7 Must-Visit Onsens for a Dive into Japanese Hot Spring Traditions

Due to Japan’s unique volcanic landscape, onsen—Japanese for hot springs—can be found throughout the nation, with over 3,000 estimated onsen resorts. They play a vital role in the daily lives of locals. Visiting an onsen allows you to partake in a cherished local custom that not only soothes the body but also connects to Japan's rich history, culture, and literature, including works by Nobel Prize winners from the country.

Among the myriad of onsen available, here are seven standout experiences, featuring hot springs nestled in mountains, forests, and even hidden by the sea. Each offers a unique yet equally relaxing experience.

1. Kurokawa Onsen

Kurokawa Onsen offers a charming traditional onsen-town vibe, prioritizing wooden architecture over towering concrete structures. The town boasts numerous ryokan (traditional inns), each with its own onsen. A river meanders through the quaint town, with quaint bridges leading to various onsen facilities.

With nearly 30 ryokan, Kurokawa is an ideal spot for onsen hopping from one spring to another. Visitors can buy an onsen pass—available at the village’s tourist information center and local ryokan—that grants access to several onsen at a discounted rate.

2. Hokkein Onsen Sanso

Hokkein Onsen Sanso was originally a Buddhist temple 800 years ago during the Kamakura period and offers one of the most fulfilling hot spring experiences in Japan, reachable only by a two to three-hour hike. Nestled in the northern part of Aso-Kuju National Park, Hokkein is located within the stunning volcanic Kuju Mountain Range and Bogatsuru wetland. Open year-round, this onsen is especially favored in late May when the mountains are adorned with blooming pink azaleas. Guests can opt for overnight stays in private or dormitory-style accommodations.

3. Nyuto Onsen Village

Dating back to the 17th century, Nyuto Onsen has long been a favored healing destination for the feudal lords of Akita. Nestled at the base of Mount Nyuto, this hot spring village boasts seven unique onsen facilities, each sourced from a different spring. Some, like Tsurunoyu, exude a traditional and rustic charm with exclusively Japanese-style accommodations. In contrast, modern options such as Kyukamura provide a blend of Japanese and Western-style rooms along with open buffet dining.

The village is stunning year-round, but it truly shines in winter when the snow-laden beech forest enhances the captivating blue waters of the onsen. Both locals and visitors can enjoy onsen-hopping for a day or two using the whimsical "onsen shuttle," which playfully features a decorative barrel bathtub atop.

4. Hirauchi Kaichu Onsen

• Location: Hirauchi Town, Yakushima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture
• Ideal for: enjoying the sunset and stargazing while soaking in warm onsen water

Hirauchi Kaichu Onsen is notable not just for its stunning oceanfront setting but also for its unique formation: coastal rocks shelter small hot-spring pools that are only accessible during low tide. These pools are completely underwater at high tide. After a day of exploring the island's lush trails (with parts of Yakushima Island recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site), you can enjoy a soak here. Keep in mind that this public onsen has no accommodations nearby. It remains open at all hours during low tide, making it a favored spot for sunset viewing and stargazing.

5. Lamp no Yado Aoni Onsen

Established in 1929, Aoni Onsen is nestled by a mountain stream deep within Aomori's forests, evoking the atmosphere of various Japanese literary works set in onsen towns (like Yasunari Kawabata’s Snow Country). This retreat offers a chance to escape the modern world and experience a glimpse of traditional Japan: there is no electricity or phone signal, and the entire facility—including its four baths—is illuminated by oil lamps. Most visitors don a yukata, a cotton kimono known as "bathing clothing," enhancing the ambiance reminiscent of the Edo period in Japan.

6. Goso-ku-no Kutsu Onsen

Nestled in a quaint fishing village within the Amakusa Islands—an archipelago of 120 islands off the coast of Kumamoto in Kyushu—Goso-ku-no Kutsu Onsen played a significant role in the cultural exchanges between Japan and the West during the 16th century, when the first Portuguese ships arrived, introducing Western culture to Japan. For many years, this island also served as a refuge for Japan’s hidden Christians, who sought sanctuary from persecution during the Edo period when Christianity was banned, an era poignantly depicted in Martin Scorsese’s film Silence.

The owner of Goso-ku-no Kutsu Onsen, a local from the Amakusa Islands, is committed to preserving the area's rich history. Christian hymns resonate in the hallway leading to private dining spaces. The traditional Japanese-style accommodations feature living areas adorned with rustic furnishings and vibrant Turkish carpets, celebrating the islands’ historical openness to diverse cultures. Each group of guests enjoys a private villa equipped with its own outdoor bath known as a rotenburo. Guests are also treated to breakfast and dinner featuring primarily local seafood delicacies, served in exclusive dining rooms.

7. KAI Kirishima Onsen Resort

Inaugurated in 2021, KAI Kirishima is a recent addition to Hoshino’s luxurious onsen sub-brand, KAI. Nestled in southern Kyushu by the Kirishima Mountains, this resort features accommodations with breathtaking vistas of the Sakurajima Volcano from every room.

Among the 49 generously sized rooms, select upper-floor accommodations come with a semi-outdoor private onsen. The communal baths, available to all guests, are located in a serene silvergrass field and can be reached via a short monorail journey from the main lodge.

Dining at the onsen resort is offered in kaiseki style, a traditional Japanese multi-course meal. Guests can enjoy breakfast and dinner featuring dishes made with seasonal local produce—such as the regional pork shabu shabu (hot pot)—served in semi-private dining areas. Additionally, KAI Kirishima provides tasting experiences beyond regular dining hours to showcase local specialties, including a cocktail tasting that pairs Kirishima tea with locally produced shochu (a Japanese spirit).

If you're interested in exploring Japan's hot springs, check out Kristin Braswell’s comprehensive guide to the numerous onsen in Oita.