Map of Japanese Onsen

秋保温泉

A lovely uchiburo in one of Akiu's larger hotels.

This quiet mountain village boasts a number of nice onsens. Though there's less traditional ambiance here, the famous gorge (pictured below) makes for a nice diversion between soaks.

青荷温泉

One of Aoni's konyoku rotenburo, with a goemonburo in the background and a lamp -- just visible -- in the upper left.

One of the most beautiful onsen in Japan, Aoni is famous for its great baths and atmospheric, fragrant oil lamps, which are lit nightly. The collection of baths, many of which are konyoku… More

有馬温泉

The high iron content of Kin no Yu gives it the brown color.

Perhaps the best onsen close to Osaka, Arima Onsen offers two main baths -- Kin no Yu (Gold Bath, 金の湯) and Gin no Yu (Silver Bath, 銀の湯). Kin no Yu has nice, hot rusty ochre water due to a high… More

浅間温泉

Just minutes walk from Asama Station, Asama Onsen's "Biwa no Yu" boasts a beautiful and relaxing rotenburo, as well as separate male/female baths.

熱海温泉

The uchiburo of Furuya, an onsen ryokan which dates back to the Edo Period.

Atami Onsen is within easy reach of Tokyo by train, making it a fun day trip or weekend getaway. Its location on the seashore means there's more here to do than just soak, and the market near the… More

Beppu Onsen

別府温泉

Sulfurous waters and lots of tradition make Beppu one of Kyuushuu's hottest onsen escapes. It's one of Japan's biggest hot spring resorts and has the whole gamut of onsen -- from simple to fancy… More

Daisetsu Kougen Onsen

大雪高原泉温

Daisetsu Kougen Onsen is a treat, a quiet spot at the end of a winding mountain dirt road that goes over rushing rivers and through thick forests. There are brown (higuma) bears here, so hiking… More

Dougo Onsen

道後温泉

Dougo Onsen (道後温泉), located in the island of Shikoku, is considered to be one of Japan's oldest onsen, and it is also one of Japan's most beloved and most famous, thanks to its appearance in… More

Echigo-Yuzawa Onsen

越後湯沢温泉

Simple yet satisfying, the sake-infused bath inside the Echigo-Yuzawa train station is well worth a soak.

Seeing as the town itself is a bit over-developed and the innkeepers surprisingly unfriendly, there's not much reason to leave the train station -- with its excellent, piping hot onsen (infused… More

Edoyu

江戸遊

Edoyu is a great spot for people looking for an onsen experience without leaving Tokyo. Though on the pricey side, Edoyu offers a variety of baths and a variety of other services (massage, etc… More

Fukiage Rotennoyu

吹上露天の湯

Fukiage Roten-no-Yu is a lovely little collection of shallow yet very hot pools at the end of a short trail into the woods. There are no changing facilities and it's mixed-gender, and can be busy… More

Gero Onsen

下呂温泉

The tatami surrounding the main bath at this modest ryokan is a wonderful touch.

Gero Onsen's symbol is the frog, not surprising, since "Kero" or "Gero" is the Japanese equivalent of "Ribbit." You'll see froggies everywhere, and there are plenty of onsen as well, most of them… More

Getou Onsen

夏油温泉

Bathers contemplating the river as they enjoy the heat of Daiyu (大湯).

Getou Onsen is at the end of a winding, precipitous road...once you're here, you're here. Though damaged by earthquakes in 2008, Getou remains a spectacular spot to visit, and the collection of… More

Hakone Onsen

箱根温泉

A colorful sign in Hakone, south of Tokyo, Japan.

Hakone is a popular onsen resort within easy reach of Tokyo by train; however, due to the vast quantities of tourists it is less friendly and less interesting than many less accessible resorts.… More

Hirauchi Kaichuu Onsen

平内海中温泉

This lovely collection of rocky pools is not bathable within a few hours of high tide, so you'll need to check the tide tables before heading out. If it's bathable, this is one of Yakushima's… More

Hirayama Onsen

平山温泉

Hirayama Onsen is a small spot with a collection of inns and baths, some of them quite spectacular. Like many of the off-the-beaten track spots, you get great value here, with some stunning baths… More

Hirayu Onsen

平湯温泉

Nice sluices let you soak your neck and shoulders in the rotenburo.

Hirayu Onsen is a mountain town which has a number of inns and a bit of skiing nearby. The waters here are rusty and iron-laden, and at Okuhida Onsen there's a wonderful wooden bath house with… More

Houheikyou Onsen

豊平峡温泉

A view of Houheikyou's expansive dansei rotenburo.

Close to Sapporo and boasting 100% real onsen water, this restaurant/onsen establishment features dark brown water, several uchiburo, and a large rotenburo with views of the surrounding hills.

Ibusuki Onsen

指宿温泉

A sandbather enjoying the penetrating heat.

Ibusuki's fame comes not from its waters, but from its black, volcanically heated sand. This is one of the only times where you don't bathe before entering -- simply don a yukata and plastic… More

Jouzankei Onsen

定山渓温泉

A ukiyoe-styled tile mosaic livens up this Jouzankei uchiburo.

Jouzankei Onsen is one of the nearest major onsen towns close to Sapporo, and those seeking a quick soak without a lot of atmosphere will enjoy the warmth of the various hotel baths. Kappa, a… More

Kareigawa no Yu

かれい川の湯

The mirror-like surface of the rotenburo that overlooks the Amori River.

Kareigawa no Yu is a lovely higaeri (day-use) only bath that is a bit out of the way but is new, clean, stylish, and tucked right next to the historic Amori River. Baths are beautiful constructed… More

Kashiwaya Onsen

柏屋温泉

Raitei (Timber) no Yu seems to almost be part of the river itself, but you're actually looking down on it below you.

Kashiwaya, tucked off on a steep hillside along a winding, narrow road, will delight anyone wanting to devote their time entirely to soaking. There are 7 kashikiriburo (private reservable)… More

Kawayu Onsen

川湯温泉

A public foot bath (ashiyu) near the bus station.

Famous for foot onsen (ashiyu, 足湯), with scaldingly hot water high in sulfur.

Kawayu Onsen

川湯温泉

Heat beneath the riverbank warms the sand, allowing you to dig your own bath in the shores of the river.

This beautiful, idyllic onsen town is known for the proximity of the volcanic heat, which warms the riverbanks so nicely that one can bathe by digging one's own bath right beside the river. If… More

Kawazu-Nanadaru Onsen

河津七樽温泉

The matcha bath is the highlight of the Tsuribashi-sou.

This lovely Shizuoka onsen town has a number of hotels, minshuku, and spas sprinkled about, but you'll probably want to check out the very unique matchaburo (green tea bath) at the Tsuribashi-sou… More

Kotohira Onsen

琴平温泉

Steaming water in one of the Yumesansui kazokuburos.

Kotohira Onsen is a simple, family style day bath tucked next to a river. A variety of rooms offer different baths, ranging in price from about 2000 yen to 3500 for 60 minutes. As with most… More

Kurokawa Onsen

黒川温泉

A bather relaxes in an expansive rotenburo.

Recently has risen to top slot status: Kurokawa is a quaint, riverside onsen town with numerous onsen ryokan and minshuku all clustered together. It's a nice spot to spend a weekend -- most people… More

Kusatsu Onsen

草津温泉

Steam billows in the crisp morning air as water cascades out of the Yubatake.

This scenic mountain onsen town is famous for its "healing" waters, steamed sweets ("manju"), and a really interesting central area called the "Hot Water Field" (湯畑) where the scalding, sulfurous… More

Lamune Onsen-kan

ラムネ温泉館

Ramune Onsen-kan is a newer structure with iron-rich water in the town of Taketa, in Oita Prefecture. It boasts rich, mineral-laden carbonated water and beautiful rural scenery next to a river. … More

Misasa Onsen

三朝温泉

Misasa Onsen's radium-rich waters are likely why it's been viewed as a "healing spring" for centuries. Though care should be taken when self-medicating with radiation (and medicinal or curative… More

Mizunashi Kaihin Onsen

水無海浜温泉

One of Hokkaidou's most spectacular ocean-side baths, Mizunashi Kaihin Onsen is simple and pure, and only usable when the tides are low: each cycle the high tide covers the baths, so you have to… More

Namari Onsen

鉛温泉

Namari Onsen is in the labyrinthine complex of the Fujisan Ryokan (藤三旅館‎), the highlight of which is the White Monkey Bath (白猿の湯), a 1.4 meter deep, wonderfully hot oval of konyoku… More

Naruko Onsen

鳴子温泉

Takinoyu (滝の湯), one of Naruko's oldest and most atmospheric baths. Be sure to bring your own soap and towel, as this is as basic as it gets.

Naruko Onsen, within reach of Tokyo, is a quaint onsen town reminiscent of Kyuushuu's Beppu, yet smaller and more intimate. The scent of onsen water pervades the valley and the clop-clop of geta-… More

Noboribetsu Onsen

登別温泉

Colored lights seem a bit unnecessary at this Grand Hotel rotenburo.

Hokkaido's most famous onsen and one of Japan's best, Noboribetsu's sulfur-laden waters are hot, smelly, and wonderful. There are a host of high-end options, but don't miss the wonderful public… More

Nonaka Onsen

野中温泉

Nonaka Onsen is a lovely soak especially after hiking the nearby Mt. Meakan, a 4-5 hour hike where one can view the gushing volcano that heats the water for the baths below. The uchiburo is a… More

Nyuutou Onsen

乳頭温泉

The main dansei rotenburo at Tsurunoyu (鶴の湯).

High up in the mountains, this cluster of onsen ryokans and inns have rotenburo, konyoku (mixed gender) baths, among others, in an idyllic mountain valley setting overlooking Lake Tazawa (田沢湖).… More

Obama Onsen

小浜温泉

On the shore of Tachibana Bay, Obama Onsen makes a wonderful day trip from Nagasaki or a nice stop-n-soak on the way from Nagasaki to Unzen or Shimabara. There are several baths, the nicest of… More

Ryuujin no Yu

龍神の湯

Ryuujin no Yu is a lovely spot to watch the sun set over the Pacific, and one of Okinawa's rare onsens, as this island chain isn't blessed with the natural geologic features that make for good… More

Ryuujin Onsen

龍神温泉

Right at the river's edge, the konyoku (mixed gender) rotenburo at Shimogoten is as perfect as a bath can be.

Arguably the best onsen in all of Japan. Known as one of the three "Beautiful Woman Baths," Ryuujin Onsen was where the Wakayama feudal lord came to bathe when he needed to relax. The two main… More

Shibu Onsen

渋温泉

Shibu's popular Bath Nine is like stepping into a sento of old.

Shibu Onsen is a delightful place to visit and while definitely developed, there's some charming treats here and plenty to do for those who want to spend a weekend. If you can afford it, spend at… More

Shimoda Onsen

下田温泉

Shimoda Onsen, set on the western shore of the remote Amakusa island chain (part of Kumamoto Prefecture), seems as peaceful and idyllic as a simple town can be. There are foot baths, hot, iron… More

Shirahama Onsen

白浜温泉

Sakinoyu's majestic view is marred only by the nearby ocean observatory. Modest bathers may wonder what, exactly, gets viewed through those 100 yen binoculars.

Sakinoyu's (崎の湯) oceanside rotenburos, where you can sit, sip sake, and watch waves, are a must-see, must-do for anyone visiting Shirahama, but there are about seven other baths to hit along the… More

Shiro no Yu

城の湯

What could be more basic (and beautiful!) than a bath in the middle of a river?

Shiro no Yu Onsen is a secret gem tucked up in the mountains of Kirishima. Not for the faint of heart, this spot is as rustic as it gets: a bath in the middle of a river has a perfect mix of both… More

Shoukichi no Yu

昭吉の湯

This expansive rotenburo overlooks a beautiful valley.

Located at the top of a steep, vertiginous road, Shoukichi no Yu is a simple place with unadorned grounds that verge on shabby, but it has a lot to offer, especially for larger groups. You could… More

Shuzenji Onsen

修善寺温泉

Shuzenji's only saving grace is the nice, inexpensive, hinokiburo in the public bath.

Shuzenji Onsen,a dense warren of inns and ryokans on both sides of a small river, is one of the oldest and most famous onsens in the Izu peninsula, but unfortunately has precious little to… More

Souunkyou Onsen

層雲峡温泉

Sleepy Souunkyou is a great destination for hikers. Spend the day in the trails of majestic Daisetsuzan National Park, then spend evenings soaking away the soreness in simple luxury. A simple… More

Takaragawa Onsen

宝川温泉

Takaragawa's gargantuan pools are its main claim to fame.

Takaragawa Onsen is loads of fun, despite its being over-commercialized and even a bit weird. For starters, it is giant -- one of the biggest if not the biggest outdoor konyoku rotenburo in Japan… More

Unzen Onsen

雲仙温泉

Unzen Onsen, high in the peaks of the Shimabara peninsula, is one of Kyuushuu's nicest soaking spots. Views are incredible from some of the hotels, and the entire area is one of Japan's oldest… More

Wakoto Onsen

和琴温泉

A bather enjoys the evening sunset and the view of Lake Kussharo.

This peaceful rotenburo on the shores of Kussharo lake is, for some, the quintessential essence of what an onsen should be. As snow geese fly in to land on the glassy lake, the warmth (intense,… More

Watarase Onsen

わたらせ温泉

The large, immaculate rotenburos have ample room for crowds without it getting crowded.

Watarase Onsen is a large, relatively new onsen, restaurant, and hotel complex on the site of Watase Onsen spring. While it lacks the authenticity of some of the nearby onsen (which have been… More

Yumeoisou

湯巡追荘

In the snug town of Aso at the foot of the eponymous volcano, Yumeoisou is a nice, old-style onsen ryokan with a number of kashikiriburo (private, reservable baths) as well as some atmospheric… More

Yunokawa Onsen

湯の川温泉

This attractive Yunokawa bath is rimmed with hinoki (Japanese cypress), but purists prefer the entire bath be made from this beautiful, aromatic wood.

Yunokawa Onsen (湯の川温泉), over 300 years old, is a nest of relatively built up hotels and spa complexes and has little of the character one might hope for in a venerable old onsen. Yet it's easily… More

Yunomine Onsen

湯の峰温泉

The simple bathhouse at Tsubo Yu was where pilgrims came to purify themselves as they approached Hongu Shrine.

Yunomine Onsen is a quiet, peaceful onsen town whose jewel is the humble Tsubo Yu, a small, extremely hot spring where pilgrims along the Kumano Kodo path would stop to purify themselves before… More

Yunotsuru Onsen

湯の鶴温泉

Nestled in a quaint riverside, Yunotsuru Onsen is a relatively unvisted gem in southwestern Kumamoto. A number of onsen ryokans line the banks of a rushing river, with cedar groves and bamboo… More

Zaou Onsen

蔵王温泉

This ski town offers old-style donation-entry baths, plus giant 200 person rotenburo for anyone who's looking for a crowd.