Yunokawa Onsen is a famous hot spring resort, facing ocean in the eastern part of Hakodate city and is located only about 10 minutes away from central Hakodate. Originally, hot springs were discovered to cure an illness for the Matsumae feudal lord in 1653. There is Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden near Yunokawa Onsen where you can watch 80-100 Japanese macaques relaxing in the hot bath.
Utoro Onsen is a hot spring located on the western coast of the Shiretoko Peninsula, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. You can enjoy taking an open-air bath with a grand view of sunset over the Sea of Okhotsk. The hot spring is brownish color contains iron and sodium chloride which is said to be beneficial for reducing fatigue and promoting healthy skin.
Akanko Onsen is located at the southern side of Lake Akan, surrounded by gorgeous untouched natural scenery. The Akanko Onsen is dotted with foot and hand baths where you can soak in for free of charge. There are 13 Japanese inns and hotels in this resort which have hot spring baths with magnificent views of the lake and mountains. Some of them even feature open-air baths and offers delicious local cuisine.
In addition to that, its resort offers visitors an opportunity to experience Ainu (the indigenous Hokkaido population) culture. At Akanko Ainu Kotan, a replica Ainu village on the banks of Lake Akan, you can watch ceremonial dance and puppet shows hosted by local people. There are also tens of shops offering hand-made craft and souvenir, as well as restaurants and coffee shops serving Hokkaido and Ainu cuisine.
Most of the hot springs are simple clear and colorless water without strong smell, and gentle to your skin, which is suitable for everyone including small children. The hot spring is proved to have various therapeutic effects including for rheumatism, neuralgia and arthritis.
Sukayu is a mountainous hot spring located in Aomori that has been open for more than 300 years. The most famous “Senjin Buro” is a large co-ed bath where many people can enter at the same time. The building itself has a distinctive atmosphere which was made entirely out of cypress, and continues to be passed down through the centuries. At Sukayu onsen, there are four bathing places provided from different hot spring sources.
Towada-Hachimantai National Park is located in the northern Tohoku Region, extending across the three prefectures, Aomori, Akita and Iwate.The national park is made up with two separate areas. One is the northern area around Lake Towada and the other is the southern area near Hachimantai. The park can be enjoyed throughout the year: climbing and hiking in the fresh green forests from spring to summer and skiing in winter. The park boasts one of the Japan’s best spots for autumn foliage from end of September to middle of October as well as lakes, hot springs and streams.
Hanamaki Onsen is located at the middle of the Kitakami Basin in Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture. Hanamaki area boasts abundant spring water thanks to the gorge of the Ou Mountains. The city is famous for the largest rose garden in the Tohoku region, hot springs and author Kenji Miyazawa. The water of the hot springs is beneficial for rheumatism and neuralgia.
Mount Zao is a volcanic mountain lies between Yamagata and Miyagi Prefectures. Zao is only a few places in Japan that you can see the trees glazed with ice and snow creating giant “snow monsters”(frozen trees). Also, it is one of the most famous and traditional skiing and snowboarding resorts in Japan as well as a hot spring, Zao Onsen, which contains high amount of acidic thermal waters.
Kaminoyama Onsen, located at the base of Mount Zao is about 30-40 minutes drive from Yamagata city. The hot spring boasts a long history of over 600 years and beautiful landscapes of Mount Zao, along with the Kaminoyama Castle. It is said that the monk first found the injured crane healing its wounds by soaking in the Kaminoyama hot spring in 1400’s.
There are 7 public bath facilities including foot baths and open-air baths as well as many baths at Ryokan inns for a day trip visitors.
Akayu hot spring is a compact onsen town, at the northern edge of the Yonezawa basin, located in Nanyo City, Yamagata Prefecture. With 14 inns and 4 public bath houses, the spring is popular both among locals and travelers for the footbaths and open-air baths. The hot spring has a history of 920 years, said to be discovered by the brother of the Samurai, Yoshiie Minamoto. It is also believed that the injured soldiers were healed with the Akayu spring water after the battle. With 4 wineries and many variety of ramen noodle shops, you may enjoy not only the hot springs itself, but also local specialties of Nanyo city.
Ginzan Onsen is one of the famous hot spring resorts located in Obanazawa City, Yamagata Prefecture. The hot spring was founded in 1741 by chance while mining for silver in the mountains. The surrounding mountains provides rich hot spring water. It features traditional three- to four- story Japanese inns lining up along the Ginzan River which create picturesque scenes of a Taisho Period (1912-26).
Yunohama Onsen is a hot spring resort situated along the Yunohama coast in Tsuruoka city, Yamagata. It is said that the hot spring was established about 1000 years ago. From open-air baths, you can enjoy the breath-taking views of the sandy beaches stretched out in front of you and sun setting over the Sea of Japan. Every summer, many people descend on the Yunohama beach for swimming, kayaking, surfing and beach volleyball.
Kinugawa-onsen is a hot spring resort town filled with nature, located along the Kinugawa River which runs through Nikko National Park in Tochigi Prefecture. The town is centered on the large hotels lining the riverbank, and offers many thing to enjoy including theme parks and its hot springs.
The spring is an alkaline simple water, and it is said to be effective for stiff shoulders, fatigue and neuralgia.
Shima Onsen resort is one of the oldest hot spring resorts in Japan located along the clear water of Shima River in the mountains between Gunma Prefecture and Niigata Prefecture. Its nostalgic long narrow district is lined with interesting game arcades, nice small shops, historical inns, comfortable foot baths and spots for drinking hot spring water. Also, it is said that the red bridge and inns were served as a model for scenes in the Japanese film, "Spirited Away” from Studio Ghibli, attracting more visitors to this resort in recent years.
Minakami Onsen Area is consist of nine different hot spring resorts located along the mountain stream that flows down from Mount Tanigawa near Tone River in Gunma Prefecture, surrounded by abundant nature. This resort also offers some fun outdoor activities such as horse riding, rafting, bungee jump, hiking and snow activities.
Ikaho Onsen is a hot spring resort located on the highland slope of Mount Haruna in Gunma Prefecture founded in the 7th century. The hot spring is well-known for its reddish brown iron-laden thermal waters, which is said to be good for relief of neuralgic pains and backache. Stone steps continues for about 300 meters from the entrance of the resort, traditional inns, souvenir shops, food shops and nostalgic game shops are concentrated around the steps.
Kusatsu Onsen is one of the best known hot spring resorts in Japan, located at an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level in the mountains of Gunma Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo.
The town centers around a hot water field, called " Yubatake" which allows the piping hot and acidic water to cool in large pipes and send its water to surrounding 19 onsens. Nearby Mt. Shirane, an active volcano supplies Kusatsu Onsen with abundant natural water flow at 32,300 liters per minute.
Kusatsu is easy to access from Tokyo, around 5 hours ride by bus.
Hakone is located in the southwestern part of Kanagawa Prefecture near Mount Fuji, and only an hour away from Tokyo. Surrounded by beautiful greenery and it is near the Lake Ashi,Hakone is a famous resort not only among Japanese tourists, but also international tourists. Also, it is well-known for renowned onsen hot springs with stunning views of the Mount Fuji. There are hundreds of Japanese inns and hotels dotted along the onsen hot springs.
Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is located in central Honshu consists of 4 regions, world famous Mount Fuji, the "Fuji Five Lakes", the Hakone Geopark, the Izu Peninsula, and the Izu Islands extending into Pacific Ocean. It is the most visited national park in Japan, and it is one of the best destinations to admire its natural beauty and enjoy onsen hot springs.
Unazuki Onsen is a small hot spring town located at the entrance to Kurobe Gorge in Toyama. Its hot spring water is said to be the most transparent in Japan and is good for rheumatism, neuralgia and dermatopathia. Local beer is brewed using water from the gorge. Enjoy the beauty of nature in a hot spring and have a bottle of chilled beer after bath will take you to the highest level of relaxation.
The Himi Onsen Village in the Noto Peninsula Quasi-National Park is a group of hot springs around Himi city in Toyama Prefecture. You will have a chance to admire the magnificent view of Tateyama mountain range as if it was floating above Toyama Bay. The hot spring water is mineral salt water which promotes muscle relaxation and stimulates blood circulation. This onsen village offers you fresh sea food caught in Himi as well as Himi beef and Himi Udon.
From and To
Nagano / Matsumoto / Karuizawa / Hakuba / Kamikochi
Bessho Onsen
Bessho Onsen located in Ueda city is the oldest hot spring in Nagano Prefecture. It is said that Yamato Takeru, emperor in ancient Japan opened the first springs at Beshho Onsen. There are 3 traditional public bath facilities offering footbath and open air baths. The spring contains sulfur and alkaline which are good for promoting a healthy smooth skin and healing wounds. The Beshho Onsen is compact so that you can easily explore the town on foot visiting surrounding temples and small shops.
Shirahone Onsen is a small onsen town located deep in a valley of Japanese Alps in Matsumoto. Its name literally means "white bone" due to the rich concentration of calcium and magnesium turning the water into a creamy white color. The onsen water is of high therapeutic value and safe to drink. Rice porridge, a specialty of Shirahone Onsen is cooked with the onsen water and is served by most onsen hotels for breakfast.
Matsumoto city is rich in hot spring source. You will find Asama Hot Springs close to the Matsumoto's downtown area. This onsen resort was made in the 17th century by a Samurai Lord who while constructing Matsumoto castle, hoping the resort ease people's soul and body, as well as himself.
The sources of the hot spring water have consistently been flowing from the earth for more than 1,000 years at a temperature of around 50℃. The volume of the water flowing from the onsen, around 1,500 liters/min, is second or third most abundant among Nagano's hot springs.
You can still feel the old Japan and the history in the wonderful hospitality of a traditional Japanese inns as Samurai Lord once enjoyed, soaking in its mineral rich waters. Let the hot springs revive your body and spirit!
Nagashima Onsen is a popular hot spring complex at Nagashima Resot in Mie Prefecture.
Nagashima Onsen Yuami no Shima is the Japan’s largest onsen theme park which offers 17 kinds of indoor and outdoor baths, as well as massage services, Ganbanyoku hot stone spa, saunas, stage performances and restaurants. Yuami no Shima provides interesting baths, such as the Oirase Keiryu no Yu which recreates the natural environment of the Oirase mountain stream in the Tohoku region and the Kurobe Kyokoku no Yu which is modelled on Kurobe Gorge, a forested ravine in the Northern Japan Alps.
There are another facilities at Nagashima Resort you can have a full day of fun for the whole family : the amusement park Nagashima Spa Land, Mitsui Outlet Park Jazz Dream Nagashima, a shopping mall, a water park, and Nabana no sato flower park.
Toba City, located in the northern area of the Shima Peninsula at the eastern edge of Mie Prefecture facing Ise Bay consists of its peninsula and four inhabited islands.
There are 56 hotels and Japanese style-inns spread across 9 seaside hot spring resorts along the Toba coastline offer various types of spring water that have different benefits for your health.
Also, toba onsen resort awaits you with loads of fresh seafood caught on the bay and scenic ocean views.
Kinosaki Onsen is a charming hot spring town in the northern part of Hyogo Prefecture on the sea of Japan with 1400 years of history. This town is built along the picturesque willow lined river, Otanigawa River, and many travelers visit seven public bath houses along the river in cotton Kimono and wooden sandals enjoying the tranquil atmosphere and traditional town.
Yumura Onsen is a historic hot spring town nestled in the mountains in Hyogo Prefecture that was discovered in 848. The Haruki River flows through the town center and there is a "foot bath" where many people having a relaxing time, soaking in their feet while overlooking the river. The Onsen's specialty, "Hot spring eggs(Onsen Tamago)" which are soft-boiled eggs made in the onsen can be enjoyed here.The temperature of the onsen source gets as hot as 98℃ which contains sodium, hydrogen carbonate, chloride, and sulfate, and it is drinkable.
Arima Onsen is one of the oldest and famous hot spring towns on the opposite side of Mount Rokko in Kobe city. It's known for the gold and silver hot spring and beautiful mountain scenery, yet close enough to Kobe city. Its gold spring water contains a high amount of iron and salt, and the other silver odorless spring water contains carbonated radium. The town is quite compact in size and can be explored everywhere on foot.
Shirahama Beach located in the southwestern part of Wakayama Prefecture is one of the best beaches in the Kansai regions. Shirahama means” White Beach” in Japanese, and it attracts tourists not only for a 500 meter long white sand, but also clear water. This region facing the Pacific Ocean is also famous for onsen hot spings, and you can enjoy various types of marine sports such as scuba diving, jet skiing, surfing and boat tours.
Tamatsukuri Onsen and Shinjiko Onsen are located in Matsue, which is the capital city of Shimane Prefecture in the southwest of mainland, Honshu. Matsue offers you interesting and traditional attractions such as Matsue Castle, Shirines, Samurai district, history museum, hot springs, Shinjiko onsen and Tamatsukuri Onsen. Both Onsens are easily accessible from central Matsue, and public foot spa can be enjoyed for free of charge.
Matsue is a great place to feel a taste of "traditional" Japan.
Upon arriving Yuda Onsen, you will be greeted by a giant white fox statue which has a long legend that a wounded fox healed itself by foot bathing in the hot spring. Yuda Onsen itself is a small cluster of Japanese-style inns with the richest amount of alkaline hot spring water in Sanyo. Its location in the center of Yamaguchi Prefecture makes access to other tourist attractions convenient. The most prominent spots nearby include Rurikoji Temple, a National Treasure and Park Road, one of the 100 Top Roads in Japan known for autumn foliage.
Dogo Onsen is one of the Japan’s oldest hot springs in Matsuyama city, Ehime Prefecture.
The Dogo Onsen is mentioned in Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan), a book of classical Japanese history, which dates back to 700 AD, along with Arima Onsen in Osaka and Shirahama Onsen in Wakayama. The Dogo Onsen area features many attractions such as a shopping arcade, temples and shrines, Dogo Park and the Shiki Museum. Dogo's shopping arcades offer many places to try local specialties, such as Taimeshi, a dish of rice cooked with sea bream and Botchan Dango, sweet rice dumplings.
Kurokawa Onsen is one of the popular hot spring villages and has been chosen as a top 10 onsen resorts several years in a row. It is nestled deep in the mountain and lush gorge in Kumamoto Prefecture. 20 vintage inns and souvenir shops are lined along the pure stream of Tanoharu River at an altitude of 700m. You will feel Secluded from the outside world, it's the perfect place to get the feeling of peace and serenity.
Yufuin Onsen is a popular hot spring resort located about ten kilometers from Beppu, surrounded by natural wilderness and overlooked by the heights of Mount Yufu.
There are many fun things to do in Yufuin. You can check out museums or shops, have a tranquil time at café, take a various types of onsen, try outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain climbing or cycling, and enjoy local food.
Beppu City in Oita prefecture is one of the most popular and largest hot spring towns in Japan with over 4,300 hot spring sources. Beppu Onsen offers wide range of onsen baths, including mud baths, hot sand baths and stream baths, together with conventional hot water baths.
Beppu Jigoku Meguri (The Hell Tour), a tour of eight Beppu hot springs where steams and gases explode out of the ground, is something only Beppu can offer.
