Natural hot springs, known as onsen, are abundant and beloved across Japan. Every region boasts its own hot springs and resort towns that have developed around them.
There are many types of hot springs, distinguished by the minerals dissolved in the water. Different minerals offer various health benefits, and all hot springs are believed to relax both body and mind. Hot spring baths come in many varieties—indoor and outdoor, traditional and modern. You can enjoy them at ryokan, hotels, and public bathhouses. An overnight stay at an onsen ryokan is a highly recommended experience for any visitor to Japan.
related places
52Kusatsu OnsenPretty town with celebrated onsen waterBest Onsen in JapanHakone OnsenHighly popular onsen destination near TokyoBest Onsen in JapanOkukinu OnsenVery remote onsen near NikkoBest Onsen in JapanMinakami OnsenOnsen town also known as an outdoor meccaBest Onsen in JapanNasu OnsenTown on the slopes of Mount NasudakeBest Onsen in JapanManza OnsenMountainous hot spring with Japan's most sulfuric waterBest Onsen in JapanIkaho OnsenOnsen town famous for its stone stairsBest Onsen in JapanNikko Yumoto OnsenOnsen town in Nikko National ParkBest Onsen in JapanShima OnsenCalm hot spring town in a mountain valleyBest Onsen in JapanKinugawa OnsenBuilt-up, riverside hot spring town near NikkoBest Onsen in JapanShiobara OnsenHot spring resort along a forested valleyBest Onsen in JapanNoboribetsu OnsenHokkaido's most celebrated hot springBest Onsen in JapanKamuiwakkayu FallsA hot river in the middle of natureBest Onsen in JapanSounkyo OnsenTown in Daisetsuzan National ParkBest Onsen in JapanToyako OnsenHot spring town along the shores of Lake ToyaBest Onsen in JapanJozankei OnsenBuilt-up onsen town in a valley outside central SapporoBest Onsen in JapanKawayu OnsenOnsen town with highly acidic watersBest Onsen in JapanNyuto OnsenRustic hot spring in the forested mountainsBest Onsen in JapanTakayu OnsenSulfurous hot spring in the Azuma MountainsBest Onsen in JapanZao OnsenOnsen and ski resort with highly acidic watersBest Onsen in JapanGinzan OnsenJapan's most photogenic hot spring townBest Onsen in JapanTamagawa OnsenBoasting Japan's most acidic watersBest Onsen in JapanGoshogake OnsenSingle onsen ryokan in the mountainsBest Onsen in JapanAoni OnsenRemote onsen ryokan without electricityBest Onsen in JapanKaminoyama OnsenOnsen town surrounded by fruit farmsBest Onsen in JapanHigashiyama OnsenHome to one of Japan's best onsen ryokanBest Onsen in JapanOkuhida OnsenLarge outdoor baths in the Japan AlpsBest Onsen in JapanShirahone OnsenSmall onsen resort near KamikochiBest Onsen in JapanShibu OnsenOld-fashioned town near the snow monkeysBest Onsen in JapanShuzenji OnsenPretty onsen town on the Izu PeninsulaBest Onsen in JapanGero OnsenBuilt-up onsen town between Nagoya and TakayamaBest Onsen in JapanYudanaka OnsenOnsen town near the snow monkeysBest Onsen in JapanBessho OnsenSmall hot spring town with beautiful templesBest Onsen in JapanIto OnsenPopular onsen town on the Izu PeninsulaBest Onsen in JapanKaga OnsenCollection of four hot spring towns south of KanazawaBest Onsen in JapanWakura OnsenOnsen resort with large ryokan along a bayBest Onsen in JapanAtami OnsenBuilt-up, coastal onsen city close to TokyoBest Onsen in JapanTogura Kamiyamada OnsenForeigner-friendly onsen town in NaganoBest Onsen in JapanKinosaki OnsenOld-fashioned town with lots of public bathsBest Onsen in JapanArima OnsenOne of Japan's oldest and most celebratedBest Onsen in JapanShirahama OnsenLarge hot spring resort with sand beachBest Onsen in JapanNachi-Katsuura OnsenOceanside resort with large ryokanBest Onsen in JapanDogo OnsenOld hot spring with wonderful bath houseBest Onsen in JapanYunotsu OnsenHot spring resort at the Sea of Japan coastBest Onsen in JapanKurokawa OnsenVery pleasant small hot spring town along a riverBest Onsen in JapanBeppu OnsenBoasting the most hot spring water in JapanBest Onsen in JapanYufuin OnsenRural yet trendy hot spring town near BeppuBest Onsen in JapanKirishima OnsenResort at the base of the Kirishima MountainsBest Onsen in JapanUnzen OnsenHot spring town on Mount Unzen in NagasakiBest Onsen in JapanIbusuki OnsenOceanside resort famous for sand bathingBest Onsen in JapanUreshino OnsenOnsen town with some of Japan's smoothest watersBest Onsen in JapanTakeo OnsenOnsen town with smooth waters and long historyBest Onsen in Japan