The best onsen (hot springs) in Japan

Mud bath at Beppu Onsen Hoyo Land (別府温泉保養ランド) in Oita Prefecture, a sulfur-rich onsen near Beppu

Oita > Beppu Onsen Hoyo Land (別府温泉保養ランド): Japan’s Only Mud Bath Onsen Awaits

Beppu Onsen Hoyo Land (別府温泉保養ランド) in Oita offers Japan’s only natural mud bath. Secluded, sulfur-rich, and healing—no crowds midweek!

Relaxing view of Shimagaahara Onsen (島ヶ原温泉) Yabuccha no Yu in Mie Prefecture, a secluded hot spring with natural kakenagashi waters

Mie NTRanking 8 Onsen

Mie > Shimagahara Onsen (島ヶ原温泉): The Secret Onsen Haven You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner

Hidden in Mie Prefecture, Shimagahara Onsen (島ヶ原温泉) Yabuccha no Yu offers a pure, free-flowing hot spring escape near Iga. With saunas, local treats, and no crowds, it’s a serene gem for onsen lovers off the beaten path.

Misty Dorokawa Onsen in Nara’s mountains—a remote Japanese hot spring.

Hidden Lists Onsen

5 Remote Onsen in Japan to Escape the Crowds: Hidden Hot Springs for a Quiet Soak

Craving a soak without the tourist hordes? Discover 5 secret onsen in Japan—hidden gems with sky-high NTRankings that promise peace and jaw-dropping scenery. From Nara’s misty mountains to Toyama’s ancient springs, escape the crowds in 2025. Click to uncover Japan’s best-kept hot spring secrets!

Aichi NTRanking 7 Onsen

Aichi > Onsen Kakitsubata (天然温泉かきつばた): Relax in a Hidden Onsen Along Japan’s Highways

Looking for a unique onsen experience near Nagoya without the tourist crowds? Kakitsubata Onsen, located at Kariya Highway Oasis, offers natural hot springs, open-air baths, and saunas in a convenient stop along the E1A expressway. Whether you’re traveling from Nagoya, Tokyo, or Shizuoka, this hidden gem lets you soak in mineral-rich waters, enjoy Aichi’s famous miso katsu, and even visit the Iwagike Park amusement area nearby.

Kyoto NTRanking 8 Onsen

Kyoto > Fukuchiyama Onsen (福知山温泉): Kyoto’s Award-Winning Hidden Hot Spring

Located in Fukuchiyama (福知山), Fukuchiyama Onsen Yōrō no Yu (福知山温泉養老の湯) is a hidden gem in Kyoto Prefecture, offering one of the most relaxing and scenic hot spring experiences in the Kansai region. With its expansive open-air baths (rotenburo, 露天風呂), traditional Japanese gardens, and various therapeutic baths, this onsen is perfect for those looking to unwind in nature, away from the usual tourist crowds.

Gifu NTRanking 8 Onsen

Gifu > Megumi no Yu Hot Spring (恵みの湯): A medicinal herb hot spring near Nagoya

Located just minutes from the historic Inuyama-jō Castle (犬山城), Megumi no Yu Onsen (恵みの湯) offers the perfect respite after a day of exploring Inuyama’s cultural riches. This onsen combines mineral-enriched hot springs and medicinal herbs, drawing on local herb-growing traditions dating back to the Edo era.

Kagoshima NTRanking 9 Onsen

Kagoshima > Iodani Onsen Sengan Hotel (硫黄谷温泉霧島ホテル): An oasis of relaxation

Located in the heart of Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park (霧島錦江湾), Iodani Onsen Sengan Hotel (硫黄谷温泉霧島ホテル) stands out as a jewel among the many onsens in the Iodani region (硫黄谷). This destination stands out not only for its mineral-rich hot springs and healing properties, but also for its proximity to natural and cultural wonders such as the Takachiho-no-mine volcano (高千穂峰), which you can venture to on an exciting excursion.