Best Hot Springs (Onsen) & Bath Houses (Sento) around Kansai Spot List

The serene atmosphere and space provide a leisurely onsen experience for travelers

Relax at the first onsen in the Kansai region approved by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare as a facility promoting health through onsen bathing

Soak in the hot springs while looking out through the pine forest at Shirahama Beach

An enormous spa resort with an undervalued hotel

Famous for its natural boulder cave bath

A vast, luxurious resort of 198,000 square meters filled with nature

Conveniently located next to the station. A completely western-style outdoor bath

A spring born of the prayers of a Buddhist monk named Dochi

Known as one of Japan’s top three beauty hot springs

A bathhouse exuding old-fashioned charm

Located just one meter away from the sea, this is a public open-air bath that Shirahama Onsen is famous for. According to the ancient history books, such as the Nihonshoki (Chronicles of Japan) and the Manyoshu (Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves), Prince Arima visited this place about 1,350 years ago.

This footbath was constructed when JR Ogoto Station was renamed as Ogoto-onsen Station on March 15, 2008. Tradition says that Ogoto-onsen was discovered by Denkyo Daishi Saicho, the founder of Enryaku-ji Temple on Mt. Hiei. The building is designed to recall a hexagonal hall located in Hayao Jizoson, where stone jizo statues (guardian deities of children) allegedly made by Saicho, are enshrined.

This open-air bath is right next to Shirahama Beach. Since you can wear a swimsuit while soaking in this pool-like bathtub, it's convenient to visit after a day at the beach. The hot water that springs from its own source is constantly replenished, ensuring the water is always fresh. During the non-summer seasons, it's used as a footbath instead.