Japanese has enjoyed bathing in the island’s natural hot springs for centuries. Here are the best and most beautiful places to enjoy hot springs like a local.
Kusatsu
About 3 hours from
Tokyo, Kusatsu is situated in scenic Gunma prefecture, with an actual hot water field in the town center. This is Japan’s most prolific source of geothermal waters, with 100 hot springs gushing 34,000 liters of water every minute.
This water reportedly helps heal a variety of human ailments, including indigestion, arthritis, and poor circulation. For the full rotenburo (outdoor bathing) experience, visit the spacious Sainokawara onsen. Not far from the town’s water field, two bathhouses offer the traditional jikanyu experience, where bathers sit in an extremely hot bath (118 degrees Fahrenheit/48 degrees Celsius) for exactly three minutes.
Beppu
Cannot make a decision as to what kind of hot spring you would like to experience? Well if that is the case, then Beppu is certainly the place you should go to! Located at the Oita prefecture, this resort promises you an abundance of options and high standard hot springs.
Beppu is famous for housing the largest number of hot springs in Japan, which offer treatments that deviate from the typical hot water baths. Here, visitors can explore steam baths, sand baths and even mud baths, all of which have their positive healing properties! It’s time to broaden your onsen experience at this resort as you try the myriad of treatments available here.
Noboribetsu Onsen
It is recognized as the best Onsen in
Hokkaido as far as access, notability, history, and quality goes. Hot spring quality includes sulfur and hydrogen sulfide which soften and lighten your skin, and also includes iron spring which has tremendous effect on your fatigue.
See more:
Top favorite summer dishes in Japan
Minakami
You can get to Minakami in a few hours’ time from Tokyo, but this hot spring destination feels worlds away from Japan’s high-energy capital. Nature surrounds everything here, and guests can enjoy the scenery while lounging in one of the many rotenburo, or outdoor baths.
Highly recommended is the Takaragawa Onsen, where there are both shared gender (and women only) facilities. Hoshi Onsen Chojukan offers drop-in bathing passes, but it is wise to take advantage of the ryokan’s elegant Japanese-style accommodations. There is also a bath here that is over a hundred years old.
Located just two hours from Tokyo by bus, this onsen hub sits at the base of the legendary
Mount Fuji. The hot baths, as well as the accommodations, are designed to give guests a clear view of the mountain at all times. The baths at the Yurari facility are unbeatable. It is a complex that is home to over 10 different hot spring baths, but the main drawcard is the large outdoor bath, which boasts a panoramic view of neighbouring Mount Fuji. There are also relaxation spaces and shops inside, too, so it is easy to spend an entire day relaxing here.
Source Internet
