Spas in Japan

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.

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.

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.