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.

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.

Hakone, Kanagawa

Day-use hot spring in Tōnosawa, Hakone, styled like an old farmhouse village, with communal baths and 19 private open-air rental baths.

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.

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.

Kyoto

Hotel spa on the 2nd floor of Dhawa Yura Kyoto in Higashiyama, offering private-suite treatments by Banyan Tree Academy-trained therapists.

Kinosaki, Hyogo

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

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.

Kinosaki, Hyogo

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

Noboribetsu, Hokkaido

A free natural footbath fed by hot spring overflow along the Oyunumagawa trail near Taisho Jigoku in Noboribetsu, Hokkaido.

Nozawa Onsen, Nagano

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

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.

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.

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.