Onsen in Japan

Gero, Gifu

An outdoor-only onsen in Gero with rock-built baths, a cascade bath and three-temperature pools, open daily except Thursdays.

Nozawa Onsen, Nagano

A public day-bathing hall in Nozawa Onsen village with indoor hot and warm baths plus an outdoor hot spring bath, open to walk-ins year-round.

Gero, Gifu

Gero's riverside hot-spring source pool in the town center, where visitors can touch the water and take photos, though full bathing has been banned since

Arima Onsen, Hyogo

A moderately priced onsen bathhouse in Arima Onsen, Kobe, with a forest sauna, a large outdoor bath, yoga and an award-recognized restaurant.

Ibusuki, Kagoshima

Oceanfront outdoor onsen in Ibusuki where the two gender-assigned baths swap daily, with views of Mount Kaimon, the East China Sea, and Take-yama.

Ginzan Onsen, Yamagata

A riverside hotel spa in Ginzan Onsen with a thermal bathing pool, overnight stay and day-pass access for non-guests.

Kurokawa Onsen, Kumamoto

Okunoyu is a ryokan onsen in Kurokawa Onsen, Kumamoto, with outdoor thermal baths open to day visitors and overnight guests, daily 8:30am–8:30pm.

Kurokawa Onsen, Kumamoto

A nine-room ryokan in Kurokawa Onsen where every detached suite has its own source-fed open-air bath, open to overnight guests only.

Shibu Onsen, Nagano

A ryokan in Shibu Onsen with indoor and outdoor hot-spring baths fed by two blended mineral springs, open only to overnight guests.

Ibusuki, Kagoshima

A ryokan-style hotel in Ibusuki with source hot-spring baths, both shared and private, open only to overnight guests.

Arima Onsen, Hyogo

Hotel spa in Arima Onsen with Arima's rare iron-rich "ginsen" waters, outdoor baths, sauna and jacuzzi, run as an all-inclusive overnight stay.

Atami, Shizuoka

A hotel spa in Atami with a thermal onsen pool, open only to overnight guests staying at Fufu Atami.

Yufuin, Oita

A small hillside ryokan near Yufuin's town center where every room has its own half-open-air bath filled with 100% source hot-spring water and a view of Mt.