Top 10 Best Onsen in Japan

Japan is more than just cherry blossoms, sushi, and cutting-edge technology — it also boasts a remarkable hot spring (onsen) culture. Let's explore why Japan's hot springs are such a must-visit attraction, without worrying about your wallet!

The Three Great Hot Springs of Japan, or Nihon Sanmeisen, are the country's most celebrated onsens — true legends in their own right. Let's take a look at what makes each one special:

• How to get there from Tokyo: A smooth 3-hour ride on the Tokaido Shinkansen.

Arima Onsen offers two types of hot spring water: Kinsen ("Gold Spring"), rich in iron, and Ginsen ("Silver Spring"), containing radium and carbonic acid.

Kinsen is defined by its iron content. Although the water is clear and colorless when it first emerges, it turns reddish-brown as the iron oxidizes on contact with air. It also contains a high concentration of salt, giving it a distinctly salty taste. Known for its excellent heat-retaining, moisturizing, and antibacterial properties, it's said to help with joint pain and poor circulation. Kinsen is also known as the "Water of Women" (fujin no yu), as it's believed to help improve anemia, a condition more common among women.

Ginsen, by contrast, is clear, colorless, and has a light, silky texture. Because carbonic acid gas is dissolved in the water, it feels especially gentle on the skin. Japan is also known for so-called "carbonated baths" (tansan-buro) — when carbon dioxide is absorbed through the skin, it's said to dilate the capillaries, helping relieve full-body swelling, poor circulation, and high blood pressure. Unlike Kinsen, some facilities even permit drinking Ginsen water.

• How to get there from Tokyo: About 3 hours by train.

Boasting the highest hot spring water output in all of Japan, Kusatsu Onsen's water is strongly acidic and mineral-rich. It emerges at an extremely high temperature, too hot to bathe in as-is, so its temperature is traditionally lowered through a technique called yumomi. Kusatsu Onsen is also beloved for its distinctive scent, color, and yunohana (natural mineral deposits that form in the water).

Yumomi is the practice of vigorously stirring the hot spring water with large wooden paddles to naturally cool it down. This process also evenly distributes the water's mineral content while skimming off any impurities floating on the surface. Yumomi is a signature attraction of the Kusatsu Onsen area, and there are venues where visitors can watch it performed live. The technique demands real craftsmanship, making it entertaining to watch in its own right.

Kusatsu Onsen is known for three main health benefits:

• Skin benefits: Said to improve skin clarity and help with skin conditions.

• Muscle relaxation: The heat and mineral content of the water help ease muscle tension for a soothing, relaxing effect.

• Respiratory benefits: Also believed to have positive effects on respiratory conditions.

Effective for treating a variety of ailments, the traditional "yumomi" (hot-water stirring) ritual offers visitors a glimpse into Japanese culture.

• Getting there from Tokyo: A comfortable 2.5-hour ride on the Tokaido Shinkansen.

Gero Onsen's water is a simple alkaline spring, known as the "hot spring for beautiful skin." Its alkaline quality gives the water a smooth, slightly slippery feel, and because it helps remove dead skin cells, many visitors praise the silky-smooth skin it leaves behind.

As with most hot springs, you can expect the usual benefits — relief from muscle and joint pain, improved circulation for cold sensitivity, and fatigue recovery. But what truly sets Gero Onsen apart is its remarkable skin-beautifying effect! Gifu Prefecture is also easily accessible from Tokyo, making Gero Onsen well worth a visit!

Japan's hot spring culture extends far beyond the "Three Great Onsen." Here's an overview of seven other iconic hot springs you won't want to miss.

• Getting there from Tokyo: Just 2.5 hours by train.

Shibu Onsen is a hot spring town in Yamanouchi, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture. Known for its beautiful cobblestone streets and traditional ryokan inns, it's the perfect place to stroll in a yukata after a relaxing bath. The whole town has a nostalgic, quintessentially Japanese atmosphere.

The spring water varies widely — from clear and colorless to iron-rich reddish tones or greenish hues. Beyond the typical hot spring benefits, it's also said to help with nerve pain and promote healthy skin.

Shibu Onsen is famous for its "nine-bath pilgrimage" (kyuto meguri), a tour of nine public bathhouses. Guests staying at a ryokan in Shibu Onsen can borrow a key from the front desk that unlocks all nine communal baths scattered around town. Each of the nine bathhouses is said to cure a different ailment, making the pilgrimage a place of spiritual healing as well.

Getting there from Tokyo: Fly to Sapporo, then take a 2-hour bus ride.

Noboribetsu Onsen is one of Hokkaido's most famous hot spring resorts, drawing visitors from across the country. What sets it apart is the remarkable variety of its spring waters and their therapeutic effects. Noboribetsu boasts nine different types of hot spring water — including sulfur springs, chloride springs, bicarbonate springs, and acidic springs — making it an exceptionally rare destination even by Japanese standards, where a single hot spring town rarely offers this much diversity. Each type is said to offer distinct health and beauty benefits, from easing joint and nerve pain to improving skin condition.

One of Noboribetsu Onsen's biggest draws is Jigokudani, or "Hell Valley." Formed on the site of past volcanic activity, the area gets its name from the otherworldly landscape of rising sulfur gas and white steam that blankets the terrain. Wooden walkways wind around the valley, letting visitors get an up-close look at this dramatic display of nature's power. You may even spot wild Japanese macaques bathing in the hot springs.

• Getting there from Tokyo: Fly to Oita, then take a 30-minute bus ride.

Beppu Onsen is one of Japan's most renowned hot spring resorts, producing the largest volume of hot spring water in the country. Its spring waters are remarkably diverse, including carbonate springs, sulfur springs, and iron-rich springs, each offering a wide range of benefits — from improved skin health and relaxation to fatigue recovery and relief from nerve pain.

With a long history as a therapeutic hot spring destination, Beppu offers many ways to enjoy the waters, including open-air baths, private family baths, foot baths, steaming sand baths, and mud baths.

• Getting there from Tokyo: Just 90 minutes by train.

Hakone is beloved for its stunning views of Mt. Fuji. Thanks to its easy access from Tokyo, it's one of the most popular destinations in Japan for international visitors. Formed by volcanic activity, Hakone's hot springs are rich in a wide variety of minerals, including sulfur, acidic, alkaline, and chloride springs. Their benefits are equally diverse — alkaline springs are gentle on the skin and prized for their beautifying effects, while the strong antibacterial properties of sulfur and acidic springs are said to help with skin conditions.

Hakone offers far more than just its hot springs — it's a full-fledged sightseeing destination in its own right. Surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery, including Mt. Fuji, Lake Ashi, and the Owakudani volcanic valley, visitors can explore the landscape via ropeway, cable car, and other scenic transport options. The area's flowers and autumn foliage, which change beautifully with the seasons, are not to be missed.

Hakone is also home to numerous art museums, making it an excellent place to explore Japanese art and culture.

• Getting there from Tokyo: 50 minutes by Shinkansen.

Popular among Tokyo residents, Atami Onsen has long been a beloved resort destination in Japan. Its waters are generally clear and mildly alkaline, said to be gentle on the skin and good for a healthy complexion. Even Tokugawa Ieyasu, the famous shogun of Japan's Edo period, is said to have been captivated by Atami's skin-friendly hot springs.

Being close to the sea, Atami also offers leisure activities such as swimming and marine sports. The area is also home to numerous attractions and events, including a plum garden and fireworks festivals. Atami Onsen is a charming hot spring destination where visitors can enjoy nature and culture through all four seasons.

• How to get there from Tokyo: About 1.5 hours by train.

Yugawara is another popular hot spring town that's easy to reach from Tokyo. It has long served as a therapeutic retreat, and its waters are mildly alkaline. They are said to be effective for cuts and bruises, as well as for circulatory issues, lower back pain, and women's health conditions.

The area's lush natural scenery is another draw, with seasonal flowers and autumn foliage to enjoy, along with a wide range of activities on both the coast and in the mountains. The hot spring town is also lined with a variety of restaurants and souvenir shops, making it popular with tourists.

• How to get there from Tokyo: About 2 hours by train.

Kinugawa Onsen is a favorite among families, known for its theme parks and scenic river views. The hot springs here suit visitors of all ages, making it a great getaway for the whole family. It's also easy to reach from Tokyo, taking about 2 hours by shinkansen or highway bus.

The waters of Kinugawa Onsen are a simple alkaline spring type, gentle on the skin and said to promote a healthy complexion, as well as being effective for cuts and burns.

The area around Kinugawa Onsen is rich in natural and cultural highlights, including Nikko National Park and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Nikko Toshogu Shrine. Kinugawa Onsen also hosts a variety of seasonal events and festivals: cherry blossom festivals and fireworks in spring, boat rides down the Kinugawa River and fireworks in summer, autumn foliage festivals and fireworks in fall, and snowy scenery and illuminations in winter.

Japan's hot springs offer beautiful natural scenery, relaxing moments, and a wonderful experience steeped in history and culture. We've introduced 10 of the best hot spring destinations here, but Japan is home to countless other onsen regions beyond these.

In particular, the "Three Great Hot Springs of Japan" — Arima Onsen, Kusatsu Onsen, and Gero Onsen — are the most renowned hot springs in the country and well worth a visit!

Hot spring travel is a captivating part of Japanese culture, offering unforgettable experiences. From the remarkably hot waters of Obama Onsen in Nagasaki Prefecture to the abundant, varied flows of Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma Prefecture, you're sure to find a memorable experience.