It's no secret that the Japanese really love bathing! Onsen (hot springs) resorts are popular travel destinations in Japan. Many of these resorts feature open-air baths, which offer a sense of openness and a chance to relax while enjoying nature and spectacular views in each season.

In spring, some people enjoy "hanami-buro" (a bath from which you can enjoy cherry blossoms), a unique experience only available at this time of year.

Cherry blossoms are a very popular attraction for visitors to Japan, and famous blossom spots can get rather crowded. Why not enjoy a unique Japanese experience by soaking in a luxurious "blossom bath" - with tranquil views of beautiful pink cherry trees?

Kissho Caren is a Japanese inn (known as a 'ryokan') in the hot springs wonderland of Izu, just south of Tokyo. Here you can enjoy a relaxing resort stay. From the outdoor hot spring baths, you can enjoy a sense of freedom as though you were immersed in the sea, surrounded by the fragrance of Japanese cypress wood. In spring, you can enjoy cherry blossoms virtually everywhere around the hotel, including the open-air baths and large baths.
・Cherry blossom season: Around February to March.

Awanoyu boasts unique milky white hot spring water. In spring, you can enjoy the cherry blossoms in the large open-air bath shared by men and women, where you can feel the change of the seasons. The entrance is separated for men and women, and bathing is done wearing a provided towel garment. Since the water is cloudy, bathers need not worry about being seen.
Water from the Awanoyu source is also somewhat unusual in that it can also be drunk - unlike the majority of onsen springs. It is said to be effective against gastrointestinal disorders and diabetes.
・Cherry blossom viewing season: Around April

Kijitei Hoeiso is a tranqil inn located in the popular hot spring resort area of Hakone - in a village with a sense of nostalgia. Feel the warmth of nature, rest your mind, and enjoy the simple luxury of "doing nothing." From the open-air bath by the river, you can feel the sounds and aroma of nature. In spring, you can enjoy cherry blossoms from the open-air bath, your room, or the terrace.
・Cherry blossom viewing period: Late March to early April.

Takaragawa Onsen Ousenkaku has three huge, mixed open-air baths totaling an area of around 857 square meters, as well as an open-air bath just for women. The baths are characterized by their seeming to be constructed using giant rocks from the river - which meanders right past the baths themselves. It's a very peaceful place to relax, surrounded by the great outdoors. In spring, you can enjoy cherry blossoms from the open-air bath.
・Cherry blossom viewing season: Late March to early April.

Shosenkaku is a traditional Japanese-style onsen ryokan surrounded by greenery. In spring, you can enjoy the scenery from the open-air baths and private onsen in the guest rooms. In the unique Omiai Bath, there is a Omiai Shrine (for matchmaking) on the border between the men's and women's open-air baths, and when a string is pulled from the women's side, the partition door opens and you can chat with one of the men nearby. Perhaps you will find a wonderful match.
・Cherry blossom viewing season: Around April.

Hounkan is a ryokan with a relaxed atmosphere and filled with the warmth of wood. From the open-air bath, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the parks of Naka-senbon and Kamisenbon on Mt. Yoshino, said to be one of the three most famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan. After the sun sets, you can see the beautiful Nyoirin-ji pagoda lit up, making this location particularly special for its unique atmosphere that changes with the time of day.
・Cherry blossom viewing season: Late March to early April.

Ryokan Fushioukaku is an accessible onsen ryokan located a 30-minute drive from Osaka City. You can change into a colored yukata, which can be rented for a fee, and enjoy a leisurely stroll. In spring, you can view cherry blossoms from the outdoor hot spring bath, making this inn a great place to relax after sightseeing.
・Cherry blossom viewing season: Late March to early April.

Yuzanso is a ryokan overlooking Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan. The water is soft and mild, and is known as "hot water for beautiful skin" - leaving your skin smooth after soaking. In spring, you can enjoy cherry blossoms and Lake Biwa from the open-air bath.
・Cherry blossom viewing season: Late March to early April.

Choseikan's hot spring is one of Japan's most precious and effective radium springs that will refresh you. Just taking a deep breath is said to improve health. In spring, cherry blossoms can be seen from the large open-air bath in the garden. You'll love the tranquil scenery you can find only in Japan.
・Cherry blossom viewing season: around April.

Osawa Onsen Sansuikaku is a traditional Japanese-style ryokan with sophisticated modern architecture. From the open-air bath along the river, you can enjoy the poetic colors of the mountains in each season. You can enjoy the cherry blossoms in the cool open-air baths, surrounded by the breeze teasing across the surface of the river.
・Cherry blossom viewing season: around April.

Yumetsuzuri offers you a comfortable time flowing with the murmuring of the Shogawa River. The hot spring baths include an open-air Hinoki cypress bath with the soothing scent of wood, an open-air ceramic bathtub, and a large open-air rock bath, where you can view cherry blossoms in the spring. You'll love the gentle scenery as it soothes your heart.
・Cherry blossom viewing season: around April.

Kotohira Kadan is a traditional ryokan nestled in a lush garden and visited by some of Japan's most famous writers. You can bathe in the famous Kompira hot spring, which has been selected as one of the 100 best hot springs in Japan - and renowned for being kind to the skin. Cherry blossoms can be viewed from the open-air baths and private guest room onsen baths, and at night you can enjoy the fantastic atmosphere of the illuminated bamboo grove.
・Cherry blossom viewing season: Late March to early April.

Yunoyado Hakusan Shobutei has a total of 20 guest rooms with private onsen baths, where you can freely enjoy natural hot spring water in a luxurious space to yourself. The hot springs are gentle to the skin and safe for everyone from small children to the elderly. In spring, cherry blossoms can be viewed from the lobby and outdoor baths, and the elegant nighttime cherry blossom viewing is also recommended.
・Cherry blossom viewing season: Late March to early April.

Yufuin Sansuikan is a ryokan located in "Onsen Prefecture Oita," an area famous for hot springs - which can be found practically everywhere in the prefecture. From the open-air bath with a view of cherry blossoms and Mt. Yufudake in the spring, you can enjoy the scenery right in front of you. Located about an 8-minute walk from Yufuin Station, the ryokan is convenient for sightseeing in Yufuin.
・Cherry blossom viewing season: Late March to early April.

Bosenkan is a ryokan where you can enjoy a variety of hot springs including a large open-air bath. These baths offer a sense of openness, as if connected to the river, and in the springtime, guests can enjoy the cherry blossoms. It also has a 3,600m² Japanese garden, where you can enjoy a walk while viewing the surrounding nighttime cherry blossoms.
・Cherry blossom viewing season: Late March to early April.

Hotel Kaminoyu Onsen is a hot spring ryokan with a view of Japan's iconic Mt. Fuji. There are a variety of private baths, including Japan's first egg-shaped steam bath, and Hinoki cypress baths. In spring, you can view cherry blossoms from the comfort of the open-air baths.
・Cherry blossom viewing season: Late March to early April.

At Yamamura Bekkan, you can enjoy the mild hot spring water of Yumoto Onsen, a resort famous for its skin-beautifying waters. Cherry blossoms viewed from the Western-style open-air bath in spring afford a luxurious view that combines Western and Japanese styles. At night, you can see the starry sky in full bloom as well.
・Cherry blossom viewing season: Late March to early April.

*Source for this article: Booking.com.
*The information is based on the facility's official website and official SNS.
*This article was originally published in September 2022. Details may have changed since this time.
*Cherry blossom conditions vary from region to region. Information is based on the official information from each facility and the JMA's 2022 cherry blossom blooming/full blooming status, but please check the official websites for the latest information when making reservations.