Japan's Top 3 Hot Springs

Three Great Hot Springs of Japan

These three great hot springs of Japan were chosen for their excellent quality and health benefits. They are: Arima Onsen (Hyogo), Kusatsu Onsen (Gunma), and Gero Onsen (Gifu).

1. Arima Onsen (Hyogo Prefecture)

Arima Onsen is known for having world-class water quality and offers two completely different types of baths:

• Gold Spring: This water is brown, rich in iron and highly salty, giving it great moisturizing effects.
• Silver Spring: This is colorless, clear, and sparkling carbonic acid water that feels smooth and clean.

You can enjoy (and even drink!) these two unique types of spring water here. Arima Onsen is easily accessible from Kyoto.

2. Kusatsu Onsen (Gunma Prefecture)

Kusatsu boasts the largest natural flow of hot spring water in Japan.

The water is highly acidic (pH 2.1) and has strong germ-killing properties, leading to the famous saying: "It cures everything except for the heartache of love."

The whole town is filled with the steam and sulfuric smell of the hot springs, so you can truly enjoy the traditional onsen town atmosphere.

We also recommend watching a Yumomi Show (the hot water-mixing performance), strolling through the Yubatake (hot spring field), enjoying winter skiing, and trying different foods along the walking trails!

3. Gero Onsen (Gifu Prefecture)

Gero Onsen is famous for its smooth, slightly thick alkaline water (pH 9.2), which is especially popular with women and called the "Hot Spring of Beauty (Bijin no Yu)." The water wraps around your skin, making it silky and smooth.

Gero Onsen is easily accessible from both Takayama and Nagoya.

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