One of my biggest shocks, as I plan custom trips to Japan, is how few foreigners are interested in onsen. That is, the natural hot springs spread throughout Japan on account of its widespread volcanoes.
I’ll explain the reasons for this in detail in another couple of paragraphs—many of them are totally valid. At the same time, I do think it’s important to dig into this age-old, important aspect of Japanese culture, in spite of how impenetrable doing so can seem.
To help you with this, I’ve assembled a list of the best onsens in Japan. Curated after more than a decade of exploring Japan, these incredible Japanese hot springs will make you want to take your clothes off in front of strangers.
Why Many Foreigners Struggle With Onsen
While it’s true that many travelers are curious about the best onsen in Japan, it’s also true that most never get that far. The reality is that foreign visitors to Japan have many hang-up with the country’s hot spring culture, first and foremost because of the compulsory nudity. Westerners simply aren’t comfortable being naked around people of the same sex, let alone in public.
The second issue is more particular to a certain subset of potential onsen customers. This relates, of course, to tattoos. Thankfully, it’s no longer true that people with tattoos are wholesale banned from hot springs in Japan. On the other hand, many non-Japanese speakers simply haven’t gotten the message, and falsely believe that they aren’t welcome in onsen.
The Best Onsens in Japan
Minakami Onsen, Gunma
When I say Minakami Onsen, what I’m really talking about is Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku. To be sure, while Minakami Town is home to plenty of small, spartan bath houses, it is only when you are bathing outdoors along the show-stopping ravine at Takaragawa that you’re really in “best onsen” territory.
Nyuto Onsen, Akita
Likewise, you’ll only rarely find a Japan onsen guide that doesn’t specify the best place to visit within Akita‘s Nyuto Onsen as being the Tsuru-no-yu bath house. Conversely, while it’s easy to get a room in Takaragawa, you need a certain amount of patience (and luck!) to be able to stay overnight at Nyuto.
Kaga Onsen, Ishikawa
Unlike the first two entries on this list, Kaga Onsen offers some variety. First, in that it is home to multiple villages—my personal favorite is Yamashiro Onsen, but Yamanaka Onsen is nice as well. Secondly, there’s a range of accommodations, from the minimalistic Rurikoh to the higher-end Hatori.
Kusatsu Onsen, Gunma
Some of the best onsens in Japan, at least according to Japanese travelers, are all but unknown to foreigners. This is certainly the case for Kusatsu Onsen. As I’ve written about here, Kusatsu has a lot to offer visitors, from its captivating Yubatake square, to affordable luxury accommodations like Kanemidori.
Beppu Onsen, Oita
Last but not least is Beppu Onsen, located in Oita prefecture along the east coast of sub-tropical Kyushu island. My favorite way to enjoy this town is to book a room with a private sea-view onsen on its balcony, such as Umino Hotel Hajime. Even better, you can take a day trip to inland Yufuin, where even more hot springs are on offer.
The Curious Case of Ginzan Onsen
As I’ve written about in another post, Yamagata prefecture’s Ginzan Onsen presents a conundrum. On one hand, in terms of sheer name recognition, Ginzan Onsen is probably the best-known onsen in Japan among non-Japanese. On the other hand, it’s cumbersome to reach, and so small that facilities are often not available to day visitors. Those who wish to stay overnight are often kept away by high prices and low availability.
There’s also the question of quality vs notoriety. No one argues against the fact that Ginzan Onsen is a place that even people who have never been to Japan know about and probably want to visit. The reality is, however, that it would be questionable to describe this as the best Japan onsen, for reasons I discuss in more detail within the post linked above.
Other FAQ About the Best Onsens in Japan
Which onsen is the best in Japan?
Japanese travelers generally regard Gunma prefecture’s Kusatsu Onsen as being the best onsen in Japan. However, foreign travelers typically city more obvious examples, such as Hakone (which is close to Tokyo) and Beppu, which has in recently years gained a lot of social media fame.
Can you wear undies in onsen?
Certain Japanese onsen allow (and, in some cases, require) a kind of “bathing costume,” particularly in mixed-gender or family hot springs. However, even when this is the case, you can almost never wear your own underwear, out of concern for hygiene.
Are foreigners allowed in Japanese onsen?
Foreigners are allowed in Japanese onsen, albeit not without restriction. First and foremost, foreigners must comply with the rules of the onsen, most importantly to be fully nude. Secondly, it is possible (though increasingly uncommon) that foreigners with tattoos will be banned from Japanese onsen.
The Bottom Line
It can be difficult to find a list of the best onsens in Japan, particularly if you’re searching in English. Most foreigners take a day trip from Tokyo to Hakone, and think they’ve had the full hot spring experience. In reality, of course, Hakone is a sub-par onsen destination that you should only visit if you have no other option. Instead, I suggest you go deeper, whether that’s heading north to hot springs in off-the-beaten-path Gunma, or south to Beppu Onsen on sub-tropical Kyushu island. Need personalized help putting your onsen adventure together? Consider commissioning a custom Japan itinerary.
