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Onsen (温泉) is a Japanese term for Hot Spring. Little that most expats know, there are hot springs around Tokyo too, and this blog will show you the hidden life behind. The fact that Japan is sitting on the Ring of Fire, active volcanoes gave the country thousand of Hot Spring scattered around. We have outdoor Onsen (露天風呂 or 野天風呂, roten-buro or noten-buro) and the indoor Onsen (内湯, uchiyu).
Traditionally, Onsens were located outdoors, and usually, indoor baths are private to Ryokan (旅館, traditional Japanese guest house). As the atmosphere is very relaxing, writers/bloggers usually choose to come here for a few days to a month, just to focus their mind on writing.
Which famous Onsen that Tokyo Expat usually goes to?
Kusatsu Onsen
One of the foremost onsen in Japan. Kusatsu Onsen once said to “cure every illness but lovesickness” (don’t know if this is true?). From Kusatsu Onsen, you can visit other nearby hot spring free of charge.
Address: Kusatsumachi, Agatsuma District, Gunma Prefecture 377-1711.
How to get to Kusatsu Onsen:
- From Tokyo, heading north by taking the Joetsu Shinkansen to Takasaki Station.
- Next, change to the JR Agatsuma line to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station.
- After that, you can take the bus to the onsen.
Hakone Onsen – written in many blogs as one of the top destination chosen by Tokyo Expat.
Within 2 hours bus from Tokyo, Hakone Onsen is a must-visit destination. Choose one of the Ryokan with their own private onsen, so you can fully enjoy the relaxation that the hot spring provides. For people living in Tokyo, Hakone Osen is a good choice for a short weekend. Here is a list of a few luxury Ryokan that you can check out:
- Gora Hanaougi
- Gora Kadan
- Hakone Suishoen
- Hakone Kowakudani Onsen
- Yamanochaya.
How to get to Hakone:
- From Tokyo, take the JR Odakyu Line to Odawara Station.
- From the station it took a 20-minute bus ride to the city center.
Beppu Onsen
Beppu city in Oita prefecture, the city of steam. Where you can find eight distinct onsens, or so-called, the eight-hells. Each Onsen came with public baths and several ryokan nearby. By the way, Beppu also offering you hot sand baths, naturally heated baths, mud baths, and steam baths. Remember to try hot-spring egg boiled.
How to get to Beppu:
- From Tokyo, take the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen to Kokura Station.
- Then, you can transfer to the Sonic Limited Express to Beppu Station.
- Or flight from Tokyo to Oita airport, where you can take an 1 hour bus to Beppu station.
Yufuin Onsen
If you are on your way to explore Kyushu, it would be great to hang out by Yufuin. As its just one hour away to Yufuin from nearby Oita city and Beppu city. There are many boutique stores, art museums, and cafes that you can enjoy during your stay.
It’s address: Kawakami, Yufuincho, Yufu-shi, Oita.
How to get to Yufuin Onsen:
- From Beppu Station, there is a direct bus to Yufuin
- From Oita Station, there is a direct train to Yufuin
Kurokawa Onsen
Another Kyushu destination that you cannot leave out. Directly on the main street, you can find Ryokan, bathhouses, where the hot spring is said to be beneficial for nerve pain.
It’s address: Minami Ogunimachi, Aso-gun, Kumamoto.
How to get to Kurokawa:
- From Fukuoka, Oita, (that with a domestic airport) you can take the train to Aso Station.
- After that, it will took you one hour by bus to the Onsen.
Noboribetsu Onsen
Another Hell Valley, but this time, it located in the northern part of Hokkaido. I know it’s not near Tokyo at all, but you should check it out. As the Onsen said to soften and lighten skin, it regarded as the best onsen resort in the area.
How to get to Noboribetsu:
- From Tokyo, take the JR Tohoku/Hokkaido Shinkansen to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto.
- Next, you can transfer to the Hokuto Limited Express train to Noboribetsu Station.
- Or simply take a flight to Hokkaido.
Kinosaki Onsen
If you follow Lonely Planet, Kinosaki Onsen was voted “best hot spring town”, with willow trees, old fashioned ryokan.
It’s address: 357-1 Kinosakicho Yushima, Toyooka 669-6101, Hyogo Prefecture.
How to get to Kinosaki Onsen:
- From Kyoto Station, take the Kinosaki Limited Express train to Kinosaki Onsen Station.
- From Osaka Station, you can take the Konotori Limited Express train to Kinosaki Onsen Station.
The Etiquette of how to use Onsen
- As we are using the same pond, bathtub, showering before you going in will preserve the cleanliness for people after.
- In some places, especially mix bath, swimsuits are required, and you could check that on the Onsen/Ryokans’ website.
- You can bring a tower input do not put the tower under the water
- Keep it quiet during the bath, everybody is here to relax
Say you are new to Onsen, why don’t you go with one of our local hosts?
Living with our fabulous local hosts at Homii Homestay, you can enjoy the Japanese life that most expats don’t know about. Here to one of our guests’ story, hope you will enjoy!