10 best onsen destinations in Japan

Popular for being one of the most picturesque hot spring destinations in Japan, this town in Kyushu features nearly 30 onsen baths for visitors to hop between. Kurokawa Onsen has a special system for using the baths, where you can purchase a charming wooden tegata pass (¥1,300) for access to three different baths of your choosing. 

As for the town itself, Kurokawa Onsen has a history stretching back at least 300 years, with stories of feudal lords stopping by for respite on their journeys between cities. Today, the town still exudes the spellbinding spirit of its bygone days with shops and ryokans lined across the river, which is lit up each night with warm glowing lanterns. 

How to get there: There aren’t any direct trains to get to Kurokawa Onsen, so you’ll have to catch a bus from Fukuoka Airport. The journey is roughly two-and-a-half hours long and costs ¥3,150 for a one-way ticket. 

Tapping into traditional onsen culture can sometimes be intimidating for non-Japanese speakers, where signboards aren’t always translated into other languages and no-tattoo policies mean the hot springs aren’t open to everyone. Kinosaki Onsen is a happy exception, where locals and overseas visitors alike can mill about in colourful rented yukata without feeling out of place. All seven of the natural hot springs here are tattoo-friendly and English maps come with a page for marking off all your stops with stamps. 

That’s not to say the area is touristy by any means – the town simply wants to make authentic experiences accessible for everyone. Aside from hot springs, there’s an abundance of activities to partake in the area ranging from guided zazen meditations to green tea picking, all with English-speaking guides available. 

How to get there: Two-and-a-half hours via limited express train from Kyoto or three hours by train from Osaka. 

Known as the hot spring capital of Japan, Beppu is made up of a cluster of eight onsen areas. It's a bit of a trek to get there, but it's worth a visit for its variety of baths including mud, steam and even sand baths.

Speaking of which, be sure to try the Beppu Beach Sand Bath on Shoningahama beach, where you’ll be submerged in volcanically heated sand while overlooking soft-crashing waves. Top tip: go on the 'Hell Tour', which takes you to eight of the hottest onsen in Beppu, nicknamed 'jigoku' (burning hell). Look out for the hot-water lovin' crocs at Oniyama Jigoku.

How to get there:
By air: 1 hour 40 minutes from Haneda Airport to Oita Airport, then a 45-minute bus ride to the bus stop Beppu Kitahama.
By train: Five hours by shinkansen from Tokyo Station. Take the Nozomi Shinkansen to Kokura Station, then transfer to the Sonic limited express to Beppu Station. Travel by Hikari and Sakura trains will require an extra hour and another transfer at Shin-Osaka Station.

In the hot spring area of Ginzan Onsen, wooden buildings line the Ginzan river. At night, the soothing rush of the water, lit up by flickering gas lamps, creates the atmosphere of a Japanese fairy tale.

Winter, when crisp white snow frosts the whole town, is prime season at Ginzan Onsen. It’s the perfect place to experience outdoor winter bathing. Brisk air on your upper body and face makes for a enjoyable contrast to the warmth of the water.

It’s an extremely popular winter bathing spot, so book early, as much as three months in advance. The highlight of the area is definitely the scenery. For sightseeing, you’ll have to look elsewhere in Yamagata like Zao Onsen area, which is decorated with snow sculptures in winter.

How to get there: It’s roughly 3.5 hours from Tokyo Station to Oishida Station by Yamagata Shinkansen, and then 40 minutes by bus to Ginzan Onsen bus stop.

The water at Kusatsu Onsen is so hot that there’s a special stirring procedure to cool it, rather than adding cold water, which would dilute the potency of the minerals (said to be able to cure any sickness except lovesickness). This stirring method is called yumomi and it's showcased as a performance at certain times.

The most popular public hot spring is Sai no Kawara Rotenburo, located in Sai no Kawara Park. It boasts pretty forest views and pure, steaming water, and the entrance fee is just ¥600. Tip: buy some Yu no Hana hot spring powder to experience the healing minerals of Japan’s hot springs at home.

If you’re looking for something else to do in the area, Mt Shirane offers pretty hiking trails in spring and summer, and in winter, skiers can take on the mountain slopes – Kusatsu Snow & Spa Resort is open from early December to mid-April.

How to get there: It’s about 2.5 hours from Ueno Station on the weekends-only Kusatsu limited-express train to Naganohara- Kusatsuguchi Station (otherwise take the shinkansen or Takasaki line to Takasaki Station, then change to the Agatsuma line), and then a 25-minute bus ride to Kusatsu Onsen bus terminal.

Nozawa Onsen provides the best of both worlds during winter, where avid skiers and snowboarders can glide down powdery slopes before finishing the day at one of the town’s many communal hot springs. 

There are 13 communal hot springs in the town, also known as soto-yu, which are free for all visitors and don’t require passes to access. While smaller than the average onsen, each of these unique springs features stunning wooden architecture reminiscent of sets from Ghibli’s ‘Spirited Away’. 

How to get there: From Tokyo Station, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Kanazawa and ride approximately two hours to Iiyama Station. Get off at Iiyama Station and catch the bus bound for Nozawa Onsen.