This post is for those who have never experienced a hot spring in Japan. It introduces what a hot spring is, what effects it has, and how to enter it as tips.
What is Onsen, Hot Spring?
A hot spring is a natural warm water obtained by the eruption or drilling of underground hot water or steam. Hot springs contain various components, each of which has good effects on beauty and health.
Japan is a country with active volcanic activity, so there are hot springs all over the country. Hot springs are deeply involved in Japanese culture and history and have been familiar to people as a place of healing and enjoyment since ancient times.
Beauty and Health benefits
The hot spring has the following benefits, which people from countries where hot springs are enjoyed may already know. Japanese hot springs not only warm you up but also have real therapeutic effects, making them beloved by both Japanese and international visitors alike.
We probably shouldn’t say this out loud, but the hot spring’s warming effect on your body is so strong that even in winter, you won’t feel cold at all for a while after getting out, even if you’re completely naked! (But be careful not to catch a cold, okay? 😉)
Blood circulation improvement
Entering a hot spring dilates blood vessels and improves blood flow. This makes it easier to expel waste products and toxins from the body. Also, improved blood circulation boosts immunity and makes you less prone to illness.
Skin beautification effect
Minerals and ingredients in hot springs penetrate the skin and provide moisturizing and exfoliating effects. Especially sulfur springs and carbonated springs are said to promote skin metabolism and improve skin problems such as acne and blemishes.
Relaxation effect
Entering a hot spring relaxes muscles and nerves and allows you to relax both physically and mentally. Stress and fatigue are relieved, and the quality of sleep and mental stability are improved.
Tips on enjoying Hot spring ♨️
Respect Etiquette : Wash your body thoroughly before entering the hot spring and do not put towels, detergents, or any other items in the bathtub. This is a basic etiquette in Japan to keep the water clean for everyone and is one of the strictest manners that people care about the most.
Take it east : When entering the hot spring, get used to the water temperature slowly as it may be too high for you. After enjoying the soothing warmth, make sure to drink plenty of water or tea to replenish your body and avoid dehydration, as you lose water and salt by sweating.
Best Hot Spring places in Japan
There are many hot spring areas in Japan, but here are some of the most famous ones. Atami hot spring and Beppu hot spring are close to the sea, so they have a lot of salt, moisturizing effect and blood circulation promotion effect. Hakone hot spring and Kusatsu hot spring are close to the mountains, so acidic and alkaline hot springs are said to have sterilizing and keratin removing effects. You can also consult your itinerary and go to your favorite hot spring area.
Hakone Onsen, Kanagawa Prefecture
Hakone Onsen is a popular tourist destination that can be reached from Tokyo in about 90 minutes. Hakone has 17 hot spring towns, each with its own characteristics. For example, Gora Onsen on the shore of Lake Ashi has many open-air baths where you can enjoy bathing while overlooking the lake and Mt. Fuji. There are also historical tourist spots such as Odawara Castle and Hakone Shrine.
What to see and Hotels in Hakone
Atami Onsen, Kanagawa Prefecture
Atami Onsen is a famous hot spring resort in Japan that can be reached by bullet train from Tokyo in about 40 minutes. It is also attractive for its scenic beauty surrounded by the sea and mountains. Atami Onsen has a chloride spring, which is a hot spring with a composition similar to seawater. Chloride spring has moisturizing and antiseptic effects, and is effective for skin problems and wound healing. It also warms the body from the core and promotes sweating, which is effective for coldness and poor metabolism. At Atami Onsen, you can enjoy open-air baths and panoramic baths at hotels and inns by the sea, or you can easily take a bath at public baths in the city.
What to see and Hotels in Atami
Beppu Onsen, Oita Prefecture
Beppu Onsen is the largest hot spring resort in Japan, located in the eastern part of Kyushu. It can be reached by express train from JR Hakata Station in about 2 hours. Beppu has about 2,400 sources, which is one of the top in the world. Beppu’s hot springs are rich in color, smell, and quality, and have various effects. For example, you can see rare hot springs such as red water and blue water at eight hot spring areas called Hell Tour. You can also enjoy unique bathing methods such as sand bath and steam bath.
What to see and Hotels in Beppu
Arima Onsen, Hyogo Prefecture
Arima Onsen is one of the oldest hot spring resorts in Japan, which can be accessed by train from JR Osaka Station in 60 minutes. It has a lot of historic streets and quaint inns, and has been loved by nobles and cultural figures since ancient times. Arima Onsen has two types of sources, gold spring and silver spring. Gold spring is a reddish-brown hot spring containing iron, which has the effect of improving blood circulation and anemia. Silver spring is a colorless and transparent carbonated spring, which has the effect of relieving neuralgia and muscle pain. At Arima Onsen, you can enjoy various baths by mixing or adjusting these sources.
What to see and Hotels in Arima
Noboribetsu Onsen, Hokkaido
Noboribetsu Onsen is a hot spring resort in Hokkaido, which can be reached by train from Sapporo in about an hour and a half. The hot spring was formed by volcanic activity, and contains rich minerals such as sulfur and iron. Therefore, the color of the hot spring changes to white, red, blue, etc. At Noboribetsu Onsen, you can see steam and vents at a place called Hell Valley. Also, nearby there is a wildlife park where you can see monkeys bathing in hot springs.
What to see and Hotels in Noboribetsu
Kusatsu Onsen (Gunma Prefecture)
Kusatsu Onsen is a historic hot spring resort in the northern part of Kanto. It takes about 3 hours by train from Tokyo. Kusatsu’s hot spring boasts the largest amount of water and strong acidity in Japan. Therefore, it has a high sterilizing power and is said to be effective for skin diseases and rheumatism. In Kusatsu, you can see a traditional technique of adjusting the temperature of the hot spring water at a square where hot spring water flows, called Yubatake. You can also enjoy winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding.
What to see and Hotels in Kusatsu
Summary
In this post, we introduced what hot springs are for foreign tourists who want to experience hot springs in Japan. Hot springs are an important culture for Japanese people, and you can feel nature and history. By all means, please try to enter the hot spring when you come to Japan! It will be great. You will be healed both mentally and physically by the hot spring, and will love it and come to Japan again.❤️
Written and updated by:
Recent posts from Locals in Japan
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter: Tickets, Discounts and Hotels Explained (Sep 2024)
Nagoya’s 10 Top Activities: Must-Do Experiences (Sep 2024)
Tokyo’s 15 Top Activities: Must-Do Experiences (Sep 2024)
Kyoto’s 10 Top Activities: Must-Do Experiences (Sep 2024)
Osaka’s 12 Top Activities: Must-Do Experiences (Oct 2024)
