“Iizaka Onsen in Fukushima was insanely hot. I couldn’t stay in for more than five seconds. The locals told me it’s not satisfying unless it’s hot, and they really didn’t like adding cold water. It felt less like relaxing and more like endurance training. Almost like a punishment!” (Malaysia / Male)

Iizaka Onsen is one of Tohoku’s oldest and most storied hot spring towns, often mentioned in regional folklore. The area is packed with ryokan, hotels, and public bathhouses, many of which draw water that’s around 50°C. That is hot enough that even many Japanese bathers can only soak for a few seconds at a time.

What surprises visitors most is the local mindset. Even when the water feels scalding, longtime bathers will casually say, “It’s not hot,” and adding cold water is often discouraged. For first-time visitors, this unspoken rule can be confusing, and a little intimidating. But for locals, enduring the heat is part of what makes Iizaka Onsen feel authentic.

“You can really feel Japan’s history at Sukayu Onsen in Aomori Prefecture. There’s an old wooden inn deep in the mountains, and the bath is so huge it looks like a swimming pool. Normally it’s mixed bathing, which made us a bit uncomfortable, so we decided to go during the ‘ladies-only’ time.” (Russia / Female)

Sukayu Onsen’s famous Hiba Sennin Furo is enormous, covering about 364 square meters. The bath is made entirely from Aomori hiba wood, which gives the water a gentle, fresh forest scent that instantly sets it apart from modern spa facilities.

The bath is usually mixed-gender, something that often surprises first-time visitors. To make it more accessible, the onsen offers a women-only hour from 8 AM to 9 AM each morning. For those who still feel hesitant, bathing garments called yuami-gi are also available for purchase. With a bath this large and atmospheric, Sukayu Onsen offers a rare chance to experience an onsen that feels straight out of another era.

“Goshogake Onsen is near the summit of Hachimantai. It’s a wild-looking inn where steam drifts through the air, creating a fantasy-like scene. But the sulfur smell is intense. I must not have washed properly because my shirt smelled like sulfur afterward. My wife said it felt like she was standing next to a box of matches the whole time. There were clear baths and cloudy baths, and each one felt different on the body. I had no idea hot springs could be this interesting.” (Indonesia / Male)

Goshogake Onsen opened roughly 300 years ago as a therapeutic hot spring facility. In Japan, this style of long-term healing stay is known as Toji, where guests cook for themselves and soak repeatedly over several days to help treat physical ailments.

The sulfur-rich spring water here has long been associated with relief for issues such as digestive problems, neuralgia, joint pain, rheumatism, and asthma. Today, Goshogake Onsen welcomes both overnight guests and day-trip visitors, making it accessible even if you are short on time.

One thing to be prepared for is the smell. This is a strong sulfur spring, and the scent tends to cling to clothing. If it gets on fabric, it may take several washes to fully fade. Take it as a badge of honor, but maybe leave your favorite outfit at the hotel.

“My recent favorite Tohoku onsen is Furofushi Onsen in Aomori Prefecture. The open-air bath is right by the beach, and the sense of openness is incredible. I never imagined Japanese hot springs could be in a location like this.

When there were fewer international visitors, people used to stare, which made me uncomfortable at first. But after living in Japan for a long time, it doesn’t bother me anymore. On the other hand, my Peruvian friend, who has also lived here for years, still says, ‘I don’t want to bathe with other people,’ and has never tried an onsen.” (Chile / Female)

Furofushi Onsen is one of Tohoku’s most iconic hot springs, famous for its dramatic open-air bath that extends right out toward the Sea of Japan. With waves crashing nearby and nothing but ocean stretching out in front of you, it feels worlds away from a typical indoor bath.

Sunset is especially magical here, when the sky and sea glow in warm colors as you soak. The onsen offers both mixed bathing and a separate women-only area, so visitors can choose the option that feels most comfortable. It’s a striking example of how onsen culture blends breathtaking scenery with deeply rooted tradition.

“Ginzan Onsen feels like stepping back in time, but at the same time everything is easy to understand. The hotels had information in English and Chinese, and there were QR codes for audio guides. I really appreciated how much effort they’ve made so foreign visitors can enjoy the town without trouble.

I usually travel with a friend who isn’t fluent in Japanese, and she often looks bored when I’m talking with locals. But in Ginzan, there were people who could speak English at the hotels and around town, so she looked genuinely happy because she could communicate.” (Indonesia / Female)

Many of the ryokan inns at Ginzan Onsen feature Western-style, multi-story wooden exteriors, while their guest rooms are finished with traditional tatami flooring. This mix creates a distinctive atmosphere known as Taisho Roman, a style that blends Japanese and Western influences from the Taisho era.

After visitor numbers declined in the wake of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, Ginzan Onsen made a conscious effort to become more welcoming to international travelers. Today, it has become one of Tohoku’s most popular hot spring towns, loved by both locals and overseas visitors for its nostalgic scenery and traveler-friendly approach.

Japanese hot springs have gradually become more welcoming to international visitors, but hesitation still remains. Some people worry about the basics, saying things like, “I don’t want to take off my clothes in a public place” (Pakistan / Male), or “It looks nice, but I just can’t bring myself to do it because it feels embarrassing” (Italy / Male).

Another common concern is tattoos. Several interviewees, including one from Poland, said, “I have a tattoo, so I assumed I couldn’t enter a hot spring.” While this has long been a barrier, attitudes toward tattoos in Japan are slowly changing. More and more onsen, including some in Tohoku, are beginning to relax their rules or offer tattoo-friendly options.

Onsen culture may still feel intimidating at first, but as these stories show, it’s also evolving. With a little research and an open mind, visitors can find hot springs that suit their comfort level, and maybe even discover an experience they never expected to enjoy.