5 Onsen with Superb views in japan!

photo by Woodenship

Hi there! Did you know that we have more than 3,000 onsen (hot springs) in Japan? Onsen water contains natural minerals that have therapeutic effects. Japanese people have been using the baths for health benefits for a long time. We have listed our five recommended onsens below where you can have a unique experience and enjoy superb unforgettable views!

Kusatsu Onsen! Experience the famous “Yumomi” show

photo by Maddy Yu

Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma is one of Japan’s three most famous onsen along with Gero Onsen in Gifu, and Arima Onsen in Hyogo. The volume of flowing hot spring water is over 32,300 litres every minute, which would fill 230,000 oil drums per day. A must see feature in Kusatsu, is the “Yumomi” show – a traditional method of cooling hot water with a 1.8m long wooden paddle. Tourists are invited to join the performance, and sing & dance with “Yumomi-musume” (yumomi ladies)! Why don’t you come along and try it for yourself?

[Location] 3-9 Ooaza Kusatsu, Kusatsu-machi, Agatsuma County, Gunma Prefecture
[Access 1] By Train + Bus
Approx. 1hr and 10 mins from Tokyo station to Karuizawa station by Nagano Shinkansen.
Approx. 1hr from Karuizawa station to Kusatsu Bus Terminal by bus.
[Access 2] By Expressway bus, JR Kosoku Bus Kanto
Approx. 4hours and 30mins form Shinjuku station direct to Kusatsu onsen.
[URL] http://www.kusatsu-onsen.ne.jp/

Meet the “Snow Monkeys” in the old town of Shibu Onsen

photo by Jason Arney

Shibu Onsen in Nagano has more than 1,300 years of history, which can be seen in its unusual cobblestone streets and complex wooden architecture. Here, guests staying in the town can get “Kigan tenugui” (good luck towels) for free. It is said that your wishes will come true if you try out the entire 9 baths of the town, and collect stamps from each bath on the “Kigan tenugui”. Even if you are not staying at the town, you can still enjoy the 9^th bath called “Shibu-Ooyu”, for 500 yen per person. A must see attraction in winter are the Snow Monkeys. The wild monkeys bathing in the onsen are so adorable! A day-tour by mini-bus runs through winter – from December till March.

[Location] Yamanouchi-town, Shimotakai-gun, Nagano Prefecture
[Access] By Train + Bus
Tokyo Station to Nagano Station: Approx. 1 hour and 20 mins by Nagano Shinkansen.
Nagano Station to Yudanaka Station: Approx.50 mins by Nagano Electric Railway Limited Express
Yudanaka Station to Shibu Onsen: About7 mins by taxi or buses bound for Kanbayashi. (Get off at “Shibu Onsen Iriguchi” or “Shibu Onsen Wago-bashi Teiryujo” bus stop.)
[URL] http://www.shibuonsen.net/

Cave Spa surrounded by Mother Nature in Nachi-Katsuura.

photo by hotelurashima.co.jp

Hot springs inside caves on the coast of Nachi-katsuura. These unique indoor baths are in the Hotel Urashima. Legend has it that ancient warriors and Heian-period aristocrats on their way back from the Kumano Pilgrimage Route had their bodies healed in the natural hot springs in this cave. Come and experience magical views of nature! Soak yourself in the warm spa waters surrounded by the sound of the ocean!

[Location] 1165-2 Katsuura, Nachikatsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture
[Access 1] By Train + On foot
Approx.4 hours from Nagoya Station to Kii-Katsuura Station by “Wide View Nanki” Limited Express.
Or Approx. 3hour and 30 mins from Shin-Osaka Station by JR “Kuroshio” Limited Express.
[Access 2] By Plane + Airport Bus + Train
Approx.1 hour from Haneda Airport to Nanki-Shirahama Airport.
15 mins to JR Shirahama Station by Airport bus.
Approx. 1hour and 30 mins from JR Shirahama Station to Kii-Katsuura Station by JR “Kuroshio” Limited Express.
[URL] http://www.hotelurashima.co.jp/

“Lamp no Yado” – Panoramic views of the ocean!

photo by blog.goo.ne.jp

Located at the edge of the Noto Peninsula, a secret spa in a national park with 360-degree views of the Sea of Japan. In the old days, the only transportation available to approach the spa was by paddle boat. The small hotel here with only 13 guest rooms has gained a reputation as a healing centre and power-spot. Its rooms are almost always full. Regardless of its remoteness, the healing power of nature and the astonishing views of the ocean here make it definitely worth the trip!

[Location] 10-11 Jike Misaki-Machi, Suzu-City, Ishikawa Prefecture
[Access 1] By Train + Bus + Taxi
Catch Suzu Express Bus from Kanazawa Station. Get off at Suzu Hachigasaki bus stop. About 15 mins to the hotel by Taxi.
[Access 2] By Plane + Taxi
Approx. 1 hour from Haneda Airport to Satoyama Airport.
Approx. 80 mins from Satoyama Airport to the hotel by Taxi.
[URL] http://www.lampnoyado.co.jp/

The Amazing Dogo Onsen in Shikoku！Japan’s Oldest Onsen at 3,000 years old!

photo by eros_eros_eros_

A symbolic feature of the resort at Dogo onsen is the 120 year-old, three-story castle-styled wooden bathing house built in 1894. Kamino-yu (the baths of the Gods) are on the ground floor and Tama-no-yu (the baths of the spirits) are up on the second floor. This magical building has a fantastic atmosphere at night. The wooden architecture is said to be one of the models of Yuya, the bathhouse in Hayao Miyazaki’s animation film Spirited Away, which a big reason why you should visit this amazing onsen!

[Location] 6-8 Yunomachi, Dogo, Matsuyama-City, Ehime Prefecture
[Access 1] By Train
Approx. 50 mins from Shin-Osaka Station to Okayama Station by Tokaido Shinkansen “Nozomi Express”.
Approx.2hour 40 mins from Okayama Station to Matsuyama station by ”Shiokaze” Limited Express.
Approx.25mins from Matsuyama Station to Dogo Onsen by tram.
[Access 2] By Plane + Shuttle Bus
1hour 15 mins from Haneda Airport to Matsuyama Airport.
Approx.40mins to Dogo onsen by Shuttle bus.
[URL] http://www.dogo.or.jp/pc/

What if I have tattoos on my body? Am I allowed in Japanese onsen?

Tattoos are generally not allowed in Japanese onsen facilities. Unfortunately, this rule applies to foreign visitors, too. It may sound unreasonable for foreigners visiting Japan, but there are historical reasons for this rule：

Tattoos were used to indicate criminals in the old days.
Tattoos have until very recently been the symbol of anti-social forces.

Increasingly there are exceptions to this rule however. Small tattoos may be allowed by covering them up with a waterproof bandage etc. Each onsen and hotel has a different policy. We strongly recommend you ask them before your visit. As for Kusatsu onsen’s public baths, they do not allow people with tattoos to enter. Hotel Urashima and Lamp no Yado offer kashikiriburo, or private baths that can be reserved for an extra charge. Shibu onsen and Dogo onsen do not make any negative statements about tattoos.