Shuzenji is a quiet onsen town located in the central part of Izu (Naka-Izu) and is the oldest onsen on the Izu Peninsula. From the center of Shuzenji to the Shuzenji station takes about 30 minutes on foot.

Scenes which typify Shuzenji are the stone-paved paths along the bamboo lined riverbanks and the quaint teahouses. I recommend going to one of the tea houses adjacent to the Katsura river to relax and take soak in the atmosphere. Continue Reading

One of the most famous hot springs in Japan, the Shirahone Hot Spring is a hot spring resort located in a gorge at the base of the Northern Alps (Hida Mountains) in Nagano prefecture.

The Shirahone onsens have a long history and was already open in the Kamakura period (12th-14th century). The onsen is said to have many positive effects, especially for gastrointestinal disorders and the water is actually drinkable. Continue Reading

Ikaho is an ancient hot spring town in Gunma Prefecture and lies halfway up the slope of Mt. Haruna. It has a history of over 2000 years and is one of the best known hot springs in Japan. It is conveniently located about 1.5 hours from Tokyo. The town is built around old stone steps which leading to the source of the hot springs.

One of the best known tourist spots in Ikaho is the centrally located Stone Steps, “ishidan gai,” which are 300 meters in length, with 360 steps, which are lined on both sides with inns, souvenir shops, public spas and museums.

Continue Reading

Location: Nozawa Onsen
How to get there: Take the Shinkansen bullet train for Nagano on the Nagano Shinkansen Line (1 hour and 20-40 minutes). Next take the Iiyama Line to Iiyama or to Togari Nozawa Onsen (1 hour) and from there a bus or taxi to Nozawa Onsen. There are also a few direct buses from Nagano Station (East exit).

Nozawa Onsen is famous for the huge amount of hot springs (onsen). There are more than 30 hot springs, 13 of which are public hot spring baths known as Sotoyu. The hottest is the Ogama spring where the water temperature reaches about 90° C (194° F).

Yugawara Onsen (Yugawara Hot Spring) is a historic hot spring resort town located between the Izu Hakone mountains and Sagami Bay. It is a beautiful, ancient spa town with hot spring inns and rows of ryokans. The ryokans are located on both sides of the Chitosegawa River and the Fujikigawa River which flow through the center of the town.

Yugawara Onsen is popular among women since its hot spring waters are said to bless women with children. The water splashing festival known as “Yukake” is held every spring and attracts visitors from all over Japan.

Hakone, located in Kanagawa prefecture in the central region of Honshu, is famous for its great mountain views, scenic lakes, Kuro-tamago (black eggs), Yuransen (ship tours), ropeways, glass museum, onsens (hot springs), stylish ryokans, Hakone Ekiden (Hakone marathon) and The Museum of The Little Prince in Hakone.

It is one of the most popular resort areas for those travelling from Tokyo, not only because of its natural beauty, but because of its proximity to Tokyo (about 1 and a half hours). Continue Reading

Atami onsen, located to the South east of Mt. Fuji near the Pacific Ocean, is a traditional onsen resort close to Tokyo (only 50 minutes) nestled up in the mountains.

It is an ideal place for those living in Tokyo to visit. Atami has some great accommodation, ranging from fully equipped hotels (some with good sporting facilities) to intimate inns. Tokugawa Ieyasu who established the Edo shogunate was the founding shogun and a big fan of Atami Onsen spring resort. Continue Reading

Dogo Onsen claims to be Japan’s oldest onsen. Whether this is true or not, it is certainly one of the oldest in Japan. Dogo Onsen is located in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, on the western coast of Shikoku. This area has been frequented since the sixth century when many artists and nobilty often visited.

Although newer bathhouses have been erected, the oldest building is over 100 years old and is the only onsen in Japan to have a special bath Continue Reading

Arima onsen competes with Dogo Onsen for the oldest onsen area in Japan. Arima onsen is within the city limits of Kobe. It is situated on the northern slopes of Mount Rokko and so has lovely green hilly woodlands as its backdrop.

Arima Onsen is in a very compact area and is easy to walk about.  It is a bit touristy now and many of the old facades have given way to more modern itterations. Still the water is reputed to have great medicinal qualities and there are plenty of different public baths to try out.

Photo credits: Webshots.com

Nyuto Onsen is located in the northern Akita prefecture. A little off the beaten track, this area is surrounded by mountains and beautiful nature. During winter the place is blanketed in snow and is absolutely stunning. Less commercial than many of the onsen areas Nyuto Onsen is highly recommended.

Many of the onsens have a yesteryear feel to them and most have outdoor, rotenburo, in stunning outdoor settings. One of the oldest is Tsurunoyu, which is a pretty thatch styled onsen building. Continue Reading

Noboribetsu Onsen is another of Japan’s most famed onsen spots, located in  the beautiful Shikotsu Toya National Park in Hokkaido. Most of the hot water comes from Jigokudani, or “Hells Valley”, which is a moon-like valley with white sulphur deposits and plenty of steam coming from the ground. Noboribetsu is basically a one-street villiage with onsen hotels lining each side.

More than three million people visit each year. Continue Reading

Minakami Onsen is a slightly run down but very pretty onsen area. It is located in the northern mountains of Gunma and although the township is fairly quiet there are some lovely little onsens in the area. Takaragawa Onsen is a highly recommended onsen. It is nestled in a valley alongside a river.

You walk outside amongst the trees to the sound of the river flowing by to get changed. There are about four large outdoor baths (rotenburo) of which the largest is mixed bathing. The water is lovely and the surrounds are stunning with the onsen being in a forest next to a river. Continue Reading

Kinosaki Onsen is located in northern Hyogo Prefecture. The town runs along Ontani-gawa river, which is lined with weeping willow trees. It is normal to see travellers wearing geta and yukata taking quiet strolls along the river. The town is also quite well know for its seafood, especially crab.

The town has the normal ryokan but is also famous for its seven Sotoyu (or outside public bath houses). The seven Sotonoyu are all architectually very different and of a reasonable size. ?It is because of the seven Sotonoyu that many guests to the area to don Continue Reading

Kamuiwaka-yu Onsen Waterfalls in Shiretoko National Park, Hokkaido, is literally hot water flowing down a river. The onsen spot is in a basin just under a warm-water fed waterfall.

Shirahama boasts a lovely white sand surf beach, as well as an Onsen. Surfer’s paradise!  It is in the Nanki area south of Osaka. It is one of Japans oldest resorts and possibly one of the larges also. There are six public bath houses. The town itself is more like a seaside resort than a traditional onsen resort.

There are hotels lining the street facing the beach and there are even amusement parks and mini golf. The place absolutely teams with youth and families during the summer months. A fun and festive place to visit.

Photo credits: Eok.jp, Onsenexpress.com

Beppu in Oita prefecture, on the eastern side of Kyuushu, is probably Japan’s largest concentration of  hot springs in one area. There is a lot of geothermal activity in this area and it lends to a huge multitude of Onsens to choose from. In fact, there are over 100 onsens at which you can bathe.

Beppu is an interesting area to wander around as there is literally water and mud bubbling from the ground. It is a geothermal spectacle. The onsens come in many varieties and there are various hell courses, massage options, and even hot sand which you can lie on, or bury yourself in. Continue Reading

Kinugawa Onsen is a hot spring resort in the city of Nikko, Tochigi, Japan, located adjacent the river valley that lies between Mt. Dai-hyuga-san and Mt. Shaka-ga-take, on the upper stream of the Kinu-gawa River that runs through the central part of Tochigi.

Located two hours by train from Tokyo, hot springs were first found in the area in 1691. Initially, only the Daimyo who built the Nikko Shrine and the Buddhists monks of Mount Nikko were allowed to bathe in the onsen. Continue Reading

Kusatsu onsen, one of the most popular onsen destinations in Japan, has about 3 million visitors per year and is located a few hours from Tokyo in Gunma prefecture. Kusatsu is well known for its onsens, yubatake, shirane-san (shirane crater lake) yugama and yumomi (hot spring curing).

Yubatake, meaning “hot water field”, is probably the best known part of Kusatsu and is the main source of hot spring water. When the water hits the surface it is a seering 65 degrees before it is cooled down by Yubatake’s wooden conduits before it is distributed to the various ryokans and public baths. Continue Reading

Shima onsen is a quiet town with a mix of tranquil wooden inns  and modern hotels, situated in a mountainous area along the Shima river. Over 1000 years old, the waters are considered to be effective for the treatment of a number of diseases.  It has been said that Shima onsen can heal about 40,000 different types of illnesses and disorders. The nearby Okushima Lake, formed by a dam is also worth going to. Continue Reading