
2025/5/14
When you think of Japan, you think of hot springs. If you're traveling to Japan and want to fully experience Japanese culture, Japanese hot springs are a must-see. In this article, we'll introduce popular hot spring areas around Japan that are recommended for experiencing Japanese hot spring culture, as well as accommodations where you can enjoy both Japanese hot springs and Japanese nature. By reading this article, you'll not only learn more about Japanese hot springs and Japanese hot spring etiquette, but you'll also find the best accommodations for your hot spring trip in Japan.
table of contents
Among the hot spring resorts in Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island, the following are popular hot spring resorts that are easily accessible from Sapporo.
Here are some of the most recommended ones:Jozankei Onsen"When"Hakodate/Yunokawa Onsen"We will explain in detail about this.
"Jozankei Onsen" is one of Japan's famous hot spring resorts, located about an hour's drive from central Sapporo.
The colorless and transparent spring water isSodium chloride springAnd the body warms from the core,Hot springs that are said to be good for relieving neuralgia, joint pain, poor circulation, and fatigue.
In Hakodate City, Hokkaido,Yunokawa Onsen" is famous.
The quality of the spring water isSodium/calcium chloride springis the most common,Effective for cold sensitivity, rheumatism, stiff shoulders, and other ailments caused by cold in the bodyIt is said that it is also a great way to relax and unwind after a day traveling in Japan.
The Kanto area, located almost in the center of Japan, is also home to many high-quality hot springs.
The hot spring resorts listed below are popular with travelers from all over Japan, as well as for day trips from Tokyo.
Among them, the most popular one is "Kusatsu Onsen"When"Hakone hot spring"We will introduce it in detail.
■Photo provided by Gunma Tourism Photo Studio
One of Japan's leading hot spring areasKusatsu Onsen" is one of the three most famous hot springs in Japan.
The quality of the spring water isStrong acidityBecause it has an anti-inflammatory effect,Improves skin diseases such as cuts and atopic dermatitisDue to its highly effective properties, this hot spring has a long history as a therapeutic hot spring.
One of Japan's most famous hot springsHakone hot spring" is a hot spring resort that cannot be left out when talking about hot spring resorts in Japan.
The amount of water discharged is among the highest in Japan, and it varies depending on the source and area.There are 20 types of spring waterThis also applies to.
There are many types of hot springs in Hakone, including alkaline simple hot springs that are known to have skin-beautifying effects, as well as sulfate springs and sulfur springs that are said to be effective against skin diseases, so it might be fun to go on a hot spring tour in Hakone.
Below are some representative hot springs in the Tokai and Kansai areas, where Japanese history, culture, and nature are abundantly preserved.
It is one of the three most famous hot springs in Japan.Gero Hot Springs"When"Arima Onsen"We will introduce you to the details.
It is one of the three most famous hot springs in Japan, along with Kusatsu Onsen and Arima Onsen.Gero Hot Springs. "
The quality of the spring water isThis alkaline hot spring not only improves neurosis and rheumatism, but also beautifies the skin.You can expect it.
The hot spring town that spreads out along the Hida River is lined with traditional Japanese inns, and its harmony with the mountain village scenery gives it a Japanese atmosphere, which is one of its charms.
One of the three most famous hot springs in Japan.Arima Onsen" is said to be one of the oldest hot springs in Japan.
Two types of spring water: "Kinsen" and "Ginsen"It is said to have the following effects:
Kinsen: Cold sensitivity, back pain, allergic skin diseases, etc.
Silver Spring: Hypertension, functional heart disease, etc.
This hot spring town, where Japanese traditions and culture remain strong, is easily accessible within a 30-minute drive or 40-minute train ride from Kobe Station, so if you're traveling to Kansai, be sure to consider visiting for a Japanese hot spring experience.
The Chugoku and Shikoku areas have many tourist attractions that convey the Japanese spirit, such as shrines, gardens, and dance, and are home to the main hot spring resorts listed below.
Known as "Japan's oldest beauty hot spring"Tamatsukuri Onsen" and Japan's leading radium hot spring "The wolf"We will introduce it in detail.
It is said to be one of the oldest hot springs in Japan.Tamatsukuri Onsen" is also popular in Japan as a hot spring that is good for beautiful skin.Sulfate springso,Moisturizes the skin and prevents drynessIt is said that there is.
If you also visit famous sites such as Izumo Taisha Shrine and Matsue Castle, you can enjoy a trip that gives you a sense of Japanese tradition and history in addition to the hot springs.
©Tottori Pref.
It is one of the top five radium hot springs in Japan.The wolf" is visited by many hot spring visitors from all over Japan.
Soaking in a hot spring activates your metabolism,Strengthens immunity and natural healing powersIt is said.
This hot spring is said to have various benefits, including relieving neuralgia and joint pain, as well as improving skin condition and relieving fatigue.
The famous hot spring resorts of Kyushu, an island located in the southwest of Japan, are listed below.
Oita Prefecture, the number one prefecture in Japan in terms of the number of hot springs and the volume of hot spring water,Beppu hot spring" is also a hot spring in Kyushu that is attracting attention.Uchiaki Onsen"We will introduce it in detail.
A popular hot spring spot for Japanese peopleBeppu hot spring" is popular with tourists from both within Japan and overseas.
Representative spring qualities include:Sulfur springs, hydrogen carbonate springs, chloride springsThe hot springs have a wide range of therapeutic properties, making them an ideal hot spring resort for visitors looking for a cure.
A visit to Beppu Onsen will allow you to experience the essence of Japan's hot spring culture.
Kumamoto Prefecture is ranked 5th in Japan in terms of hot spring output, and is one of the hot spring prefectures in Kyushu alongside Oita and Kagoshima.
"Uchiaki Onsen" is colorless and transparent and can be drunk.Good for neuralgia and muscle stiffnessIt is a hot spring resort where you can enjoy Japanese hot springs while looking out at Mount Aso, which gives you a sense of the power of the Japanese earth.
If you're planning on enjoying a hot spring trip in Japan, we recommend staying at a glamping facility where you can enjoy both Japanese hot springs and Japanese nature. Below we introduce nine hot spring glamping facilities.
At Toki Resort Hills Terrace Hakodate, a private resort villa in Hakodate, all rooms have natural hot springs, so you can enjoy Japanese hot springs 24 hours a day.
Komagatake and the surrounding tourist spots are filled with scenery that lets you feel the four seasons of Japan, and you can fully enjoy experiencing Japan's nature through a wide range of experiential activities, such as snowmobiling, smelt fishing, canoeing, and horseback riding.
The Base Glamping Yugawara is located in Yugawara, a hot spring resort in Japan that is just as popular as Hakone Onsen and Atami Onsen. With easy access to Hakone and Atami, it is also an ideal base for touring hot springs in Japan.
All rooms have an open-air bath with natural hot spring water, allowing you to enjoy traditional Japanese hot spring culture in private.
In addition to glamping BBQ meals, there is also bonfire cooking that matches the four seasons of Japan, so you can spend a relaxing time in nature while enjoying Japanese flavors.
At Gokiri, you can enjoy the rare black hot spring water found all over Japan in the privacy of your own room, allowing you to fully enjoy your Japanese hot spring experience.
The fully renovated Japanese-style guest rooms offer a traditional Japanese living space with wooden spaces and tatami mats, and guests can enjoy two types of natural hot springs in the indoor and outdoor baths.
For a more outdoor experience, the dome-shaped tent rooms also come with a bath where you can enjoy Japanese hot springs.
All rooms at Kanoa Lake Fuji Glamping Resort are equipped with an open-air hot spring bath, allowing you to enjoy Japan's highest quality highly alkaline hot spring water at any time you like.
Located in a location with a spectacular view of Mount Fuji, the symbol of Japan, you can enjoy a quintessentially Japanese outdoor experience, enjoying Mount Fuji and the starry sky.
The accommodation fee also includes food activities such as pizza making and smoking, as well as a bonfire experience, so you can enjoy Japanese hot springs and nature to the fullest.
Gran Isla Izu Kogen, a glamping facility with rooms featuring hot springs that flow directly from the source, is also recommended for those who want to experience a Japanese hot spring along with an outdoor experience in Japan.
The natural hot spring water that springs up on the premises is effective in treating poor circulation and dry skin.
Be sure to try the glamping BBQ, where you can savor ingredients from the Izu area, famous as a treasure trove of Japanese seafood and agricultural products, and wagyu steak.
Grand Dome Kobe Tenku, which can be accessed in about 20 minutes by car from Kobe/Sannomiya, is home to the Ginga no Yu hot spring, where water flows directly from the source. You can enjoy Japanese hot spring culture to your heart's content while surrounded by Japanese nature.
The facility also has a bar space where you can enjoy a foot bath, and you can experience not only traditional Japanese-style hot springs, but also modern-style hot springs.
After relaxing in the hot springs, enjoy Japan's proud premium brand of beef, Kuroge Wagyu beef, and fresh Kobe ingredients at a glamping BBQ.
Shiosai Terrace, which is equipped with a hot spring and sauna facility called Shiosai Spa, is also recommended for those who want to enjoy both Japanese hot springs and nature.
Enjoying Kumano beef, a Japanese brand of wagyu beef, at a glamping BBQ will satisfy both your stomach and your heart.
The glamping resort "GRAN LAKE TOTTORI" has hot springs straight from the source in every room, making it the perfect place to fully enjoy Japanese hot springs and nature.
Located overlooking Lake Togo, you can enjoy Japan's scenic beauty and refresh your mind and body in the midst of Japan's nature.
Toki Resort Yufuin Bettei is a villa-style glamping facility located in Oita, one of Japan's leading hot spring prefectures. From the guest rooms and restaurant, you can see the mountain range of Mt. Yufu, and fully experience the beauty of Japan's nature.
The guest rooms have both an indoor bath and an open-air bath, both of which allow you to enjoy natural Japanese hot springs.
At the restaurant, you can enjoy dishes made with ingredients from Oita Prefecture, allowing you to experience Japanese food culture at the same time.
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about Japanese hot spring etiquette.
When bathing in hot springs in Japan, be sure to pay attention to the following:
It is important to be considerate of those around you when visiting hot springs.
Even if you think you have rinsed it thoroughly, towels can still have germs and soap scum on them, which can dirty the water in the bathtub if you put them in.
When using a Japanese hot spring, it is considered good manners not to let your towel get in the bath.
Most hot spring facilities in Japan prohibit bringing mobile phones and smartphones into the bath area.
Photography is generally prohibited, even if you are just taking a photo of yourself, as there will be other visitors.
In Japanese hot springs, the decision on whether or not you can bathe based on whether or not you have tattoos varies depending on the facility.
While some facilities completely refuse entry out of consideration for public morals and hygiene, other facilities will allow people with tattoos as long as they cover them with stickers or patches.
If you have a tattoo, be sure to carefully read the information about the hot spring facility you are visiting and inquire if necessary.
We introduced famous hot springs in Japan and hot spring glamping facilities that are also recommended as accommodations for your trip to Japan.
To enjoy a truly authentic Japanese experience, be sure to use this article as a reference and include Japanese hot springs in your travel plans.
Be mindful of Japanese hot spring etiquette and enjoy Japan's hot spring culture to the fullest.
*This column was created based on information as of June 2025.Please check the official website for the latest information on each facility.
Glamping Article