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. Read the rest of this entry »

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. Read the rest of this entry »

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 Read the rest of this entry »

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. Read the rest of this entry »

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

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. Read the rest of this entry »

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 Read the rest of this entry »

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. Read the rest of this entry »

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. Read the rest of this entry »