Like a giant sponge soaked with hot water, Japan literally leaks from thousands of hot springs right across the country. And at some 1,800 of these hot spring areas, a large number of special hot spring resorts have sprung up over the 2,000 years or so that the Japanese have being enjoying a good, hot bath. Japan's hot spring resorts, known as onsens in Japanese, are among its most enjoyable destinations for visitors, and offer a mind-boggling array of variations on the seemingly simple act of soaking in hot mineral waters.
Hokkaido
Jozan-kei Spa
Location : Jozan-kei-onsen, Minami-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido
Description : Situated in a scenic canyon that offers great natural beauty in every season, Jozan-kei Spa has abundant charms.
Access : About 1 hr. 10 min. by bus from JR Sapporo Sta.
Area Guide
Noboribetsu Spa
Location : Noboribetsu-onsen-cho, Noboribetsu-shi, Hokkaido
Description : Surrounded by primeval forest, Noboribetsu Spa expresses the essence of Hokkaido.
Access : About 37 min. from Minami-Chitose Sta. to Noboribetsu Sta
Area Guide
Tohoku
Hanamaki Spa
Location : Yumoto, Hanamaki-shi, Iwate-ken
Description : Set amid mountains including Manju-zan, this is one of the best spas in the Tohoku region of northeast Japan.
Access : About 25 min. by bus from JR Shin-Hanamaki Sta.
Area Guide
Akiu Spa
Location : Akiu-machi, Taihaku-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi-ken
Description : Akiu Spa, situated on the banks of the Natori River, offers a quiet retreat amid abundant greenery.
Access : About 50 min. by bus from JR Sendai Sta.
Area Guide
Ginzan Spa
Location : Ginzan-Shinbata, Obanazawa-shi, Yamagata-ken
Description : Traditional wooden inns line both banks of the crystal-clear Ginzan-gawa River. Enjoy the natural therapeutic powers of the waters of Ginzan Spa.
Access : About 40 min. by bus from Oishida Sta. on JR Yamagata Shinkansen Line.
Area Guide
Iwaki Yumoto Spa
Location : Joban-Yumoto-machi, Iwaki-shi, Fukushima-ken
Description : The hot spring of Yumoto Spa gushes from the pit of an abandoned coal mine. Extensive leisure facilities are available.
Access : About 2 hr. 10 min. from Ueno Sta. to Yumoto Sta. by JR Limited Express Super Hitachi then about 6 min. walk.
Area Guide
Kanto
Kinugawa Spa
Location : Fujiwara, Fujiwara-Machitaki, Shioya-gun, Tochigi-ken
Description : Kinugawa Spa, on the Kinu-gawa River, is one of the largest and most prominent resort areas in Japan. Here you will find a wide selection of fully-equipped modern accommodations.
Access : About 2 hr. by limited express from Asakusa Sta. to Kinugawa-onsen Sta. on Tobu Line
Area Guide
Kusatsu Spa
Location : Kusatsu-machi, Azuma-gun, Gunma-ken
Description : The Kusatsu Spa resort area boasts Japan's most bountiful natural hot spring, situated in the heart of Joshin'etsu National Park. It has been renowned for centuries throughout Japan for the healing powers of its waters.
Access : About 1 hr. 10 min. by JR limited express "Kusatsu" from Ueno Sta. to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Sta. then about 30 min. by bus to Kusatsu-onsen.
Area Guide
Hakone Yumoto Spa
Location : Yumoto, Hakone-machi, Ashigara-shimo-gun, Kanagawa-ken
Description : Among the many hot springs of the Hakone area, Hakone Yumoto Spa is the most venerable of all, with a history dating back more than a thousand years.
Access : About 15 min. from Odawara Sta. to Hakone Yumoto Sta. on Hakone Tozan Tetsudo Line
Area Guide
Chubu
Yuzawa Spa
Location : Yuzawa, Yuzawa-machi, Minami-uonuma-gun, Niigata-ken
Description : One hour Shinkansen ride will bring you to Yuzawa Spa town,? location of the world famous novel Yukiguni, Snow County by the Nobel Prize-winning novelist, Yasunari Kawabata. In winter, you can enjoy both ski and spa.?
Access : About 1 hour and 10 minutes from Tokyo station by JR Joetsu Shinkansen Line.
Area Guide
Unazuki Spa
Location : Unazuki, Unazuki-machi, Shimoniikawa-gun, Toyama-ken
Description : Unazuki Spa, on the banks of the Kurobe-gawa River, represents the best of the Hokuriku region. It is especially famous as a spot for viewing gorgeous autumn colors.
Access : About 1 hr. 55 min. by limited express from Echigo-Yuzawa Sta. to Uozu Sta. on JR Hokuriku Honsen Line then about 35 min. by limited express from Shin-Uozu Sta. to Unazuki-onsen Sta. by Toyama-chiho-tetsudo Honsen Line.
Area Guide
Kaga Onsen-go Spa
Description : Numerous hot springs dot the Kaga Onsen-go resort area. They include Yamanaka Spa, which has a history of more than a thousand years, Yamashiro Spa set at a higher eleveation in the Kagaheiya area, and a number of modern accommodations at Katayamazu Spa.
(Yamashiro Spa)
Location : Yamashiro-onsen, Kaga-shi, Ishikawa-ken
Access : About 1 hr. 30 min. by limited express from Maibara Sta. to Kaga-onsen Sta. on JR Hokuriku Honsen Line then about 10 min. by Hokutetsu Bus to Yamashiro-Nishiguchi Bus stop
(Yamanaka Spa)
Location : Yamanaka-machi, Enuma-gun, Ishikawa-ken
Access : About 1 hr. 30 min. by limited express from Maibara Sta. to Kaga-onsen Sta. on JR Hokuriku Honsen Line then about 20 min. by bus to Yamanaka-onsen
(Katayamazu Spa)
Location : Kataymazu-onsen, Kaga-shi, Ishikawa-ken
Access : About 1 hr. 30 min. by limited express from Maibara Sta. to Kaga-onsen Sta. on JR Hokuriku Honsen Line then about 10 min. by Hokutetsu Bus to Katayamazu-onsen
Area Guide
Wakura Spa
Location : Wakura-machi, Nanao-shi, Ishikawa-ken
Description : Wakura Spa offers the most bountiful springs and the most extensive accommodations in the Noto Peninsula. It is becoming well-known abroad as well as in Japan.
Access : About 12 min. by bus from Komatsu Airport to Komatsu Sta. then take a Limited Express "Shirasagi" on JR Hokuriku Honsen Line for 38 min. to Wakura-onsen Sta.
Yudanaka, Shibu Spa
Description : Surrounded by mountains, the Yudanaka Spa resort area features modern hotel spas. Shibu Spa, meanwhile, is dotted with traditional Japanese wooden inns and bustling public bathing areas.
(Yudanaka Spa)
Location : Yudanaka, Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun, Nagano-ken
Access : About 45 min. by limited express from Yudanaka Sta. to Nagano Sta. on Nagano Dentetsu Line.
(Shibu Spa)
Location : Shibu, Yamanouchi, Shimotakai-gun, Nagano-ken
Access : About 45 min. by limited express from Nagano Sta. to Yudanaka Sta. on
Nagano Dentetsu Line then about 8 min. by bus
Gero Spa
Location : Mori, Koden, Yunoshima, Gero-cho, Mashita-gun, Gifu-ken
Description : The Chubu region's most exclusive spa area is Gero Spa, situated in the Hida Mountains.
Access : About 1hr. 37 min. by limited express from Nagoya Sta. to Gero Sta. on JR Takayama Honsen Line
Area Guide
Atami Spa
Location : Atami-shi, Shizuoka-ken
Description : Practically everyone in Japan knows the legendary Atami Spa, a large resort area on the coast facing the Pacific Ocean.
Access : About 40 min. from Tokyo Sta. to Atami Sta. by JR Tokaido Shinkansen
Area Guide
Kansai
Shirahama Spa
Location : Yuzaki, Shirahama-cho, Nishimuro-gun, Wakayama-ken
Description : Shirahama Spa, overlooking the deep blue sea from the coast of the Shirahama-hanto Peninsula, is a resort area renowned for its wealth of history and facilities.
Access : About 15 min. by bus from Shirahama Sta. to Shirahama-onsen
Area Guide
Arima Spa
Location : Arima-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo-ken
Description : The waters of Arima Spa, one of the oldest hot springs in Japan, bubble from the foot of the mountain Rokko-san. Relax and enjoy the soothing atmosphere of a spring that has been welling up for thousands of years.
Access : About 35 min. by bus from JR Shin-Kobe Sta. to Arima-onsen
Area Guide
Chugoku
Tamatsukuri Spa
Location : Tamatsukuri, Tamayu-cho, Yatsuka-gun, Shimane-ken
Description : Tamatsukuri Spa, the pride of the San'in region, has been welcoming visitors for over 1,300 years.
Access : About 2 hr. 25 min. by limited express from Okayama Sta. to Tamatsukuri-onsen Sta. on JR Sanin Line then about 7 min. by bus
Shikoku
Dogo Spa
Location : Yuno-machi, Dogo, Matsuyama-shi, Ehime-ken
Description : Therapeutic Dogo Spa is one of the top hit spring facilities in western Japan, and is said to date back three thousand years.
Access : About 20 min. from Matsuyama Sta. to Dogo-onsen Sta. on Iyo Tetsudo Line
Area Guide
Kyushu
Unzen Spa
Location : Unzen, Obama-cho, Minami-Takaki-gun, Nagasaki-ken
Description : Well-known in Japan and abroad as restful and cosmopolitan, Unzen Spa is situated at an elevation of 700 m. Hot spring water can be seen gushing out of the ground in many places.
Access : About 15 min. by bus from Nagasaki Airport to JR Omura Sta. then about 12 min. to Isahaya Sta. on JR Omura Line. Take a Shimabara Tetsudo for 1hr. 10 min. from Isahaya Sta. to Shimabara Sta. then about 50 min. by bus(bound for Unzen, Nagasaki) to Unzen
Area Guide
Beppu Spa
Location : Beppu-shi, Oita-ken
Description : Beppu Spa is one of the top hot spring resorts in Japan. Visitors can enjoy many forms of entertainment and amusement in addition to the plentiful hot springs.
Access : About 15 min. from Oita Sta. to Beppu Sta. on JR Nippo Honsen Line
Area Guide
Ibusuki Spa
Location : Ibusuki-shi, Kagoshima-ken
Description : Ibusuki Spa, on the shores of Kinko Bay, offers the hospitality of Kyushu. This resort is especially famous for its sand baths.
Access : About 20 min. walk from Ibusuki Sta. on JR Ibusuki-Makurazaki Line
Area Guide