10 Best Onsen Towns in Japan
Japan’s hot spring (onsen) culture is unmatched. Here are 10 best onsen towns to base yourself in for the experience.
1. Hakone, Kanagawa
1.5 hours from Tokyo + Mount Fuji views + 17 onsen + day trip + ryokan
2. Beppu, Oita (Kyushu)
8 different hot springs + steam vents + Hells of Beppu + thermal capital
3. Kusatsu, Gunma
Japan’s most-famous + Yubatake hot water field + traditional + boutique
4. Nyuto Onsen, Akita
Tohoku + 7 historic ryokan + remote secluded + classic experience
5. Kurokawa, Kumamoto (Kyushu)
Most-romantic onsen town + lantern-lit + multiple rotenburo
6. Atami, Shizuoka
1 hour from Tokyo by Shinkansen + seaside + day-trip onsen
7. Yufuin, Oita (Kyushu)
Trendier alternative to Beppu + boutique + Mt Yufu views
8. Noboribetsu, Hokkaido
Hell Valley + 9 types of waters + winter snow + best northern onsen
9. Arima, Hyogo (Kobe)
Japan’s oldest documented hot spring + 1,300 years + Kinsen + Ginsen
10. Ginzan Onsen, Yamagata
Spirited Away inspiration + lantern-lit + winter snow + boutique ryokan