The Tohoku Region, located in northern Honshu, is one of Japan’s top spots for a summer getaway. Located in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture, at the northernmost tip of the Tohoku region, is the hot spring village of Oirase Keiryu Onsen.

Oirase Keiryu is a 14-km stretch of the Oirase River that flows from Lake Towada, famous for its beautiful waterfalls, mountain streams, and surrounding moss and virgin forests. It is also designated as a national special scenic beauty spot and a natural monument.

Why It’s A Great Summer Retreat:
Towada City and the Oirase Keiryu area maintain a cool climate year-round, making it a popular summer retreat. During this season, the Oirase Keiryu stream is surrounded by vibrant greenery, with sunlight filtering through the trees for a picturesque landscape. The pristine air and water, refreshing river, and abundant nature make for a tranquil environment rich in negative ions, offering instant relief from the summer heat.

This hot spring is known as a “simple hot spring,” referring to its low-stimulation properties, allowing anyone to enjoy it with ease. Given the harsh winters of the Tohoku Region, the hot waters of these springs gradually heats the body to its core, providing lasting warmth even after your soak.

When imagining a summertime hot spring resort, Oirase Keiryu Onsen is the first place that comes to mind. I always recall the unforgettable beauty of its lush greenery and the soothing murmur of the streams as I walked along it during my last visit in the early summer.

At that time, the Lake Towada Festival was also under way, leaving me with wonderful memories of watching the fireworks up close. Spending the day in the natural surroundings, followed by a leisurely soak in the springs while marveling at Oirase’s beautiful nature, is definitely one of the most relaxing experiences of my life.

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It is no exaggeration to say that Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma Prefecture is the most famous hot spring in Japan. As of 2023, Kusatsu Onsen will have topped the list of “100 Best Hot Springs in Japan” for 21 consecutive years, a ranking determined by the votes of travel agencies. It boasts the nation's richest supply of spring water and is included amongst Japan’s top three springs, alongside Arima Onsen in Hyogo Prefecture and Gero Onsen in Gifu Prefecture.

Visitors can also enjoy touring around Sai-no-Kawara Park, located at the heart of the onsen resort. Here they’ll find a bubbling spring field where mineral deposits are harvested, and lots of springs dotting the entire area.

Why It’s A Great Summer Retreat:
Kusatsu Onsen is located at an altitude of 1,200 meters above sea level, offering a cool climate of at least 10 degrees Celsius lower than around central Tokyo, depending on weather and season. It may even reach cooler temperatures than at Karuizawa, another famous summer resort area.

There’s also the annual Kusatsu Summer International Music Academy & Festival (August 17-30, 2024), a classical music festival that the area has hosted since 1980, adding relaxing music to its leisure activities that visitors can enjoy alongside its famous springs.

The springs are known for their high acidity and mild stimulation, with potent sterilizing properties believed to be effective for various conditions like cuts, burns, neuralgia, bruises, diabetes, hypertension, and more. Legend has it that during the Sengoku Period, military commander Toyotomi Hideyoshi recommended Kusatsu Onsen's hot springs as a cure to Tokugawa Ieyasu, who had fallen ill at the time, underscoring its reputed health benefits. Even today, there are a number of inns that offer specialized "hot spring cure plans" to capitalize on these healing properties.

Kusatsu Onsen holds a special place in my heart, as a spot I've visited countless times in my life. Being so easily accessible from Tokyo, it’s been my family's annual summer vacation spot since childhood. Kusatsu offers a variety of activities unique to the area, from hanging around Sai-no-Kawahara Park and enjoying their onsen manju (hot spring buns) to soaking in the springs. I highly recommend it to people of all ages!

Recommended Facilities in the Area

Oku-Nikko Yumoto Onsen is located in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, where Nikko Toshogu Shrine, a popular tourist attraction, is also located. Known as a hidden gem amongst hot springs, it boasts a history of nearly 1,200 years. It is situated in Nikko National Park at an altitude of 1,500 meters, surrounded by mountains and designated as a “National Recreational Hot Spring Resort” for its exceptional natural environment. It’s about 77 minutes by bus from Tobu Nikko Station, and 80 minutes from JR Nikko Station.

Why It’s A Great Summer Retreat:
Even in August, Japan's hottest month, Oku-Nikko proves to be an excellent summer retreat, with an average temperature of less than 20°C. Mornings and evenings may even require warmer attire thanks to its cooler climate. From the Meiji period to the early Showa period, Oku-Nikko flourished as a summer retreat for foreign visitors. Its refreshing landscapes, including the majestic Mt. Nantai, vast Senjogahara wetlands, and tranquil waterfall basins and lakes, offer a respite from the heat. Lake Chuzenji, which serves as the gateway to Oku-Nikko, also offers summertime water activities like kayaking. It’s also a popular stargazing spot, thanks to the low light pollution in the area.

The spring waters are an enchanting milky white sulfur spring, known for its pleasant texture and skin beautifying benefits.

At a time when I found myself with two free days in my schedule and in need of a recharge, I immediately set my sights on a stay at Oku-Nikko Yumoto Onsen. I vividly recall the soothing sensation of its unique milky white water, which helped me relax completely and relieve my fatigue. It was a truly luxurious experience away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, with the springs all to myself as I lost myself in stargazing under the beautiful, star-lit sky.

Recommended Facilities in the Area

Located at the foot of Mt. Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture, the center of Fuji Five Lakes’ tourist attractions, is Kawaguchiko Onsen (Fujikawaguchiko Hot Spring Resort). One of its most standout features is the opportunity to soak in springs with an up-close view of the majestic Mt. Fuji. The area boasts a number of hotels and hot spring facilities with Mt. Fuji views, making it a popular spot for both overnight stays and day trips from Tokyo. There are also a wealth of activities in nature and leisure facilities, offering visitors much more to do beyond soaking in the springs.

Why It’s A Great Summer Retreat:
Kawaguchiko sits at an altitude of 830 meters above sea level, averaging around 21°C with cool mornings and evenings, even in the midst of summer, making it a popular summer retreat. The surrounding area also offers lots of sightseeing attractions for visitors of all ages. Outdoor enthusiasts will especially love Kawaguchiko, with hot springs, camping, and stargazing all available amidst the great outdoors.

Kawaguchiko Onsen draws its waters from five different sources, each with slightly differing properties. However, rest assured that each one is known for their ability to effectively warm the body as well as benefits such as neuralgia relief and beautiful skin.

During my student days, Kawaguchiko was a frequent destination for club activities and circles' training camps, providing a much-needed escape from the city's summer heat. I’ve visited plenty of times for both overnight stays and day trips, as the facilities provide easy access to springs, with seasonally-changing views of Mt. Fuji that make each visit a new experience that you’ll never tire of. The abundant nature around Mt. Fuji is both plentiful and gratifying, making a bath amidst the view a must-do for anyone sightseeing in Japan!

Recommended Facilities in the Area

Yufuin Onsen is a hot spring resort located in Yufu City, Oita Prefecture, in the Kyushu region, at the foot of Mt. Yufu. Designated as a National Recreational Hot Spring Resort, it stands out as one of Japan's leading hot spring resorts, having consistently ranked as the country's top hot spring destination for 13 consecutive years as selected by a major travel information website.

Oita Prefecture itself is renowned as Japan’s "hot spring prefecture," boasting the highest number of hot springs and the largest volume of gushing spring water in the country, while Yufuin is blessed with approximately 900 of these natural hot spring sources, pouring out a staggering 38,600 liters of water per minute.

Beyond its hot springs, Yufuin is also known for its gourmet and local specialties. Time passes slowly in this leisurely town, surrounded by traditional Japanese landscapes and the majestic natural beauty of Mt. Yufudake, an iconic symbol visible from every corner of the town.

Why It’s A Great Summer Retreat:
Despite being nestled in a basin surrounded by mountains, Yufuin sits at an altitude of about 450 meters above sea level, higher than the city center. That coupled with the vastness of the foot of Mt. Yufudake contribute to cooler mornings and evenings, earning Yufuin the nickname “the Karuizawa of Kyushu,” likening it to the popular summer resort in Nagano Prefecture. Visitors can rejuvenate their spirits with a leisurely soak in these high-quality springs, while also indulging in the area’s natural coolness and delicious local cuisine.

Most of the springs here are “simple” or “alkaline-simple” springs, characterized by their clear, colorless, and smooth-to-the-touch waters, akin to a natural lotion. Visitors can easily enjoy these soothing springs not only at the local inns, but also at the public bathhouses scattered around town.

As a passionate hot spring enthusiast, I highly recommend the hot spring resorts of Oita Prefecture. Yufuin Onsen is a personal favorite for the exceptional quality of its hot spring water, which never fails to leave my skin feeling incredibly smooth and rejuvenated. Yufuin is also home to numerous nearby sightseeing spots, many within walking distance, along with many luxury hotels, making this place my top choice for a self-indulgent getaway. Whether traveling solo or with friends, Yufuin Onsen promises to be a fun and relaxing retreat!

Recommended Facilities in the Area

Summertime Japan tends to be hot and humid, leading many a traveler to seek relief indoors with air conditioning and chilled refreshments. However, this can actually end up leaving our bodies feeling colder and more fatigued than expected, especially with the significant temperature contrasts between indoors and outdoors, which can disrupt the autonomic nervous system.

That’s exactly why this time of year is the perfect time for a long, rejuvenating hot spring soak amidst the refreshing embrace of nature. So if you’re in Japan this summer, consider immersing yourself in one of Japan's picturesque summer resort springs to combat fatigue from the heat, and nurture yourself, body and soul!


English translation by: Krys Suzuki