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6 best 'Onsens & Hot springs’ to visit nearby Tokyo!

Why you should soak in an Onsen in Japan?

Japan is an island country with many mountains which is why there are so many Onsens (Natural Hot Spring) with rich minerals

A lot of study has gone into Onsens which suggest many positive benefits to the body.

First, there is the thermal effect, water pressure, buoyancy, and cleansing. This helps blood circulation, improves metabolism, excreting unwanted substances, as well as gently massaging muscles and organs helping the body to relax..

Then there is the minerals and components of the onsen. Some have a positive impact on human skin or relax joint pain, relax blood pressure, and help with asthma and more.

For a relaxing trip in Japan, Onsen resorts are a must to stop..

Most Onsen resorts with public baths have a strict policy regarding people with tattoos. You will either need to hide it with a sticker or hire a private Onsen bathroom (or book a room with a private Onsen).

1 ) Kusatsu Onsen (Hot Spring)

0 hours from Tokyo

Japanese: 草津温泉(群馬県)

✨Come Rest Your Soul at One of Japan’s Most Popular ♨Hot Spring Resorts!

Looking for a 🕖time away from the busy city life? Come visit ♨Kusatsu Onsen, one of Japan’s most known hot spring resorts!

The ♨hot springs are said to have healing powers for the body, not to mention the 🍵relaxation they bring to your soul. Not only is 👘Kusatsu famous for its ♨hot springs, but also for its 🌲outdoor activities like skiing in the winter and hiking all year round, as well as a summer 🎻music festival. This magical place may be located in a small town of only 7000 residents, but it attracts ✨millions of tourists every year!

This information was correct at the time of publishing, but please check with the attractions and/or the tourist board before traveling.

2 ) Ikaho Onsen (Hot Spring)

Japanese: 伊香保温泉(群馬県)

🌈 Off the Beaten Track in Japan that You CANNOT Miss‼ 🎎 Authentic Japanese-Style Onsen ♨️ in a Time-honored Area

Nestled on the eastern slopes of 🌋Mt. Haruna with a more than 1500-year-old history, ♨️Ikaho Onsen is the perfect urban getaway both for its iconic multicolor thermal waters and 🌲natural environment.

Ikaho Onsen offers two types of ♨️hot spring water, the “Kogane no Yu” where the water is reddish brown, and “Shirogane no Yu “where you will get iron-laden waters. On top of that, you will find a 300-meter long stone path with 365 stairs flanked by 🎁souvenir stores and 👘traditional Japanese guesthouses in the atmospheric old town. At the end of stairs, there is the ⛩️Ikaho Shrine, a shrine dedicated to the god of childbirth.

Come and 🗝️ elapse back in time to the Japan of more than 50 years ago just in a flick‼

This information was correct at the time of publishing, but please check with the attractions and/or the tourist board before traveling.

3 ) Shima Onsen (Hot Spring)

0 Hours

Japanese: 四万温泉(群馬県)

Treat Yourself to a ✨Mythical Hot Spring ♨Wonderland!

Need some 🍃quiet and peaceful time to yourself? Prefer a one-of-a-kind experience when it comes to traveling?

Come to ♨Shima Onsen, a small hot spring town in the🍃mountains of Gunma Prefecture! Said to be the 😎oldest hot springs in Japan, it’s blessed with more than 40 hot spring sources. The town has plenty of ♨ryokans, public baths, and foot baths for you to enjoy and relax.

Rumor has it that this mythical place may have inspired the famous Ghibli movie 🏮“Spirited Away”! If you like Japanese Anime, make sure to drop by Sekizennkan (A Traditional Ryokan) for a ‘Spirited Away & History’ tour.

This information was correct at the time of publishing, but please check with the attractions and/or the tourist board before traveling.

4 ) Kinugawa Onsen (Hot spring)

0 Hours

Japanese: 鬼怒川温泉(栃木県)

✨Experience the Healing Powers of ♨Kinugawa Onsen!

♨Kinugawa Onsen is the ✨perfect hot spring resort– it is located right near Nikko, and is known for its abundant 🍵hotels and ryokans overlooking the Kinugawa River.

The ♨Kinugawa hot spring water is said to have been discovered in the 👘Edo Period (1603-1867), and continues to attract many travelers today. The hot springs are especially known for its ✨healing powers on burn injuries! 

In addition to the hot springs that each hotel/ryokan has, you can also enjoy the ♨public baths and “Ashiyu” (foot baths) that are located throughout the area!

This information was correct at the time of publishing, but please check with the attractions and/or the tourist board before traveling.

5 ) Oku-Nikko Yumoto Onsen (Hot spring)

Japanese: 奥日光湯元温泉(栃木県)

🍵Relax your ✨Body and Soul at a Tranquil ♨Hot Spring Resort!

If you are looking for a 🍵quiet and peaceful time, ♨Oku-Nikko Yumoto Onsen is perfect for you!

Located near the 🌲Nikko National Park and the Lake Yunoko, this 👘historic hot spring site is famous not only for its healing powers but also for its visual aesthetics! The source of ♨Oku-Nikko Yumoto Onsen is emerald green, but once the water is exposed to air, it turns milk white! 

The hot springs are especially popular because of its ✨miracle works on the 💁🏻skin. In the winter, you can enjoy ♨“yukimiburo” (bathing with a view of the ❄snow).

This information was correct at the time of publishing, but please check with the attractions and/or the tourist board before traveling.

6 ) Shiobara Onsen (Hot spring)

Japanese: やまあげ祭り(栃木県)

😊Ultimate Self-care!
♨Luxurious Hot Springs and 🌲🍁Incredible Nature

Come visit ♨Shiobara Onsen, located in a valley surrounded by ✨wonderful nature!

This hot spring town cherishes more than 150 hot spring sources, which can be categorized into 🌈7 colors (milky white, rusty brown, clear, golden brown, etc.) Try all the different types and colors of ♨hot springs, and treat your body and soul with utmost care!

Shiobara is also known for its outdoor activities like 🐟fishing, kayaking, and stand up paddle boats, in addition to winter sports like 🎿skiing and snowboarding! Don’t forget to stop by at the 🌲incredible waterfalls and suspension bridges as well! (🍂 🍁See this page for Autumn Colours)

This information was correct at the time of publishing, but please check with the attractions and/or the tourist board before traveling.

6 best 'Onsens (Hotsprings)’ to relax and revitalize nearby Tokyo!

Looking for more Culture and History experiences near Tokyo?

Discover all the Culture & History experiences near Tokyo here. 

And how about visiting UNESCO Heritage sites or try wearing Kimono?

(click on the links to see more)

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