Oh no, the working days are already approaching? You feel like you haven’t rested enough during the weekend? Too bad. Luckily The Best Travel Places is here to encourage you and give you strength for the following busy week.
If you haven’t rested enough and the weekend is already gone, then there’s something else you can do about it. How about letting your mind roam on a quest for the most beautiful hot springs in Japan? Are you still up for some last minute journey? Then have a look at the following hot springs in Japan, I assure you that they are magical.
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Scenic hot springs in Japan
First of all, let’s explain what hot springs mean to people. They are perceived as a valuable treasure that nature holds. They are springs produced by the emergence of geothermally heated groundwater and can be found in many places throughout the world. People simply love visiting the world’s hot springs, since they’re not just fascinating to look at but also are quite nice and relaxing to dip in and enjoy the natural spa. Most people even believe that the waters of the hot springs have what it takes to be used for medical therapies and so they use it whenever possible.
Now, in Japan there are numerous and various hot springs that can be found throughout the whole country. They are highly popular and together with its surroundings have been highly adapted for visitors. There are different kinds of hot springs in every region, and because they are different, they even provide different health benefits. However, all of them are known to be ideal for relaxing and having fun reconnecting with nature. And before we take a dip into Japan’s most beautiful hot springs, let’s just elaborate on the term “Onsen” that is being used in the name of every hot spring in Japan. Onsen means hot spring in Japanese that is why you’ll be seeing this word quite a lot in the following list:
Beppu Onsen
Located in the city of Beppu, Oita, Beppu Onsen is a group of hot springs, divided into eight major hot spring areas called “Beppu Hatto.” It is a beautiful place, with a mesmerizing blue water and picturesque surrounding nature. The most significant characteristic about this Onsen is connected to the richness of its resources. Meaning that the volume of water discharged is taking up the second place in the world, following that one of the Yellowstone National Park in the United States, which is known to be the largest hot spring resort in the world.
If you’re planning on visiting the Beppu Onsen one day, make sure to take the famous tour called Beppu Jigoku Meguri (Beppu Hell Tour) which will help you see a lot of exciting and extraordinary places.
Kurokawa Onsen
Located in the middle of Kyushu, Kurokawa Onsen is known to be one of Japan’s most attractive hot spring towns. The town itself is ideal for catching some relax time and filling up your batteries. It consists of many charming streets and interesting little houses and of course a lot of hot spring places where you can take a long and calm bath. Unfortunately bathing in some of these hot springs is not for free and requires paying a bathing pass called “Nyuyoku tegata,” although it is worth it! Some even say that the water of the hot springs there can help you ease your nerve pain, which is quite remarkable.
Gero Onsen
Gero Onsen is quite an amusing hot spring to visit. It is located in Gifu, and it is one of the most recommended hot springs due to its spring quality which is alkaline, quite pleasant for the skin. An interesting part of the surroundings is that this hot spring is not surrounded by nature, but it is also close to the village called Gero Onsen Gasshomura, where you can see plenty of attractive houses. It’s definitely worth the visit!
Shibu Onsen
Have you ever seen the award-winning movie, Baraka? Well, you must remember the first scene with the monkeys enjoying their time bathing in a hot spring. Interested where the action is taking place? It’s the Jigokudani Noen Koen which is a park as part of the Shibu Onsen, the only hot spring in the world where you can see wild monkeys enjoying their own spa time in the waters of the Shibu Onsen. This famous and authentic hot spring is located in Nagano, and it is quite amazing to visit. All of the tourists that have visited this place say that it’s a matter of “Tranquility at its best.”
Noboribetsu Onsen
This hot spring is known to be Hokkaido’s most famous hot spring resort and the best one when it comes to its access, quality and the historical highlights. The quality of the Noboribetsu Onsen includes sulfur and hydrogen sulfide, which is known to be great for the skin, despite the relaxing effect a bath in this hot spring offers you. The Noboribetsu Onsen is a part of the Shikotsu-Toya National Park.
Hakone Onsen
Located only one hour and a half away from Tokyo, the Hakone Onsen is visited by many tourists throughout the year. There are a lot of bathhouses and ryokan in the Hakone region that will provide you with the ultimate spa experience. The admission fee for these bathhouses is somewhere between 500 and 2000 yen.
Yufuin Onsen
A must-visit place for nature lovers, the Yufuin Onsen will not even relax your body, but also your eyes and your soul. Located in Oita, this hot spring is visited by a lot of visitors, especially popular among women. The presence of the Mountain Yufudake will only help you enjoy a unique experience, giving you some heavenly pleasure.
Whether you want to visit beautiful hot springs resort in Japan, have in mind that this country is full of them and they can be found in any region, so you’ll have no problem finding one. However, if you want to enjoy your Zen state of mind and body, then make sure to visit one of these hot springs mentioned above. Dip in the beauty of nature, and you shall find peace.
