Travelling in Japan? 5 Hot Springs You Can’t Miss
- Jan 17
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 21
Hot springs (onsen) hold a special place in Japanese life, offering warmth, relaxation, and a sense of ritual that becomes especially meaningful during the colder months. In winter, soaking in naturally heated mineral water while surrounded by crisp air, or even falling snow, is a deeply comforting experience, cherished for both its physical health benefits and its calming effect on the mind.
More than just places to bathe, hot springs are cultural spaces where history, daily life, and quiet rituals come together. When travelling in Japan, visiting an onsen offers a deeper connection to local culture, no matter the season. Below are five hot spring spots across the country worth planning a trip around.
5. Hakone Yuryo
🌐Website: https://www.hakoneyuryo.jp
🕰️Opening hours: 10:00 to 20:00 on weekdays, 10:00 to 21:00 on weekends and holidays
Hakone Yuryo is one of the most accessible high quality hot spring experiences for travellers coming from Tokyo. Located near Hakone Yumoto Station, it offers a traditional atmosphere without requiring an overnight stay, which makes it ideal for language learners and short term visitors. The facility is designed to resemble a historic mountain village, complete with wooden architecture, stone paths, and forest surroundings that immediately separate you from city life.
What makes Hakone Yuryo especially appealing is its variety of bathing options. In addition to large communal baths, it offers reservable private open air baths, known as kashikiri onsen, which are perfect for families or visitors who feel shy about communal bathing. The mineral rich waters are known for helping with muscle fatigue and skin health, making this a relaxing stop after a day of sightseeing in Hakone.
4. Kusatsu Onsen
🌐Website: https://www.kusatsu-onsen.ne.jp
🕰️Opening hours: Public baths typically open from 6:00 until 22:00
Kinosaki Onsen is not just a single hot spring but an entire town dedicated to the onsen experience. With a history of over 1,300 years, this charming destination invites visitors to stroll the streets in yukata robes and wooden sandals while hopping between seven historic public bathhouses. The town is compact and walkable, making it easy to enjoy at a relaxed pace.
Each bathhouse in Kinosaki has its own character, from cave like interiors to scenic outdoor baths. Visitors staying overnight receive a pass that allows unlimited entry to all seven baths, encouraging exploration and comparison. Beyond bathing, the town offers small temples, traditional sweets shops, and seasonal crab cuisine in winter. For travellers interested in cultural immersion, Kinosaki provides an ideal environment to practice polite Japanese phrases while engaging with locals in a calm, welcoming setting.
3. Beppu Onsen
📍Address: Beppu, Oita Prefecture 874-0000
🌐Website: https://beppu-tourism.com/en/
🕰️Opening hours: from 6:30 to 22:00
Beppu is one of the most productive hot spring areas in the world, with steam rising dramatically from streets, rooftops, and even drains. Rather than a single onsen, Beppu is a city made up of multiple hot spring districts, each with its own personality. Visitors can enjoy everything from traditional baths and sand baths to mud baths and steam cooking experiences.
A highlight of Beppu is the Jigoku, or hells, which are vividly colored hot spring pools meant for viewing rather than bathing. These surreal landscapes showcase the raw power of geothermal activity and offer a unique educational angle.
Beppu is an excellent destination for curious travellers who want variety, experimentation, and a deeper understanding of how hot springs influence food, health, and urban life in Japan.
2. Tsurunoyu Onsen
📍Address: Tazawako Obonai, Semboku, Akita 014-1204
🌐Website: https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/1817/
🕰️Opening hours: Generally 10:00 to 15:00 for day visitors
Nyuto Onsen is a collection of secluded hot spring inns hidden deep in the mountains of northern Japan. Surrounded by forests and snow in winter, this area offers a quiet, almost timeless experience that feels far removed from modern life. The most famous bathhouses here feature milky white waters rich in minerals and open air baths that blend seamlessly into the natural landscape.
This destination is worth the journey for travellers seeking solitude and authenticity. Facilities are simple and traditional, with an emphasis on silence, nature, and slow living.
For foreign visitors, Nyuto Onsen offers a rare chance to experience rural Japan, where simple greetings and respectful manners carry great importance and meaning.
1. Ginzan Onsen
🌐Website: https://www.ginzanonsen.jp/
🕰️Opening hours: 8:30 am to 16:30
When exploring Japan, Ginzan Onsen is a picturesque hot spring village in Yamagata Prefecture that feels straight out of a storybook. Famous for its historic wooden ryokan, narrow cobblestone streets, and softly glowing gas lamps, the town offers a unique combination of relaxation, culture, and scenic beauty.
In winter, snowfall transforms the town into a magical landscape, making it especially memorable for those inspired by Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away.
Onsen Etiquette & Practical Tips
Before you pack your towel, here are a few important things to know before visiting a hot spring in Japan.
Wash before entering: Always shower and rinse thoroughly before getting into the bath. The onsen is for soaking, not cleaning.
No swimsuits allowed: Onsen are enjoyed completely naked. Towels should not touch the bath water.
Tattoos may be restricted: Some onsen do not allow visible tattoos. Look for tattoo-friendly onsen or use cover stickers if permitted.
Separate baths by gender: Most onsen have separate areas for men and women, clearly marked at the entrance.
Keep it quiet: Onsen are meant for relaxation. Avoid loud conversations or splashing.
Tie up long hair: Make sure hair does not dip into the water.
Short soak is fine: The water can be very hot. It’s normal to enter slowly and take breaks.
No phones or cameras: Photography is not allowed inside bathing areas.
Drink water after: Stay hydrated, especially after soaking in hot water.
Useful Japanese conversation for Hot Spring
I would like to use the hot spring.
温泉に入りたいです。
(Onsen ni hairitai desu.)
Do you have towels?
タオルはありますか。
(Taoru wa arimasu ka.)
It was very relaxing.
とても気持ちよかったです。
Totemo kimochi yokatta desu.
Useful Words Related to Hot Spring
Hot spring
Onsen (温泉)
Casual robe often worn after bathing
Yukata (浴衣)
Private or reserved
kashikiri (貸切)
Hot springs are one of the best places to experience Japanese culture with all five senses engaged. For students at LingoClass, visiting an onsen is not just relaxation but also real world language practice, where simple words and cultural awareness come alive in warm water and quiet moments.
