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

A long established public bathhouse, built in 1863, in Tokyo's Ginza district. The pictures of Japanese koi (carp), seasonal flowers and birds on the tiles are a must-see.

A bathhouse exuding old-fashioned charm

A bathhouse with a simple and stylish atmosphere. The baths utilize soft water, which has the beneficial effects of heat retention and moisturization. There are also sauna facilities.

This is a bathhouse with the theme of Shichifukujin (the Seven Deities of Good Fortune). You can enjoy Jacuzzis, earthen tubs and herbal baths.

A big onsen resort with large hotels lining Mutsu Bay. It offers a wide range of events and leisure activities.

This is the only building registered as a tangible cultural asset in Tokyo so it is very atmospheric. You can find hospitality in clean white noren (store curtain) and beautiful ikebana (Japanese flower art). Most of the public baths are opened from the late afternoon but Tsubame-yu is open from 6:00 a.m. in the morning to provide a refreshing morning public bath service called asa-yu.

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.

There are two baths, Tsuki-no-yu and Hi-no-yu (alternating for men and ladies). Enjoy a typical Japanese sento (public bathhouse) complete with mural of Mt. Fuji.

A one-day onsen (hot spring) facility, Keio Takaosan Onsen, Gokurakuyu, which is next to Takaosanguchi station. The natural hot spring water wells up from about 1,000 meters underground, and is quite clear and soft to the touch. The open-air bath made of rocks is divided into two pools that you can choose between: the lukewarm water at 40 degrees Celsius, and the hot water set at 43 degrees Celsius. In this facility, various types of bath are available, where you can enjoy the ever changing scenery of Mt. Takao to your heart's content.

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.

Nikkotei Oyu is a time-honored inn, which is popular among one-day tourists to enjoy hot spring bathing. There is an open-air bath surrounded by bamboo trees, which is large enough to accommodate some 20 people. There is also a room for up to five people, which is recommended for a family.

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.