Onsen/Hot Spring | Vegetarian's Japan Guide

Sukayu Onsen Guide: Japan’s Iconic 1,000-Person Mixed Bath

January 22, 2026 / Aomori Prefecture, Onsen/Hot Spring, Tōhoku Region

Experience a step back in time at Sukayu Onsen (酸ケ湯温泉), a legendary hot spring retreat nestled at an altitude of 900 meters in Aomori’s Hakkoda Mountains. Established over 300 years ago, this historic inn is world-famous for its massive 1,000-Person Bath (Sennin Buro,ヒバ千人風呂), a rare 248-square-meter mixed-gender bathhouse crafted entirely from aromatic hiba cypress. As […]

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Tsuta Onsen: The Ultimate Base for Tsutanuma & Oirase Gorge

January 15, 2026 / Accommodation, Aomori Prefecture, Onsen/Hot Spring, Tōhoku Region

Retreat into the heart of Towada-Hachimantai National Park at Tsuta Onsen Ryokan (蔦温泉旅館), a historic sanctuary with a legacy spanning over a thousand years. This hidden gem of Aomori is world-renowned for its rare free-flowing hot springs, where thermal waters bubble directly up through the beechwood floorboards of the bathtubs, untouched by the air. The

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Kin no Yu: The Must-Try Public Bathhouse in Arima Onsen

January 3, 2026 / Hyōgo Prefecture, Kansai Region, Onsen/Hot Spring

If you plan to travel to Japan’s Kansai region and want to visit an authentic hot spring town, Arima Onsen in Kobe should be your top choice. It is Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s favorite onsen! The mineral quality of the hot spring here is excellent, as it contains seven of the nine main components listed by the

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Arima Onsen Travel Guide: Top Things to Do & See

January 3, 2026 / Autumn Foliage, Cherry Blossom, Hyōgo Prefecture, Kansai Region, Onsen/Hot Spring

Experience the timeless charm of Arima Onsen Town, Japan’s oldest and most iconic hot spring town, with a history of over 1,400 years. Tucked away in the scenic mountains of Kobe, this historic retreat is famous for its unique “Gold” and “Silver” hot springs, renowned for their healing properties for centuries. Whether you’re seeking a

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Sendai Day Trip: How to Spend the Perfect Day in Akiu Onsen

December 23, 2025 / Autumn Foliage, Miyagi Prefecture, Onsen/Hot Spring, Tōhoku Region

If you want to enjoy onsen near Sendai, Akiu Onsen (秋保温泉) has to be the top choice. Not only is this one of the top three hot spring towns in northeastern Japan, but two past Japanese emperors also loved it. This was how it earned the title of Nihon San Miyu (日本三御湯), a name bestowed

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Tenshukaku Natural Park North Gate in Autumn

Tenshukaku Natural Park: A Hidden Gem in Akiu Onsen, Sendai

December 14, 2025 / Accommodation, Autumn Foliage, Hidden Gems, Onsen/Hot Spring

If you are like us, who love traditional Japanese gardens, afternoon tea in a nice cafe, or even camping, Tenshukaku Natural Park (天守閣自然公園) is a must-visit spot. In autumn, the park is beautifully illuminated, making the visit to Akiu Onsen more worthwhile. Moreover, there are two free foot spas and a public onsen bathhouse for

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Jigokudani Wild Monkey Park and the Hot Spring Monkeys

December 21, 2025 / Chūbu Region, Hidden Gems, Nagano Prefecture, Onsen/Hot Spring

The Snow Monkey Park, or Jigokudani Yaen Kōen (地獄谷野猿公苑), formally in Japanese, is the world’s only wild monkey onsen resort. The park, nestled in the snowy mountains of Nagano Prefecture, Japan, was established in 1964. It offers an unforgettable glimpse into the unique lives of the Japanese hot spring monkeys. This world-famous attraction is the

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Yufuin Travel Guide: Onsen, Cafes, and Best Things to Do

January 5, 2026 / 100 Landscapes of Japan, Autumn Foliage, Cherry Blossom, Hidden Gems, Kyūshū Region, Ōita Prefecture, Onsen/Hot Spring

Nestled in a verdant river basin at the foot of the twin-peaked Mount Yufu, the charming town of Yufuin (由布院 or 湯布院) is one of Kyushu’s most beloved hot spring retreats. Unlike the bustling geysers of neighboring Beppu, Yufuin offers a tranquil, “boutique” onsen experience characterized by misty morning views of Lake Kinrinko, and the whimsical,

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Yamakikan: The Most Incredible Ryokan in Kawarayu Onsen

March 11, 2025 / Accommodation, Gunma Prefecture, Kantō Region, Onsen/Hot Spring

One thing that many international tourists would love to experience in Japan is staying at a traditional ryokan. When you visit Kawarayu Onsen, Yamakikan (山木館), established in 1661, is the best ryokan in town for a taste of the traditional Japanese ambiance. On top of the wooden structure from a few centuries ago, Yamakikan is

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Kawarayu Onsen: A New Hot Spring Town With a Long History

June 8, 2025 / Gunma Prefecture, Kantō Region, Onsen/Hot Spring

Kawarayu Onsen in Agatsuma District in Gunma Prefecture is a hot spring town almost one thousand years old. It was first discovered in 1193 by Japan’s first shogun, Minamoto no Yoritomo (源頼朝), the founder of the Kamakura shogunate. Due to Kawarayu Onsen’s close proximity to Kusatsu Onsen, the town thrived as its Agariyu (上がり湯), where

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