Onsen is the Japanese word for hot spring. Back in the day they were traditionally used as public
bathing places. Since Japan is volcanically active country there are many onsens scattered
throughout the nation. There are many types of hot springs and can be distinguished by the
minerals contained in the water. Depending on the minerals in the water certain health benefits will
come about. All hot springs have a relaxing effect on the body, which would lead to a calm mind.
Visitors to Japan can experience them indoors, outdoors, in gender separated or mixed baths,
constructed, and natural settings. It is recommended that the best way to experience an onsen is to
spend a night in a ryokan, which is a Japanese traditional inn. However, if you are on a budget then
going to the local public bath houses is another option.
Onsen are an integrated part of Japanese culture and has been a growing tourist trend. The top
places to go experience hot springs are in Kusatsu, Hakone, Noboribetsu, Nyuto, Beppu, and
Okuhida. There are many places to go to, but it comes down to personal preference. Some people
have based their decision on the health benefits that can be gained by soaking in the water. Others
have wanted to enjoy the water surrounded by beautiful nature under a moonlit sky. Either way it is
one of the attractions that must not be missed when visiting Japan.
Japanese onsen (hotspring) bath have fairly simple etiquette. Below is a description of how to generally take a bath in a hot
spring or public bath in Japan. The actual rules may slightly differ between baths, but following the instructions below
should be adequate most of the time.
General layout of a small indoor hot spring bath:
Do not splash or play around in the water, it is not a swimming pool.
Be when entering the correct side of the onsen. Red is female,
blue is male.
Hokkaido | Noboribetsu
Noboribetsu Onsen
Famous for its healing properties and the 9 varieties of hot spring waters that people can enjoy.
Hokkaido | Jozankei
Jozankei Onsen
Known for its highly desirable sodium chloride water, said to have healing properties.
Hokkaido | Sounkyo
Sounkyo Onsen
Located in the northern part of Daisetsuzan National Park in a narrow gorge with 100m cliffs.
Hokkaido | Hakodate
Yunokawa Onsen
1 of 3 well known hot springs in Japan, located on the outskirts of Hakodate near the airport.
Hokkaido | Lake Toya
Toyako Onsen
Many hot springs which first appeared in the area after the 1910 volcanic eruption.
Tohoku | Yamagata
Ginzan Onsen
Ginzan Onsen is a hot spring village known for its traditionally styled Japanese inns that is reflective of the Taisho era.
Kanto | Iwate
Hanamaki Onsen
Hanamaki Onsen is located on the west side of the city and is a collective of hotels and ryokan (traditional Japanese inn).
Tohoku | Yamagata | Zao
Zao Onsen
Zao Onsen is said to have been founded in 110 AD and is famous for its huge outdoor bath.
Tohoku | Akita
Nyuto Onsen
Nyuto Onsen is a collection of ryokans (Japanese traditional inns) with hot springs unique to their establishment, which is located in the Towada-Hachimantai National Park.
Kanto | Miyagi
Naruko Onsen
Naruko Onsen is over 1000 years old and has 9 unique water properties available in the area.
Kanto | Tochigi | Nikko
Nikko Yumoto Onsen
Nikko Yumoto Onsen is a hot spring town located in Nikko National park in the back part of the Okunikko region.
Kanto | Gunma
Manza Onsen
Manza Onsen is a hot spring resort located on the slopes of Mount Shirane and has the most sulfuric waters in Japan.
Kanto | Tochigi
Kinugawa Onsen
Kinugawa Onsen is a hot spring resort in Tochigi Prefecture by the Kinugawa River and is a popular stop.
Kanto | Gunma
Kusatsu Onsen
Kusatsu Onsen is located in the center of Gunma and is the most popular onsen in Japan.
Kanto | Gunma
Ikaho Onsen
Ikaho Onsen is one of the four famous hot springs in Gunma and is known for their Golden and Silver water.
Kanto | Kanagawa | Hakone
Hakone Onsen
The onsen in Hakone have been known as a popular destination for hot spring resorts for centuries.
Chubu | Ishikawa
Kaga Onsen
Kaga Onsen is a mecca of hot springs and is located south of Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture.
Chubu | Yamanashi | Mt Fuji
Kawaguchiko Onsen
Lake Kawaguchi has a few ryokans (Japanese traditional inn) with onsen (hot spring) baths that has views of Mount Fuji.
Chubu | Nagano
Yudanaka Onsen
Yudanaka Onsen is a hot spring resort that has been around for hundreds of years.
Chubu | Nagano
Nozawa Onsen
Nozawa Onsen is located in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture and has 13 traditional style public baths.
Chubu | Gifu
Gero Onsen
Gero Onsen is one of the three best onsen in Japan as said by Hayashi Razan, a Confucian poet from the Edo Period.
Chubu | Shizuoka | Izu Peninsula
Atami Onsen
Atami Onsen has been around since the 8th century and the water from the onsen was transported to Edo Castle.
Chubu | Ishikawa | Noto Peninsula
Wakura Onsen
Wakura Onsen is a hot spring area located next to Nanao Bay on the Noto Peninsula.
Chubu | Gifu | Okuhida
Okuhida Onsen
Okuhida Onsen was discovered by Takeda Shingen’s troops and has healing waters for a variety of ailments.
Chubu | Shizuoka | Lake Hamanako
Kanzanji Onsen
Kanzanji Onsen is the center attraction of Lake Hamanako and offers a wide variety of water qualities.
Chubu | Nagano
Shirahone Onsen
Shirahone Onsen is a rural hot spring resort surrounded by nature in a deep gorge by Mount Norikura, a sacred mountain.
Chubu | Nagano
Shibu Onsen
Shibu Onsen is located in Yamanouchi and maintains a traditional atmosphere reminiscent of the Edo Period.
Kansai | Wakayama
Shirahama Onsen
Shirahama Onsen is located in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, and is one of the oldest hot springs in Japan.
Kansai | Hyogo | Kobe
Arima Onsen
Arima Onsen is located in Kobe and is one of the oldest hot springs in Japan.
Kansai | Hyogo
Kinosaki Onsen
Kinosaki Onsen is one of the many famous hot springs in Japan and is located northern area of Hyogo Prefecture.
Kansai | Wakayama | Kumano
Katsuura Onsen
Katsuura Onsen is one of the famous hot springs located in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan
Chugoku | Shimane | Matsue
Tamatsukuri Onsen
Tamatsukuri Onsen, known as “the baths of the gods”, is one of the oldest hot springs in Japan. It is renowned for its rejuvenating properties found in the water.
Chugoku | Shimane | Matsue
Shinjiko Onsen
The Matsue Shinjiko Onsen is a hot springs resort for Lake Shinji and has a free footbath (ashiyu) at the station.
Shikoku | Ehime | Matsuyama
Dogo Onsen
One of the oldest hot springs and landmark of Matsuyama City located in Ehime Prefecture, Japan.
Shikoku | Kagawa | Kotohira
Konpira Onsen
A popular hot spring resort area in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan filled with many traditional Japanese style inns.
Kyushu | Oita | Beppu
Beppu Onsen
Beppu Hatto and the Hells of Beppu both contribute into making Beppu Onsen one of the most famous and popular hot spring areas in Japan.
Kyushu | Oita | Yufuin
Yufuin Onsen
A popular hot spring resort town filled with entertainment and traditional ryokans with an amazing scenic view of mountains surrounding the area located in Oita Prefecture, Japan
Kyushu | Nagasaki | Shimabara Peninsula
Unzen Onsen
A famous hot spring area located in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan known for the Unzen Hells and scenery.
Kyushu | Kagoshima | Ibusuki
Ibusuki Onsen
Ibusuki is famous for hot sand baths. Covered by sand that is warmed up by hot springs under the ground.
Kyushu | Kumamoto | Kumamoto City
Kurokawa Onsen
A traditional hot spring area in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan known for the Rotemburo Meguri public bathhouse activity.
Kyushu | Kagoshima | Kirishima
Kirishima Onsen
A sulfuric hot spring area located in Kagoshima Prefecture with a view of the nearby Sakurajima and Kagoshima Bay.
