The Ultimate Japan Onsen Guide
You may be able to stand up in onsens, but as a topic?
From snowy mountain-top springs to sandy seaside pools,
Onsens have an endless depth, and you’ll never see the bottom.
Trust me, I’ve been trying for over a decade.
But after (literally) hundreds of baths, I have started to see the patterns.
So now, my mission as an onsen fanatic is to help you experience
the magic of Japan’s hot springs, in the way that best suits you.
Choose an Onsen Type
Broadly speaking, onsens can be split up in 4 categories.
Ryokan Onsen: hot spring facilities attached to your ryokan hotel
Day Visit: a public hot spring or hotel onsen that non-guests can visit
Private Onsen: a smaller hot spring bath, reservable mostly in hotels.
Sento Spa: uses non-hot spring water but is closer to a spa & usually has a sauna
Explore different types of onsen using the panels below!
If you’re open to anything, why not check out our most recent onsen posts below?
