Best Onsen & Hot Spring Resorts near Tokyo!
Why you should visit an Onsen / Hot Spring Resort near Tokyo?
Japan is an island nation blessed with volcanic activity and towering mountains and is home to countless natural hot springs known as onsen.
The onsen water is rich in minerals and popular for its therapeutic benefits, soothing both body and mind.
Just a short trip from Tokyo, you’ll find some of the best onsen resorts offering serene escapes, stunning landscapes, and traditional Japanese hospitality.
Discover our top picks below for an unforgettable onsen experience—or explore even more relaxing getaways on our wellness page!
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
✨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!
– Yumomi show
What else to do in Kusatsu nsen?
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
2hrs 30min from Tokyo
Japanese: 伊香保温泉
🌈 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‼
– Stone steps
– Lake Haruna & Mount Haruna
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
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.
– Canoe the blue lakes of Shima
– See Sekizenkan at night
What else to do in Shima Onsen?
Places to Stay in Shima Onsen
Shima Onsen Kashiwaya Ryokan
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
✨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!
Things to Do
Edo Wonderland
– Walk around town
– Ryuokyo Gorge
What else to do in Kinugawa Onsen?
Places to Stay in Shima Onsen
Kinugawa Park Hotels
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
🍵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).
Things to Do
Kitrip Nikko
Akechidaira Ropeway
– Kegon Falls (Kegon no Taki)
– Ryuzu Falls (Ryuzu no Taki)
– Lake Yunoko (Yunoko)
– Yutaki Falls (Yutaki)
– Senjyogahara Marsh (Senjogahara)
What else to do in Oku-Nikko?
Places to Stay Around Nikko Yumoto Onsen
Chuzenji Kanaya Hotel
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
😊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 here for Autumn Colours)
Things to Do
THE DAY aozora PROJECT
shiobara viva
(Momijidani Otsuribashi)
– Mikaeri Falls
-Kurenai no Tsuribashi Bridge – Hunter Mountain Ropeway/Cable Car
What else to do in Nasu-Shiobara?
Places to Stay in Shiobara Onsen
Akasawa Onsen Ryokan
This information was correct at the time of publishing, but please check with the attractions and/or the tourist board before traveling.
♨ Best 'Onsens (Hot springs)’ near Tokyo!
Looking for more Japanese Culture and History near Tokyo?
Discover all the Japanese Culture and History Experiences near Tokyo here.
Why not also check out the best Cultural Craft making near Tokyo as well!
(click on the pink links to see more)
