[Japan's Five Great Hot Springs] Arima, Kusatsu, Kurokawa, Dogo, and Ginzan Onsen in 2026: How to Choose from Luxurious Accommodations!?

• Inbound

• August 31, 2026

Popular hot spring resorts in Japan

1. Ginzan Onsen

The hot spring town of Ginzan Onsen is lined with three- to four-story wooden inns and gas lamps, and when the lights come on at night, it creates a scene that feels like stepping into a fairytale world. Many people associate the atmosphere with "Spirited Away," and it is a popular hot spring town where you can feel the romance of the Taisho era. The location is somewhat inconvenient, requiring transfers between trains and buses from Yamagata or Sendai. As the number of inns with available accommodations is limited, advance reservations are recommended.
Official site:https://www.ginzanonsen.jp/

2. Arima Onsen

Arima Onsen is one of Japan's three oldest hot springs, alongside Shirahama Onsen and Dogo Onsen. It's easily accessible from Osaka and Kobe in about an hour, making it a convenient addition to a Kansai trip. It's famous for its reddish-brown "Kinsen" (golden spring) containing iron and salt, and its colorless, transparent "Ginsen" (silver spring). With its cobblestone paths and numerous long-established Japanese confectionery shops, it's also well-suited for a day trip.
Official site:https://www.city.kobe.lg.jp/a64051/arimasengen.html

3. Kusatsu Onsen

Kusatsu Onsen has long been a highly popular hot spring resort and one of Japan's leading destinations. It is characterized by its strongly acidic spring water, and a large volume of hot spring water gushes forth at the "Yubatake" (hot spring field) in the heart of the town. At night, it is illuminated, offering a different, more magical atmosphere than during the day. It takes approximately 3 hours by car from Tokyo. You can also witness the famous "Yumomi" (hot spring water stirring) performance in the surrounding area.
Official site:https://www.kusatsu-onsen.ne.jp/portal/

4. Kurokawa Onsen

Kurokawa Onsen is a hot spring resort located in the mountainous area of ​​the Aso region in Kumamoto Prefecture. Its charm lies in its tranquil townscape lined with thatched-roof inns and wooden buildings. As part of the Minamioguni Onsenkyo hot spring area, it is a popular destination for travelers to Kyushu, especially for its natural beauty. By purchasing the famous "bathing pass," you can choose your favorite open-air baths at multiple inns and enjoy a hot spring tour.
Official site:https://www.kurokawaonsen.or.jp/

5. Dogo Onsen

Dogo Onsen is one of Japan's oldest hot springs, said to have a history of approximately 3,000 years. The Dogo Onsen Main Building is famous as a historical building and is sometimes introduced as a building reminiscent of the "Aburaya" bathhouse from "Spirited Away." Since it can be accessed by tram from the center of Matsuyama city, it is recommended to combine it with Matsuyama Castle and the Botchan Train as part of a 2-3 day trip to Shikoku.
Official site:https://dogo.jp/

Other recommended luxury accommodations where you can enjoy private hot springs.

1. KANOA FUJI YAMANAKAKO GLAMPING RESORT

Located in the Yamanakako area of ​​Yamanashi Prefecture, this glamping resort boasts a superb location where you can enjoy the beautiful night sky amidst crisp, clean air. Each guest room features an open-air bath using high-quality natural water, allowing you to relax and enjoy a private bath. For meals, you can enjoy a carefully selected BBQ using luxurious ingredients unique to Yamanashi, including Koshu wine beef ribeye steak, shrimp marinated in garlic sauce, and Fuji Sakura pork.

2. AKAGI GLAMPING VILLAGE

This luxurious glamping facility allows you to enjoy the changing seasons and night views. Each unit has a private dining space and a private hot spring bath, allowing you to relax without worrying about your surroundings. Accommodation plans include complimentary drinks, a manga corner, and a marshmallow roasting experience. For meals, you can enjoy dishes such as Joshu beef sirloin steak, scallops in their shells, and roasted Baumkuchen.

3. Glam Aira

This luxurious accommodation features private baths in each guest room, allowing guests to enjoy natural hot spring water that flows from within the facility. Additionally, the main building houses a complimentary bar primarily serving beer, which guests can enjoy freely during their stay. The cuisine, unique to the Izu area blessed with abundant seafood and agricultural products, is another highlight, offering luxurious ingredients such as Ashitaka beef steak, seared seafood, abalone, and turban shells.

4. GLAMPING SPA RESORTS Lake side terrace biwako

This is Shiga Prefecture's first luxury accommodation facility with natural hot springs in every guest room. Guests can enjoy a variety of activities, including water activities such as SUP, canoeing, and water biking, as well as smoking food and spice making workshops. Furthermore, the facility also features a barrel-shaped sauna and a shared pool, allowing guests to relax and enjoy a resort experience surrounded by nature. For dinner, guests can enjoy dishes featuring Omi beef, a representative brand of beef from Shiga Prefecture.

Frequently Asked Questions about Japanese Hot Springs (FAQ)

1. What are Japan's three oldest hot springs?

The three hot springs commonly referred to as "Japan's three oldest hot springs" are Arima Onsen, Dogo Onsen, and Shirahama Onsen. On the other hand, the three hot springs known as "Japan's three most famous hot springs" are Kusatsu Onsen, Gero Onsen, and Arima Onsen.

2. Is Ginzan Onsen really the model for "Spirited Away"?

Officially, Ginzan Onsen has not been announced as the model for "Spirited Away." However, the atmosphere of the wooden inns and hot spring town, which evoke the Taisho era, is said to resemble the "bathhouse" that appears in the film, and has been featured by many travelers and media outlets.

3. What are the best places and seasons to visit hot springs in Japan?

In mountainous areas and hot spring resorts in the Tohoku region, such as Kusatsu Onsen and Ginzan Onsen, trips that allow you to enjoy both winter snowscapes and hot springs are particularly popular. From December to February is the season for snow-viewing hot springs, and popular accommodations may become difficult to book.

4. Can I enter Japanese hot springs if I have tattoos?

In traditional Japanese public baths, some facilities still restrict entry to guests with tattoos. While some facilities allow entry if small tattoos are covered with special stickers, policies vary from facility to facility. If you are concerned, choosing a glamping facility or villa with a private hot spring bath for guests will allow you to enjoy the hot springs without worrying about other guests.

5. Which hot spring resorts are easily accessible from Tokyo and Osaka?

Arima Onsen is relatively easy to access from Osaka and Kobe, while Kusatsu Onsen is easily accessible from Tokyo, making them ideal for short 1-night, 2-day trips. On the other hand, Ginzan Onsen and Kurokawa Onsen are located in mountainous areas, so you may need to transfer from train to bus to get there.

Summary

Whether you're planning a short trip to popular hot spring resorts or want to spend a night in a luxurious villa or glamping facility with a private hot spring, Japan offers a variety of options. Beyond famous hot springs like Arima, Kusatsu, Kurokawa, Dogo, and Ginzan, combining them with experiential glamping—where you can enjoy hot springs, saunas, BBQs, bonfires, and stargazing all in one place—offers a unique Japanese travel experience different from a typical hot spring inn.

Person who wrote this article

Rizogra Editorial Department

He is an editor at Resort Glamping.com, a glamping-focused media outlet visited by approximately 100 million people a month. He has written over 150 articles introducing glamping facilities and experience reports, and is involved in a wide range of glamping facility services, from planning and development to operation and customer acquisition consulting.