GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
GoWithGuide
GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!

10 Famous Hot Spring (Onsen) Locations In Japan

Amy Dodgson

by GoWithGuide travel specialist:Amy Dodgson

Last updated : Jan 11, 202413 min read

Itinerary Ideas

The top 10 best host springs in Japan are Gero Onsen, Arima Onsen, Shibu onsen, Hakone onsen, Nyuto Onsen village, Oedo onsen monogatari, Kinosaki, Kurokawa onsen, Myoko highland and Yumoto onsen. Hot springs used to be a sacred place where people would go to cure their injuries and diseases in times where people had little knowledge of medicine. Now hot springs are a popular way for Japanese people to relax and for tourists to experience some culture. Come and enjoy these wonderful hotspring areas where you will see a fantastic view, enjoy great Japanese cuisine, shopping and traditional hotels. 

There's an updated version of the information on this blog regarding Gero Onsen. You may view it here: Gero Onsen: How to go, Prices and all you need to know.

Tokyo Odaiba Oedo Onsen Monogatari

blog image
Photo by Planetyze

An onsen theme park where you can thoroughly enjoy natural hot springs in Odaiba
The attraction is natural hot springs that bubble up from 1400 meters underground. Along with onsen each for men and women, there are 14 types of onsen. Relaxing inside the facility while wearing a yukata is popular.

A natural hot spring to be enjoyed in the center of the city When it comes to Odaiba, a popular area of shopping malls and multipurpose facilities to provide a variety of entertainment comes to mind. It is indeed a notable spot recommended for families and couples, but in the middle of the metropolis, Tokyo Odaiba Oedo Onsen Monogatari is the place to enjoy natural hot springs. The hot waters that bubble up from 1400 meters underground are extremely mellow. After warming your body, you can still enjoy relaxing your body and mind in the waters...

more information

Business hours
- Everyday (11:00 AM ~ 9:00 AM )
(9 o’clock the next morning)
Phone
03-5500-1126
Price
- Adult: 2480 JPY
- Child: 1000 JPY
Weekends and holidays 2680 yen
Website
www.ooedoonsen.jp

Gero Onsen

blog image
Photo by Planetyze

One of Japan’s most popular onsen along with Arima Onsen and Kusatsu Onsen, Gero Onsen is famous for its waters beneficial for beautiful skin
Gero Onsen which is located in the Hidagawa River valley is one of Japan’s most famous hot springs which has been flourishing since the Edo Era. The water is very gentle on the skin so that it feels smooth when you rise up from the bath. It is popular for its benefits for beautiful skin.

Japan’s foremost hot spring for beautiful skin with its soft water Gero Onsen is ranked alongside Hyogo Prefecture’s Arima Onsen and Gunma Prefecture’s Kusatsu Onsen as one of the Top 3 Famous Onsen in Japan. With an ancient history beginning in the Edo Era, it has gained its fame as a spa. There are many ryokan along the Hidagawa River where Funsen Pond still exists now, and the area is popular as an onsen town. The water quality of Gero Onsen is such that it is known as a pure alkaline hot spring. With water that has the sa...

more information

Phone
0576-25-2064
Price
- Free
Website
translate.google.com

Arima Onsen


A famous hot spring of Japan surrounded by the lushness of nature
Arima Onsen, which is located on the north side of Mt. Rokko at the base of the Momiji Valley, has been admired since ancient times as a famous hot spring by the Imperial Family and the nobility. It is Japan’s oldest onsen located in the middle of Mother Nature.

An onsen village that has continued to be loved throughout its long history Arima Onsen is a venerable hot spring that has been admired by the Imperial Family and the nobility for centuries. It was named in the famous Heian Era book, “The Pillow Book” as one of the three famous springs of Japan, and during the Edo Era, it was selected as the most prestigious hot spring on the rankings for onsen, and it continues to be so proud of its status and tradition that it represents the best of the onsen in the Kansai area. The Arima Onse...

more information

Price
Differs depending on the ryokan and other facilities
Website
www.feel-kobe.jp

Hakone Hot Springs

blog image
Photo by Planetyze

A 90-minute train ride from Tokyo. Twenty types of hot springs qualities. Enjoy the diverse hot springs baths at Hakone Hot Springs
Hakone is a town of hot springs with a long history where you can enjoy looking at Mount Fuji while bathing in hot springs surrounded by nature. Because Hakone offers hot springs for resting, skin beauty, curing and much more, baths can also be selected by your bathing purpose. Whether you make it a day trip or decide to stay at an inn, there are numerous ways of enjoying Hakone.

An inviting hot springs area visited by nearly 20 million tourists every year There are numerous ways to enjoy Hakone where the 25,000 tons of warm water that flows daily from hot springs tabs are supplied to spas, resort facilities and hot springs inns. Hakone features many tourist attractions in addition to the hot springs: You can take a ride on the mountain railway train, a gondola lift or a cable car for a magnificent view of Mount Fuji and the national park, or you could visit tourist facilities such as museums and gardens, or you could...

more information

Phone
0460-85-5571
Website
www.hakone-english.com

Kurokawa-onsen

blog image
Photo by Planetyze

A refined onsen town which becomes one with the natural surroundings along a river
One trait of this onsen is the sight of people walking around in their yukata touring the open-air baths after receiving their onsen-hopping passes. The beautiful townscape and the first-rate onsen will relax mind and body.

Stroll through an onsen village in the mountains Located in a small mountain village away from Kumamoto and even Oita Prefecture’s Beppu, there are 20 Japanese-style inns cozily hugging both sides of the Tanoharu River Valley at an altitude of 700m. The integrated appearance of the black roofs and clay walls of the ryokan and stores is in splendid harmony with the natural environment along the river as a beautiful townscape spreads out. Formerly known as a hot spring which effectively healed injuries, Kurokawa Onsen has received an unpr...

more information

Price
Varies depending on the facility
Website
www.kurokawaonsen.or.jp

Shibu Onsen

blog image
Photo by Planetyze

The retro townscape that matches the traditional yukata and geta worn by visitors is an onsen town that has lasted for 1300 years
All of the onsen in the town come straight from 100% source springs. Enjoy a stroll through the town or engage in the “Kyu-to Meguri” which is a tour of the 9 outdoor baths in a retro atmosphere with a rich variety of hot spring quality. Nearby is Jigokudani Yaen-Koen (Monkey Park).

The town’s hot springs all flow from 100% source springs Shibu Onsen is located in a town deep in the mountains in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture; the entire area is an ancient onsen that is called Yudanaka Shibu Onsen-kyo. Even within the onsen kingdom that has been the name given to Nagano, the quality and quantity of water at Shibu Onsen are particularly rich with 36 accommodation facilities including hotels and ryokan and reasonable outdoor baths which are all sourced from the original source springs. The composition of the...

more information

Phone
0269-33-2921
Price
Varies depending on the facility
Website
www.shibuonsen.net

Nyuto Onsen Village

blog image
Photo by Planetyze

Relax in an idyllic onsen village surrounded by a primeval Japanese beech forest
This group of hot springs located in nature-filled Towada-Hachimantai National Park is an onsen village with a history of Edo Era warriors soothing their fatigue in its waters. You can enjoy a tour of the springs nearby.

Secluded hot springs in the middle of the Tohoku nature This group of 7 onsen that is situated at the foot of Mt. Nyuto in Towada-Hachimantai National Park is known as the Nyuto Onsen Village and has a history that stretches from the Edo Era. Surrounded by a primeval Japanese beech forest, the area has the attraction of being able to enjoy an onsen while taking a peaceful walk in the summer and admiring the fall colors and winter snowscapes. Having an onsen holiday in the middle of an unexplored area all throughout the four seasons makes for...

more information

Price
Day-trip visits to the onsen (please refer to the website for accommodations)
Tsurunoyu 510 yen *For day trips, the open-air bath cannot be used on Mondays
Taenoyu 720 yen
Kuroyu Onsen 510 yen
Ganiba Onsen 510 yen
Magoroku Onsen 510 yen
Ogama
Website
ryokan.glocal-promotion.com

Kinosaki Onsen

blog image
Photo by Planetyze

At the historic onsen village of Kinosaki Onsen, enjoy a stroll through the open-air baths and the village
The attractive point is being able to not only relax in one hot spring, but also fully enjoying the town while touring the 7 public baths. You will want to get your fill of the meals at the ryokan and the hospitality.

Soothe body and soul at an onsen with 1300 years of history Kinosaki Onsen which is located in Hyogo Prefecture, is an onsen village which has a history dating from the Heian Era whose old-fashioned and profound townscape is another attractive point. Kinosaki’s distinguishing feature of its open-air baths is arranged so that you can tour each one of them in the center of town. When you reach your accommodations, change into your yukata and quickly get out into Kinosaki. The 7 open-air baths of Kinosaki Onsen consist of Ichino-yu, Gosh...

more information

Price
Differs depending on the ryokan and other facilities
Website
www.kinosaki-spa.gr.jp

Myoko Highland

blog image
Photo by Planetyze

The great amount of snow is the biggest attraction. A highland resort where you can truly enjoy skiing and an onsen
Myoko Highland is famous for its 8 distinct areas for winter skiing. Spreading out at the foot of Mt. Myoko is a resort land that can be enjoyed throughout all four seasons so that soaking in the hot spring and summer climbing are also fun activities.

Enjoy some dynamic skiing in the heavy snowfall zone of Niigata Myoko Highland which is famous for its heavy accumulation of snow is separated into 8 ski areas, each of which has its own attractive and individualistic courses. There are facilities such as the Super Giant Course with the steepest angle of 45 degrees, the Myoko Suginohara Resort with its 8500m-long course, and the Ikenodaira Ski Resort which boasts one of Japan’s most prominent snowboard parks; in fact, all of the areas allow snowboarding. There are courses that can be en...

more information

Phone
0255-86-3911
Website
www.myoko.tv

Yumoto Onsen

blog image
Photo by Planetyze

A trip to Yumoto Onsen in the middle of lush nature is one to sweep your fatigue away
Yumoto Onsen is a hot spring town by Lake Yunoko in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture. Even within Nikko where you can enjoy all kinds of onsen within a lush green environment, this area is especially popular.

Take a healing trip at an onsen… There are 23 hot spring hotels at Yumoto Onsen whose waters are used in recovery from diseases such as rheumatism and have been known to be beneficial for the skin. Also, there are facilities such as foot baths which can be used for free without needing to stay overnight where you can spend a leisurely time while viewing Lake Yunoko and the surrounding mountains. Furthermore, at Mt. Nikko Onsen-ji Temple which was established by the Japanese monk Shodo Shonin, there is not only a temple but also a hot s...

more information

Phone
0288-62-2570
Website
www.jnto.go.jp

Discover Japan with help of someone who knows the country

Yes, we have Google. And yes, it really helps our lives and makes us learn a lot, but there some things that only living we know. Due to this, when traveling, having someone who has experiences in the place and also with other people who visited as tourists is awesome. 
They are able to help us to choose which spots are the best according with each interest. 

For this, we recommend you to hire a  private guide from GoWithGuide. Here are some advantages of the service:

  1. Save your time: you will be able to go to more places and go to the right places for you.
  2. Custom itinerary: you will be able to make the schedule the way you want, at the pace you want and according to your interests.
  3. Qualified professionals to guide you: you can choose the guide you want and all of them are selected by our team for being well-capable.
  4. Not a group excursion: Private experience that allows you to focus on the people that are traveling with you and with time flexible.
  5. Affordable price: you must be thinking "Okay, but how much would it cost to me?!" and we are glad to say that it is cheaper than you think. Check the guides list to know the prices.

You can also join a tour from GoWithGuide too and get knowledge about the main spots selected by the guides. This way, you will certainly have a great experience visiting Japan.

If you want to go further to the country, you can also hire private cars from GoWithGuide that allows you to go to various places without having to worry about the public transportation system and schedule.

Triple Lights is a company that wants to help tourists in Japan to have a better experience visiting the country.  If you want to know more about how can the company helps you, visit the website or contact one of the guides.

Blogs About Traveling To Japan

Japan Travel - 7 Days Itinerary Around Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka

Cool Things in Tokyo: 2019 Hidden Gems

Tokyo Walking Tours: 8 Great Options for Small Groups

Tokyo Itinerary: Tokyo up to 3 Days - First Timers

 5 Best Day Trips from Tokyo: All You Need to Know

Written by Amy Dodgson

blog writer avatar

GoWithGuide’s writers are passionate travel specialists sharing unique tips and essential information for global explorers.

Kanagawa Tour Guide - Yuki K.

Yuki K.

4.77 / 5
(367 reviews)
Japan

I was born and grew up in Yokohama. I used to work in Tokyo for more than 20 years. I became the National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter in English in 2013. At first, I had attended a volunteer group which provided a tour of the Imperial Palace East Gardens until 2015. I guided more than fifty times in the garden as a volunteer and studied about Japanese history and culture. Based on this experience, I became a tour guide of this online site in 2015. Since then, I have guided more than 500 tours in Tokyo as well as Yokohama, Kamakura, Hakone, Kyoto, Nikko, etc., while improving my tours. My tours are very flexible and I always do my best to customize them according to the interests of my guests. I studied about the places and will provide you knowledge to appreciate them more deeply than just visiting there by yourself or a member of group tours. I like foods and I know many restaurants which provide typical Japanese lunch with reasonable price without waiting too long. Therefore, I am sure that I can provide you the best tours customized to your interests. It will be my great pleasure to help you to enjoy your stay in Japan. So please be my guest!!                                                                                                                                 

Kyoto Tour Guide - Hiroshi Y.

Hiroshi Y.

4.67 / 5
(325 reviews)
Japan

Hello,I am HIROSHI YOKOYAMA. Please call me Hiro, not "hero". I have been lived in kyoto for more than 30years. So, I am very familiar with the city of Kyoto and a unique culture developed in Japan as well. I can offer you not only historic places like Nijo castle, Kinkakuji temple ,Kiyomizu temple etc., but also off the beaten track spots Nijo jinya house or nicknamed "ninjya house" ,Katsura Imperial Villa etc.. I am really looking forward to seeing you .                                                                                                                                 

Tokyo Tour Guide - Akira N.

Akira N.

4.94 / 5
(324 reviews)
Japan

Hello, My name is Akira. I am certified national guide interpreter. I have been living in Tokyo for more than 30 years. I love walking in the city with no particular plan finding trasures in the streets such as nice ramen noodle restaurants, cafes, funny billboards, and most of all, narrow alleys that remind me of good old days. I will help you enjoying the days in the city fully and making your vist memorable one. I am looking forward to seeing you soon.                                                                                                                                 

Plan your trip to Japan

Chat with a local tour guide who can help organize your trip.

Get Started