Spas with walk-ins welcome in Japan

Beppu, Oita

A budget mineral-mud and colloid hot-spring bathhouse in the Myoban district of Beppu, open daily for walk-in day soaks or an overnight stay.

Gero, Gifu

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

Dogo Onsen, Ehime

A roughly 3,000-year-old public hot spring bathhouse in Matsuyama, designated an Important Cultural Property, open daily with walk-in day passes from 700 yen.

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

Beppu, Oita

A hot-spring bathhouse in Beppu's Kannawa district, running since 1922 on 100% unblended spring water with walk-in day passes.

Nikko, Tochigi

Walk-in public onsen in Nikko with mountain views, a sauna, and a cafeteria, closed Thursdays and open 10am–9pm other days.

Sapporo, Hokkaido

Natural hot spring inside Sapporo's Jasmac Plaza Hotel in Susukino, open to day visitors and hotel guests alike, with sauna and a rest lounge.

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.

Noboribetsu, Hokkaido

A plain neighborhood bathhouse in Noboribetsu, Hokkaido, offering 100% source-fed hot spring water in two mineral varieties, about 10 minutes from the station.

Tokyo

Private-room head spa salon in Minami-Aoyama, Omotesando, offering 90- to 210-minute scalp treatments from roughly ¥24,750.

Kinosaki, Hyogo

A walk-in public hot spring bathhouse in Kinosaki, Hyogo, open daily except Thursday, with affordable day-pass bathing for families.

Kinosaki, Hyogo

A public onsen bathhouse in Kinosaki, Hyogo, open to walk-in visitors daily except Wednesday from 3pm to 11pm.

Beppu, Oita

A 1938 public bathhouse in central Beppu known for its sand bath, where attendants bury bathers in heated sand while they wear a yukata.

Ginzan Onsen, Yamagata

A no-frills communal bathhouse in Ginzan Onsen's Taisho-era hot spring street, open daily 8:30am-3:30pm except Wednesdays.