Why Japan is a Hot Spring Paradise
Japan is truly a country built on fire and water. Due to its position on the Pacific Ring of Fire, it boasts over 27,000 hot spring sources and more than 3,000 officially designated onsen facilities. But what truly sets Japanese hot springs apart isn’t just their quantity—it’s the way they are seamlessly interwoven into the fabric of daily life, health culture, hospitality, and even romance.
For centuries, onsen have been regarded not only as places to relax but also as sites for healing. Samurai once visited hot springs to recover from battle injuries. Poets wrote of the steam rising through red leaves in autumn. And even today, many Japanese people still choose their vacation destinations based on the quality of the local hot springs. Whether tucked deep into the mountains, perched beside the ocean, or bubbling at the edge of a volcano, onsen offer not just comfort, but a profound connection to nature and heritage.
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Onsen Etiquette: What You Should Know Before You Go
Before you step into your first Japanese hot spring, there are several important cultural norms and unwritten rules that you should be aware of. Following them will ensure not only your comfort but also the comfort of everyone around you.
💧 Pre-Bath Cleanliness
Every onsen facility includes a washing area with stools, showers, and shampoo/body soap. You must wash and rinse your body thoroughly before entering the bath. Entering the water without doing this is considered extremely disrespectful.
👘 No Clothing, No Swimsuits
In traditional Japanese onsen, nudity is the norm. This can be uncomfortable at first, but you’ll soon realize no one is looking. There are very few onsen where bathing suits are allowed, and they are usually specialized facilities that cater to tourists or mixed-gender bathers.
💡 Towel Use
Bring a small towel with you into the bath area—but don’t put it in the water. You can place it on your head or leave it on the side of the bath. Larger towels must stay in the locker area.
✋ Tattoos
Tattoos remain controversial in Japan. While this is slowly changing, many traditional onsen still prohibit entry to guests with visible tattoos. However, some allow small tattoos to be covered with waterproof patches, and others have specific hours or separate baths for tattooed visitors.
👩❤️👨 Mixed-Gender Bathing (Konyoku)
Contrary to common expectation among some foreign couples, mixed-gender onsen are extremely rare. Even in those few remaining konyoku baths, the demographic is almost always older male bathers. For couples, the best and most respectful way to bathe together is to reserve a private bath (貸切風呂/kashikiri buro) or stay at a ryokan with a private open-air bath attached to the guest room (客室露天風呂/kyakushitsu rotenburo). These options are increasingly popular, especially in more modern or romantic accommodations.
Top Hot Spring Areas by Region
🗻 Hakone Onsen（Kanagawa Prefecture）
Just 90 minutes from Tokyo, Hakone is arguably the most popular onsen destination for both Japanese locals and international tourists. With more than a dozen spring sources across the region, it offers a rich variety of mineral waters—from cloudy white sulfur springs to clear alkaline waters—all spread across scenic mountain towns like Gora, Miyanoshita, and Hakone-Yumoto.
One of Hakone’s major advantages is accessibility combined with diversity. You can enjoy lake cruises on Lake Ashi, ride the Hakone Ropeway over volcanic landscapes, visit world-class museums like the Hakone Open-Air Museum, and still end your day soaking in a private open-air bath.
For couples, Hakone is a top-tier destination. Many ryokan and boutique hotels offer in-room rotenburo with views of Mt. Fuji or peaceful forested hills, and even mid-range accommodations often provide reservable private baths (貸切風呂). Its blend of luxury, tradition, and convenience makes it ideal for romantic escapes.
- Pros: Variety of waters, romantic accommodations, easy access from Tokyo
- Recommended for: First-timers, couples, luxury weekend trips
- Local Tip: Try a hot spring with Mt. Fuji views from the Tenzan Onsen or Hakone Yuryo facilities.
🧖♀️ Beppu & Yufuin Onsen（Oita Prefecture）
Located in Kyushu’s Oita Prefecture, Beppu and Yufuin offer a dual experience—one energetic and steaming, the other calm and serene. Beppu is famous for its vast number of hot spring sources and wide variety of baths, including mud baths, steam rooms, sand baths, and even medicinal baths. The town’s “Hells of Beppu” (Jigoku Meguri) are spectacular to visit, though too hot to bathe in.
Yufuin, just 30 minutes inland by train, provides a completely different atmosphere. It’s a charming countryside town surrounded by mountains, where art galleries, cafés, and boutique inns line the streets. The pace is slower, and the scenery is perfect for couples wanting to unwind.
Both towns offer ryokan with private open-air baths, but Yufuin is especially suited for romantic stays, often featuring rooms with large rotenburo looking out onto rice fields or Mt. Yufu.
- Pros: Huge variety of bath types, quiet and artistic atmosphere in Yufuin
- Recommended for: Onsen explorers, wellness seekers, couples looking for scenery and spa vibes
- Unique Experience: Don’t miss the sand-steam baths of Beppu or a stay at a designer ryokan in Yufuin like Yufuin Gettouan.
🪷 Kusatsu Onsen（Gunma Prefecture）
Famous for its intensely acidic, bacteria-killing waters, Kusatsu Onsen is one of Japan’s oldest and most respected hot spring towns. It ranks among the Top Three Onsen of Japan and has a long history of medicinal use. The town revolves around its dramatic Yubatake (hot water field)—a cascading series of steaming pools in the center of town, illuminated at night and surrounded by traditional inns.
The water is so strong that it’s said to cure everything “except lovesickness.” That said, Kusatsu is ideal for couples who enjoy classic Japan: wooden ryokan, yukata strolls, and public bathhouses where the experience is communal and nostalgic.
While many accommodations still favor shared baths, some modern or higher-end ryokan now offer in-room rotenburo or rentable private baths, making it more accessible for couples wanting to bathe together.
- Pros: Strong therapeutic waters, historic setting, rich atmosphere
- Recommended for: Wellness-focused travelers, couples comfortable with traditional onsen culture
- Cultural Tip: Try the “yumomi” performance, a traditional method of cooling down the hot spring water without diluting it.
🌋 Noboribetsu Onsen（Hokkaido）
Located in southern Hokkaido, Noboribetsu is the volcanic crown jewel of the north. It’s built next to Jigokudani (Hell Valley), a hauntingly beautiful volcanic crater that constantly emits steam and sulfur. The area produces nine different types of hot spring water, including sulfuric, iron-rich, and salty types, each with its own healing effect.
Noboribetsu feels like stepping into another world—especially in winter, when the snow blankets the landscape and the steaming valley glows at night. Many onsen here are indoors, but several inns offer open-air baths that face forests or quiet mountain slopes, making it a top choice for couples who want something atmospheric and otherworldly.
Most hotels offer day-use options, but if you’re staying overnight, splurge on a room with a private rotenburo and dinner featuring local Hokkaido specialties like crab and wagyu.
- Pros: Wide variety of waters, volcanic landscapes, snowy winters
- Recommended for: Couples wanting a dramatic setting and strong mineral baths
- Pro Tip: Stay at Dai-ichi Takimotokan or Bourou Noguchi for modern private bath options.
🪵 Kinosaki Onsen（Hyogo Prefecture）
Kinosaki is a storybook onsen town on the Sea of Japan coast, known for its walkable layout, charming willow-lined canals, and the famous “seven public baths”. Visitors wear yukata and wooden geta as they stroll from one bathhouse to the next, often staying at traditional ryokan that include bath passes with the room.
Each bathhouse has its own theme and story, and while they’re gender-separated, the experience of exploring the town together between soaks is perfect for couples.
To bathe together, many ryokan now offer 貸切風呂 (private baths) or rooms with in-room rotenburo, so you can enjoy both the historic bath-hopping experience and a romantic soak in private.
- Pros: Unique bath-hopping culture, nostalgic architecture, romantic streetscapes
- Recommended for: Couples seeking charm, atmosphere, and traditional ryokan stays
- Local Flavor: Try local Tajima beef (ancestor of Kobe beef) at dinner after your bath!
🏯 Gero Onsen（Gifu Prefecture）
Gero Onsen is often ranked among Japan’s top three hot springs, alongside Kusatsu and Arima. Located in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture, it has a history of over 1,000 years and is famous for its smooth, alkaline water, often described as leaving your skin feeling like silk. This gentle water makes Gero especially popular among women and those with sensitive skin.
The town itself is compact and walkable, with a nostalgic charm. While it has several large hotels and traditional ryokan, it’s also known for its foot baths (ashiyu) scattered around town and a free public bath right by the Hida River.
For couples, many ryokan offer private open-air baths, and mid-range accommodations often have options for reserving baths by the hour. The beautiful riverside and peaceful mountain backdrop make Gero a relaxing, romantic destination, especially for couples wanting a slower pace.
- Pros: Soft skin-friendly waters, good value ryokan, close to Takayama and Shirakawa-go
- Recommended for: Couples looking for calm, traditional town vibes with beautiful natural surroundings
- Access tip: Take the JR Limited Express “Wide View Hida” from Nagoya—only about 90 minutes.
🍵 Dogo Onsen（Ehime Prefecture）
Dogo Onsen, located in Matsuyama City on the island of Shikoku, is Japan’s oldest hot spring, with a history of over 3,000 years. The centerpiece is the Dogo Onsen Honkan, a multi-story wooden bathhouse that inspired the design of the bathhouse in Spirited Away. It’s a must-visit for fans of history, literature, and Ghibli films.
While the public bathhouse experience here is simple and nostalgic, the surrounding area is developing with boutique hotels and modern ryokan that combine heritage with comfort. Some even offer private indoor or outdoor onsen baths, making it a solid romantic option.
The nearby shopping arcade, Haikara Dori, is filled with cafés, souvenir shops, and places to try mikan juice (local citrus). The compact, walkable area makes it easy to combine sightseeing with soaking.
- Pros: Oldest hot spring in Japan, rich cultural context, compact and charming town
- Recommended for: Ghibli fans, history buffs, couples on a slower-paced trip
- Don’t Miss: Dogo Onsen Annex Asuka-no-Yu, a modern but traditionally designed bath facility with private rooms and baths
🌊 Atami Onsen（Shizuoka Prefecture）
Atami is a coastal hot spring resort just 40–50 minutes from Tokyo by Shinkansen, making it one of the most convenient onsen destinations in Japan. Located on the Izu Peninsula, Atami has been a getaway spot for Tokyoites since the Edo period and was especially popular during Japan’s post-war economic boom.
Atami’s hot springs are salt-based (chloride-rich), known for their heat retention and healing effects on muscle and joint pain. What makes Atami unique is its combination of ocean views and hot springs—many ryokan and hotels offer rooms and baths that overlook the Pacific Ocean, perfect for sunrise soaks or moonlit evenings.
While some of the town has an older, retro vibe, it’s experiencing a revival in recent years with boutique hotels, seaside cafes, and stylish accommodations offering private rotenburo baths for couples. There’s also a fireworks festival several times a year, visible from many bath-facing rooms.
- Pros: Very close to Tokyo, sea views from baths, lively town with restaurants and art museums
- Recommended for: Couples wanting a quick romantic escape from the city
- Extra: Visit the MOA Museum of Art for a mix of culture and sea views
Unique Onsen Experiences Worth Seeking Out
- Rotenburo (Open-Air Baths): These are often the highlight of any onsen experience, especially when set in snowy forests, next to rivers, or with views of Mt. Fuji.
- Kazokuburo (Private Family Baths): Usually rentable for 45–60 minutes, great for couples or families.
- Shitsunai rotenburo (In-Room Private Baths): Ideal for romantic stays; usually only available at mid- to high-end ryokan.
- Steam Baths & Mud Baths: Found in places like Beppu.
- Foot Baths (Ashiyu): Free and common throughout onsen towns, good for casual rest stops.
Choosing the Right Onsen by Travel Style
| Travel Type | Best Areas | Key Advice |
|---|---|---|
| Couples | Hakone, Yufuin, Nyuto, Kinosaki, Noboribetsu | Book private baths or ryokan with open-air baths in-room |
| First-timers | Hakone, Kusatsu, Kinosaki | Choose places with good access from major cities |
| Nature lovers | Nyuto, Okuhida, Noboribetsu | Aim for remote stays with open-air baths |
| History fans | Dogo, Kusatsu, Arima | Visit historical bathhouses and local museums |
| Budget travelers | Gero, Beppu, city sento baths | Public bathhouses are affordable and authentic |
Tips for Booking and Visiting Onsen in Japan
- Book early in peak seasons (autumn and winter)—the best rooms with private baths sell out months in advance.
- Check if meals are included—ryokan usually serve elaborate kaiseki dinners, a highlight of the experience.
- Communicate your tattoo status or choose tattoo-friendly places (many now have English websites that specify policies).
- Look for “貸切風呂” and “露天風呂付き客室” when reserving for couples.
- Apps like Jalan or Rakuten Travel make filtering for these features easy, even in English.
Final Thoughts: How to Make Your Onsen Experience Unforgettable
An onsen visit is more than just a bath—it’s a chance to slow down, disconnect from the world, and connect with nature and yourself. While mixed bathing may be rare and less suited for couples, Japan offers plenty of beautiful, private, and intimate onsen experiences that are both culturally authentic and unforgettable. With a little planning, you and your partner can soak under the stars, breathe in cedar-scented air, and step into a moment that feels like it belongs to a different era.
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