Yuhigaura Onsen (夕日ヶ浦温泉) is a hot spring located in Kyotango City in the northern part of Kyoto Prefecture. Excavated in 1980, this high-temperature hot spring is of a hypotonic, weakly alkaline quality and is also known for its skin-beautifying effects.

There’s also a stunning, sandy white beach right before your eyes, stretching out about 8km in length. The seaside accommodation facilities along the beach also boast amazing, up-close views at sunset!

Yuhigaura is one of Tango’s most famous places for watching the sunset, having even been recognized as one of Japan’s 100 Best Sunset Spots (by the NPO Association of Township Building Sunrise and Sunset in Japanese Islands). The reflection of the setting sun, brilliantly glittering on the ocean’s surface, is a spectacular sight that you won’t want to take your eyes off!

Arashiyama is another popular tourist destination. It has served as a vacation spot for aristocrats for a very long time.

Excavation of Arashiyama Onsen (嵐山温泉) began in 2003, and opened in 2004. The springs are hypotonic and weakly alkaline. The surrounding area is dotted with traditional inns with both private open-air baths and open-air baths with a panoramic view of Arashiyama. You’ll also find hot spring facilities that offer day-trip bathing.

At Randen Arashiyama Station, there’s also a hot spring facility on the platform called Arashiyama Onsen Eki no Ashiyu. Admission is 200 yen per person, and incudes an original towel.

Totsukawa Village, located in Nara Prefecture’s Yoshino District, is the largest village in Japan. Totsukawa Onsen (十津川温泉) is located on the shores of Lake Futatsuno, and is the town’s most popular hot spring. The water is sourced from a spring that was discovered during the Genroku Period (1688-1704).

There’s a variety of other springs in the area, including Tosenji Onsen in central Totsukawa Village, and Kamiyu Onsen, located upstream of the Kamiyu River.

Many areas around Totsukawa Village are inaccessible by train, so we recommend traveling by bus or car. You can take the bus bound for Onsenchi Onsen (in front of Totsukawa Village Hall) from the Kintetsu Limited Express Yagi Station. There are also local buses that run throughout the village.

By car, it’ll take about three hours if driving from Osaka. From Onsenchi Onsen to Totsukawa Onsen, it’s about 20 minutes by car. It’s also about 20 minutes from Totsukawa Onsen to Kamiyu Onsen.

You can also get to the famous Tanize Suspension Bridge in Totsukawa Village from Onsenchi Onsen (about 35 min by car). This gigantic suspension bridge stands at 54 meters and stretches about 297 meters long!

Tenkawa Village is located in Yoshino in Nara Prefecture. About a quarter of the area is designated as Yoshino-Kumano National Park, which offers magnificent natural landscapes all year round.

Dorogawa Onsen (洞川温泉) is located at the starting point of Mt. Omine, a World Heritage Site. Situated in a mountain village at an altitude of over 800m, this hot spring resort is also nicknamed the ‘Karuizawa of Kansai’ for its cool and comfortable climate.

Dorogawa Onsen Town maintains an old-fashioned, retro atmosphere with rows of wooden buildings, such as ryokan (traditional Japanese inns), inns, and souvenir shops.

Kinosaki is located in the northern part of Hyogo Prefecture and faces the Sea of Japan. It is also one of the leading hot spring towns in the Kansai Region.

In 2020, Kinosaki Onsen (城崎温泉) celebrated a history of nearly 1,300 years. It is said to have first sprung up around the year 720 after 1,000 days of prayer by the Buddhist monk, Dochi Shonin. A stone arch bridge stretches across the Otani River, lined with beautiful willow trees and long-established Japanese inns. The landscape is truly befitting of the birthplace of a Japanese hot spring!

There are seven hot springs of varying styles within a 20-minute walking distance. Another one of Kinosaki Onsen’s attractions is that you can wear a yukata and take a tour of the springs.

Arima Onsen (有馬温泉) is one of Japan’s three oldest hot springs, said to have been frequented by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It has long been known as the ‘inner parlor of the Kansai Region.’

The hot spring town extends out at the foot of the Momiji Valley, located on the north side of the Rokko Mountains in Hyogo Prefecture. Easily accessible from central Kobe City, it’s a beautiful spot surrounded by mountains and nature, with a retro townscape of old-fashioned hot spring inns and souvenir shops.

There are two types of hot springs: the tan-colored Kinsen, and the transparent Ginsen. After your soak, you may also want to check out the steaming springs!

Yumura Onsen (湯村温泉) is located in northwestern Hyogo Prefecture along the Sea of Japan. It is said to have been discovered about 1,200 years ago by Buddhist priest, Jikaku Daishi.

The hot spring, originally called Arayu, is a high-temperature spring at 98 degrees Celsius. You’ll also see tourists boiling eggs in these springs, a unique tradition of Yumura Onsen.

Boasting an abundance of hot water, the springs are also distributed to each household. You can enjoy a relaxing, natural, free-flowing footbath along the Haruki River, or soak in the springs at nearby facilities, such as Refresh Park Yumura (a ‘hot springs park’ that sources its waters from Yumura Onsen) and Yakushiyu (located near Arayu, the source of Yumura Onsen).

Shirahama Onsen (白浜温泉) is one of Japan’s three oldest hot springs, together with Arima Onsen. This spring has a long history, and is even mentioned in Japan’s oldest historical writings, the Manyoshu and Nihonshoki. Overlooking the sea, many of the accommodations here also offer stunning ocean views and a variety of hot spring baths.

Saki-no-Yu is an open-air bath, surrounded by waves crashing against the rocks. It’s also the only surviving of the historic Yuzaki Nanayu (the ‘Seven Hot Springs of Yuzaki’). Enjoy a foot bath, or take an open-air bath tour. Check out Muro-no-Yu, which sources its waters from two types of springs, and Shirarayu, a sento-like public bath adjacent to Shirarahama Beach.

There are also plenty of sightseeing attractions and recreational facilities, including the nearby Adventure World, and scenic spots like Engetsuto, Sandanbeki, and Senjojiki.

Located at the southern tip of the Kii Peninsula in Wakayama Prefecture, Nanki Katsuura Onsen (南紀勝浦温泉) is one of Wakayama’s signature hot spring resorts, along with Shirahama Onsen.

The nearby Katsuura Port boasts the largest catch of fresh tuna in all of Japan, with a strong fishing industry that’s flourished since ancient times. Kinomatsushima also adds to this gorgeous scenery, consisting of many islands, large and small, around Katsuura Port.

There are a number of hot spring sources, with many accommodation facilities boasting their own spring sources. Go for a swim at Blue Beach Nachi (Nachi Beach), designated as one of Japan’s top 100 swimming beaches by the Ministry of the Environment, take a pleasure boat tour of Kinomatsushima, or watch a live fish auction at the Katsuura Fishing Port!

Ryujin Onsen (龍神温泉) is situated along the Hidaka River in Koya Ryujin Quasi-National Park, which straddles Wakayama and Nara prefectures. It is known as one of Japan’s three most beautiful hot springs and is famous for its sodium-bicarbonate springs, which are said to offer smoothing and moisturizing benefits for the skin.

Here you’ll find a mixture of hot spring inns for travelers as well as a couple of day-trip bathing facilities. There’s also a communal bath called Motoyu, which is equipped with cypress baths, rock baths, and open-air baths that overlook the mountain stream. Nyu Yamasemi Onsenkan is another open-air bath that was built from an old school building. With such a variety of springs available, you’re free to enjoy a nice, relaxing soak at your leisure.

Kansai is home to so many wonderful hot spring resorts, we couldn’t possibly introduce them all here! Each spring has its own history, surrounded by amazing attractions, delicious food, and beautiful scenery. So head to Kansai for some sightseeing, and unwind with a soothing soak in a local hot springs inn. With so many fabulous facilities, your most difficult task will be picking a favorite!

English translation by: Krys Suzuki

*Information in article as of November 2022. Please see official websites for the latest updates and information.