Spas in Japan

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.

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.

Kyoto

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

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.