5 Best Onsens in Japan You’ve Never Heard Of

A guide to Japan’s most serene and less-crowded hot springs, including tips on onsen etiquette and how to find these hidden gems.

No trip to Japan is complete without a visit to one of Japan’s most incredible resources, their onsens. (And by visit, I mean hours of blissful soaking!) Japanese onsens are both naturally occurring and offered indoors at many resorts. You’ll find onsen towns where you can buy a pass to visit many of the onsens and private onsens only accessible through hotel stays. 

Where did Onsens come from?

There’s evidence that people have been using onsens for over 3,000 years. The Nihon Shoki, written in 720, documents onsen including Wakayama Prefecture’s Shirahama Onsen, Ehime Prefecture’s Dogo-Onsen, and Hyogo Prefecture’s Arima Onsen. In other words, onsens have always been around and are known to have health benefits. 

The 20th century saw an unprecedented increase in international travel. The introduction of trains, and later automobiles, meant that onsens in rural areas were increasingly accessible to both the Japanese as well as tourists. A once-inaccessible pastime grew to be enjoyed by people from all walks of life and all cultures. 

Japan now offers over 3,000 hot spring resorts and over 20,000 onsens. 

Visit an Onsen

I won’t call onsens Japan’s best-kept secret – they’re well known for their physical and mental health benefits, their incredible views, and for being the top spot for relaxation. 

If you’re looking for a quantity of onsens, consider visiting an onsen town. These locales often sell passes so that you can visit several public onsens in one visit. Beppu Onsen is one of the most well-known onsen towns, with eight thermal spring zones and sixteen municipal bathhouses. Kinosaki is another onsen town, which is known for its tattoo-friendly baths. Kinosaki is also known for the experience of strolling through town in your yukata (robe). 

If you’re looking for an elevated experience or if you’re looking to beat the crowds, I’ve got some recommendations for you. One thing is for sure – if you want a unique Japanese onsen experience, you’ll have to work harder to get there. 

Iya Onsen

One example of this is the incredible Iya Onsen. This picturesque retreat located in the Iya Valley requires the use of a cable car to get to the hot springs from the Nanoyado Hotel. The service and the food at the hotel are phenomenal, and the views of the river from the onsen are incredible. The shower at Iya Onsen is a bit different – because the water flows in and out, guests are only required to rinse. There is an indoor onsen as well. 

Rankeisou Inn

On the same note as out-of-the-way places, Rankeisou Inn is located an hour from the nearest train station. The Inn provides a shuttle once a day, but this is not the most accessible ryokan – and for that reason, it’s quite secluded and quiet. Make sure to order the floating sake for your dip in one of the private baths. 

Tamagawa Onsen

If you’re looking for a sulfuric onsen, this is the one for you. Nature lovers will be all about the volcanic atmosphere and bubbling geysers. You’ll know you’re close to the volcanic mist as well as the unmistakable smell of sulfur. Some of the baths in this area recommend a shorter bathing experience due to the high concentration of minerals in the water. 

Sukayu Onsen

Another unique experience is the Sukayu Onsen in Aomori Prefecture. If you’re a fan of snow, put this one on your list for winter. The traditional beechwood bath is quite large, so you might be sharing it with a few people, but its massive size makes it worth a visit. Sukayu Onsen has all-natural baths with acidic sulfate spring water which is reported to have healing properties for rheumatoid arthritis, nerve pain, intestinal diseases, digestive issues, and asthma.

Shirahone Onsen

In the Yugawa River Valley of Nagano Prefecture, you’ll find the tucked-away Shirahone Onsen. The hot springs here are rich in calcium and magnesium and thus have cream-colored water. The nearby skiing and hiking mean you can really make a trip out of visiting this onsen. Getting there means taking the train to Nagano and then two buses total about three hours. It’s a haul, but it’s worth it.

Matsudai Shibatoge Onsen

This “above the clouds” onsen offers spectacular views of the Uonoma Mountains. The elevation of the spa means that often guests are overlooking the clouds. You can also reserve private baths. Guests can also make use of the fantastic on-site restaurant. 

Health Benefits of Onsens

Onsens aren’t just another hot tub. These famous baths contain real health benefits for their users. And that’s not just legend – the health benefits are well-documented in peer-reviewed medical journals. A 2018 randomized controlled trial found that hot springs led to significant improvements in sleep in those with sleep disorders, relieved joint pain, and alleviated fatigue (Source).

There’s also evidence that, among older populations, hot spring bathing helps prevent hypertension and colon cancer (Source), improve sleep (Source), and promote much-needed social interaction.

Onsens are known to improve circulation and relieve muscle soreness. They’re a popular destination for hikers, athletes, and tourists alike, all of whom may be seeking some relief for tired muscles and joints. 

The minerals in onsen baths vary greatly. Thermal springs (tanjun onsen) have a low concentration of minerals but still offer health benefits due to the natural buoyancy and heat that the springs offer. 

Saline springs take another step in their healing properties. These springs, along with the springs that boast sulfate, chloride, and magnesium can improve the skin and help with issues like rheumatism and high blood pressure.

Sulfur springs might not be the nicest smelling, but their benefits can’t be denied – they’re said to improve arteriosclerosis, hypertension, chronic gynecological disorders and gout. Sulfur also has benefits for skin including acne, chronic dermatitis, and calluses. 

Spring with high iron content (gantetsu sen) offers benefits to those with anemia and rheumatism. You’ll even find radioactive springs (hosha-no-sen) that are said to improve your skin and respiratory system. 

Beyond the physical benefits, Japanese onsens are proven to have benefits for their users’ mental health. Japanese hot springs users report that they feel less stress and more satisfaction in life when they regularly visit hot springs (Source). Holistic medicine asserts that therapeutic landscapes promote health and well-being in their users – in other words, the beautiful landscapes that onsens offer are equally important to healing as the benefits of the water itself (Source). 

Long story short – soaking in an onsen will benefit your mental health, your circulation, your social well-being, and even potentially prolong your life. 

Okay, so I’ve talked you into it. You’re ready to go. What’s next?

Onsen Etiquette

While visiting an onsen can be an unforgettable experience, not knowing the etiquette can get you some side-eye – or even removed. Some modern onsens may have more relaxed rules, but it’s always good to be ready. Here are some important things to remember when visiting an onsen.

Before you go:

Full nudity may be required. 

Onsens often require full nudity – swimwear is generally not allowed in onsens. Don’t be nervous – people of all body types enjoy onsens. You’ll usually find the baths are separated by gender. You can use a small towel to cover up on your way in. Japan’s onsen culture will show you how it’s possible to be fully naked and also modest at the same time! 

If nudity is something that makes you too nervous, you can find private onsens where you can have the bath all to yourself. 

Tattoos may be restricted.

Some onsens, especially the older or more rural ones, may ban guests with tattoos from using the onsen. In Japan, tattoos are traditionally associated with criminal gang members. If you love your tats, that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck! You’ll just want to check with the onsen or ryokan ahead of time. Some onsens make bandage-like covers available for purchase for tattooed guests. 

Before You Get In:

Changing Room Etiquette

First, you’ll want to make sure you select the correct changing room! The women’s changing room is often marked in red, and the men’s is usually blue. Remove your shoes right away – you’ll see a place to put them when you enter the building. Upon entering the changing room, you’ll usually find a locker to put your clothes and slippers in. 

Shower

There will be a shower provided before you enter the onsen. Guests are expected to clean their entire bodies before entering. Make sure you wash every trace of soap and shampoo off of your body. The shower may be different than what you’re used to – you’ll find a seat and a handheld shower head to use. (Make sure you wash all the soap off of your modesty towel as well!)

If you use the same onsen more than once, make sure you double-check your changing room because you’ll often find they swap the baths so men and women can enjoy both baths at some point. 

Enjoying Japan‘s Onsen

You can use your modesty towel to cover up on your way into the bath. Make sure if your hair is long and loose, it’s tied up or secured. 

Don’t take your modesty towel into the bath. You can leave it on the side, or do what the locals do – balance it on top of your head. 

The baths are a place for relaxation, which means that loud voices or boisterous behavior is unwelcome. It’s not appropriate to jump into the bath or to splash. Take cues from those around you – some people might be happy to chat while others may be looking to relax in silence. If there are others in the bath, leave some space – don’t sit too close to others.

Onsens are not a place for taking photos or videos. We know, the scenery is incredible – but taking photos when other guests are present is unacceptable. 

When you leave the onsen, use your modesty towel to pat some of the water off so you don’t drip all over the changing room. Once there, you can use your towel to dry off. Don’t feel that you have to shower again – let those world-renowned minerals soak in. You may find separate slippers available in the bathroom. Many onsens will provide amenities like lotions or hair dryers. 

Japanese onsens are more than just hot springs; they are a cultural treasure where you can find an unrivaled experience of relaxation, health, and community. Knowing your etiquette ahead of time will only serve to enhance your experience and let you relax and fully enjoy the tranquility and therapeutic benefits of the Japanese onsen. No matter where you enjoy the onsen experience, you’ll connect with nature, benefit mentally, and enjoy the health benefits. Whether you are a seasoned onsen enthusiast or a first-time visitor, the enchanting world of Japanese onsens promises an experience like no other.

What’s your dream Japanese onsen experience—relaxing in a snowy mountain setting or soaking in a secluded forest retreat? Let’s move this topic in the comments section.

Ready to book your flight to Japan? Read my blog post about 9 Japan Travel Etiquette to ensure a successful journey through Japan.