Spas in Japan

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.

Beppu, Oita

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

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.

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.

Sapporo, Hokkaido

A neighborhood public bathhouse in Sapporo's Chuo Ward, open daily from 7am to 1am, with shampoo and body soap provided and walk-ins welcome.

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.

Kamijima, Ehime

An all-inclusive resort on Yugejima island in Setouchi's inland sea, with ocean-view outdoor baths, ocean-front rooms, and a day-pass option.

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.