Although we don’t have this custom here in Brazil, in Japan it is a common practice to visit a hot spring. The onsen, as they are called in Japan, are relaxing, and according to the country’s culture, it is almost a tradition for them to bathe in these places.
Of course, who doesn’t want to relax in warm water? And the best part is that it’s water that is good for health. It must be wonderful; of course, it’s good not to overdo it, after all, we are still human, and hot water can cause dizziness and fainting, but anyway.
The fact is that if you are going to visit Japan, you cannot forget to visit a good hot spring. And this list is here to help you choose the best one to visit. A list of some of the best hot springs in Japan.
Ibusuki Onsen – Heat of the volcanic sand
Ibusuki Onsen (指宿温泉) is a group of hot springs in eastern Ibusuki, Kagoshima. This group includes Surigahama Onsen, Yajigayu Onsen, and Nigatsuden Onsen. There are nearly 1,000 springs with thermal waters gushing at 50-60 ℃, but sometimes temperatures can reach 100 ℃.
The main attraction of Ibusuki Onsen is the Sand Bath (Sunamushi). Visitors wear a Yukata and are buried in volcanic sand up to their necks. The weight and heat of the sand (about 50 to 55 °C) stimulate blood circulation, and in about 10 minutes, the whole body starts to sweat. It is a pleasant and relaxing sensation for all ages.
Besides the sand bath, like in any onsen, you can enjoy the hot springs and take that relaxing bath in the thermal waters. Another attraction present in Ibusuki Onsen is the foot bath and sauna. There are more than 15 onsens in the city of Ibusuki.
Nearby in Nagasakibana, there is also a theme park called “Flower Park Kagoshima,” with 400 different types of plants for you to enjoy in each season. There you can also enjoy delicious food and shows presented by orangutans and flamingos.
Below, see a video showing a bit of Ibusuki Onsen and the sand bath.
Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan
The hotel Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan is considered the oldest hotel in the world. It is located in Hayakawa, in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. Thus, it enters the Guinness Book, with over 1300 years of operation.
The onsen hotel has been in the same family for over 50 generations. Serving from ancient samurais to modern tourists. Let’s get to know a little more about the oldest operating hotel in the world.
Fujiwara Mahito, a Japanese aristocrat, founded this hotel in 705 A.D. It became quite well-known at the time as a resort due to its natural hot springs. This attracted many visitors from various regions. It served as accommodation for bureaucrats, shoguns (the general emperor who commanded the army), and even for samurai delegations.
From the beginning, the establishment has been passed down by the founding family over time. By now, there have been 52 generations that have cared for and operated the inn. And, over time, each generation modernized it slowly. Today, the place has become a luxury hotel, four stars.
A major renovation took place in 1997, but its appearance has remained almost unchanged. The hotel has about 35 rooms, accommodating up to 130 guests. It offers rooms with air conditioning, a moon and star observation platform, outdoor baths, and even karaoke.
Even with all the modern amenities introduced, the establishment keeps traditions alive, such as traditional tatami mats. In addition to a restaurant that serves local typical dishes like koshu beef.
Other attractions of Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan are the sights around, such as Mount Fuji and the Jigokudani Monkey Park. The room rates range from 30,000 to 60,000 yen.
Kusatsu Onsen
Kusatsu is considered the first hot spring in Japan and is possibly one of the regions that contains the most famous hot springs. It is located in Gunma, north of Tokyo. It has won over thousands of other hot springs and secured first place in the 31st ranking of the 100 best hot springs in Japan.
This is the fifteenth consecutive year that Kusatsu has secured first place, an impressive feat given the large number of hot springs in Japan. As this region is located in the mountains, it is also famous for receiving visitors for skiing in winter and for those who enjoy hiking.
Kusatsu is well known for the quality of its thermal waters, and as they have a large volume, they can also supply water to other regions. There is a symbolic installation called Yubatake (hot water field), which is one of the main sources of hot water in the area.
This hot spring area is very lively. It is possible to visit several hot springs for free and also enjoy shopping in variety stores. There are nice resort inns, hotels, and cafes around the city.
Hakone Hot Spring
It is one of the most popular hot spring areas. It is located just an hour and a half from Tokyo by car or train. There are many spa facilities that you can easily visit and many shops to buy souvenirs.
Along the two rivers called Hayakawa River and Sukumogawa River, there is a wide variety of historical accommodations and well-established or purely traditional Japanese-style homes.
You can also stay in one of the several ryokans or in a nearby resort hotel, as many of them include their own private hot spring. Ryokans are traditional Japanese accommodations, where you sleep on a futon, on tatami mats, and breakfast and typical dinners are included.
Beppu Onsen
It is located in Oita, on the east of the main southern island of Japan, Kyushu. The city of Beppu in Oita is home to eight main hot springs, collectively known as Beppu Hatto (“hatto” literally means “eight waters”), each equipped with public baths and ryokans with bathing facilities.
Together, the eight hot springs in the city produce a larger volume of water than any other hot spring resort in Japan. There is a famous tour called Beppu Jigoku Meguri (Beppu Hell Tour) where visitors can see different types of Jigoku hot springs.
Among them are the Sea Hell, Blood Pond Hell, White Pond Hell, and Tornado Hell. At the end of the tour, visitors can even have their special eggs that are steamed or boiled in the hot spring water.
In addition to the great abundance of its waters, another highlight of Beppu’s hot springs is its variety – as well as more conventional hot water baths, bathers can also enjoy the benefits of more unusual dips in sand baths, mud baths, and steam baths.
Besides the traditional hot spring bath, bathers can enjoy sand baths, where they can cover themselves with naturally heated sands; steam baths; and mud baths.
Yufuin Onsen
Surrounded by the mountains of Kyushu (southern Japan), the most prominent view of this onsen is that of the twin peaks of Mount Yufu, which create a stunning outdoor picture. Yufuin, about ten kilometers inland from Beppu, is a pleasant rural town.
During your stay, you can indulge in the many boutiques, art museums, and cafes in the city center. It is a beautiful area for a stroll during the day. Yufuin is surrounded by traditional landscapes of rustic farms and tranquil rice fields.
Bathing and strolling are the two main activities in the city, and many travelers visit Yufuin just to walk around the town during the day. There are ryokans scattered throughout the city, many of which open their onsens to guests during the day.
In many surveys, it has been voted the best hot spring in the Kyushu mountains. The accommodations are located in the rural area for visitors to enjoy an even more fantastic landscape and an unforgettable stay.
Since Yufuin is located near a much larger and busier hot spring area called Beppu, Yufuin is a great choice for those looking for a beautiful hot spring resort area that is a bit less touristy.
Noboribetsu Onsen
Noboribetsu is considered the best hot spring resort on the island of Hokkaido, in the north of the country. A large amount of water supplies the various types of hot springs in the city in a volcanic valley above the city that has earned the nickname Jigokudani (“Hell Valley”) for its spectacular active volcanic scenery.
Interestingly, the water and steam that come out of the numerous fissures and cracks in the valley are so hot that it was once said to be inhabited by oni, Japanese demons or ogres. It was believed that only demons could survive the suffocating temperatures of the valley and the hostile environment.
The waters in its hot baths contain sulfur and hydrogen sulfide, which are known to make the skin softer and brighten the skin, as well as iron, which reduces fatigue. The minerals in the water paint the surrounding landscape, making it at least peculiar.
Hokkaido is a beautiful travel destination both for its stunning scenery and delicious local cuisine. When in Hokkaido, you should definitely stop by some hot spring area in the region.
There are nine types of hot springs in Noboribetsu, each with unique properties. For example, there are sulfur springs, which are known to help with chronic bronchitis, hardening of the arteries, and chronic dermatitis. There is also an iron spring that is known to help with anemia and chronic eczema.
In the area, it is also possible to visit a historical park, a bear park, and a marine park. It is a stunning place to visit in spring with the cherry blossoms.
Have you chosen your hot spring?
Of course, these are not even close to being all the onsens in Japan. The country has a large number of onsens, whether artificial or natural, with those listed. But the point is that you cannot miss visiting one of them.
Hot springs are a trademark of Japan. Perhaps because it is a tradition, or because the country is rich in these natural beauties, we do not know for sure. However, what we do know is that tourists from all over the world go to Japan exclusively to visit the hot springs of Japan.
So, take advantage of this list to organize your travel schedule and visit a hot spring.
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