Spas 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.

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.

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.

Shibu Onsen, Nagano

Reservation-only private hot spring and sauna suites at a Nagano brewery complex, built around a craft beer bathing plan for two to four guests.

Kyoto

Hotel spa in Kyoto's Higashiyama Ward with a day pass for pool, bathhouse, sauna and gym, plus treatment suites and couples options.

Atami, Shizuoka

Hotel spa inside Fufu Atami using Sisley's plant-based treatments, with sauna, steam and thermal pool access for adults only.

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.

Kusatsu, Gunma

A walk-in hot spring bathhouse in Kusatsu, Gunma, open daily 8am–10pm with a sauna and budget-friendly pricing.

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.

Nozawa Onsen, Nagano

A small sauna bathhouse in the Toyosato area of Nozawa Onsen, open for timed day-pass sessions four days a week.

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.