Onsen (Hot spring) resorts in Japan
Because many volcanoes are dotted in Japan, there are about 27,000 sources of hot spring.
And there are about 3,000 hot spring resorts in all prefectures in Japan.
In Japanese, hot spring is called Onsen (温泉).
The water of hot spring contains various mineral ingredients.
Since ancient times, onsen had been a sanatorium to stay for a long time and cure a disease by the minerals.
In the medieval period, onsen had also developed as a resort to warm and relax the body.
So, visiting onsen has been the main leisure activity for Japanese people.
Even now, after the tourists visit some sightseeing spots, the nearest onsen resort is often selected as the lodging place of the day.
In major Onsen resorts, many hotels and ryokans (Japanese-style hotel) make an Onsen town.
There are also secluded onsen resorts with only one ryokan.
Gushing water from the source in the mountain or the valley is drawn to each hotel, and the water is used in the large bathroom.
We get into the onsen naked.
It is common sense in Japan.
Of course, the bathrooms are segregated by sex.
And many hotels have open-air bath.
Onsen resorts in each region
Hokkaido Tohoku Kanto Koshin-etsu Hokuriku Tokai Kansai Chugoku Shikoku Kyushu
Onsen resorts in Hokkaido Region
Southern part of Hokkaido
Jozankei Onsen (定山渓温泉) is located along a valley in the suburbs of Sapporo city.
It is surrounded by nature and many day trippers visit here.
Toyako Onsen (洞爺湖温泉) is the onsen resort by Lake Toya.
The onsen was opened by a volcanic eruption in 1910.
Noboribetsu Onsen (登別温泉) is one of the most popular onsen resort.
Hot springs with various types of spring quarity are gushing from a wild valley.
Yunokawa Onsen (湯の川温泉) is an old onsen resort in Hakodate city and it was opened in the 17th century.
There is a botanical Garden near the resort and we can see the monkeys thaking a bath in winter.
Northern and eastern parts of Hokkaido Region
Sounkyo Onsen (層雲峡温泉) is the onsen resort in Sounkyo gorge around Daisetsuzan mountains.
It is a starting point to go to sightseeing spots of Daisetsuzan.
Tenninkyo Onsen (天人峡温泉) is the onsen resort in a gorge located along the southwest foot of Asahidake volcano of Daisetsuzan.
Akan-ko Onsen (阿寒湖温泉) is the onsen resort by Lake Akan.
There are a few volcanoes around the lake, so much hot spring are gushing.
Kawayu Onsen (川湯温泉) is the onsen resort near Lake Mashu and Lake Kussharo.
Very much hot spring is gushing and the steams are drifting in the town.
Utoro Onsen (ウトロ温泉) is the onsen resort of Utoro district in Shiretoko Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The town is a tourist center in Shiretoko Peninsula.
Tokachigawa Onsen (十勝川温泉) is the onsen resort in a suburb of Obihiro city.
The hot spring is unique and it contains much vegetable organic materials.
Onsen resorts in Tohoku Region
Asamushi Onsen (浅虫温泉, Aomori Pref.) is in the suburbs of central Aomori city and faces Aomori Bay.
The town is surrounded with calm sea and forest.
Sukayu Onsen (酸ヶ湯温泉, Aomori Pref.) is in Hakkoda mountains and the snow depth around the onsen sometimes exceeds 4 meters in winter.
There is only one inn, and the big bathroom for mixed bathing is famous.
Morioka Tsunagi Onsen (盛岡つなぎ温泉, Iwate Pref.) is an onsen resort by the dam lake to west of the center of Morioka city.
The hot water is alkaline, so your skin becomes smooth after bathing.
Oga Onsen village (男鹿温泉郷, Akita Pref.) is in Oga Paninsula.
The hot spring had been known since ancient times, and the area became the onsen resort around 1960s.
Tamagawa Onsen (玉川温泉, Akita Pref.) is not a resort but a therapeutic bath.
The water contains mainly strong hydrochloric acid, additionally a tiny amount of radon, a kind of radioactive substances.
Therefore, there is "Shin-Tamagawa Onsen" using mild water near Tamagawa Onsen for ordinary visitors.
Nyuto Onsen village (乳頭温泉郷, Akita Pref.) is the small onsen resort in the mountains.
There are seven ryokans and the guest can enter the bathes in all ryokans.
Akiu Onsen (秋保温泉, Miyagi Pref.) is the onsen resort in a suburb of Sendai city.
There are the scenic spots such as some gorges and high water falls around the onsen resort.
Naruko Onsen (鳴子温泉, Miyagi Pref.) is the onsen resort along the river valley.
Since ancient times, the onsen had been a resort area for therapeutic bath.
Kokeshi doll is famous as the souvenir.
Ginzan Onsen (銀山温泉, Yamagata Pref.) is the hot spring resort in a narrow valley.
Many ryokans are lined along a river and the wooden buildings built in the 19th century create a retro atmosphere.
Zao Onsen (蔵王温泉, Yamagata Pref.) is located on the side of Mt.Zao.
The onsen is a strong acidic sulfur spring.
There are a popular ski resort near the onsen and snow rime on trees in winter is famous.
Iizaka Onsen (飯坂温泉, Fukushima Pref.) is an onsen resort near Fukushima city.
It has a long history, and there are many ryokans and public bathhouses in the town.
Tsuchiyu Onsen (土湯温泉, Fukushima Pref.) is also an onsen resort near Fukushima city.
The onsen town is along a river in the valley.
It is also famous as Kokeshi doll.
Higashiyama Onsen (東山温泉, Fukushima Pref.) is a hot spring resort in a gorge near Aizu-Wakamatsu city.
This resort has several groups of geisha girl.
Onsen resorts in Kanto Region
Kinugawa Onsen (鬼怒川温泉, Tochigi Pref.) is located near Nikko, a major sightseeing spot.
Therefore, there are many large hotels along Kinugawa river.
Kawaji Onsen (川治温泉, Tochigi Pref.) is located to the north of Kinugawa Onsen, and some hotels and ryokans are in the valley where two rivers meet.
Yunishigawa Onsen (湯西川温泉, Tochigi Pref.) is located in the upper reaches of the river of Kawaji Onsen.
The village is in the deep mountain, and it is said that the warriors who lost the civil war hid here in the 12th century.
Shiobara Onsen (塩原温泉, Tochigi Pref.) is an old onsen resort since the 9th century.
It is at the foot of the mountains on the highland.
There are some public bathhouses in the town.
Kinugawa Onsen Kawaji Onsen Yunishigawa Onsen Shiobara Onsen
Ikaho Onsen (伊香保温泉, Gunma Pref.) is the hot spring resort at the foot of an inactive volcano.
The onsen town is on the slope and the main street with long stone steps is famous.
Minakami Onsen (水上温泉, Gunma Pref.) is the onsen resort in the upper reaches of Tone River.
After collapse of the 1990s bubble economy, this resort declined, but they are approaching revival of more appealing resort with outdoor sports such as skiing and rafting now.
Takaragawa Onsen (宝川温泉, Gunma Pref.) is located in the upper reaches of Minakami Onsen.
There is only one hotel "Osenkaku" in the deep gorge, and the open air bathes are popular.
Sarugakyo & Houshi Onsens (猿ヶ京温泉, 法師温泉, Gunma Pref.) are the onsen resorts around Minakami Onsen.
Sarugakyo Onsen is by a dam Lake and Houshi Onsen is in the mountain near the lake.
Shima Onsen (四万温泉, Gunma Pref.) is located in the upper reach of Shima River.
The onsen resort was opened in the 16th century, and there is a hotel with historical buildings.
Kusatsu Onsen (草津温泉, Gunma Pref.) is one of most famous onsen resorts in Japan and is located on the highland at an altitude of about 1,200 meters.
The yield of hot spring water is very much, and the source of onsen at the center of the town is an attractive sightseeing spot.
Manza Onsen (万座温泉, Gunma Pref.) is located on the western slope of the active volcano, Mt.Kusatsu-Shirane.
The onsen town is located at the level of about 1,800 meters.
Ikaho Onsen Minakami Onsen Takaragawa Onsen Sarugakyo & Houshi Onsens Shima Onsen Kusatsu Onsen Manza Onsen
Hakone (箱根, Kanagawa Pref.) is a well-known onsen area close to Tokyo.
The area is in a whole caldera volcano, and several onsen districts are dotted in the caldera.
In Edo Period, most important route between Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto was set up through Hakone, so many travellers visited and stayed here and Hakone developed as a post town.
After that, Hakone became a major sightseeing spot.
There are Lake Ashi and some sightseeing spots, and Mt.Fuji is seen.
Onsen resorts in Koshin-etsu Region
Isawa Onsen (石和温泉, Yamanashi Pref.) is the onsen resort near Kofu city.
The hot spring was discovered in a vineyard in the 1950s, then the onsen facility was built.
It is not so far from Tokyo, so the onsen resort have developed since that.
Bessho Onsen (別所温泉, Nagano Pref.) is a onsen resort in Ueda city, and it is the oldest onsen in Nagano Prefecture.
There are some old Buddhist temples around the onsen town.
Yudanaka-Shibu Onsen towns (湯田中渋温泉郷, Nagano Pref.) are located at the foot of mountains.
Two onsen towns of Yudanaka and Shibu are connected and old Japanese ryokans line along a street for 2 km.
Jigokudani Monkey Park (Snow Monkey Mountain) is near from the towns.
Nozawa Onsen (野沢温泉, Nagano Pref.) is the onsen town in the north part of Nagano Prefecture.
There is the ski resort near the hot spring resort, and it is one of the popular ski resorts in Japan.
Shirahone Onsen (白骨温泉, Nagano Pref.) is an onsen resort in a deep valley on the mountainside of Mt.Norikura (3,026 m).
"Shirahone" means "white bone", so the spring water is milky white.
Tsukioka Onsen (月岡温泉, Niigata Pref.) is the onsen resort to the east of Niigata city.
This onsen resort is unique because most hotels have the service of entertainment by Geisha. (Of course, the additional fee is charged.)
Onsen resorts in Hokuriku Region
Unazuki Onsen (宇奈月温泉, Toyama Pref.) is the onsen resort at the entrance to large and steep Kurobe Gorge.
Here is the starting point of Kurobe Gorge Railway.
Kaga Onsen resorts (加賀温泉郷, Ishikawa Pref.) is an area with four onsen districts.
They are Katayamazu (片山津), Awazu (粟津), Yamashiro (山代) and Yamanaka (山中), and each of them are a major onsen resort.
Wakura Onsen (和倉温泉, Ishikawa Pref.) is the onsen resort along the coast in Noto Peninsula.
The hot water was gushing in the sea, and the feudal lord in this area constructed this onsen resort in the 17th century.
Unfortunately, it was damaged by the great earthquake on January 1, 2024, then it is on the road to recovery.
Awara Onsen (芦原温泉, Fukui Pref.) is the onsen resort near the Sea of Japan.
It was opened in the 1880s and it became a popular onsen resort because it is not so far Kanazawa and Kansai Region (Osaka, Kyoto).
Unazuki Onsen in Kurobe Gorge Kaga Onsen resorts Wakura Onsen Awara Onsen
Onsen resorts in Tokai Region
Atami Onsen (熱海温泉, Shizuoka Pref.) is on the slope facing the sea, and whole Atami city is the onsen resort.
It takes only 45 minutes from Tokyo by Shinkansen train.
In addition, Hakone is close to Atami.
Ito Onsen (伊東温泉, Shizuoka Pref.) is a onsen town on the east side of Izu Peninsula and is to the south of Atami.
There are many onsen resorts in Izu Peninsula, and Ito is one of major onsen resort.
Izu-Nagaoka Onsen (伊豆長岡温泉, Shizuoka Pref.) is an onsen resort in the northern part of Izu Peninsula.
Many hotels and ryokans are dotted.
The spring water is alkaline, so it is believed to be effective for making skin smooth and beautiful.
Shuzenji Onsen (修善寺温泉, Shizuoka Pref.) is in the center of Izu Peninsula.
Shuzenji is a Buddhist temple founded in 807, and it is said that the founder found the hot spring.
Atami Onsen Ito Onsen Izu-Nagaoka Onsen Shuzenji Onsen
Sumatakyo Onsen (寸又峡温泉, Shizuoka Pref.) is located in the deep Sumata Gorge.
It is said that the water of the hot spring contains an ingredient to make the skin beautiful.
From the onsen village, a few walking trails touring Sumata Gorge.
Gero Onsen (下呂温泉, Gifu Pref.) is the onsen resort along Hida River.
The hot spring was found in the 10th century, and it was known as one of the best springs in Japan.
The footbath on the riverside of Hida River is popular.
Oku-Hida Onsen village (奥飛騨温泉郷, Gifu Pref.) is the onsen villages on the side of beautiful mountains called "Japanese Alps".
There are five small villages in the valleys and they are located at the level of 800 to 1,300 meters.
Yunoyama Onsen (湯の山温泉, Mie Pref.) is the onsen resort at the foot of Mt.Gozaisho which has unique natural features.
The hotels and ryokans are dotted on the slope.
Sumatakyo Onsen Gero Onsen Oku-Hida Onsen village Yunoyama Onsen around Mt.Gozaisho
Onsen resorts in Kansai Region
Nanki-Shirahama Onsen (南紀白浜温泉, Wakayama Pref.) is a seaside resort with onsen. (It is sometimes called simply "Shirahama".)
It is one of the oldest onsen resorts in Japan, and the spring is from the underground hot water vein.
There and a beautiful beach and a zoo in the town.
Nanki-Katsuura Onsen (南紀勝浦温泉, Wakayama Pref.) is the onsen resort facing the Pacific Ocean.
It is located near the sacred "Three Grand Shrines of Kumano" and it is on the ancient pilgrimage routes "Kumano Kodo".
Arima Onsen (有馬温泉, Hyogo Pref.) is the onsen resort in the mountain in Kobe city.
It is said that the onsen had been in the 7th century, so it has been a popular onsen resort since ancient times.
There are many ryokan and hotels and there are two public bathhouses in the resort town.
Kinosaki Onsen (城崎温泉, Hyogo Pref.) is the onsen resort along a small river.
Old Japanese ryokans line along the street and the river, so the retro atmosphere is popular.
Onsen resorts in Chugoku Region
Misasa Onsen (三朝温泉, Tottori Pref.) is the onsen resort in the wide valley.
The spring water contains radium and radon, so it is one of world's leading radioactive spring.
Kaike Onsen (皆生温泉, Tottori Pref.) is the onsen resort along the coast facing the Sea of Japan.
There are some large hotels in the resort town, so it is a major onsen resort.
Tamatsukuri Onsen (玉造温泉, Shimane Pref.) is the old onsen resort opened in the 7th century.
This area had produced agate and the people had made beads for nacklace of agate in the ancient times.
There is such ancient atmosphere in this area.
Yuda Onsen (湯田温泉, Yamaguchi Pref.) is the onsen resort in Yamaguchi city.
Yamaguchi city is the center of the prefecture, so this onsen resort in the city is unique.
Misasa Onsen Kaike Onsen Tamatsukuri Onsen Yuda Onsen in Yamaguchi city
Onsen resorts in Shikoku Region
Dogo Onsen (道後温泉, Ehime Pref.) is the popular onsen resort in the center of Matsuyama city.
It is one of the oldest onsens in Japan, and it is written in Japanese myth.
There are many hotels and ryokans, but the public bathhouse "Dogo-onsen Honkan" is the center of the onsen and it is the symbol of the onsen resort.
Iya Onsen (祖谷温泉, Tokushima Pref.) is a onsen in a deep valley in the middle of a mountain.
The area is very steep, and the onsen is also in a scenery full of rustic atmosphere.
Onsen resorts in Kyushu Region
Takeo Onsen (武雄温泉, Saga Pref.) is the onsen resort in the small city.
It is said that the onsen was opened around the 8th century.
There are a few public bathhouses.
Ureshino Onsen (嬉野温泉, Saga Pref.) is the onsen resort in a narrow basin by a river.
This hot spring is known as "water producing beautiful skin".
Unzen Onsen (雲仙温泉, Nagasaki Pref.) is the onsen near active Unzen volcano.
There is a field that hot spring and volcanic gas are spouting near the onsen town, and it is called Unzen-Jigoku (Unzen Hell).
Takeo Onsen Ureshino Onsen Unzen Onsen
Kurokawa Onsen (黒川温泉, Kumamoto Pref.) is the onsen resort out of Mt.Aso volcano.
There are small onsen ryokans in the village surrounded by hills and mountains.
Because the village is very rustic, it became popular.
Beppu (別府, Oita Pref.) is a major onsen city facing the sea.
There are eight onsen district in the city area, and the hot spring wells and the yield of hot water is the largest in Japan.
Some wild hot spring ponds called "Hell" are the interesting sigheseeing spots.
Yufuin Onsen (湯布院温泉, Oita Pref.) is the onsen resort at the foot of a volcano and is located near Beppu.
Japanese traditional rural scenery spread out around the town.
Ibusuki Onsen (指宿温泉, Kagoshima Pref.) is the seaside onsen resort near the southern edge of Kyushu Island.
It is famous for sand steam bath on the beach.