Airports in Japan where you can enjoy day trip hot springs
15 May 2025
In this article, we will introduce day-trip onsen (hot spring) and ashiyu (footbath) spots that can be enjoyed at major airports in Japan.
Long flights and weary bodies have one perfect remedy: airport hot springs and footbaths. It might turn your waiting time into a relaxing and enjoyable experience.
Airport Onsen (Hot springs)
First, let's look at hot springs in airports. You can enjoy them at major airports in Japan.
Haneda Airport: Tennen Onsen Izumi Tenku no Yu
First up is Haneda Airport. Located directly connected to Terminal 3 and within the "Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport" hotel, you can enjoy "Tennen Onsen Izumi Tenku no Yu." Access is exceptionally convenient.
This facility is open 24 hours (excluding cleaning times). From the open-air bath, you can gaze at airplanes and, on clear days, even Mount Fuji. Saunas, bedrock baths, and restaurants are also available. What's noteworthy is that if you have a small tattoo that can be covered with a patch, you can still enter this fantastic public onsen. Patches of around 12cm x 17cm are available for purchase on-site.
Why not enjoy a final hot spring experience in Japan at Haneda Airport before you depart?
Official Website: Tennen Onsen Izumi Tenku no Yu
Narita Airport: Narita Airport Onsen Sora no Yu
Next is the famous Narita International Airport. Just a short, approximately 10-minute ride away via a free shuttle bus from Narita Airport, you'll find "Narita Airport Onsen Sora no Yu."
Bathing in the open-air bath while watching planes take off and land is truly exceptional. However, starting from September 1, 2022, the rules for those with tattoos became stricter. Currently, those with tattoos small enough to be hidden by a palm can enter, but if it's larger, entry is not permitted (Restrictions of people with tattoos).
Official Website: Narita Airport Onsen Sora no Yu
New Chitose Airport: New Chitose Airport Onsen
If you're traveling to Hokkaido, you'll definitely be using New Chitose Airport. Here, you can also enjoy a day-trip hot spring named "New Chitose Airport Onsen," located on the 4th floor of the domestic terminal building. Operating hours are from 10:30 to 22:00 (last entry 21:00), and the accommodation facilities are open 24 hours.
Being located within the airport, it's perfect for refreshing yourself before or after a flight. Dining areas and rest spaces are also well-equipped. Unfortunately, those with tattoos are not allowed entry.
Official Website: New Chitose Airport Onsen
Chubu Centrair International Airport: SOLA SPA Kaze no Yu
Located near Nagoya city in the heart of Japan is Chubu Centrair International Airport. Even here, you can enjoy a day-trip onsen named "SOLA SPA Kaze no Yu." It is housed within the airport's relaxation facility "Kutsurogi Dokoro" on the 4th floor of Terminal 1 (Skytown). Operating hours are generally from 8:00 to 22:00 (last entry 21:00), but may vary seasonally.
After warming up in the sauna, you can also take in fresh air on the observation deck, which features a view bath where you can watch airplanes. Additionally, there's a restaurant within the facility where you can enjoy meals. However, regrettably, those with tattoos are not allowed entry.
Official Website: SOLA SPA Kaze no Yu
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Kansai International Airport: Aqua Ignis
Lastly, we introduce "Aqua Ignis" at Kansai International Airport. Sadly, those with tattoos cannot avail of its services. However, in exchange, you can indulge in a top-notch hot spring and services. Before or after visiting places like Osaka, Kyoto, or Nara, why not make a stop here?
With operating hours from 7 a.m. to midnight, even those on late-night flights can enjoy the facility.
Kansai International Airport: Aqua Ignis
Ashiyu (Onsen Footbaths)
In Japan, ashiyu (footbaths) are a beloved and accessible way to experience onsen culture. They are perfect for those who may not have time for a full-body bath but wish to refresh themselves or soothe tired feet during travel. Warming the feet is said to improve blood circulation and ease tension throughout the body.
Beyond full-body onsen experiences, some airports in Kyushu, Japan, offer delightful and free footbaths (足湯, ashiyu). These are a fantastic way to quickly refresh tired feet during your travels. Specifically, these include Kagoshima Airport and Oita Airport. (Kitakyushu Airport's footbath is also well-known, but as of May 2025, it remains temporarily closed, so it is omitted from this article.)
Kagoshima Airport: Oyattosa Footbath
Kagoshima Airport offers a natural hot spring footbath called "Oyattosa," conveniently located at the exit of the terminal building. "Oyattosa" means "you've worked hard" or "you deserve a break" in the local Kagoshima dialect. It's a great way to experience Kagoshima's famous hot springs. The footbath is free for all visitors and is open from 9:00 to 19:30.
The spring quality is a sodium chloride spring, with water flowing directly from the source. An original towel vending machine is available.
Kagoshima Airport: Oyattosa Footbath
Oita Airport: Footbath
Oita Airport also provides a free footbath for travelers, located outside the domestic arrival lobby on the 1st floor. It is open from 11:00 to 18:30 (hours may vary by season). It features two hinoki cypress wood bathtubs and uses simple thermal spring water transported from a nearby hot spring. The wall features a scenic painting of Beppu Onsen.
