Complete Guide to Japanese Hot Springs: Hakone, Kusatsu, Beppu, Dogo Onsen Recommendations

In Japan, hot springs are not merely for bathing—they represent a way of life deeply embedded in the culture. From ancient emperors to modern city dwellers, Japanese people have used hot springs for thousands of years to heal body and mind, relieve stress, and build social bonds. Japan boasts over 27,000 hot spring sources and more than 3,000 hot spring areas (onsen chiku), making it the country with the most abundant hot spring resources in the world. For travelers, choosing a suitable hot spring destination and completely relaxing in the steaming mist and mineral-rich waters is one of Japan's most irreplaceable experiences.

This guide provides a curated selection of Japan's four most representative hot spring destinations—Hakone, Kusatsu, Beppu, and Dogo—featuring in-depth introductions to each area's characteristics, recommended facilities, transportation methods, and practical travel tips. Whether you are a first-time hot spring visitor or a seasoned hot spring enthusiast seeking the ultimate experience, you will find the perfect trip planning here.

Japan Hot Spring Market Overview and Trends

Japan's hot spring tourism industry has experienced strong recovery post-pandemic. Between 2024 and 2026, demand for hot spring experiences among inbound foreign tourists has continued to rise. According to data from the Japan Tourism Agency, hot spring tourism has risen to become one of the top three activities that visitors most want to experience, alongside trying local cuisine and viewing natural scenery. The foreign guest occupancy rate at hot spring accommodation facilities (ryokan) has hit record highs year after year, with some popular ryokan requiring reservations three to six months in advance.

Major Hot Spring Tourism Trends for 2026

Popularization of Day-Use Hot Springs (Higaeri-yu):Many travelers choose to use city hotels as a base and experience hot springs on day trips, saving on accommodation costs while still enjoying the hot springs. Hakone, Kusatsu, and other areas have launched well-equipped day-use hot spring facilities offering towel rentals, personal bathing amenities, and dining services, making travel experiences more flexible.

surge in Demand for Private Rental Baths (Kashikiri-furo):Influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, travelers' demand for personal space has increased, and private rental bath demand has surged in recent years. Many ryokan have added multiple private baths (jitoyo) for guests to book, allowing tattooed travelers to enjoy hot springs without worrying about restrictions.

Integration of Wellness with Hot Springs:The combination of hot springs with yoga, meditation, forest bathing, and holistic healing courses is increasingly popular. Many luxury ryokan offer 'hot spring healing packages' that combine hot springs, medicinal cuisine, and body-mind therapies for a comprehensive身心 balance experience.

Regional Revitalization and Hot Spring Town Activation:The Japanese government is vigorously promoting the revitalization of local hot spring towns' tourism resources, subsidizing hot spring facility renovations, multilingual service improvements, and experience course development to attract more international visitors to traditional hot spring towns.

Sustainable Hot Spring Tourism:Some hot spring areas have begun implementing eco-friendly tourism measures, including reducing single-use amenities, promoting recycling, and controlling hot spring extraction volumes to maintain spring source sustainability, responding to global attention on sustainable tourism.

TOP Recommended Hot Spring Destinations: Selected Ryokan and Facilities

1. Hakone Hot Springs (Kanagawa Prefecture)—Hot Spring Paradise at the Foot of Mount Fuji

Hakone is located in the western part of Kanagawa Prefecture, approximately 80 kilometers from Tokyo. It is the most popular hot spring destination in the Kanto region and one of the most easily accessible hot spring areas after flying directly from Macau to Tokyo. Hakone has 17 hot spring areas, each with different spring qualities—from sulfur springs and sodium bicarbonate springs to chloride springs, offering rich variety. The greatest attraction is the breathtaking experience of gazing at Mount Fuji from an outdoor hot spring (rotenburo), along with the ability to enjoy diverse activities such as hot springs, art museums, and Lake Ashi boat cruises in a single trip.

Transportation:From Tokyo Shinjuku, take the Odakyu Electric Railway 'Romancecar' for approximately 85 minutes directly to Hakone-Yumoto Station. Alternatively, take the Shinkansen to Odawara Station, then transfer to the Hakone Tozan Railway to Hakone-Yumoto Station, with a total journey time of approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Highly Recommended Ryokan:

• Gora Kadan／Address: 1300 Gora, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture／Phone: +81-460-82-3331／Reference Price: Approximately 60,000 to 120,000 yen per person per night with two meals (approximately 3,300 to 6,600 HKD). Formerly a royal villa, it is a representative top-tier Japanese ryokan with multiple outdoor hot spring baths sourced from different springs, and kaiseki cuisine of the highest caliber.
• Hakone Ginyu／Address: 1245-70 Miyagino, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture／Phone: +81-460-83-8000／Reference Price: Approximately 40,000 to 80,000 yen per person per night with two meals (approximately 2,200 to 4,400 HKD). All rooms feature private outdoor hot springs overlooking forest scenery, with multilingual services, making it popular among international travelers.
• Tenyou／Address: 208 Yumoto-chaya, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture／Phone: +81-460-85-8500／Reference Price: Approximately 30,000 to 60,000 yen per person per night with two meals (approximately 1,650 to 3,300 HKD). The large bathhouse features sodium bicarbonate springs known for their skin-softening effects, called 'Beauty Spring.'

Best Time to Visit:Spring (March to April) for cherry blossoms, autumn (October to November) for autumn foliage, or winter (December to February) for soaking in snow scenery—each season offers its own unique charm.

2. Kusatsu Hot Springs (Gunma Prefecture)—The Ultimate Sulfur Experience at Japan's #1 Hot Spring

Kusatsu Hot Spring is located in the northern part of Gunma Prefecture, at an altitude of approximately 1,200 meters. It is renowned throughout Japan for its spring quality and has topped hot spring popularity rankings multiple times. Kusatsu's hot spring water is strongly acidic (pH approximately 2) with extremely powerful sterilizing properties, earning it the ancient reputation of 'Kusatsu cures all ailments.' The 'Yubatake' (hot spring field) at the center of the Kusatsu hot spring town is the most iconic landmark, with thick sulfur steam弥漫ing throughout the day, combined with the traditional 'yumotoi' (hot spring stirring) performance, creating Kusatsu's unique hot spring cultural landscape.

Transportation:From Tokyo Ueno or Shinjuku, take an express train to Naganohara-Kusatsu Station, then transfer to a bus for approximately 25 minutes to the Kusatsu Hot Spring Bus Terminal, with a total journey time of approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. If driving from Tokyo, it takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours.

Highly Recommended Ryokan:

• Kusatsu Shirane Tourism Hotel Boün／Address: 379 Kusatsu, Kusatsu-machi, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma Prefecture／Phone: +81-279-88-3251／Reference Price: Approximately 25,000 to 55,000 yen per person per night with two meals (approximately 1,375 to 3,025 HKD). A century-old historic ryokan retaining a rich Showa-era atmosphere, with an excellent large bathhouse.
• Kusatsu Onsen Ryokan Kinononiwa／Address: 460-1 Kusatsu, Kusatsu-machi, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma Prefecture／Phone: +81-279-89-1001／Reference Price: Approximately 20,000 to 40,000 yen per person per night with two meals (approximately 1,100 to 2,200 HKD). Located next to the Yubatake, offering an excellent location and high value-for-money accommodation experience.

Must-Visit Experiences: Viewing the Kusatsu Yubatake (free), Netsu-no-yu yumotoi performance (ticket approximately 700 yen), and experiencing local daily bathing at public baths 'Shiraito-no-yu' or 'Jizo-no-yu' (free).

3. Beppu Hot Springs (Oita Prefecture)—The Most Dense Hot Spring Emergence on Earth

Beppu City is located in Oita Prefecture on Kyushu. It is the second largest geothermal area in the world, only after Yellowstone Park in the USA, with over 2,300 hot spring sources and approximately 130,000 liters of hot spring water emerging per minute. Beppu offers the widest variety of spring qualities in all of Japan, including simple springs, carbonated springs, iron-containing springs, sulfur springs, chloride springs, and radioactive springs—eight major categories covering nearly all spring types defined by Japanese hot spring law. Besides bathing, Beppu is also famous for its unique tourism experiences of 'sand baths' (sunayu) and the 'Hell Tour.'

Transportation:From Hakata Station in Fukuoka, take the express 'Sonic' train to Beppu Station, approximately 2 hours. Another popular option is taking the overnight ferry 'Sunflower' from Osaka or Kyoto to Oita Port, then transferring to a bus to Beppu.

Highly Recommended Facilities:

• Suginoi Hotel／Address: 6-60 Beppu Kanko Port, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture／Phone: +81-977-24-1141／Reference Price: Approximately 15,000 to 40,000 yen per person per night with two meals (approximately 825 to 2,200 HKD). The largest resort-style hot spring ryokan in all of Kyushu, featuring Japan's largest outdoor hot spring 'Tana-yu' overlooking Beppu Bay, with complete facilities ideal for family trips.
• Beppu Bay Royal Hotel／Address: 11-6 Shiomimachi, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture／Phone: +81-977-66-6311／Reference Price: Approximately 12,000 to 30,000 yen per person per night with two meals (approximately 660 to 1,650 HKD). Facing Beppu Bay, you can watch the Beppu Bay sunrise from the hot spring bath—an ideal accommodation for capturing stunning views.
• Takegawara Onsen／Address: 16-23 Motomachi, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture／Phone: +81-977-23-1585／Price: Sand bath 1,500 yen, regular bath 150 yen. Established in 1879, it is Beppu's oldest public hot spring. The sand bath experience is a major highlight—the unique sensation of being buried in hot sand is unforgettable.

Hell Tour (Jigoku-meguri):The all-8-hells pass costs 2,200 yen. It is recommended to reserve half a day to a full day. Blood Pond Hell, Ocean Hell, and Dragon Spiral Hell are the three most popular hells.

4. Dogo Hot Springs (Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture)—A Thousand Years of Elegance at Japan's Oldest Hot Spring

Dogo Hot Spring is located in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture on Shikoku. Its records can be traced back to the 'Nihon Shoki,' with a history of over 3,000 years, making it one of the oldest recorded hot springs in Japan. Dogo Onsen Honkan, built during the Meiji era (completed in 1894), is an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Its magnificent wooden three-story pavilion-style architecture is widely believed to have inspired the 'Bathhouse' in Hayao Miyazaki's film 'Spirited Away.' Dogo Hot Spring's spring quality is a mildly alkaline simple spring with a temperature of approximately 43°C, low skin irritation, suitable for all ages.

Transportation:From Matsuyama Airport, take a bus or taxi approximately 15 minutes to Matsuyama city center. From Matsuyama Station, take the streetcar (shiden) to Dogo Onsen Station for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Taking the 'Botchan Train' (a replica of the steam train from Natsume Soseki's novel) is also a major highlight. From Tokyo or Osaka, you can take a budget airline to Matsuyama Airport or a ferry to Matsuyama Tourist Port.

Highly Recommended Ryokan and Facilities:

• Dogo Yamanote Hotel／Address: 49-3 Dogo Yamatechō, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture／Phone: +81-89-998-2111／Reference Price: Approximately 20,000 to 45,000 yen per person per night with two meals (approximately 1,100 to 2,475 HKD). Overlooking Dogo Hot Spring Street, offering private rental baths and authentic kaiseki cuisine with meticulous service.
• Dogo Onsen Honkan／Address: 5-6 Dogo Yuno-machi, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture／Phone: +81-89-921-5141／Price: Kami-no-yu second floor seats from 620 yen, Spirit-no-yu third floor seats with tea and snacks from 1,550 yen. Although currently undergoing partial renovation, it remains open to the public, preserving the historical atmosphere of the century-old building.
• Tsubaki no Yu／Address: 19-22 Dogo Yuno-machi, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture／Phone: +81-89-935-6868／Price: 460 yen. An auxiliary facility next to Dogo Onsen Honkan with newer facilities, the same spring quality, and relatively fewer crowds—ideal for quiet soaking.

Nearby Must-Visit Sites:Matsuyama Castle (one of the 12 existing tenshukaku castles), Masaoka Shiki Memorial Museum, and the hot spring senbei (rice crackers) and citrus sweets at Dogo shopping street.

Budget Hot Spring Options: Enjoy Japanese Hot Springs Without Breaking the Bank

Hot springs in Japan are not necessarily a luxury. The widespread 'public baths' (kyōdō-yoku) and 'day-use hot springs' (higaeri-yu) throughout the country allow travelers to enjoy authentic hot spring experiences at very low costs.

Free Public Baths at Kusatsu Hot Spring

The Kusatsu Hot Spring town has multiple public baths open to visitors, completely free of charge, including 'Shiraito-no-yu,' 'Jizo-no-yu,' and 'Chiyo-no-yu.' The bath facilities are simple, but the spring quality is the same as paid ryokan—making it the most economical way to experience Kusatsu Hot Spring. Etiquette: Bring your own towel and bathing products, keep quiet, and clean the bath after use.

Public Hot Springs in Beppu (100-yen Springs)

Beppu City has approximately 100 or more municipal or public baths, with most tickets costing only 100 to 150 yen (approximately 5 to 8 HKD)—civilian hot springs used daily by local residents. 'Nagaisu Onsen,' 'Kamegawa Hamada Onsen,' and others are popular civilian hot springs visited by travelers.

Budget Bathing Options at Dogo Hot Spring

The 'Kami-no-yu' at Dogo Onsen Honkan starts from only 620 yen (approximately 34 HKD) on the first floor—the most economical way to experience Japan's oldest hot spring building. Tsubaki no Yu costs 460 yen (approximately 25 HKD), offering excellent value for money.

Value-for-Money Day-Use Options in Hakone

• Tenzan Tojikyo／Address: 208 Yumoto-chaya, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture／Phone: +81-460-86-4126／Ticket Price: Adults 1,500 yen (approximately 83 HKD). Offers multiple indoor and outdoor baths with no time limit, has a restaurant, and no reservation required.
• Hakone Kowakien Yunessun／Address: 1297 Ninotaira, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture／Phone: +81-460-82-4126／Ticket Price: Indoor water park and hot spring combined ticket for adults starting from 2,800 yen. Combines hot springs and water park, especially suitable for families with children.

Public Facilities Around Hot Spring Areas—Ashiyu (Foot Baths)

Almost all famous hot spring towns have free 'ashiyu' (foot bath) facilities on the street, allowing travelers to quickly experience hot springs without changing clothes—the most relaxed and easy introduction to hot springs. Foot bath facilities are available in front of Hakone-Yumoto Station, beside the Kusatsu Yubatake, at Beppu Station square, and near Dogo Onsen Honkan.

Post-Hot Spring Wellness in Macau: Waterfront Healing Spa Center

If your journey starts from Macau and you want to continue the身心 relaxation from your hot spring trip after returning to Macau, consider visiting the Waterfront Healing Spa Center in Taipa, Macau. Located at 15 Rua de São João de手动, Taipa Village (contact: +853 2882 7722), it offers various spa and body treatments, positioned in the mid-to-high-end range (upscale). It serves as a local wellness option before or after your Japan hot spring trip, seamlessly continuing the lightness accumulated during your journey.

Practical Travel Information

Complete Guide to Bathing Etiquette

Observing hot spring etiquette is not only respectful to other travelers but also an important step in integrating into Japanese culture:

1. Shower before entering:Every hot spring large bathhouse has a shower area. Before entering the pool, you must thoroughly wash your entire body (including hair)—this is the most basic and important rule.
2. Towel handling:Small towels can be folded and placed on your head or on the clean pool edge, but must never be placed in the pool water.
3. Tie up long hair:Long hair must be tied up or wrapped in a towel to prevent hair from falling into the pool water.
4. Keep quiet:Loud talking, playing, exercising, diving, and other behaviors are not allowed.
5. Tattoo policy:Most public hot springs prohibit guests with tattoos; if you have tattoos, it is recommended to book a private rental bath (kashikiri-furo) at the ryokan.
6. Soaking time:It is recommended to soak for no more than 15 minutes at a time. After getting up, rest and hydrate in the lounge before deciding whether to continue soaking, to avoid overheating or dehydration.
7. No bathing after drinking:Blood circulation accelerates after drinking, and bathing can easily cause accidents—please be careful.

How to Choose the Right Type of Hot Spring

Different spring qualities have different effects. Use the following guide when choosing:

• Sulfur springs (suioisen):Representative locations: Kusatsu, Hakone Ohwakudani. Distinctive smell, effective for skin diseases and chronic arthritis. Note: May not be suitable for those with sensitive skin.
• Sodium bicarbonate springs (jūsōsen):Representative locations: Hakone Yumoto. Known as 'Beauty Spring,' the spring water is smooth and has significant effects on skin moisturization and pore cleansing.
• Chloride springs (enka-sen):Representative locations: Beppu. Salt forms a film on the skin with excellent heat retention, suitable for those who are sensitive to cold—known as 'Hot Spring.'
• Mildly alkaline simple springs:Representative locations: Dogo Hot Spring. Least irritating, suitable for elderly, children, and those with sensitive skin—gently moisturizing, suitable for all ages.
• Acidic springs:Representative locations: Kusatsu (pH approximately 2), Zao. Strong sterilizing effect, effective for skin diseases. Those with sensitive skin should shorten soaking time.

Transportation and Accommodation Booking Guide

Using JR Pass:Hakone uses Odakyu Electric Railway, which does not accept JR Pass. However, you can purchase the Hakone Free Pass (2-day pass) covering the Tozan Railway, cable car, boat cruise, and various other transportation. JR Pass can be used to reach Beppu and Dogo Hot Spring. For Kusatsu Hot Spring, you need to use JR Joetsu Line with transfers. JR Pass holders can enjoy some discounts.

Accommodation booking suggestions:Popular ryokan (especially high-end ones with private rental baths) require reservations 3 to 6 months in advance during peak seasons. It is recommended to use Ikyu, Jalan, and Booking.com to compare prices. Some ryokan offer direct booking discounts on their official websites.

Recommended best travel routes:

• 5-day deep hot spring tour (from Tokyo