10 onsen day trips in Japan (excluding Tokyo)

With winter upon us, it’s the perfect time to rest your mind and body. What better way to enjoy the cooler weather than a long soak in a natural onsen (hot spring) surrounded by rolling mountains and a wide expanse of sky? While some prefectures, such as Oita, are undoubtedly heavy hitters when it comes to the density of natural onsen, in fact, many Japanese cities are only a stone’s throw away from a hot springs resort area aside from Tokyo. Read on for our 10 most recommended onsen spring day trips for the rest of Japan.

1. Yunokawa Hakodate (Hokkaido) 
2. Jozankei Onsen (Hokkaido)
3. Sendai Akiu Onsen (Miyagi)
4. Sakunami Onsen (Miyagi)
5. Inunakiyama Onsen (Osaka)
6. Yuya Onsen (Aichi) 
7. Arima Onsen (Kobe)
8. Yuki Onsen (Hiroshima) 
9. Harazuru Onsen (Fukuoka)
10. Gensen Notenburo Nakagawa Seiryu (Fukuoka)

Yunokawa Hakodate (Hokkaido)

Yunokawa Onsen, in the southern Hokkaido metropolitan area of Hakodate, is one of the top hot springs resorts in Hokkaido. Although its founding history dates back earlier, this region exploded in popularity around the Meiji Era. Cleanse and beautify your skin in the area’s waters, which are rich in sodium and calcium chloride. Compared to many of the onsen you’ll find around Japan, these waters have relatively little odor. Depending on which facility you choose to soak, you’ll be treated to views of the ocean or small Japanese gardens.

• Address: Yunokawa Onsen, Hakodate, Hokkaido
• Nearest station: Yunokawa Onsen (take a bus or a tram from JR Hakodate Station)

Jozankei Onsen (Hokkaido)

Sitting within Hokkaido’s Shikotsu-Toya National Park, Jozankei Onsen houses several hot spring baths. The first bath opened more than 150 years ago, and people continue to benefit from its sodium chloride-rich waters. Said to alleviate muscle and joint pain, your body will thank you after a few hours at a local hotel or public bath. Check out Nukumori no Yado Furukawa for three floors of baths. Choose from rustic settings complete with century-old wooden beams and modern tiled rooms.

• Address: Jozankei Onsen, Minami Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido
• Nearest station: JR Sapporo (take the free shuttle bus from the station, about 60 minutes)

Sendai Akiu Onsen (Miyagi)

Well-known throughout Japanese history, Sendai Akiu Onsen’s waters contain calcium chloride, sodium chloride and sulfur. Thought to be excellent for curing chills and joint pain, this hot spring area is a quick day trip away from Sendai City. Many onsen inns have day trip packages, such as Rantei, where you can enjoy a sumptuous meal and luxurious baths.

• Address: Sendai Akiu Onsen, Sendai, Miyagi
• Nearest station: JR Sendai (a variety of buses bring you to the resort area in under an hour)

Sakunami Onsen (Miyagi)

Although Sakunami Onsen opened in the late 1700s, there are legendary stories signaling a much longer history. Situated alongside the edge of the Hirosegawa River, Sakunami Onsen is home to several establishments, including Yosenkaku Iwamatsu Ryokan. Opened in 1796, Yosenkaku Iwamatsu Ryokan is famous for its natural rock bath. There are a variety of baths including ones for mixed and segregated genders.

• Address: Sakunami Onsen, Sendai, Miyagi
• Nearest station: JR Sakunami

Inunakiyama Onsen (Osaka)

Mount Inunaki is well known for the 1,300-year-old Shippo-Ryuji Temple, its beautiful waterfalls and its revitalizing hot springs. Developed after the war, Inunakiyama Onsen is a hot spring resort and easily accessible from Osaka in about 30 minutes. After trekking in the mountain above, head back for a dip in the area’s sodium hydrogen carbonate waters, which have a reputation for beautifying skin. Enjoy the massive windows looking out onto the foliage at Fudouguchikan as you soak in the popular inn’s public and private baths.

• Address: Ogi, Izumisano City, Osaka
• Nearest station: JR Hineno (buses to the site are available)

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