Best Hot Springs in Japan for Fatigue, Chills, and Beautiful Skin | Winter Onsen Travel Guide

• Table of Contents
• Relaxing Winter Trip in Japan: Enjoy Snow Scenery and Hot Springs
• Beginner-Friendly Hot springs for All Ages: Gentle& Skin-Friendly Onsen
• Japan Onsen for Beautiful Skin: Baths That Make Your Skin Soft and Smooth
• Stay Warm This Winter: Hot Springs That Keep You Warm Inside and Out
• Essential Hot Spring Tips and Things to Know
• Soothing Hot Springs: The Perfect Winter Escape in Japan

Relaxing Winter Trip in Japan: Enjoy Snow Scenery and Hot Springs

There are many famous hot spring resorts all over Japan, each with its own unique charm, such as a long history or beautiful scenery.

The biggest attraction of hot springs is that they soothe both body and mind in large baths.

But did you know that there are many different types of hot spring water? Depending on the ingredients in the hot spring, the effects it has on your body and skin can vary.

Here we will introduce some recommended types of hot springs and hot spring facilities, so please find the hot spring that suits you best.

Also, if you purchase your admission ticket before going to the hot spring facility, the procedure at the counter will be smoother. Admission tickets can be purchased at Lawson Ticket, so once you find the facility you want to go to, please check the ticket information.

Beginner-Friendly Hot springs for All Ages: Gentle& Skin-Friendly Onsen

*Image is for illustrative purposes only.

For first-time visitors, we recommend trying a “simple hot spring” type bath. These baths contain milder, less irritating minerals, making them gentle on the skin. They are safe for people with sensitive skin, as well as the elderly and young children. In addition to being easy on the skin, simple hot springs can help relieve muscle fatigue, such as stiff shoulders, improve circulation, and promote better sleep, providing gentle relief from travel-related tiredness.

Hyogo: HOTEL GREEN PLAZA TOJOKO YUPLAZA 

Spring quality: alkaline simple hot spring, hypotonic alkaline low temperature hot spring

Note: Bath ticket (face towel included)

Purchase a Ticket for this Hot Spring

Japan Onsen for Beautiful Skin: Baths That Make Your Skin Soft and Smooth

*Image is for illustrative purposes only.

For those seeking smoother, healthier skin, alkaline hot springs are highly recommended. Often referred to as “beautiful skin baths,” these onsen gently remove excess sebum and dead skin cells while promoting skin metabolism. Their key feature is leaving the skin feeling soft and smooth after bathing, making them especially popular among women.

At most hot spring facilities, the mineral content of the water (spring quality list) is displayed in an easily visible location. Look for terms such as “bicarbonate spring,” “sulfur spring,” or “sulfate spring,” which indicate minerals known for their skin-beautifying properties. Bathing in these hot springs can help moisturize the skin and promote a smooth, translucent appearance.

Hanamaki City, Iwate: Hanamaki Shinzuna Onsen "Musubi-no-yado Airinkan"

Spring quality: Sodium sulfate spring, hypotonic, weak alkaline hot spring, sodium/calcium sulfate spring, hypotonic, neutral hot spring, etc.

Note: Day-trip bathing ticket

Purchase a Ticket for this Hot Spring

Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima: Shousuke no Yado Takinoyu (Higashiyama Onsen)

Spring quality: Calcium/sodium/sulfate chloride spring, weakly alkaline (ph8.64), hypotonic, high temperature spring

Notes: Day trip bathing ticket, day trip bathing ticket + Japanese meal, day trip bathing ticket + stone pot meal, day trip bathing ticket + Aizu beef meal.

*Tickets are sold at Lawson stores' Loppi machines (not available online).

Purchase a Ticket for this Hot Spring

Oedo Onsen Monogatari "Hotel New Shiobara Yusenkyo"

Spring quality: Sodium/calcium chloride/bicarbonate hot spring, neutral hypotonic hot spring

Note: Bath ticket

Purchase a Ticket for this Hot Spring

Stay Warm This Winter: Hot Springs That Keep You Warm Inside and Out

*Image is for illustrative purposes only.

Among the various types of hot springs in Japan, chloride springs are the most popular, partly due to the country’s proximity to the sea. These springs contain natural salts, which make the water slightly buoyant and provide a relaxing bathing experience. In addition, the salts help reduce the evaporation of sweat, allowing the body to retain heat and stay warm for longer periods.

Iwaki City, Fukushima: Spa Resort Hawaiians

Spring quality: Sulfur-containing sodium chloride/sulfate hot spring (commonly known as sulfur spring)

Remarks: The large open-air bath is one of the largest in the world

Purchase a Ticket for this Hot Spring

Essential Hot Spring Tips and Things to Know

*Image is for illustrative purposes only.

1. Drink Water and Rinse Before Bathing

While many visitors enjoy soaking in hot springs for extended periods, it’s important to avoid staying in the bath too long, as this can lead to overheating. During a typical soak, a person can lose more than 500 milliliters of fluid through sweat—equivalent to more than a standard plastic bottle. Bathing in hotter-than-usual water increases fluid loss even further, so it’s essential to drink plenty of water before entering the hot spring to stay properly hydrated.

Avoid entering the hot spring immediately upon arrival. Doing so is not only considered poor etiquette but can also be harmful to your health. Sudden immersion in hot water may cause a rapid increase in blood pressure, which in severe cases could lead to a stroke or heart attack. To prevent this, pour hot water over your body before entering the bath, starting with the areas farthest from your heart. This gradually warms your body and prepares it for a safe soak in the hot spring.

2. Enjoying Food and Drinks Alongside Your Bath: Onsen Gourmet 

At many hot spring areas, you can not only bathe but also enjoy local foods and even drink the mineral-rich water. A famous example is Beppu Onsen in Oita, where the unique “Hell Steaming” (Jigoku-mushi) method uses the natural heat of the hot springs to cook food. This traditional technique has been practiced since the Edo period and remains a popular way to enjoy regional specialties.

Hot spring manju, a popular treat in many onsen towns, is traditionally made using hot spring water and the natural heat from the springs. While its exact origin is debated, it is believed to have started in Kusatsu Onsen (Gunma Prefecture). Other regional dishes that utilize hot spring water include steamed foods, yudofu (tofu simmered in hot water), and even ramen, showcasing the unique culinary culture of Japan’s hot spring towns.

Of course, you can drink the hot spring water as is, but this is only possible in places where permission is granted by law.

3. Understanding Hot Springs: What pH Tells You About Alkaline, Neutral, and Acidic Baths

Hot springs are classified based on their hydrogen ion concentration (pH) as follows: alkaline springs have a pH of 8.5 or higher, weakly alkaline springs have a pH of 7.5 to 8.4, neutral springs have a pH around 7, and acidic springs have a pH of 5 or lower. Simple hot springs with a pH of 8.5 or higher are specifically called “simple alkaline hot springs.

The quality of the springs varies, and when you bathe in an alkaline hot spring, your skin will feel smooth. This is caused by a chemical reaction between the alkali and sebum. The water has a bitter taste.

The "acidic" flavor makes your skin smooth. It has a bactericidal effect, and the chemical reaction causes old dead skin cells to peel off like scabs. It has a sour taste.

Soothing Hot Springs: The Perfect Winter Escape in Japan

There are many hot spring resorts all over Japan. There are many different styles of hot springs, such as staying overnight at an inn or hotel, or stopping off at a foot bath or day spa while out and about. We hope you will enjoy the various hot springs in Japan.

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In addition, there are often various events and tourist spots near hot springs, so

When you go to a hot spring, we recommend that you look for nearby spots.

More things to do in Tohoku Area

More things to do in Kanto Area (Tokyo, Kanagawa & More)

Lawson Ticket sells tickets for entertainment throughout Japan, including concerts, sporting events, anime and art events, musicals, classical music, movies, theme parks, and more.

The website is available in English, Chinese, and Korean, making reservations easy.

Tickets can be picked up 24 hours a day at Lawson stores in Japan.

Be sure to check out the website next time you visit Japan.

Search Tickets at Lawson Ticket

*If you are planning to visit any of the facilities listed, please be sure to check the opening hours, whether there are holidays, and any important points to note regarding bathing before visiting.