Sekizenkan (積善館), which has more than 300 years of history, is the most famous among all the ryokans in Gunma Prefecture‘s Shima Onsen. Not only because the main building is the oldest hot spring inn architecture in Japan, but the ryokan is also rumored to be the stage of Spirited Away, as three spots of […]
Sekizenkan – The Rumored Stage of the Ghibli Movie, Spirited Away Read More »
If you love adventures and visiting hidden gems, Shiriyaki Onsen (尻焼温泉) in Gunma Prefecture is a perfect spot for you. Instead of a hot spring pool, you can bathe in a natural river with hot springs flowing. You won’t be asked to bathe naked. It is optional. However, as photography is allowed there, just remember
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For those who love hot springs, you can enjoy the onsen at Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu (早戸温泉つるの湯) after your boat ride to Mugenkyō Gorge. The onsen ryokan is within walking distance from Hayato Station. It is open for day visitors and has open-air hot spring baths overlooking Tadami River. Unlike many hot spring facilities,
Hayato Onsen Tsuru no Yu: A Ryokan Overlooking Tadami River Read More »
While Miyako-jima is most famous for its amazing beaches and being a watersport paradise, the island also has a place to enjoy onsen! Shigira Hot Spring (シギラ黄金温泉) is Japan’s southernmost hot spring. It is also one of the few spots in Japan where you can enjoy the onsen without getting fully naked. Because there is
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Besides the famous Akiu Onsen, if you are looking to enjoy a hot spring session in Sendai, Sakunami Onsen (作並温泉) is another great option to consider. Although the hot spring town has less exciting things to see and do, the weakly alkaline onsen is gentle on the skin and is nicknamed the Beauty-Making Onsen (美女づくりの湯)!
The Top 10 Places to Visit or Stay in Sakunami Onsen Read More »
Although not as famous as Kusatsu Onsen, Ikaho Onsen (伊香保温泉) in Gunma Prefecture is a hot spring town well-known to the Japanese since ancient times. Appeared in the Man’yōshū (万葉集), the oldest extant collection of Japanese waka, the onsen town is a hidden gem filled with natural and cultural elements! So if you are after a
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If you want to visit a hot spring town in the Tōhoku region, Akiu Onsen in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, has to be one of your top choices. Not only is this one of the top three hot spring towns in northeastern Japan, but it was also loved by two past Japanese emperors. This was how
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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
Tenshukaku Natural Park: A Hidden Gem in Akiu Onsen, Sendai Read More »
If you are after a hot spring town close to Tokyo, consider Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma Prefecture. Renowned as one of Japan’s leading hot spring resorts, it is blessed with large volumes of high-quality hot spring water with great medical benefits as well as a unique performance called Yumomi. Moreover, most parts of the onsen
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Kusatsu Onsen is one of Japan’s best hot spring towns. But choosing where to stay for the night can be hard as there are so many choices! So if you prefer to dine out at night to enjoy the local food or you have special dietary requirements, the below hotels/ryokans can accommodate you! A few
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