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Top hot springs destinations and thermal resorts

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Hakone
Onsen town with Fuji views and lake cruises
8.6
Sulfur vents still steam at Owakudani, a volcanic valley formed thousands of years ago. Vendors there boil eggs in the hot spring water until the shells turn black. Visitors can eat one, said locally to add years to your life. Nearby cable cars cross the valley with views toward Mount Fuji.
Highlights:
  • 🚠 Take a scenic ride on the Hakone Ropeway
  • 🖼️ Explore stunning sculptures at Hakone Open-Air Museum
  • ♨️ Soak in relaxing waters of Hakone Onsen hot springs
Beppu
Steaming hot springs and colorful Hells
8.1
Beppu produces more hot spring water than almost any other town in Japan. Steam rises constantly from vents scattered across the city's hillsides and streets. Visitors can tour a set of colorful hot spring pools known as the Hells of Beppu. Nearby, bathers can soak in mineral-rich water piped directly from underground sources.
Highlights:
  • 🏖️ Try a traditional sand bath at Beppu Beach Sand Bath
  • 🌋 Watch the spectacular steam vents rise at Umi Jigoku
  • ♨️ Bathe in the famous Beppu hot springs known as “onsen hells”
Oita
Monkeys, hot springs and Otomo history
7.9
Oita prefecture produces the highest volume of hot spring water anywhere in Japan. Beppu, within the prefecture, alone accounts for a large share of the national total. Visitors can tour colorful hot spring pools known locally as the Hells of Beppu. Nearby ryokan inns offer traditional baths fed by the same underground heat.
Highlights:
  • 🎨 Stroll the charming streets of Yufuin and visit its art galleries
  • 🌋 Explore the surreal steaming pools on the Beppu Hells tour
  • ♨️ Relax in Beppu’s famous and therapeutic hot springs
Kusatsu-Onsen
Steaming hot water field and bath hopping
8.1
Kusatsu Onsen produces some of the highest volume of natural hot spring water in Japan. A central field in town channels the steaming water for visitors to see up close. Visitors can watch traditional water-cooling performances before soaking in the baths. Nearby ryokan inns have served travelers drawn to the springs for centuries.
Highlights:
  • 🌿 Relax in open-air baths at Sainokawara Park
  • 🎍 Watch a traditional Yumomi hot water cooling show
  • ♨️ Admire the steaming Yubatake hot spring field in the center of town
Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
Fuji, Hakone, Izu and volcanic islands
8.8
Hakone's hot springs draw on volcanic activity from a caldera formed long ago. Onsen inns here have hosted travelers along an old mountain trade route for centuries. Visitors can soak outdoors with views toward Mount Fuji on clear days. Nearby, a pirate-style boat crosses Lake Ashi past the volcanic scenery.
Highlights:
  • 🥚 Explore volcanic vents and black eggs at Owakudani
  • ♨️ Relax in Hakone’s renowned hot spring baths
  • 🗻 Climb iconic Mount Fuji for sunrise views
Kyushu
Volcanoes, onsen and tonkotsu ramen
8.4
Volcanic activity across Kyushu has produced some of Japan's most famous hot spring towns. Mount Aso's active crater sits at the center of one of the world's largest calderas. Visitors can drive to the rim and look down into the smoking crater. Nearby hot spring towns draw on the same volcanic heat below.
Highlights:
  • 🕊️ Explore historic Nagasaki Peace Park memorial
  • 🥾 Hike scenic trails at Mount Aso volcanic caldera
  • ♨️ Relax in Beppu’s famous hot spring baths
Kinosaki Onsen
Seven bathhouses to stroll between in yukata
8.3
Kinosaki Onsen lines a canal with willow trees and seven public bathhouses open to visitors. Guests traditionally wear yukata robes while strolling between baths along the canal. Visitors can purchase a pass for entry to all seven historic bathhouses. Nearby wooden footbridges cross the canal throughout the compact hot spring town.
Highlights:
  • ⛩️ Visit the historic Kinosaki Shrine and participate in local rituals
  • 👘 Stroll through the charming streets wearing a yukata and geta
  • 🛁 Relax in a traditional ryokan and soak in private onsen baths
Noboribetsu
Steaming hell valley and nine spring types
8.5
Jigokudani (Hell Valley) steams with sulfurous vents just outside Noboribetsu. Volcanic heat from the valley feeds the hot spring baths the town is known for. Visitors can walk boardwalks past bubbling vents before soaking in a nearby onsen. Nearby forests turn bright red each autumn around the steaming valley.
Highlights:
  • 🐻 Meet Japanese macaques at the Noboribetsu Bear Park
  • 🌋 Walk through the steaming volcanic valley of Jigokudani
  • ♨️ Soak in natural hot springs at Noboribetsu Onsen resort
Nyuto Onsen
Seven secluded onsen inns in beech forest
9.2
Nyuto Onsen clusters several rustic hot spring inns within a remote mountain valley. Snow blankets the inns for much of the year, adding to their secluded, timeless feel. Visitors can soak in milky, mineral-rich baths surrounded by forest and snow. Nearby trails connect the scattered inns for those touring multiple baths.
Highlights:
  • 🥩 Taste yamanoimo nabe, a hearty mountain yam hot pot
  • 🏞️ Hop between Nyuto's hot spring inns with a Yumeguri pass
  • ♨️ Soak in the milky-white outdoor bath at Tsurunoyu
Gero
One of Japan's three great hot springs
7.5
Gero ranks among Japan's most celebrated hot spring towns, praised for centuries by traveling poets. Mineral water here is said to leave skin remarkably soft after bathing. Visitors can soak in public baths scattered along the town's riverside streets. Nearby mountain scenery frames the town throughout every season.
Highlights:
  • 🚶🏻 Stroll along the Gero Onsen street and footbaths
  • 🏮 Stay overnight in a traditional ryokan inn
  • ♨️ Soak in Gero’s famous natural hot spring baths
Kumamoto
Castle city with horse sashimi and Mt. Aso
7.6
Kumamoto's hot springs draw on volcanic activity tied to nearby Mount Aso. Kurokawa Onsen, within the prefecture, ranks among Japan's most celebrated hot spring villages. Visitors can purchase a pass for entry to several outdoor baths in town. Nearby forest paths connect scattered inns along a quiet river.
Highlights:
  • 📚 Meet Kumamon, Kumamoto's famous bear mascot, at Kumamon Square
  • 🌿 Stroll through the serene Suizenji Jojuen Garden
  • 🏯 Explore the historic Kumamoto Castle grounds
Hokkaido
Volcanoes, powder snow and fresh seafood
9.3
Hot spring towns dot Hokkaido, tapping the island's constant volcanic activity. Noboribetsu's Jigokudani (Hell Valley) steams with sulfurous vents just outside town. Visitors can walk boardwalks past bubbling vents before soaking in a nearby onsen. Nearby forests turn bright red each autumn around the steaming valley.
Highlights:
  • 🚤 Explore historic Otaru Canal and its shops
  • 🏂 Ski or snowboard in world-famous Niseko resorts
  • 💧 Visit the spectacular Shirogane Blue Pond
Yufuin Onsen
Lakeside onsen town below Mount Yufu
8.4
Steam rises from hot spring inns scattered across the valley town of Yufuin. Mount Yufu looms over the town, its slopes visible from many of the outdoor baths. Visitors can soak in an open-air onsen with mountain views close by. Nearby lakes and craft shops fill the quiet streets below the hills.
Highlights:
  • 🌅 Take a morning walk around tranquil Lake Kinrin
  • 🛍️ Stroll along Yufuin’s picturesque Yunotsubo Kaido shopping street
  • 🛀 Bathe in a private open-air onsen with mountain views
Baden-Baden
Thermal baths and a leafy spa promenade
9.0
Baden-Baden built its reputation on thermal springs used since Roman times. European aristocracy flocked to the town's grand bathhouses throughout the 1800s. Visitors can soak in historic Roman-Irish baths following a traditional multi-stage bathing ritual. Nearby casinos and gardens reflect the town's long history as an elegant spa resort.
Highlights:
  • 🛁 Relax in thermal waters of Friedrichsbad spa
  • 🍷 Sip world‑renowned wine at a local vineyard tour
  • 🌳 Stroll through the picturesque Lichtentaler Allee
Nagano
Temple pilgrimage town near snow monkeys
7.4
Nagano's mountain hot springs draw on volcanic activity within the surrounding Japanese Alps. Snow monkeys famously soak in hot spring pools at a park within the prefecture. Visitors can watch the monkeys bathe or soak in their own nearby onsen. Nearby ski resorts make Nagano a year-round mountain destination.
Highlights:
  • 🎿 Ski the world-class slopes of Hakuba Valley
  • 🐒 See snow monkeys bathe in hot springs at Jigokudani
  • ⛩️ Visit Zenko-ji Temple, Nagano’s spiritual heart
Izu
Shuzenji hot springs, wasabi and Amagi hikes
8.1
Volcanic activity shaped the Izu Peninsula's rugged coastline and many hot spring towns. Onsen inns here have drawn travelers from Tokyo for day trips since the 1800s. Visitors can soak in seaside baths with views out over the Pacific. Nearby cliffs and coves make for scenic coastal hiking trails.
Highlights:
  • 🌸 Walk the Path of Bamboo along Shuzenji's river
  • 💧 Hike to the stunning Joren Waterfall
  • ♨️ Relax in the healing waters of Shuzenji Onsen
Aso-Kuju National Park
Giant caldera, active volcano and highlands
8.1
Mount Aso's crater ranks among the largest active volcanic calderas in the world. Farmers still graze cattle on grasslands formed by centuries of past eruptions. Visitors can drive to the rim before soaking in nearby hot spring towns. Nearby hot spring towns draw on the same volcanic heat underground.
Highlights:
  • 🐎 Ride horseback across the grasslands of Kusasenri Plateau
  • 🥾 Hike the Kuju Mountains for sweeping views of lush valleys
  • 🌋 Peer into Mount Aso’s active volcanic crater and feel the heat
Kurokawa Onsen
Riverside bath hopping in a Kumamoto valley
8.8
Kurokawa Onsen preserves a traditional hot spring village atmosphere along a wooded river valley. Wooden inns here maintain rustic charm rather than modern hotel development. Visitors can purchase a pass allowing entry to multiple outdoor baths around town. Nearby forest paths connect the scattered inns along the riverbank.
Highlights:
  • 🏮 Enjoy seasonal lantern festivals lighting the village
  • 👘 Stroll the charming streets in traditional yukata robes
  • ♨️ Use the wooden pass for onsen hopping across baths
Shibu Onsen
Nine public baths and cobbled lanes
8.5
Shibu Onsen's narrow lanes connect nine public bathhouses fed by natural hot springs. Tradition holds that visiting all nine baths brings good fortune to bathers. Visitors can wander the historic streets in traditional robes between baths. Nearby, wild snow monkeys famously soak in hot springs of their own.
Highlights:
  • 👘 Stroll historic streets wearing yukata robes
  • 🐒 Visit Jigokudani Monkey Park to see bathing snow monkeys
  • ♨️ Soak in nine unique public hot spring baths
Kinugawa-Onsen
Gorge hot spring resort near Nikko
8.3
Kinugawa Onsen lines a river gorge with hot spring inns built into the steep hillside. Travelers have soaked here since the springs first opened to the public in the 1600s. Visitors can soak in riverside baths with views of the surrounding gorge. Nearby cable cars offer additional views over the valley below.
Highlights:
  • 🍜 Taste local soba noodles at riverside izakaya
  • 🏞️ Hike to Kinugawa Gorge waterfalls
  • ♨️ Soak in outdoor hot springs overlooking mountains
Izu Peninsula
Hot springs, volcanic coast and beaches
8.3
Steam vents and hot springs dot the Izu Peninsula, fed by underground volcanic heat. Ancient eruptions shaped much of the peninsula's dramatic coastal terrain. Visitors can soak in oceanfront baths built directly into coastal rock formations. Nearby hiking trails wind past cliffs formed by the same volcanic history.
Highlights:
  • 🌸 Explore Izu Kogen highland's flower gardens
  • 🏔️ Watch the sunset over Suruga Bay from Cape Koganezaki
  • 🛁 Soak in Atami's famed hot spring baths
Matsuyama
A hilltop castle and Japan's oldest hot spring
8.3
Dogo Onsen in Matsuyama ranks among Japan's oldest hot spring bathhouses. Legend holds that an injured deer once revealed the healing waters to early visitors. Visitors can bathe at the historic building, said to have inspired a famous animated film. Nearby shopping streets serve visitors drawn to the centuries-old springs.
Highlights:
  • ⛩️ Explore Ishiteji Temple and its historic tunnel
  • ♨️ Relax in Dogo Onsen, Japan's oldest hot spring
  • 🏯 Visit Matsuyama Castle with panoramic city views
Shikoku
Pilgrimage trail, gorges and hot springs
8.1
Dogo Onsen on Shikoku ranks among Japan's oldest hot spring bathhouses. Legend holds that an injured deer once revealed the healing waters to early visitors. Visitors can bathe at the historic building, said to have inspired a famous animated film. Nearby shopping streets serve visitors drawn to the centuries-old springs.
Highlights:
  • ♨️ Relax in Dōgo Onsen, Japan’s oldest hot spring
  • 🌊 Admire the whirlpools of Naruto Strait from the Ōnaruto Bridge
  • ⛩️ Complete the 88 Temple Pilgrimage across Shikoku
Fujikawaguchiko
Lake town with Mount Fuji views and onsen
8.1
Hot spring inns around Lake Kawaguchi offer views of Mount Fuji from outdoor baths. Photographers gather along the shore especially during cherry blossom season each spring. Visitors can soak in an onsen while watching the mountain's reflection in the lake. Nearby paths circle the lake for visitors touring beyond the baths.
Highlights:
  • 🚠 Ride the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway for stunning views
  • 🏘️ Explore traditional thatched houses at Iyashi-no-Sato
  • 🏞️ Admire Mount Fuji from scenic Lake Kawaguchiko
Yamanashi
Mount Fuji's north side, lakes and wine
9.4
Hot spring towns dot Yamanashi prefecture, drawing on volcanic activity near Mount Fuji. Onsen inns here have hosted travelers for generations seeking mountain views and warm baths. Visitors can soak outdoors with views toward Japan's tallest peak. Nearby lakes reflect Fuji's snow-capped summit on clear mornings.
Highlights:
  • 🌅 Explore Lake Kawaguchi's sunrise reflections of Mt. Fuji
  • 🍇 Pick grapes and peaches in Yamanashi's fruit orchards
  • 🚡 Taste hōtō, Yamanashi's hearty flat noodle stew
Toyota
Car capital with Korankei maple gorge
8.7
Hot springs near Toyota draw on geothermal activity within the surrounding mountain terrain. Local inns have offered mineral baths to travelers for generations in this region. Visitors can soak in traditional baths fed by naturally heated underground water. Nearby forests and mountain trails add to the area's rural appeal.
Highlights:
  • 🏭 Explore Toyota's industrial park and production facilities
  • 🏢 Walk through Toyota City Hall's modern architecture
  • 🚗 Tour the Toyota Kaikan Museum to see the latest cars and technology
Hida
Carp canal and sake town near Takayama
7.3
Hida's mountain hot springs draw on volcanic activity within Japan's central highlands. Traditional wooden inns here have welcomed travelers along old trade routes for generations. Visitors can soak in outdoor baths surrounded by forested mountain scenery. Nearby historic villages preserve thatched farmhouses from centuries past.
Highlights:
  • 🚆 Ride the scenic Hida-Furukawa rail line through mountain valleys
  • 🍶 Take a sake brewery tour and sample local varieties
  • 🏮 Wander through the preserved streets of Hida-Furukawa
Koyasan
Temple town with monastery stays
9.2
Hot springs near Mount Koya offer a soak after visiting the mountain's Buddhist monasteries. Pilgrims have journeyed to this sacred site for over a thousand years. Visitors can bathe at inns near the temple complex following a day of temple visits. Nearby cedar forests surround one of Japan's most important religious centers.
Highlights:
  • 📿 Participate in morning chanting at Kongobu‑ji Temple
  • 🏯 Stay overnight in a temple lodging (shukubo)
  • 🗻 Climb to the summit of Mount Kōya's sacred peak
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