Tucked deep in the Northern Alps of Gifu Prefecture, the Oku Hida Onsen Villages are actually five separate alpine hot springs, and an absolute delight to anyone who takes pleasure in hot water, mountain scenery and the sound of high rivers rushing over stone.
The five villages are Hirayu, Fukuc...
Furofushi Onsen, on Aomori prefecture's southwest coast, is almost unheard of except to onsen connoisseurs. But in those circles, it's one of those places discussed in fevered, rapturous tones.
Near the town of Fukaura, Furofushi has indoor hot springs and a very nice hotel where you can eat or sta...
Hakone is both a town and its surrounding area, south of Mt. Fuji in Kanagawa Prefecture, at the edge of Fuji-Hakone National Park. It’s a pleasant destination, and you can easily spend two or three days exploring the areas offerings at a leisurely pace.
Several of these attractions have their...
Owakudani is another of Japan’s “Hell Valleys,” and was once called such until a visit from the Emperor prompted a switch to a less inauspicious name. Owakudani means Big Seething Valley, a more or less perfect description of what travelers will find here. The valley was created in an eruption abo...
About 18 kilometers east of Toyako, Hokkaido’s most celebrated onsen resort has it all. Mountain scenery, fantastic hot spring baths, and a close-up look at the geothermal forces that make the hot springs possible.
Jigoku Dani, which means Hell Valley, is a name you’ll find at several onsens thro...
Like Akan ko to the north, Toya ko is a beautiful caldera lake, nearly circular and about ten kilometers across. The lake is graced with four wooded islands, accessible by boat from the hot springs resort town of Toya Ko Onsen. Both the lake and the town are located within the Shikotsu-Toya National...
Only about an hour from Tokyo by train, the historic onsen town of Yugawara offers an ideal getaway for travelers looking for a dramatic change of pace. Tucked between Sagami Bay and the Izu-Hakone mountains at the neck of the Izu Peninsula, the town has a large assortment of onsen spas and ryokan ...
Lake Shinji, or Shinji-ko, is Japan's seventh largest, and connected by a lagoon to the Japan sea. As a result, the lake hosts a bounty of marine life. In Matsue, Shimane's prefectural capital, travelers flock to sample Kyodo ryori, an assortment of seven dishes drawn from the waters of the lake. ...
The handsome old Takegawara Onsen is a Beppu Landmark. Established in 1879, the faÁade of the building was added in 1938, and the elegant high-ceilinged lobby invites lingering. But of course, the real attraction here is the baths. Takegawara’s water is quite hot, and will take some getting used ...
This resort and amusement park takes its hot spring them to extremes, with over 25 water attractions. From the Mediterranean atmosphere of the “God’s Aegean Sea” to the Turkish Hamam and the coffee, wine, green tea and sake baths, visitors to Kowakien Yunessun can choose among some of the strangest...
The sulfur hot springs of Myoban Onsen, set in the hills north of Beppu, have drawn visitors for centuries. Today, the onsen’s relatively quiet atmosphere makes it a good escape from the crowds and flashiness of its better-known neighbor.
Scattered around Myoban you’ll see low, thatched buildin...
On July 2nd, 2007, UNESCO formally granted World Heritage Site status to the Iwami-Ginzan Silver Mine near Ooda city in central Shimane prefecture.
From its opening in 1526, Iwami Ginzan was one of the world’s most productive silver mines for 400 years. It's believed that at the mine’s peak Japane...
The little town of Yunotsu was once a prosperous port for the shipment of silver from Iwami Ginzan. Today it's primarily a fishing port and hot springs town, small but intensely atmospheric, with the scenic road winding up from the port to the hot springs wide enough for a single car and lined with...
For a break from Beppu’s usual onsen routine, head to the beach for a sunayu, or sand bath.
There are two places in Beppu where you can try this unusual style of bathing. Beppu Beach Sand Bath is one of them. Located in Shoninga-hama Park, at Beppu Beach Sand Bath you’ll have a view of Beppu ...
For those who don't have time to split their trip between Matsue and Tamatsukuri Onsen, an obvious choice is to visit Matsue Shinji-ko Hot Springs, on the shore of the lake. The inns and hotels here are a bit expensive, but the amenities make them well worth the money if you're feeling indulgent. ...
