Hot Spring Areas in Japan: Where to Find the Best Onsen

In Japan, the abundance of geothermal energy offers many attractions, such as the wonder of the active volcano of Mount Fuji, the tranquil beauty of volcanic Lake Ashi, and today's protagonist, the countless hot springs scattered throughout most of Japan. Hot springs, usually called Onsen in Japan, are very popular with the locals. From the road by Furoba to the pleasant town of Onsen, you can always find a place to enjoy a hot bath and soak in the misty atmosphere with different types of water. As for the areas to fully enjoy the bath, below are the most recommended areas for you to enjoy the Onsen during your Japan tour.

Arima

Arima Onsen is one of the oldest onsen towns in Japan. When you enter the town of Arima, you will be greeted by a dramatic cityscape that looks like a movie set.

Speaking of Arima Onsen, "Kinsen", which is cloudy with a deep orange color, is the most famous. Some ryokans have Kinsen, but if you want to enjoy the baths casually and cheaply, we recommend Kin-no-Yu, where there is also a footbath outside where you can enjoy the Kinsen for free. Another famous Onsen of Arima is the silver onsen, which is called "Ginsen" in Japanese. The silver Onsen contains iron and salt that have a moisturizing effect and is said to improve blood circulation and sensitivity to cold.

In Arima Onsen town, other than soaking in the onsen, there are also other activities to enjoy. For example, there are about 50 restaurants with various tastes, many small souvenir shops, and bakeries. There is also a museum that exhibits stamp collections.

Kusatsu

Kusatsu Onsen, which is counted as one of Japan's top three hot springs, is a major tourist destination with plenty of things to experience. More than 100 hot spring inns are lined up around Yubatake, the symbol of Kusatsu. The town is also lit up at night, making it a popular spot that creates a magical atmosphere.

In Yubatake, 4,000 liters of hot spring water flow every minute. It is said that the components of Kusatsu Onsen are effective for cold sensitivity, neuralgia, general health improvement, chronic gynecological diseases, chronic digestive diseases, etc.

There are more than 70 restaurants of various genres in Yubatake Onsen town. In the popular footbath cafes, you can enjoy sweets while soaking in the footbath. If you go all the way to a hot spring, you can't miss the gourmets. Hot spring eggs and hot spring steamed buns can be found all over the town, so it is recommended to try them and compare their tastes.

Hakone

Hakone Onsen has a history of 1,200 years and is also known as an "Onsen department store" due to its rich quality of spring water. Due to its scenic beauty and easy access from the main cities of Japan, it is a popular onsen resort for sightseeing tourists as well. There are around 20 onsen areas scattered around Hakone, and Hakone Yumoto Onsen is one of the most popular areas and can be enjoyed on a day trip if you are staying in Tokyo.

Hakone Yumoto Onsen has a lot of chloride springs, which are said to be effective for stiff shoulders, sensitivity to cold, and lower back pain. Other than the healing Onsen, don't miss the temples and historical sites spread throughout the Onsen town.

There are also more than 60 restaurants, ramen shops, cafes, and bars, so you won't miss the chance to try out some local cuisine. There are plenty of things to do, such as a sushi restaurant that uses local fish caught in Sagami Bay and an Italian restaurant that serves Hakone's new specialty, hot spring pasta. In addition, there are many museums and natural scenic spots in the surrounding area, making it an Onsen resort where you can fully enjoy sightseeing.

Noboribetsu

Noboribetsu Onsen is located in Hokkaido Prefecture and boasts about 10,000 tons of natural spring water between 45℃ to 90℃ per day. There are nine types of spring water, which all have different functions: sulfur spring, chloride spring, alum spring, mirabilite spring, green spring, iron spring, acidic spring, and multi-layered spring. You can enjoy multiple types of onsen at one ryokan, so you can find the one that best suits you.

There are also many sightseeing spots in the surrounding area. In the Jigokudani (Hell Valley) area, where multiple hot springs erupt, the unique scent of sulfur and steam spreads, and you can see the water gushing out. Furthermore, if you take the ropeway from Onsen town, you can also go to Noboribetsu Bear Park, which is popular with couples and families with children.

Atami

Atami is one of Japan's leading seaside Onsen resorts, has good access to public transportation, and is near Tokyo. It is full of attractions and events, such as fireworks festivals held throughout the year, colorful night views, and illuminated beaches. In Atami Onsen, you can enjoy the abundant onsen throughout the city. The spring water of Atami is expected to have a beautiful skin effect. In Atami, you will be able to enjoy multiple experiences, not only soaking in the Onsen but also hiking in the mountain, relaxing on the beach, enjoying local events and gourmets, etc.

Nagano

With approximately 200 onsens, Nagano could be the second home of the Japanese hot springs, where you can find plenty of onsen towns to visit, making for an extremely soothing vacation. Just put on a Yukata robe and a pair of comfortable sandals, stroll through the leisure town with the warm steam, and choose a hot spring to soak in.

As for the types of hot springs, there are the natural ones with mineral substances in yellow, as well as the clear ones with drifting apples or grapefruit on the water. As for the environment, you can choose an open-air bath with the dropper-in snow monkey or a classic indoor Sento bathhouse made of rock and cypress wood. If you just want to have a simple relaxation, there are also the Ashi-yu foot baths, where you can also view the classic Japanese rock garden at the same time.

There is a saying in Japan that a hot spring bath is not only healing and relaxing for the body but also a pursuit of elegance as a way of life. Clean the body with the etiquette and soak in hot water up to the shoulder with a glass of sake floating on the water, a few half-cooked onsen eggs, the blurred reflection of the moon in the water, and a few ripples from the falling red maples. Start your Japan tour with Odynovo and let the warm spring water wash away your fatigue from the body to the soul.