Top 20 best hot springs (Onsen) in Japan 2024/2025

best Onsen japan

As per the Tourism Economics Newspaper Company of Japan, 20 Onsen / hot springs are selected to top the chart of best hot springs destinations for 2024/2025. Let’s find out the details below.

Table of Contents

[1st place] Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma Prefecture

Kusatsu Onsen
Kusatsu Onsen

Kusatsu Onsen, one of Japan’s three most famous hot springs, has the largest natural hot spring output in Japan.

It boasts the largest natural output in Japan, at over 2,300 liters per minute, and 230,000 drums’ worth of hot spring water gushes out every day. It is thanks to this abundant supply of water that Kusatsu’s inns and hot spring facilities are able to offer “free-flowing” hot spring water.

The famous “Yumomi” method was invented to lower the temperature of the hot spring water without diluting its health benefits.

[Recommended accommodation]

・Yusyado Tokino Niwa ・Yado Konoha ・Hotel Village ・Old Heart Inn Kanemidori ・Hotel Ichii・Urakusatsu Todo ・Kusatsu Onsen Boun ・Kusatsu Onsen Hotel Resort ・La Vista Kusatsu Hills ・Osakaya Ryokan ・Aeru Inn Takamatsu ・Hotel Sakurai・Yojo no Yado Takamatsu ・Kusatsu Onsen Daitodate・ Hotel Spax Kusatsu

[Second place] Gero Onsen in Gifu Prefecture

Gero Onsen
Gero Onsen

Gero Onsen is a famous hot spring with a thousand years of history, and is known as one of the three most famous hot springs in Japan.

There is a legend that an injured egret revealed the location of the hot spring, and in the Muromachi period, the high priest Banri Shuku and in the Edo period, the Confucian scholar Hayashi Razan introduced it as one of the three most famous hot springs in Japan, along with Arima and Kusatsu.

It is also known as the “Beauty Hot Spring” because of its smooth and silky feel on the skin, and foot baths are dotted around the hot spring town, making it a fun place to stroll around.

[Recommended accommodation]

・Ogawaya ・Sasara ・Suimeikan・Bokusenkan・Gero Onsen Yamagataya・Kichisenkan Chikusuitei・Oedo Onsen Monogatari Gero New Building ・ Hotel Kusakabe Almeria ・ Gero Onsen Momijikan Annex Wanpakutei

[3rd place] Dogo Onsen in Ehime Prefecture

Dogo Onsen
Dogo Onsen

It is the oldest hot spring in Japan, mentioned in the Nihon Shoki, and is said to have been visited by Prince Shotoku and Hirobumi Ito.

The Dogo Onsen Main Building, the symbol of Dogo, which appears in Soseki’s “Botchan,” is a three-story wooden building built in 1894 and designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.

Even today, the sound of a drum announces the opening of the facility every morning at 6am.

In addition to visiting the hot springs, there are plenty of other attractions to explore and walk around the town!

[Recommended accommodation]

・Hotel Tsubakikan Main Building ・Bettei Oborozukiyo ・Hotel Luna Park ・Hotel Koyakuen Haruka ・Dogo Prince Hotel ・Chaharu ・Dogo Grand Hotel ・Funaya ・Dogo Hakuro ・Dogo Tate ・Yamatoya Villa ・Yamatoya Main Store ・Hana Yuzuki ・Hotel Katsuragi Spa Resort Dogo ・KKR Dogo Yuzuki

[4th place] Beppu Hatto Onsen in Oita Prefecture

Beppu Hatto Onsen
Beppu Hatto Onsen

Beppu, where steam rises from all over the city, is a hot spring paradise with the world’s largest number of hot springs and the largest volume of hot spring water in Japan!

The city is dotted with hot springs known since ancient times as the “Beppu Eight Hot Springs,” and the hot springs that gush out from over 2,900 sources amount to 137,000 kiloliters per day and night. They are used widely for medical purposes, bathing, and other purposes in the daily lives of the city, as well as tourism and industry.

There are also several hundred hot springs that can be used for day trips.

[Recommended accommodation]

・Hoshino Resorts Kai Beppu ・Oniyama Hotel ・Shiosai no Yado Harumi・Kamenoi Hotel Beppu・Oedo Onsen Monogatari Beppu Seifu・Hotel Sansuikan・Beppu Onsen Bamboo and Camellia Inn Hana Beppu・Suginoi Hotel HANAkan・Hotel New Tsuruta・Akari no Yado Tougetsu ・Grandvrio Hotel Beppu Bay Wakura・ Hotel Shiragiku ・Beautiful Hot Springs Inn Ryochiku Bettei・ Sea – Fragrant Inn Hotel New Matsumi ・Beppu Kaizan – A detached inn with open-air baths in all rooms

[5th ​​place] Arima Onsen in Hyogo Prefecture

Arima Onsen
Arima Onsen

Being very close to Osaka and Kobe, it is not only popular as the inner sanctum of the Keihanshin area, but is also a famous hot spring resort that is counted among Japan’s three oldest hot springs, and is even mentioned in the Nihon Shoki. The outdoor baths, “Kin no Yu” and “Gin no Yu,” are also very popular and highly recommended.

[Recommended accommodation]

・Arima Gyoen ・Arima Kirari ・Ginsuisou Choraku・ Gekkoen Yugetsu Sanso ・ Kakunobo・ Arima Grand Hotel ・Nakanobo Zuien・Kinzan ・Hyoei Koyokaku ・Gekkoen Kourokan ・Kamenoi Hotel Arima ・Tosen Goshobo ・Arima Sanso Gosho Bessho

[6th place] Noboribetsu Onsen in Hokkaido

Noboribetsu Onsen
Noboribetsu Onsen

Noboribetsu Onsen, located in the south of Hokkaido, is famous for its many hot springs and the fuming Jigokudani. It is easily accessible from New Chitose Airport and Sapporo, and is one of Hokkaido’s most popular hot springs, bustling with tourists.

There is a lot to see, including the compact hot spring town, hidden places, power spots, and leisure facilities!

[Recommended accommodation]

・Hotel Mahoroba ・Daiichi Takimotokan ・Noboribetsu Onsenkyo Takinoya ・Celebratory Inn Noboribetsu Grand Hotel ・Famous Hot Spring Inn Park Hotel Miyabitei ・Noboribetsu Manseikaku・Bourou NOGUCHI Noboribetsu ・Ryotei Hanayura ・Noboribetsu Sekisuitei・Hotel Yumoto Noboribetsu ・Takinoya Annex Tamanoyu

[7th place] Ibusuki Onsen in Kagoshima Prefecture

Ibusuki Onsen
Ibusuki Onsen

Ibusuki Onsen, located in Kagoshima Prefecture, the southernmost tip of Honshu, is a hot spring resort famous for its sand baths. It is made up of a group of hot springs, including Ibusuki Onsen, Surigahama Onsen, Yajigayu Onsen, and Nigatsuda Onsen, and is one of the prefecture’s leading tourist destinations.

[Recommended accommodation]

・Kagoshima Sand Bath Hot Springs Ibusuki Hakusuikan ・Ibusuki Phoenix Hotel ・Ibusuki Shusuien ・Koranoyu Kinkoro ・Ibusuki Iwasaki Hotel ・Couple’s Open – Air Bath Inn Ginmatsu・ Ibusuki Kaijyo Hotel ・Ibusuki Royal Hotel ・ Ibusuki Onsen Hotel Shogetsu ・Ibusuki Seaside Hotel

[8th place] Hakone Onsenkyo Onsen in Kanagawa Prefecture

Hakone Onsenkyo
Hakone Onsenkyo

Hakone Yumoto Onsen can be reached in an hour and a half from Tokyo.

It is known as the gateway to Hakone and is the oldest hot spring area in the Hakone hot spring resort area.

It is also attractive because you can enjoy it as a day trip.

[Recommended accommodation]

・Tenseien ・Musashino Main Building Hakone Ginyu・Hakone Gora Onsen Tonoyu Setsugekka ・ Hakone Kogen Hotel ・Tsuki no Yado Sara ・Hakone Parks Yoshino ・Hakone・Lake Ashinoko Hanaori ・Mizu no Oto ・Hotel Okada ・Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora ・The Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko (formerly The Prince Hakone) ・Gora Onsen Setsugekka Bettei Suiun ・Hotel Kajikaso ・Hakone Kowakien Tenyu ・Hakone Hotel

[9th place] Kinosaki Onsen in Hyogo Prefecture

Kinosaki Onsen
Kinosaki Onsen

Kinosaki Onsen has a history of 1400 years, with each outdoor bath having its own guardian deity, and the devout faith that the hot springs are a divine blessing has made it a popular bathing trip. It is said
that by making seven trips around the seven baths of Kinosaki Onsen, one will gain faith 49 times, be spared hardships for the rest of one’s life, and be granted seven blessings.

[Recommended accommodation]

・Shinonome-so ・Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei ・Sennen no Yu Gonzaemon ・Oedo Onsen Monogatari Kinosaki ・Sennen no Yu Koman ・Matsuya ・Kokoro no Yado Mikuniya ・Sento ・Onishiya Suishoen ・Nishimuraya Main Building ・Kawaguchiya Kinosaki Riverside Hotel・ Katsura Kogoro ‘s Secret Residence Tsutaya Ryokan ・Tsuki no Shizuku , a hideaway from the hustle and bustle・ Kinosaki Onsen Kanian, a hotel where food is medicine.

[10th place] Yufuin Onsen in Oita Prefecture

Yufuin Onsen
Yufuin Onsen

A popular hot spring resort at the foot of Mt. Yufu.

The town is lined with stylish shops and restaurants, so you’ll never get bored.

A hot spring resort where you can enjoy adult travel.

[Recommended accommodation]

・Yufuin Sansuikan ・Yufuin Kahori no Sato Hanamura ・Hoshino Resorts Kai Yufuin ・Yufuin Yayaku ・Yufuin Ryoan Wayamatoyo ・Yufu no Ryokan Yamamomiji・Yufuin Kotobuki Hana no Sho ・Yufu no Oyado Hotaru ・Tabi- tei Tanokura・Nobiru Sanso ・Yufuin Hotel Shuhokan・ Yufuin Onsen Kaede no Shosha

[11th place] Kurokawa Onsen in Kumamoto Prefecture

Kurokawa Onsen
Kurokawa Onsen

Aso Onsen in Kumamoto Prefecture is known as “Kizuyu” and is a hot spring resort that is said to be effective for cuts, and is home to a group of small, old-fashioned Japanese-style inns with a relaxed atmosphere.

There is a common hot spring bath pass made from a slice of cedar wood, which is rare in Japan, and you can choose three open-air baths of your choice from over 20 inns. It always ranks highly in hot spring rankings and is a famous tourist destination, bustling with tourists throughout the year.

[Recommended accommodation]

・Kurokawaso ・Japanese-style inn Misato

[12th place] Wakura Onsen in Ishikawa Prefecture

Wakura Onsen
Wakura Onsen

Wakura Onsen, which spreads across the Noto Peninsula, is a “sea hot spring” that is rich in salt.

It also has a hand bath as a special bath, and is popular with female customers wearing stockings or tights. It
has always been ranked high as a desirable travel destination, and continues to attract people.

The specialty “salted egg” is also a popular delicacy.

[Recommended accommodation]

・Kagaya ・Aenokaze ・Rainbow and the Sea ・Shirasagi no Yu Noto Kaishu ・Tadaya ・Japanese Inn Notoraku ・Hotel Kaibou ・Kagaya Bettei Matsuno Aoi ・Yukemuri no Yado Biwanso・Yadomoriya Kotobukien ・Tenku no Yado Taikanso

[13th place] Atami Onsen in Shizuoka Prefecture

Atami Onsen
Atami Onsen

Atami Onsen is a hot spring resort that lives up to its fame, with a total flow rate of approximately 16,564 liters per minute.

Surrounded by mountains and the sea, Atami is also rich in food.

You can enjoy fresh seafood and hot springs with abundant water.

Various events are held throughout the year, such as the Atami Umezono Plum Festival and the Atami Marine Fireworks Festival.

[Recommended accommodation]

・Atami Korakuen Hotel ・Hotel Oonoya ・Oedo Onsen Monogatari Atami ・Atami Tama no Yu Hotel ・Sunmi Club ・Resorpia Atami・Oedo Onsen Monogatari Hotel Mizuhatei ・Furuya Ryokan ・Atami Iyasu New Kadoya ・Atami New Fujiya Hotel ・Hotel New Sagamiya ・Atami Onsen Yuyado Ichibanki ・Atami Seaside Spa & Resort

[14th place] Ginzan Onsen in Yamagata Prefecture

Ginzan Onsen
Ginzan Onsen

Ginzan Onsen in Obanazawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, is lined with retro hot springs that exude the romance of the Taisho era.

In addition to enjoying the hot springs, which were once used for therapeutic purposes, we also recommend strolling through the atmospheric hot spring town and experiencing the feeling of having traveled back in time.

[Recommended accommodation]

・Ginzanso Inn

[15th place] Okuhida Onsenkyo in Gifu Prefecture

Okuhida Onsenkyo
Okuhida Onsenkyo

Located in the bosom of the Northern Alps, Okuhida Onsenkyo is a secret hot spring that is said to have been discovered by Takeda Shingen, and is made up of five hot springs surrounded by nature.

The abundant hot spring water can be enjoyed not only at “Kami no Yu” (closed in winter), which is said to be the birthplace of Hirayu Onsen, but also at the foot bath near the bus terminal.

[Recommended accommodation]

・Takumi no Yado Miyama Ouan ・Okuhida Garden Hotel Yakedake ・Okuhida Onsen Miyama Ouan Annex Hot Springs Inn Hirayukan ・Hotel Hotaka ・Hotakaso Mountain Hotel・Hirayu Onsen Nakamurakan ・ Yumoto Nagaza

[16th place] Ikaho Onsen in Gunma Prefecture

Ikaho Onsen
Ikaho Onsen

This hot spring has been famous since ancient times and is mentioned in the Manyoshu, and the 300m, 360-step stone staircase built over 400 years ago on the hillside of Mount Haruna is the symbol of the hot spring town.

Climbing the stone steps leads to Ikaho Shrine, and during the Ikaho Festival in September, one of the largest festivals in the Kanto region, a dozen barrel-shaped mikoshi (portable shrines) are paraded to the shrine along with the main mikoshi (portable shrine).

[Recommended accommodation]

・Kishigon Ryokan ・Kokuya ・Oedo Onsen Monogatari Ikaho ・Fukuichi・Hotel Kogure ・Hotel Tenbo ・Hot Spring Inn ” Tsukagoshiya Shichibei” ・Oyado Tamaki ・Moriaki Ryokan ・Yorokobi no Yado Shinki ・ Sanyo Hotel ・Joshin no Sato Hibikino ・Kounkan

[17th place] Zao Onsen in Yamagata Prefecture

Zao Onsen
Zao Onsen

Zao Onsen in Yamagata Prefecture, known as the “Beauty Hot Spring,” is a highly acidic sulfurous hot spring with a history of 1,900 years. It is one of the representative hot spring areas in Tohoku and is full of attractive sights.

[Recommended accommodation]

・Famous Hot Spring Resort Lucent Takamiya ・BED’n ONSEN HAMMOND ・Hotel Jurin ・Miyamaso Takamiya

[18th place] Tamatsukuri Onsen in Shimane Prefecture

Tamatsukuri Onsen
Tamatsukuri Onsen

Tamatsukuri Onsen is a hot spring located in Matsue city, Shimane prefecture.

It has such a long history that it appears in the Izumo no Kuni Fudoki and the Pillow Book, and is also popular for its skin-beautifying properties.

[Recommended accommodation]

・Kasuien Minami ・Kyokusui no Niwa Hotel Gyokusen ・Yujin Chiyo no Yu ・Ryotei Yamanoi ・Matsunoyu ・Hoseikan ・Tamatsukuri International Hotel RIVAGE CHORAKU ・Yunosuke no Yado Chorakuen ・Izumo Kamijin Jinjyu Konya ・Tamai Annex

[19th place] Manza Onsen in Gunma Prefecture

Manza Onsen
Manza Onsen

Manza Onsen’s spring water is one of the richest in Japan, with a rich sulfur content. It is said to be effective against rheumatism and skin diseases, and boasts an abundant supply of 5.4 million liters of water per day. It is also known for its skin-beautifying properties, making it popular with women.

Located at an altitude of 1,800m, there are many open-air baths that take advantage of this magnificent view. Being at a high altitude also changes your heart rate, improving your metabolism!

This is a hot spring resort that can be enjoyed all year round, with fresh greenery in the spring, escaping the heat in the summer, autumn leaves in the fall, and skiing in the winter.

[Recommended accommodation]

・Manza Prince Hotel ・Manza Kogen Hotel ・Manza Onsen Nisshinkan (Manza Onsen Hotel)

[20th place] Nyuto Onsenkyo in Akita Prefecture

Nyuto Onsenkyo
Nyuto Onsenkyo

Nyuto Onsenkyo is popular as the best hot spring in Akita Prefecture, and even hot spring enthusiasts can enjoy a wide variety of hot springs.

The surrounding area is also full of natural sightseeing spots and delicious cuisine made from beautiful, clear streams.

There are seven hot spring inns and more than ten different types of hot springs, so you can enjoy a wide variety of spring qualities.

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