Onsen & Wellness

Dogo Onsen

One of Japan's oldest hot springs, in Matsuyama, centred on the historic Honkan bathhouse – with free-flowing waters and three baths to try.

Matsuyama · Ehime

Onsen & Wellness

Beppu Hells

Seven vividly coloured hot springs in Beppu – from a cobalt-blue pool to a blood-red pond — too hot to bathe in, but spectacular to see.

Beppu · Oita

All Events Places

Onsen & Wellness

Ginzan Onsen

A nostalgic Taisho-era hot-spring town in the Yamagata mountains, lined with wooden inns along a gas-lit river – at its most magical under snow.

Obanazawa · Yamagata

Onsen & Wellness

Dogo Onsen

One of Japan's oldest hot springs, in Matsuyama, centred on the historic Honkan bathhouse – with free-flowing waters and three baths to try.

Matsuyama · Ehime

Onsen & Wellness

Beppu Hells

Seven vividly coloured hot springs in Beppu – from a cobalt-blue pool to a blood-red pond — too hot to bathe in, but spectacular to see.

Beppu · Oita

Onsen & Wellness

Tamatsukuri Onsen

Tamatsukuri Onsen has served visitors since the eighth century with mineral-rich sulfate waters said to heal rheumatism and improve skin health.

Matsue · Shimane

Onsen & Wellness

Solaniwa Onsen

This Osaka hot spring park features natural spring water baths in a Muromachi and Edo-period setting, complete with a 3,000-square-meter rooftop garden.

Osaka

Activity & Sport

Yamagata Zao Onsen Ski Resort

Yamagata Zao Onsen Ski Resort offers slopes for all levels and a long winter season, famous for its rare snow-covered 'juhyo' formations and access to hot springs.

Yamagata

Onsen & Wellness

Yamashiro Onsen

Yamashiro Onsen retains its traditional hot spring culture, with the town developed around public baths that serve visitors seeking the healing properties of natural hot springs.

Kaga · Ishikawa

Onsen & Wellness

Shibu Onsen

Shibu Onsen is a historic hot spring town of over 1,300 years, offering nine public baths fed by natural springs, each believed to provide distinct health benefits.

Yamanochi · Nagano

Onsen & Wellness

Sakakibara Onsen

A mineral-rich hot spring resort in Tsu City, Mie, Sakakibara Onsen offers traditional ryokan and modern hotels alongside nearby temples, gardens and outdoor activities.

Tsu · Mie

Onsen & Wellness

Kinosaki Onsen

A hot spring resort with documented origins dating to 720, Kinosaki Onsen draws visitors for its mineral-rich thermal waters and mountainside views.

Toyoka · Hyogo

Shrine

Isaniwa Shrine

A Shinto shrine in Matsuyama with roots in a visit by Emperor Chuai and Empress Jingu to Dogo Onsen, enshrining multiple emperors as cultural treasures.

Matsuyama · Ehime

Onsen & Wellness

Kurokawa Onsen

Hot spring resort in Kumamoto featuring traditional wooden ryokan amid scenic mountain terrain perfect for hiking and therapeutic soaking.

Minamioguni · Kumamoto

Amusement Park

Aso Farm Land

A recreational complex in Aso-Kuju National Park offering outdoor activities, a petting farm with over 35 animals, overnight cabins with onsen, and seasonal picking experiences.

Aso · Kumamoto

Temple

Yakuoin Onsenji Temple

A temple traditionally attributed to Myokaku Shonin, credited with developing the Japanese syllabary system, with the priest believed to be buried at this sacred site.

Kaga · Ishikawa

Lake

Lake Shikotsu

Hokkaido lake, the second deepest in Japan, surrounded by three volcanoes and notable as the nation's northernmost ice-free body of water.

Chitose · Hokkaido

Onsen & Wellness

Kusatsu Onsen

Hot spring resort nestled in volcanic mountains, featuring 13 public baths and traditional ryokan alongside outdoor rotenburo and foot-bath experiences.

Kusatsu · Gunma

Shrine

Jozankei Shrine

A Shinto shrine in Sapporo's Jozankei hot spring resort area, dedicated to the god of hot springs and healing, surrounded by nature and autumn foliage.

Sapporo · Hokkaido

Onsen & Wellness

Wakura Onsen

An ancient hot spring resort with over 1,200 years of history, it features a town square with an egret statue and the unique experience of boiling eggs in natural spring water.

Nanao · Ishikawa