YukoYuko, a popular Japanese magazine for senior travelers, specializes in hot spring accommodations and leisure trips. Its onsen rankings are based on surveys from its mature readership, highlighting destinations most often visited through YukoYuko services.

Spanning nine regions from Hokkaido to Kyushu, the list is extensive—but in this article, we’ll focus on three key areas near Kanto. If you’re planning a trip to Japan with your parents, this ranking is a great starting point. Departing from Tokyo offers both convenience and easy access to nearby attractions, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for all.

Ibaraki, Tochigi, and Gunma—often referred to as the northern Kanto trio—are known for their natural beauty, UNESCO sites, regional cuisine, and relaxing hot springs. Their close proximity to Tokyo and excellent transport links make them ideal side trips from the capital. In this ranking, however, Gunma is grouped under the Shin'etsu region and will be covered separately. Notable highlights include Ibaraki’s Hitachi Seaside Park and Oarai Isosaki Shrine, and Tochigi’s Nikko National Park and Ashikaga Flower Park—attractions that appeal to travelers of all ages.

Kinugawa Onsen in Tochigi Prefecture consistently tops YukoYuko’s Northern Kanto rankings, thanks to its easy access from Tokyo—just two hours by train—and its scenic riverside setting. The area is lined with large hotels and onsen ryokan offering open-air baths with beautiful views of the Kinugawa Valley in every season.

The spring water here is a gentle alkaline type, long renowned in Japan for its burn-healing properties. It's also believed to promote smooth skin and ease nerve and muscle pain, stiff joints, and digestive issues.

A stay of one or two nights with your parents offers the perfect chance to relax and recharge. Just be aware that the area gets crowded during holidays, so booking early is recommended.

Popular nearby attractions include Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Lake Chuzenji, and Ryuokyo Canyon.

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Located in northern Tochigi Prefecture, Shiobara Onsen stretches across the scenic Nasu Highlands along the Houki River. With a 1,200-year history and 11 distinct hot spring districts, it offers a tranquil escape just 2.5 hours from Tokyo via train and bus.

Shiobara is known for its variety of spring types—saline, sulfur, acidic, and simple—each with unique properties and colors, making it easy to find one that suits your needs. Many ryokan also feature metasilicic acid-rich waters, known for boosting skin hydration and metabolism.

Beyond its relaxing baths, Shiobara offers spectacular mountain scenery and easy access to local sights like the Nasu Highlands, Ryuka Waterfall, and Nanairo Suspension Bridge.

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Nasu Onsen, set on the eastern slopes of Mount Nasu in Tochigi Prefecture, is surrounded by rich natural landscapes. It’s about 2.5 hours from Tokyo by train and bus, making it a convenient yet peaceful retreat.

Steeped in legend, Nasu Onsen is said to have healed a wounded white deer—earning it the name “Deer’s Bath.” Another tale tells of Benten Onsen, rediscovered in 1884 when a man was guided in a dream by the goddess Benzaiten to uncover her hidden statue. These stories add a spiritual allure to the area's long history.

Nearby highlights include the Nasu Imperial Villa and the serene Nasu Heisei-no-Mori Forest.

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The Kanto region, made up of Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, and Kanagawa, sits in central Honshu along the Pacific coast. It’s home to countless iconic sights, including Asakusa and Tokyo Tower in Tokyo, Kamakura and Hakone in Kanagawa, Mt. Nokogiri and the Kominato Railway in Chiba, and Kawagoe and Chichibu in Saitama—offering endless options for exploration.

Though not officially part of Kanto, Shizuoka Prefecture serves as a natural gateway between Kanto and Kansai. Just 40 minutes from Tokyo by Shinkansen, it boasts stunning attractions like Mount Fuji and the Izu Peninsula, making it a perennial favorite for travelers.

While Ito Onsen has long been a favorite in the Kanto region, this year YukoYuko ranks Atami Onsen in Shizuoka Prefecture at the top. Once beloved by Tokugawa Ieyasu, Atami boasts over a thousand years of history and has welcomed tourists for nearly two centuries. Its streets still echo the charm of the Meiji and Showa eras, all just 45 minutes from Tokyo by Shinkansen.

Atami’s hot springs feature sulfate and simple (including alkaline) waters, known for promoting metabolism and balancing the autonomic nervous system. Though easily enjoyed as a day trip, an overnight stay lets you fully soak in the town’s nostalgic seaside atmosphere and blend of old and new.

Nearby sights include Atami Castle, Kinomiya Shrine, and the historic villa Kiunkaku.

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Located on the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture, Ito Onsen is Japan’s third-largest hot spring source. Overlooking Sagami Bay, it’s just two hours from Tokyo by train, making it a convenient day-trip destination. For those not staying overnight, 10 public baths are available for just 250 yen—perfect for a casual dip. The area also features a variety of small museums, ideal for exploring between soaks.

Ito’s waters are mainly simple springs, with some saline springs that help ease cold sensitivity and dry skin.

Nearby spots include the scenic Matsukawa Walkway and Kinosaki Beach.

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Yugawara Onsen in Kanagawa Prefecture is a quick and convenient getaway from Tokyo—just about an hour by Shinkansen and local train. Its seaside location means visitors can enjoy exceptionally fresh seafood along with their hot spring experience, making it a great option for a relaxing day trip.

Long celebrated as a therapeutic retreat, Yugawara’s waters—chloride, simple, and sulfate springs—are known for warming the body, enhancing circulation, and promoting healthy skin.

Local highlights include the Yugawara Art Museum, Goso Shrine, and the tranquil Manyo Park.

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The Shin'etsu region—historically made up of Kozuke (now Gunma), Shinano (Nagano), and Echigo (Niigata)—is rich in natural beauty and seasonal charm. Highlights include Gunma’s Oze National Park, Nagano’s Kamikochi and Karuizawa, and Niigata’s Sado Island and Kiyotsu Gorge. Known for its long winters, the region is ideal for both skiing and soaking in hot springs. It’s also a top producer of rice, grapes, pears, and strawberries, offering year-round culinary delights. Whether you're after scenic landscapes or local flavors, Shin’etsu offers a nourishing escape for body and soul.

Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma Prefecture is widely regarded as Japan’s top hot spring destination—and one of the finest in the world. Just 2.5 hours from Tokyo by train and bus, it has held the No. 1 spot in Japan’s onsen rankings for 20 consecutive years.

A signature feature is the Yumomi ritual, where women stir the spring water with long wooden boards while singing traditional songs. This unique method cools the water without diluting its healing minerals, and serves as both a performance and a gentle pre-bath warm-up.

Kusatsu’s waters are highly acidic with strong antibacterial properties, believed to relieve everything from burns and nerve pain to muscle fatigue. As a local saying goes: “It cures everything but heartache.”

Don’t miss nearby sights like the steaming Yubatake, Yumomi shows at Netsunoyu, and Nishi no Kawara Park. An overnight stay is the best way to enjoy it all.

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Echigo-Yuzawa Onsen in Niigata Prefecture has risen to second place in this year’s rankings, up from third. While famous as a ski resort, its 900-year-old hot springs are a major draw—just over an hour from Tokyo by Shinkansen.

The town, immortalized in Yasunari Kawabata’s novel Snow Country, sees heavy snowfall each year, making a soak in the open-air baths amid drifting snow a magical experience. The mildly alkaline waters—mainly chloride, simple, and sulfate springs—are known to ease cuts, poor circulation, and insomnia.

With year-round natural beauty and seasonal activities, Echigo-Yuzawa offers more than a day trip. Staying overnight is the best way to soak up its charm.

Nearby attractions include Mt. Naeba, the Echigo Sake Museum, and several top ski resorts.

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Perched at 1,800 meters in Gunma’s Joshin'etsu Kogen National Park, Manza Onsen is often called Japan’s “hot spring in the clouds.” Though quieter than nearby Kusatsu, its pristine alpine setting and therapeutic waters make it a favorite among hot spring lovers. From Tokyo, the journey takes under 3 hours by Shinkansen and bus.

Manza’s sulfur-rich, acidic spring is known for its skin benefits and is said to help with diabetes, frozen shoulder, nerve pain, and joint discomfort. The high elevation also offers fresh mountain air and stunning views year-round.

Nearby sights include Mt. Asama, Onioshidashi Park, Kusatsu Onsen, and several ski resorts.

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This guide highlights popular onsen destinations near Tokyo—perfect for a quick, relaxing escape after a busy urban itinerary. Traveling with your parents? These hot springs offer a memorable way to experience Japan’s onsen culture together, unwind, and spark excitement for your next adventure.

(*Ranking Source: Accommodation Magazine "YukoYuko" via PR Times)

Translated by Lí Tiāu-pîng