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.

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

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.

Kusatsu, Gunma

A large open-air hot spring bath in Nishinokawara Park, Kusatsu, set among forest with mountain and seasonal views, open daily for walk-ins.

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.

Hakone, Kanagawa

Small day-use hot spring bathhouse in Yumoto, Hakone, drawing from seven natural sources including one of the area's oldest, with an outdoor bath.

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.

Kinosaki, Hyogo

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

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.

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.

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.

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.