Travel Tips

4 Best hot springs in Japan for a relaxing escape

Discover the best hot springs in Japan this fall, when crisp air, fiery foliage, and steaming mineral waters create the perfect onsen escape.

After a long day of exploring Japan’s incredible sights, there’s no better feeling than lowering yourself into a steaming hot spring.

Japan’s hot springs are worth visiting any time of year, from snow-dusted outdoor baths in winter to riverside retreats in summer. Each season offers its own magic, making the onsen experience timeless.

In this article, we’ll show you where to find the best hot springs in Japan, featuring four of the country’s most beautiful onsen towns where relaxation and tradition come together.

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Top 4 hot springs and onsen towns in Japan

Here are four onsen towns in Japan where you can experience the country’s most authentic hot spring culture:

Kurokawa Onsen (Kyushu)

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Best hot spring in Japan for: A quiet, authentic, and communal onsen experience

Nestled in the heart of Kyushu, about 20 kilometers north of Mount Aso, lies Kurokawa Onsen, a charming, rustic town that feels like a step back in time.

The Tanoharu River flows through the village, and at night, the gorge is illuminated by bamboo lanterns, creating a warm glow that reflects beautifully off the surrounding trees.

While many onsen villages in Japan feel overly developed and touristy, Kurokawa has retained its tranquil, rural atmosphere. Here you won’t find any neon lights or 24/7 convenience stores, just traditional wooden ryokans lining narrow, stone-paved streets.

But what truly sets Kurokawa apart is its communal spirit and Nyuto Tegata Onsen Hopping Pass. Nearly every one of the 30 or so ryokans in town opens its baths to outside visitors through this system, allowing travelers who are driving in Japan to sample multiple hot springs without staying overnight at each.

Hakone Onsen (Near Tokyo)

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Best hot spring in Japan for: A quick onsen escape from the big city

Less than two hours from Tokyo, Hakone onsen lets you unwind in nature without straying far from the capital. Mount Fuji towers above the valleys, while Lake Ashi and the surrounding forests offer a peaceful contrast to city life.

Two notable hot springs here are Tenzan and Hakone Kamon, both featuring gorgeous outdoor baths set directly in nature. Here you can relax while listening to the babbling streams and gazing at the colorful trees, which make this one of the most picturesque spots among the best places to visit in Japan during autumn.

Kusatsu Onsen (Gunma Prefecture)

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Best hot spring in Japan for: A magical mountain retreat with historic rituals

Nestled 200 kilometers northwest of Tokyo, Kusatsu Onsen is a picturesque mountain town at an altitude of 1,200 meters.

At its center is the iconic Yubatake (hot water field), a wooden structure where mineral-rich spring water flows in torrents, steaming up into the crisp mountain air. The town has a completely different charm depending on the season, so checking the best time to visit Japan can help you plan when to experience it at its most magical.

Kusatsu is also home to two unique bathing traditions that date back to the Edo Period:

Jikan-yu: Timed communal soaks designed to regulate the body’s exposure to the hot water
Yumomi: A method of cooling the water by rhythmically stirring it with large wooden paddles while singing traditional songs. You can watch a Yumomi performance in the Netsunoyu building next to the Yubatake.

For a more modern soak in nature, head to Sai-no-Kawara, the largest outdoor bath in Kusatsu.

Nyuto Onsen Village (Tohoku Region)

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Best hot spring in Japan for: A rustic and secluded onsen hopping experience.

Hidden in the mountains of the eastern Akita Prefecture, Nyuto Onsen Village is a collection of seven ryokans tucked deep in a quiet forest.

Each ryokan has a secluded feel, surrounded by lush nature and famous for its milky-blue waters. Among the seven ryokans, Tsurunoyu is the oldest and most well-known bathhouse. Kuroyu offers a similarly rustic experience, while Ganiba, Taenoyu, and Ogama give more modern touches to the authentic onsen experience.

Each ryokan has a secluded feel, but they are all close enough that you can easily hop between them via the small shuttle (rotenburo).

Explore Japan’s hot springs stress-free with Holafly

From the steaming turquoise waters of Nyuto Onsen to the fiery autumn hills of Hakone, Japan’s onsen towns are a magical experience you’ll want to share with family and friends back home. And thanks to Holafly, staying connected is effortless.

With a Holafly eSIM, you get unlimited data and reliable coverage across the country, so you can navigate rural mountain towns, download offline maps, and share your autumn hot spring adventures in real time.

Check out Holafly’s eSIM for Japan here.

For more travel tips and hidden gems across Japan and beyond, follow Holafly on Google Discover!